About the Child Life Program
The Child Life program at ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children's HospitalProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children's Hospital seeks to support children and families coping with the emotional impact of childhood illness. We help your child understand and cope with his or her illness, and adjust to our hospital environment.
Our team consists of certified Child Life Specialists, a music therapist, a certified teacher, and technology support staff focused on reducing stress for you and your child.
Our Child Life Specialists
Our certified Child Life Specialists are educated and clinically trained in the developmental impact of illness and injury. They improve patient and family care, satisfaction and overall experience.
Infants, children and youth confront a wide variety of stressful and potentially traumatic events that can impact their ability to cope. These experiences related to health care can lead to feelings of fear, confusion, loss of control and isolation that can inhibit their development and have negative effects on their physical and emotional health and well-being.
Our Child Life Specialists help infants, children, youth and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of acute and chronic illness, injury, trauma, disability, loss, and bereavement. They provide evidence-based, developmentally and psychologically appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation for procedures, and education to reduce fear, anxiety, and pain.
Our Child Life specialists work with patients and families in the following units:
- Emergency department.
- General pediatrics.
- Hematology/oncology.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
- Sedation, infusion, vascular access.
- Surgery (parental presence at induction of anesthesia).
Services We Provide
At ProMedica Ebeid Children's Hospital, we strive to provide services and programs to meet the needs of our patients and their families. Our team of Child Life specialists provide:
- Advocacy for patients and families.
- Bead programs.
- Developmental support/sibling support.
- Educational services.
- Grief and bereavement support for children and families.
- Medical play to help children become more comfortable and familiar with medical equipment and procedures within the hospital.
- Music therapy.
- Pet therapy.
- Preparation for tests, surgeries and other medical procedures using developmentally appropriate tools and language.
- Support during medical procedures with parental involvement.
- Therapeutic play activities to normalize the hospital environment.
Our Activity Areas
We provide the following activity areas at ProMedica Ebeid Children's Hospital:
- Angie's Place Library.
- Bob Fike Family Lounge & Playroom.
- Lily Pad Playroom.
- Sydney's Playroom (Hematology/Oncology).
Student and Volunteer Opportunities
We currently do not offer Child Life practicum or Child Life internships. If you are interested in volunteering in the Child Life department, please fill out a volunteer application form. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 and fully vaccinated.
Donations
Your generosity and support help bring comfort and smiles to our patients. If you are interested in making a toy or gift card donation to the Child Life Department, view the Child Life Donation Guidelines for further guidance.