The Behavioral Health Department at Cure 4 The Kids is made up of specialized professionals who work together to support patients and families through their medical journey by providing emotional, social, cognitive, and educational support.
Our behavioral health services are available to current Cure 4 The Kids patients receiving treatment for cancer, blood disorders, rheumatological conditions, and other complex medical diagnoses. At this time, we do not accept external referrals for standalone behavioral health services.
Neuropsychology at Cure 4 The Kids evaluates how medical conditions and treatments affect thinking, learning, and emotions in children. Our neuropsychologist and Director of Behavioral Health, Dr. Danielle Bello, works directly alongside physicians and nurse practitioners on the clinic floor, providing comprehensive evaluations that measure cognitive and emotional functioning, including specialized assessments for autism, ADHD, and learning disorders.
Through detailed testing, we determine how cancer and other conditions impact brain function, helping families understand the learning and behavioral effects of diagnosis and treatment. Our evaluations guide diagnoses, treatment recommendations, and connections to appropriate resources in the community.
What sets us apart is our comprehensive clinic model, where patients benefit from coordinated care that addresses their whole quality of life. This holistic integration allows for immediate collaboration and nuanced discussions about each patient’s care.
Meeting families before and after formal evaluations also helps build rapport and ensures continuity of support throughout their medical journey, making neuropsychological assessment a seamless part of their overall care at Cure 4 The Kids.
At Cure 4 The Kids, our team of doctors and our neuropsychologist work together when determining whether our current patients should have a neuropsychological evaluation. An evaluation may occur if your child has:
from trauma to the head, stroke, an infection or lack of oxygen
such as genetic disorders, childhood cancer, or a catastrophic childhood disease
or problems in cognitive functioning
and failure to make academic progress
Social workers at Cure 4 The Kids provide essential support to identify and connect families with specific local and national resources, coordinate travel assistance for out-of-state medical care, and arrange transportation to ensure patients can access their appointments. They also provide ongoing emotional and practical support for oncology families through the Clark County CARE program.
Working directly on the clinic floor alongside our medical team, our social workers conduct screenings to identify family stressors and case management needs. They collaborate with community organizations to expand available resources and help assess adult patients transitioning to adult medical care. If and when safety concerns arise, social workers intervene promptly to protect patients and families.
At Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, social workers offer meaningful therapeutic contacts and case management, helping reduce barriers to care and improving each family’s ability to cope with the challenges of their child’s medical condition.
Most clinics don’t have the luxury of having their own Certified Child Life Specialists. At Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, our focus is on pediatric specialized and medically complex treatments—and administering these isn’t always easy.
Our Child Life Specialists are here for every patient and family member for guidance and help through the treatment process. We value the many benefits Child Life Specialists bring to our patients at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation and see it as a necessary component of care and patient experience.
Child Life Specialists are specially trained professionals who help children and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury, and treatment. They provide age-appropriate preparation for medical procedures, using therapeutic play, education, and expressive activities to help children understand what to expect and develop healthy coping strategies.
By normalizing the clinical environment and supporting emotional expression through play, art, and other developmentally appropriate activities, our Child Life Specialists help reduce anxiety and fear while promoting positive adjustment to the healthcare experience. Their expertise in child development allows them to tailor their approach to each child’s unique needs, ensuring that even the most challenging medical experiences are as comfortable and comprehensible as possible for our young patients.
Our in-house Child Life Specialists are trained to help your child and family understand and cope with having an illness. From improving care and treatment to providing a better experience for the entire family, our Child Life Specialists can assist you and your child with:
Board-Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist | Director of Behavioral Health and Andre Agassi Foundation for Education Learning Center
Dr. Danielle Bello is a board-certified neuropsychologist (ABPP) and licensed psychologist in Nevada who has been part of Cure 4 The Kids Foundation since 2015. She currently serves as Director of both the Behavioral Health Department and the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education Learning Center.
Originally from New York, Dr. Bello earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Binghamton University before shifting her focus to psychology. She completed a master’s degree at New York University and earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her clinical training included a neuropsychology internship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2009, followed by a two-year postdoctoral residency in Las Vegas.
Dr. Bello has been involved in clinical research since 2002, contributing to numerous studies. At Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, she participates in research through the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP), focusing on the psychological and neurocognitive components of pediatric cancer studies.
In addition to her clinical and research work, Dr. Bello has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she has served as an adjunct assistant professor and part-time instructor. She also supervises predoctoral clinical psychology practicum students and remains active in professional organizations including the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, the National Academy of Neuropsychology, and the Nevada Cancer Coalition.
The behavioral health team at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation extends beyond individual patient care to support the entire care ecosystem. We participate in multidisciplinary medical clinics focused on specific patient populations, ensuring that psychosocial needs are consistently addressed as part of comprehensive treatment planning. Through regular case conferences, our team identifies barriers and collaborates with medical staff, educators, and other professionals to address patients’ educational and psychological needs.
Our team also provides critical support services including screening for safety risks and concerns, offering bereavement support to families experiencing loss, and contributing expertise to organizational leadership on initiatives related to psychological health. At Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, this comprehensive integration ensures that behavioral health considerations are woven throughout all aspects of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation is the most stringent in the country for medical facilities. Since 2011, we have been Exceeding Industry Standards. This proves our quality of care is at the highest level. Patient safety and treatment is our top priority and Joint Commission Accreditation is essential to continue to add services for our patients.
Ranking #2623 of the fastest growing companies an America.The Inc. 5000 is a weekly magazine that publishes stories about small businesses and startups and is a very prestigious honor for growing private businesses and business leaders.
In 2021, we ranked as #4 among the nation’ top 50 Non Profit organizations to work for, by Non Profit Times, moving up 19 places since 2019. This coveted award is primarily based on employee satisfaction surveys in the following areas: Leadership and Planning, Culture and Communication, Training, Development and Resources.
We believe every child is entitled to the best treatment options that modern science has to offer. This is why we also place a great emphasis on raising money to support healthcare and treatment access for all children. Every donation, no matter the size, plays a crucial role in bringing support to our patients and their families.