Description of Services

The Child Life Department provides support, education and assistance to children, teens and their families who are adjusting to illness and hospitalization. The Child Life staff works with children throughout the hospital, including the medical and surgical inpatient units, the critical care units, some outpatient areas, Same Day Surgery, Radiology and the Emergency Department. Supervised group and individualized play sessions are provided daily in the unit-based, medical-free Activity Centers. Bedside activities are offered to children who are on bed rest or in isolation.

Child Life Staff
Child Life specialists, all of whom have degrees in child development, education or child life, work to help children understand new experiences and feelings that may occur before, during and after a hospital stay. The professional staff is able to provide programs and services appropriate for children’s developmental, emotional and educational needs in a family-centered care environment.

Child life assistants provide diversion through interaction and activities to help meet the developmental and psychosocial needs of patients and families.

The music therapist utilizes music for cognitive and sensory stimulation, distraction and coping skill enhancement with patients.

Director
Denise Esposto