The Child Life team knows it’s important for kids to be kids—even when they’re in the hospital. The Child Life Program at Miller Children’s & Women's features a staff of more than 20 certified Child Life Specialists, all of whom have bachelors or masters degrees in child development or a related field. Certified child life specialists have completed extensive student/volunteer internships and obtained national certifications.
Child Life is Everywhere
Child life specialists are available seven days a week and are located throughout the hospital. A certified child life specialists is assigned to every center/unit in the hospital, even centers and clinics where patients don’t spend the night, but need support. We know the value of medical play and support, so where there is a child, a child life specialist can be reached. If needed, child life specialists can even provide support and comfort to children of the adult patients who are staying next door at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center.
Child Life’s Extended Team
- Child life assistants are available to spend time with patients and their families at the bedside and run the Sibling Time program.
- Child life interns shadow child life specialists and work side-by-side with them helping make the hospital experience more positive. Learn more about the Child Life Internship Program.
- In addition, approximately 100 volunteers donate their time to Child Life Program each year.
- Our volunteer “grandparents” spend time with patients who need a comfort that only a grandparent could give.