Child Life Program
If you have ever been hospitalized or had to endure a complex medical procedure, you probably have an understanding of the stress of receiving medical treatment. Now imagine being a small child, an infant, or even a teen dealing with that stress without an understanding of what is happening and not knowing where the parents who love and protect you are. Co-located in St. Mary's Hospital, The Child Life Program provides a continuum of care for these children, adolescents, and their families when they are in the hospital or outpatient treatment.
The role of the Child Life Specialist is to ensure that children who are hospitalized or receiving medical treatment and their families have the benefit of caring non-medical professionals who provide medical play and diversional therapy to help reduce the stress and anxiety children and teens may experience while hospitalized and separated from their families. Child Life Specialists work to make sure every child’s experience is as physically and emotionally positive as possible. They use several methods when talking about procedures, including medical play with puppets, videos, preparatory photo albums, “medical play” with real or play equipment. The special events and celebrations create a welcoming atmosphere on the hospital unit and can support patient socialization for those patients who can leave their rooms.
The Child Life Program also has Licensed Mental Health Counselors who provide the “behavioral medicine” services to pediatric patients and their families. Psychosocial support is provided throughout the child's hospital stay along with advocacy for children with chronic diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, and Crohn’s Disease. In addition, services are provided to children dealing with the impact of trauma. Mental health support can make a world of difference for the well-being and recovery of children as well as families during difficult hospital experiences, such instances when children are in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, which can be a very scary experience. Support is also provided to high risk children and their families in our outpatient clinics. Click here to learn more about our program staff.
The mission of this program is to provide support to children and their families coping with serious illness and trauma. This is accomplished through the Child Life Program and the continuum of care provided by the child life specialists and behavioral medicine therapists. The Child Life Program is support through funding by the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation and the Be A Star Foundation.
No person is denied access to service on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. In the event we are unable to meet a special need of a child or family, an appropriate referral will be made. For more information about services provided, please contact the Program Assistant or Director at: 561-882-6336.
