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Texas Juvenile Arthritis Program

Did you know there are over 300,000 children in the United States, including more than 4,000 in Texas who have some form of arthritis? It is important to the Texas Chapter to make sure all these children and their parents are connected through The Arthritis Foundation.

The Texas Juvenile Arthritis Program offers information and referrals, support and education, school info, scholarships to the American Juvenile Arthritis Conference, and other fun activities for children and their families. To get your free copy of Kids Get Arthritis Too Newsletter, please call 1.800.442.6653.

	The Parent-to-Parent Texas JA Network links parents of children newly diagnosed with juvenile arthritis to provide support and encouragement. Upon calling the Texas Chapter, parents are connected with other parents of children near the same age, and the same geographic area.
	The JA Alliance (Juvenile Arthritis Alliance) is a virtual community connected through the Arthritis Foundation Web site. Its members are parents, volunteers, health professionals and anyone who is impacted by juvenile arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation created patient alliances to ensure we have the important voice of people with arthritis represented in the leadership of the our organization and by fully integrating, and expanding all juvenile arthritis activities throughout the Arthritis Foundation's nationwide structure. So, what happened to the AJAO? Read More...
	Mark your calendars for the 2009 JA Conference! Save the date now for the JA Conference in Houston next year, July 9-12, 2009. The Texas Chapter is proud to host the 2009 Arthritis Foundation JA Conference. For more information contact us at 713-942-9063.
	In Texas, there are three sites that have a pediatric rheumatologist (someone who is trained in pediatrics and the subspecialty of pediatric rheumatology) on staff. Click here to learn more.
	The Arthritis Foundation, Texas Chapter offers many opportunities for families to be involved. Exercise programs such as Aquatics, Land, and Tai Chi for Arthritis, or special events such as our Arthritis Walk, or the Jingle Bell Run are held throughout the year.
	The Arthritis Foundation Pen Pal Program provides the opportunity for children with juvenile arthritis or a related condition to make a new friend and share feelings and experiences. Children sign up by filling out a questionnaire and are assigned a pen pal with similar interests. They might even get to write to a pen pal out of state!