light spinner quarterly: issue 7

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MissionLight Spinner Quar-terly was created to start a dialogue among child life specialists about their practices through valuable content and resources. LSQ also serves as a public forum to educate the world at large about the fi eld of child life. LSQ is an inde-pendent publication.

child life spe·cial·ist [c + l + s] noun Child Life Specialists are trained professionals who help children and their families understand the hospital environment and minimize the trauma thereof through education, therapeutic intervention, and play.Origin: 1922-Current, Find out more at www.LightSpinnerQuarterly.org

entsDecember 2012Light Spinner Quarterly

3. From the Founder“Child Life Specialists fi nd joy in things the rest of the world may not think about.”4. Where Child Life is happening

Find out about what’s happening in the world of child life and who is making the news for extraordinary efforts!

6. Spotlight: Robert Wing, CCLSPower dad and hero child life specialist gets pro�iled for this quarter’s spotlight!

8. Cultivating CompassionWhen a patient doesn’t �ind comfort in any of the usual activities, child life specialist Ericka Thomas gave a green thumbs-up to a new idea.

10. Survival Archival: Toy GuideSome new ideas for your playroom and bedsides!

12. Feelings in the hospital: Contest WinnersChild life students at the University of Iowa break down the roller coaster of emotions that cultivate in hospitals.

14. Grants to Apply for in 2013Is your department in need of some extra spending money in the new �iscal year? Try out some of these foundations for a bit of help!

contFounder and Editorial DirectorSarah Mendivel, MS, Child Life

Social Media ManagerErica Lara, MS, Child Life

Cover PhotoTeodora Vlaicu

Contact/Advertise:[email protected]

Light Spinner QuarterLy | 2 www.lightspinnerquarterly.org

$12/yr

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Contributors

Want to contribute?Shoot us an email and let us know what you’re interested in submitting: creatives, editing, writing, interventions, etc. Light Spinner Quarterly is your place to shine!

Favorite Facebook feedback this quarter:Child Life Department at Levine Children’s Hospital dressed up as iPad apps! See page 3!

@LightSpinnerQ

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Contributors Founder’s Note

As the new year approaches and we watch the gra-cious moments of 2012 warmly excuse them-selves, I am reminded of the blessings our field

encapsulates. Beyond the searing pride and long distance camaraderie of our community, lies the connections we make with little ones.

Children, like time, have a knack for teaching us about the world by weighting us into the moment. Our lives busy us with schedules, pages, donations, and budgets. It is the children we work with, in their crystal jellyfish-like grace, that remind us about laughter, sincerity, and hope. The very things that attracted us to Child Life originally.

Child Life Specialists find joy in things the rest of the world may not think about. For many, discharge orders surmount the latest gadget in our wish lists. Watching an infant receive a new heart for Christmas warms our own quicker than a new pair of shoes. Seeing a family finally come together after the stress and collapse of an emergency department visit gives us more peace than any high-end item we can imagine.

The prospect of 2013 is a milestone for a hopeful future, recognition of our learnings, and the continued collec-tions of wisdom. The changing of years should also re-mind us of the astounding importance of those around us.

Think of those that helped you shoulder the burden of a hard time and those that helped to crochet inside jokes in between rounds. Think of those that demanded a better version of yourself to appear and those that accepted the version of you that you try your utmost to preserve.

Everyone always matters in someway. Don’t forget to find the lesson in the personalities around you, for each holds a piece of your life journey. Make friends of coworkers and allies of strangers.

Light Spinner Quarterly wishes you, your families, and the children you work with a multitude of wonder, love, and new beginnings.

“Child Life is here. GET EXCITED!”

Sarah Mendivel, MS, Child Life

Founder Sarah Mendivel with 3 year old Isaac before flu vaccinations. Finding fun in all situations!

www.lightspinnerquarterly.org 3 | Light Spinner QuarterLy

Where Child Life is happeningChild life is spreading into the international fronts everyday. Check out what child life specialists are up to around the United States!

ArizonaTucson- Child life specialists, PICU nurse Pamela Spencer and her team created a ceremony at Diamond Children’s Medical Center called Remember with Love. The ceremony allows families and staff to remember how children touched their lives through memorialized offerings.

OregonPortland- Providence St. Vincent’s child life specialists are interviewed about their positive impact on reduc-ing anxiety in pediatric patients. Emily Schlichting, RN, worked hard towards supporting the efforts and presence of the child life program.

