Specialized Services

A B C D E F G H I K L M N P R S T W All Services

A hospital stay can be a challenging and unfamiliar experience for children and their families. Child Life Department at UCSF Children's Hospital assists children and their families during hospitalization, illness, injury and treatment. Child life specialists and teachers work closely with the medical team to provide the best possible care for each child and family.

Our goal is to reduce the stress that can be caused by illness and hospitalization. We work with each child and family individually to ensure that their developmental, emotional and psycological needs are being met while they are cared for at UCSF Children's Hospital.

Child life specialists help prepare children for medical treatments and procedures, which are explained using teaching tools, special dolls and medical equipment. We help determine each child's level of understanding, including any misconceptions he or she may have about the hospital experience. Child life specialists also help children develop coping strategies like imagery, distraction and relaxation to reduce anxiety.

The Child Life Department offers a number of services designed to make the hospital experience as positive as possible for both patients and their families. These services include:

• Age-appropriate activities, such as games, reading and art projects
• School program
• Therapeutic play, including medical play
• Individualized explanations of medical tests, procedures and surgery
• Procedural support, pain management and coping education
• Orientation to the hospital through tours and individualized play
• Family and sibling support
• Visits from community groups and celebrities
• Holiday celebrations
• Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) pet therapy
• Weekly bingo and other closed circuit television activities
• Education on growth and development, reactions to hospitalization and going home

Our Staff

Specialists — Child life specialists are professionally certified, educated at the graduate level in child development and specialize in working with children and adolescents in medical settings.

School Teachers — Our school teachers, credentialed by the California Department of Education, work with children in the classroom and at the bedside. They create independent study projects that meet California standards of education and they coordinate with each child's school to ensure class requirements are met.

Volunteers — Volunteers, who are trained by child life staff, help supervise play spaces and spend time with children when parents need to take a break. Whether playing a board game, reading a book aloud or holding a baby, our volunteers help kids feel like kids. Parents or staff can request a volunteer through the child life department.

Patient Services

School Program — Attending school is a normal part of childhood and we encourage children to continue their learning while in the hospital. The classroom offers educational support to all inpatient children and their siblings who are enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Playroom — The playroom is a safe, stress-free place where children know they won't face medical procedures. The playroom offers toys, arts and crafts, medical play and more for children of all ages and is staffed by child life specialists and trained volunteers.

All Stars Computer Room and Courtyard — The All Stars Computer Room and Courtyard, funded by Ronnie Lott and All Stars Helping Kids, provides children and adolescents with supervised Internet access and a chance to communicate with children at other hospitals through Starbright World, a computer network for hospitalized children. The courtyard offers children and families a quiet outdoor retreat.

Teen Group — Teen Group is offered in the teen lounge for patients and siblings 10 years of age or older. Teens can participate in activities, listen to music, play video games and socialize with other teens.

The Playroom, Classroom, All Stars Computer Room and Teen Room are open throughout the week. If a child is unable to attend activities with other children, special times can be arranged.

Family Services

Family Resource Room —The Child Life Department recognizes that a child's illness affects the entire family and offers support to parents, siblings and the rest of the family. We work closely with families to minimize the stress of the hospital experience. The Family Resource Room is a library of information and resources available for families about health, illness and coping with hospitalization.

The Family Resource Room has a fax machine, computers with Internet access, jacks for laptop computers, phones and a copier to help parents keep up with the demands of life outside of the hospital. Coffee, tea and cookies are served daily. Other lounges in the hospital also are available for families.

Sibling Support — Child life specialists also are available to provide emotional support for brothers and sisters. We encourage siblings to express their feelings and help them increase their understanding of the hospital. Children of all ages are welcome to visit but those under 13 must have a health clearance from a nurse.

Support Child Life

The services provided by Child Life are made possible primarily through donations. If you are interested in supporting Child Life services, please let us know.

For more information, contact:

Child Life Department
UCSF Children's Hospital
505 Parnassus Ave., L-171, Box 0210
San Francisco, CA 94143
(415) 353-1203

Read about the Child Life Practicum and Internship.