- How child life specialists take the mystery out of medicine for children and their families
- A video with our child life specialists about their work and its impact
- Ways you can support Carilion Children's
Whether during a child’s outpatient visit or a hospital stay, Carilion Children’s certified child life specialists are here to give patients and their families the information and tools they need to face it head on. The Child Life Program team helps patients and families:
- Understand their illness and the necessary treatment plan through age-appropriate education
- Cope with fear, pain and grief through play and self-expressive activities
Each tool is intentionally designed to provide a better understanding, thereby helping to reduce stress and fear of the unknown during a difficult time. Carilion Clinic offers the only program in western Virginia to emphasize the following goals:
- Improve each patient's understanding of their hospital experience
- Recognize and support strengths within each family
- Provide the necessary emotional support to the patients and families
- Create a healthy environment for sustainable support
- Promote continuous growth and development
- Advocate for patient- and family-centered care
Our team focuses on four interventions:
- Development and recreation using carefully chosen toys and activities in a hospital-based playroom, where children, their families and their child life specialist can bond
- Patient and family education before and after surgery, infusions or other procedures
- Psychological preparation using therapeutic approaches to minimizing stress and anxiety
- Emotional support throughout the process, individualized for each family's unique needs
Supporting the Child Life Program
Our Child Life team is often asked how people can support the program. They accept donations of new, latex-free toys, books, craft supplies, toiletries and clothing in addition to monetary donations. Visit CarilionFoundation.org or see the program's "wish lists":
- Child Life Program Amazon wish list
- Carilion Children's wish list (pdf)
- Carilion Children's NICU wish list (pdf)
You can also volunteer to spend time with our patients playing games, reading stories or supporting special events while seeing our child life specialists at work. Find out more on our volunteer page.
