Solutions for Kids in Pain

What Solutions for Kids in Pain does

Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) is a Canadian non-profit knowledge mobilization network headquartered at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, founded in 2019 to bridge the gap between pediatric pain research and clinical practice. The organization mobilizes evidence-based solutions through a national distributed hub model with six regional sites embedded in major Canadian pediatric hospitals and research institutions: IWK Health (Eastern, Halifax), CHU Sainte-Justine (Francophone, Montreal), SickKids (Central, Toronto), Stollery Children's Hospital (Western, Edmonton), and the University of Calgary (Strategic Initiatives). SKIP's core deliverable is the curation, translation, and dissemination of pediatric pain research into practical tools — including the Procedural Pain Management Toolkit, the over 20 neuroinclusive resources under the Every Pain, Every Brain initiative, the culturally inclusive Pain Education Hub co-developed with Our Kids' Health Network across 10 cultural chapters, and Canada's first national Pediatric Pain Management Standard (CAN/HSO 13200:2023) co-developed with the Health Standards Organization.

SKIP's products are distributed primarily through a free Resource Commons digital platform (with printed materials at-cost via Touchnet) and amplified through social media campaigns, the monthly 'In The Loop' newsletter, webinars, and earned media. The organization serves three primary stakeholder segments: healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, specialists delivering pediatric pain care), patients and families (children, youth, parents, caregivers), and policymakers — supported by an active Patient Partnership Program that embeds lived experience into governance and resource development.

The organization's revenue model is grant-funded rather than commercial. Funding flows from multiple federal sources including Networks of Centres of Excellence, Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP), Kids Brain Health Network, and Brain Canada Foundation, supplemented by donations routed through Dalhousie University's giving portal. SKIP operates with a small Administrative Centre staff (approximately 8 named personnel) and a distributed leadership model across partner institutions, with a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors drawn from healthcare, academia, and patient partners. The organization has received recognition from the Canadian Senate, Health Canada's Canadian Pain Task Force, and peer-reviewed journals for its leadership in knowledge mobilization and patient engagement.

Name

Solutions for Kids in Pain

Legal name

Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP)

Website

https://kidsinpain.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) is a Canadian non-profit knowledge mobilization network, based at Dalhousie University, that translates pediatric pain research into evidence-based tools and standards for healthcare providers, patients and families, and policymakers across Canada through six regional hospital-embedded hubs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Pain Knowledge Mobilization Network

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Social Assistance (624), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Pain Management Clinics (Interventional & Medical) (HLAFABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pain Medicine (Interventional/Neuropathic Pain) (HLAKAIAM), Disability & Chronic Condition Care Coordination (EDALAFAI)

Keywords

• Pediatric pain management
• Knowledge mobilization network
• Children's healthcare standards
• Evidence-based pain care
• Child health advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Halifax

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: SKIP operates as a knowledge mobilization network primarily funded through government grants and programs. Major funders include Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP), Networks of Centres of Excellence, Kids Brain Health Network, and Brain Canada Foundation.
2. Donations: Accepts donations through Dalhousie University's giving portal to support SKIP's impact for kids in pain.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SKIP operates a national knowledge mobilization network that develops and disseminates evidence-based resources to improve children's pain management across Canada. Its offerings include clinical toolkits, awareness campaigns (notably #ItDoesntHaveToHurt), the national CAN/HSO 13200:2023 Pediatric Pain Management Standard, neuroinclusive pediatric pain resources, and community-led multilingual pain education hubs, all delivered at no cost or at-cost through digital downloads and printed materials.

