Child Life
According to the Association of Child Life Professionals...
Child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events.
Armed with a strong background in child development and family systems, child life specialists promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. We provide emotional support for families, and encourage optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to healthcare hospitalization and grief; our service includes providing support during medical proceudres inside of the treatment room. Because we understand that a child’s wellbeing depends on the support of the family, child life specialists provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members. We also play a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators, and the general public about the needs of children under stress.
In-person service is availble at Santa Barbara, Goleta, Isla Vista and Hong Kong. Virtual service is available for all areas.