Birmingham, AL – In a heartfelt acknowledgment of the crucial role played by child life specialists, Children’s of Alabama is commemorating Child Life Month throughout March. This dedicated month serves as a platform to celebrate the profound impact that child life specialists have on the lives of hospitalized children and their families.
Child Life Specialists are highly-trained professionals in child development who play a pivotal role in assisting children and their families through the often-challenging medical processes they face during hospitalization. At Children’s, the Child Life Team recognizes the inherent stress that accompanies illness and hospital stays for young patients and their families.
Noelle Connor, a child life specialist at Children’s of Alabama, emphasized the team’s commitment to helping children and families navigate these difficult times positively. “We recognize that it can be a very stressful and challenging time. It can be filled with uncertainty, and it can be filled with scary procedures, and it can be painful at times. We want to help children cope with that,” said Connor.
Child Life Specialists are integral members of the healthcare team, holding at least a bachelor’s degree in child life, child development, child and family studies, or related fields. Professional certification is provided by the Association of Child Life Professionals.
Children’s of Alabama’s Child Life Program is further enriched by the support of Spire, a longstanding donor to the cause. Spire’s generosity ensures that Child Life Specialists have access to the tools, materials, and equipment necessary to carry out their essential work. Recently, the company sponsored the annual Valentine’s Day card drive, doubling the impact by matching donations collected during the drive.
“The Child Life program at Children’s of Alabama is something that all of us at Spire are passionate about supporting,” said Joe Hampton, President of Spire Alabama, Mississippi, and Gulf Coast. “The incredible work they do to enrich the lives of their patients has an impact on the whole community. That’s something we strive to do at Spire as well.”
As a testament to their commitment, Spire also sponsored a unique event earlier today – a teddy bear clinic for patients. This special clinic provided children with an opportunity to take on the role of a caregiver, guiding their new stuffed animal friends through simulated medical procedures, offering a positive and empowering experience.
Child Life Month serves not only as a time to recognize and appreciate the dedicated work of child life specialists but also as an opportunity for the community to understand the vital role they play in easing the burdens of young patients during challenging times. The ongoing support from organizations like Spire ensures that Children’s of Alabama can continue providing top-tier care and support to children and families when they need it most.