Product overview

SKIP (Solutions for Kids in Pain) is a national knowledge mobilization network based at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with regional hubs across Canada. The organization's core offering is its national network that unites partners to improve children's pain management through coordination and collaboration. SKIP's product portfolio includes the flagship awareness campaign 'It Doesn't Have to Hurt' (#ItDoesntHaveToHurt), the Youth in Pain initiative addressing opioid use in youth, the Every Pain, Every Brain neuroinclusive pain management program, and the Our Kids' Health Pain Education Hub developed through partnership. The organization delivers practical tools including the Procedural Pain Management Toolkit and maintains a Resource Commons for digital and print materials, complemented by video resources and a patient partnership program. SKIP publishes the monthly 'In The Loop' newsletter and collaborated on developing the national CAN/HSO 13200:2023 Pediatric Pain Management Standard. The network operates through six regional hubs (Eastern, Francophone, Central, Western, Strategic Initiatives) and an Administrative Centre.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• It Doesn't Have to Hurt: An evidence-informed knowledge mobilization campaign and uniting hashtag (#ItDoesntHaveToHurt) that serves as a public call to action for children's pain management
• Youth in Pain
• Every Pain, Every Brain

Products and services

• SKIP National Knowledge Mobilization Network A coordinated national network based at Dalhousie University that unites patients, families, health professionals, researchers, and policymakers to develop and disseminate evidence-based resources for children's pain management across Canada.
• National Pediatric Pain Management Standard (CAN/HSO 13200:2023) Canada's first national Pediatric Pain Management standard, establishing guidelines for equitable and quality pain management for children from birth to 19 years, developed in partnership with the Health Standards Organization (HSO) for adoption by healthcare organizations.
• Youth in Pain: Solutions for Effective Opioid Use A SKIP project addressing the medical use of opioids for pain management in youth, including toolkit development, capacity building, and a narrative change campaign funded by Health Canada.
• Every Pain, Every Brain: Implementing Neuroinclusive Pain Management for Kids An initiative creating 20+ tools and resources (including the SKIP Resource Navigator) to help hospitals implement neuroinclusive pain management for children with neurodisabilities, involving expert teams from 20+ partner organizations.
• Our Kids' Health Pain Education Hub A culturally inclusive, community-led pediatric pain education resource hub co-produced with Our Kids' Health across 10 cultural chapters covering 11 key pain topics, available through the Our Kids' Health platform.
• Procedural Pain Management Toolkit An evidence-based toolkit providing guidance on procedural pain management in children and youth, available as a free downloadable PDF for healthcare providers and families.
• SKIP Resource Commons An online platform (powered by Touchnet) offering free digital resource downloads, printed materials available at cost, and SKIP-branded merchandise for healthcare providers, families, and event audiences.
• It Doesn't Have to Hurt Campaign An evidence-informed public awareness campaign and uniting hashtag (#ItDoesntHaveToHurt) that mobilizes parents, clinicians, and policymakers around children's pain management best practices.
• Patient Partnership Program A program enabling patients, caregivers, and members of the public to partner with SKIP across activities including committee roles, project engagements, and public advocacy to embed the patient voice in pediatric pain work.
• In The Loop Newsletter SKIP's monthly email newsletter providing network updates, announcements, opportunities, upcoming events, and curated reading lists for healthcare providers, patient partners, and stakeholders.
• SKIP Video Resources Video content covering children's pain care, evidence-informed solutions, and stories from children, youth, and families with lived experience, including pain management guidance and tips for medical procedures.

