Bridging medical & behavioral health for better experiences
Poke Pals™ is a trauma-informed pediatric blood draw preparation program built by a phlebotomist who is also a behavioral health specialist — because the two have always belonged together.
Blood draws don’t have to be traumatic
For many children—especially those who are anxious, sensitive, or neurodivergent—blood draws are the most distressing part of medical care.
When distress escalates:
- procedures fail
- schedules break down
- and children leave with lasting medical anxiety
Poke Pals™ changes what happens before the needle
Poke Pals™ is a trauma-informed pediatric blood draw preparation program built by a phlebotomist and behavioral specialist—because these two worlds should never have been separate.
A comfort-first, evidence-informed approach that combines:
- clinical accuracy
- nervous-system–aware preparation
- developmentally appropriate support
So children feel:
more prepared
more in control
more able to participate
Who We Help
For Families & Caregivers
Is your child anxious about blood draws or medical visits?
Poke Pals provides virtual coaching to help children approach procedures with less fear and more predictability.
- One-on-one support
- Customized preparation plans
- Neurodiversity-affirming strategies
- Accessible via video
For Clinical Teams & Organizations
Are pediatric patients escalating or refusing procedures?
Poke Pals trains teams to prevent escalation before it starts.
- Team workshops
- Case consultation
- Implementation support
- Virtual or in-person
Why It Works
Poke Pals addresses the gap between clinical skill and patient readiness.
Most teams are trained to perform the procedure.
Few are trained to prepare the child.
That’s where success is determined.
ABA clinics and BCBA Practitioners
blood draw preparation reduces session disruption and supports carryover of behavioral goals into medical settings.
For Mobile Lab Partners
Your hardest pediatric draws don’t have to stay hard.
Most mobile labs have strong clinical skill.
Very few have a behavioral framework for what happens before the needle.
Poke Pals fills that gap.
- Pediatric intake & prep process review
- Protocol development
- Staff training
- Family-facing materials
- Co-branded pediatric-friendly services
About the Founder
I’m Franchesca Kelly—pediatric phlebotomist (PBT, ASCP) and Registered Behavior Technician.
With 9+ years of frontline experience, my work sits at the intersection of:
- blood collection
- behavioral science
- pediatric patient experience
My approach is grounded in both published research and real clinical practice.
Grounded in published work and real clinical practice.
Visit: youtube.com/@PokePalsKids
Published Work & Thought Leadership
Selected articles on pediatric phlebotomy, medical anxiety, and trauma-informed outpatient care.
https://clpmag.com/diagnostic-technologies/pediatric-testing-problems-labs-arent-measuring/
FOR FAMILIES
FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Making medical care trauma-informed and child-centered
Our Mission
Making medical care more trauma-informed, child-centered, and successful—for every child, every time.
Storyboards
Preparation Tools (Storyboards)
Some children need to see what’s coming before they can feel safe.
Poke Pals storyboards walk children through medical procedures step-by-step using simple visuals and predictable language.
Available for:
- blood draws
- vaccinations
- dental visits
- imaging (MRI/CT)
- and more
→ Visit the Poke Pals Shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PokePalsKids?ref=dashboard-header
Expert Pediatric Care
Partner with Poke Pals™
Your hardest pediatric draws don't have to stay hard. If you do mobile phlebotomy, you've had the call — the parent who warns you before you arrive, the child who shuts down the moment you walk in. Most mobile labs have clinical skill and good intentions. Very few have a behavioral framework for what happens before the needle goes in. That's the gap Poke Pals fills.
Phase 1 — Consulting (available now)
- Pediatric intake and preparation process review
- Protocol development for anxious and neurodivergent patients
- Staff training on nervous-system–aware technique
- Customized Poke Pals materials for your patient families
Phase 2 — Clinical support (CA CPT pending · Bay Area)
- PRN availability for complex pediatric draws
- Co-branded pediatric-friendly service offering