Child Life Services at American Family Children’s Hospital

“Child Life helped demystify the process and make it less scary. We’re sitting here as parents watching and soaking in all the information too, and feeling more at ease knowing that Teddy is less anxious”

Founded in 1993, the Child Life program at American Family Children’s Hospital has grown to include 20 Certified Child Life Specialists and six additional team members who all help children cope with the fear and anxiety of a medical environment and being in the hospital. Child Life Services is available 24/7.

Child Life’s goal is to provide services, support and resources to help reduce the stress and anxiety children and families experience related to health care and hospitalization. Since Child Life staff are trained experts in child development, they promote effective coping through interactions including education, treatment preparation and play.

Child Life also manages the various playrooms in the hospital, which provide a sense of normalcy for kids, as well as our facility dog program, now with three canines, our volunteer therapy dog program, music therapy, sibling care program and Positive Image Center.

Child Life Specialist Brittni Jegerlehner used medical play to help Teddy understand what would happen when he had his tonsils and adenoids removed. “Child Life helped demystify the process and make it less scary. We’re sitting here as parents watching and soaking in all the information too, and feeling more at ease knowing that Teddy is less anxious,” said Teddy’s mom, Sam.

The Child Life Program is funded 100% through philanthropy, covering staff salary and benefit expenses, teaching resources, toys, activities and distraction items.