Quantifiable outcome

• Children experience an average of 6 painful procedures per day in Canadian hospitals; 14 in neonatal intensive care
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Our Kids' Health (KidsHealthNetwork)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKIP and Our Kids' Health partnered to create a Pain Education Hub featuring culturally inclusive, community-led pediatric pain education resources. Working with 10 cultural chapters across the network, materials address 11 key pain topics tailored to unique community needs and perspectives. Supported by Dalhousie University's Next Wave Fund.
• Health Standards Organization (HSO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKIP and HSO developed Canada's first national Pediatric Pain Management standard (CAN/HSO 13200:2023), establishing guidelines for delivery of pain management for children from birth to 19 years across hospital settings.
• IWK HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKIP Eastern Hub based at IWK Health, a major pediatric hospital and trauma centre serving Maritime provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island). Partnership with Maritime Child Health program.
• CHU Sainte-JustinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKIP Francophone Hub based at CHU Sainte-Justine, the largest mother and child centre in Canada, affiliated with Université de Montréal. Delivered in partnership with Tout doux program for procedural and acute pain improvement.
• Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKIP Central Hub based at SickKids, Canada's most research-intensive hospital and largest centre dedicated to improving children's health. Partnership with SickKids Pain Centre for pediatric pain research and knowledge mobilization.
• Stollery Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKIP Western Hub based at Stollery Children's Hospital, the only specialized healthcare facility for infants, children, and youth in central and northern Alberta. A ChildKind International certified facility. Partnership with Women and Children's Health Research Institute and Alberta Health Services.
• University of CalgarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKIP Strategic Initiatives Hub housed at the University of Calgary, providing leadership on key SKIP strategic projects and initiatives including the Every Pain, Every Brain project.
• Boondoc TechnologiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partnership through The Rounds platform to initiate dialogue about pediatric pain management and encourage sharing of experiences, resources, and needs among healthcare professionals.
• Canadian Dental AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Youth in Pain project with Dr. Astha Shah providing expertise on acute dental pain and toolkit development.
• Dalhousie UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKIP is based at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The university operates on the unceded territories of the Mi'kmaw, Wolastoqey, and Peskotomuhkati Peoples.
• Women's and Children's Health Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Western Hub, generously funded by Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, supporting better pain care for children in Western Canada.
• Alberta Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Western Hub to support better pain care for children in Western Canada and beyond.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Knowledge Translation (KT) Canada: Canadian network of researchers and practitioners advancing knowledge translation in health. SKIP is a leading operational example of KT Canada's conceptual framework and shares several board members and methodologies.
• Children's Healthcare Canada: National association representing Canadian children's hospitals and child health organizations. SKIP's Board Co-Chair Emily Gruenwoldt is CEO of Children's Healthcare Canada, and both organizations coordinate across pediatric institutions in Canada.
• Canadian Pain Society: National society of pain researchers and clinicians in Canada. The two organizations share a national remit in Canadian pain research translation and frequently collaborate on knowledge mobilization in pediatric and adult pain.
• HELPinKids (Help Eliminate Pain in Kids): Research and knowledge translation program based at SickKids and the University of Toronto focused on children's pain during vaccinations and medical procedures. Directly comparable to SKIP's #ItDoesntHaveToHurt and procedural pain work, sharing members and methodology.
• Health Standards Organization (HSO): Canada's leading healthcare standards body and SKIP's flagship partner on the CAN/HSO 13200:2023 standard. Comparable as a non-profit that builds national healthcare standards and is a primary upstream/downstream collaborator.
• ChildKind International: Global non-profit that certifies healthcare facilities for excellence in pediatric pain management. Most directly comparable to SKIP's mission; the Stollery Children's Hospital is a ChildKind-certified SKIP partner, and both organizations pursue system-level standards in pediatric pain.
• Our Kids' Health Network (KidsHealthNetwork): Canadian network producing culturally inclusive, community-led pediatric health resources across 10 cultural chapters. Co-developer of SKIP's Pain Education Hub and operates a similar knowledge mobilization model for children's health.

Broad incumbents

• International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP): Global professional forum for pain science, practice, and policy. IASP's Pediatric Pain Special Interest Group overlaps significantly with SKIP's specialty focus and operates a broader mandate across all pain types.
• Mayday Fund: US-based private foundation dedicated to pain research and treatment, including pediatric pain. Operates as a funder/convener in the same knowledge-action gap SKIP addresses, with overlapping stakeholders.

Emerging players

• Trexo Robotics: Canadian pediatric robotics company addressing mobility for children with disabilities. Not a direct peer but operates in the same pediatric-neurodisability ecosystem SKIP serves through Every Pain, Every Brain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kidsinpain
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3ReKdpBcBYN7tFyFFTPxtA
• Facebookfacebook.com/KidsInPain
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kids-in-pain-skip
• Instagraminstagram.com/kidsinpain

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Solutions for Kids in Pain