CaliforniaLong Beach- Members of the Long Beach Fire Department and child life specialists of Miller Children’s Hospital helped to pull Santa and his sleigh into the parking lot. Santa pulled in wagons full of toys and fi reman hats to make the holiday a bit more special for patients.

PICU nurse Pamela Spencer and

how children touched their lives through memorialized offerings.

ing anxiety in pediatric patients. Emily Schlichting, RN, worked hard towards supporting the efforts and presence of

Want more news? Check out fresh updates at LightSpinnerQuartlery.org

News to ConsiderAccording to the December 3, 2012 article ‘Life Specialists’ Help Young

Patients Cope with Illness, Dennis Reynolds (executive director of the Child Life Council) says the number of individuals seeking certifi cation is outpac-

ing the number of available jobs. This is something we have been aware of for awhile. He adds that he expects the fi eld to grow into general hospitals,

clinics and dental offi ces. Ever wonder why more jobs aren’t being added to the market? Perhaps it’s time to spend more resources on additional advocacy

and public awareness for our fi eld and the needs of children. Write to LSQ or the Child Life Council about ideas on bringing

awareness to our profession.


FloridaLakewood Ranch- CCLS Tanya Prete help accept a donation of 30 books, an art set, game, and a fuzzy stuffed animal to staff at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center by seven year old Abbey Burwood.

TexasAmarillo- Baptist St. Anthony Hospital is the home base for the Children’s Miracle Network. CCLS Elizabeth Palermo explains the importance of having creative projects at hand to help hospitalized children strangthen emotionally and mentally.

Houston- Barnes & Noble donated 1,800 books to the pediatric patients at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital making the CCLS’ quite busy!

North CarolinaCharlotte- A U.S. Olympic Bead of Courage has only been awarded 56 times in history, and Rebecca Brooks, a child life specialist at Presbyterian-Hemby Children’s Hospital, just received one for going “above the call of duty”! The father of a child she worked closely with nominated her. Congratulations Rebecca!

VirginaWashington, DC- Liz Anderson, one of 16 child life specialists at Children’s National Medical Center, is profi led for an in-depth look at what a child life specialist does. The article ‘Life Specialists’ Help Young Patients Cope with Illness by Jenny Gold highlights interesting facts including: there are cur-rently 4,000 CLS’, every pediatric hospital in the USA houses at least one, a CCLS makes $40,000 to $60,000 a year, and a CLS can save the surgical team 3-5 minutes prepping children for procedures.

Rockville, MD- Nearby D.C., the Child Life Coun-cil announces the giveaway of fi ve international scholarsips for the CLC Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado from May 16-19, 2013.

New YorkDunlap- Jessie Biondi, child life specialist at Golisano Children’s Hospital, is pictured walking down the hall with former bone cancer survivor Devon Shaw, 17. Both are de-livering toys to patients during the holidays as doctors explain that the biggest gift a patient could get is discharge papers.

IllinoisRochester- Jennifer Mangers, a child life specialist who works at Hope’s Friends Hospice and Pallia-tive Care of Northeastern Illinois (and interviewed for LSQ’s fi rst is-sue), worked with her sister, Cheryl Wooden to bring toys to 44 low-income families facing life-limiting illnesses.

FloridaLakewood Ranch- CCLS Tanya Prete help accept a donation of 30 books, an art set, game, and a fuzzy stuffed animal to staff at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center by seven year old Abbey Burwood.

TexasAmarillo- Baptist St. Anthony Hospital is the home base for the Children’s Miracle Network. CCLS Elizabeth Palermo explains the importance of having creative projects

North CarolinaCharlotte- A U.S. Olympic Bead of Courage has only been awarded 56 times in history, and Rebecca Brooks, a child life specialist at Presbyterian-Hemby Children’s Hospital, just received one for going “above the call of duty”! The father of a child she worked closely with nominated her. Congratulations Rebecca!

VirginaWashington, DCspecialists at Children’s National Medical Center, is profi led for an in-depth look at what a child life specialist does. The article Young Patients Cope with Illness highlights interesting facts including: there are cur-rently 4,000 CLS’, every pediatric hospital in the USA houses at least one, a CCLS makes $40,000 to $60,000 a year, and a CLS can save the surgical team 3-5 minutes prepping children for procedures.

Rockville, MDcil announces the giveaway of fi ve international scholarsips for the CLC Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado from May 16-19, 2013.

(and interviewed for LSQ’s fi rst is-sue), worked with her sister, Cheryl Wooden to bring toys to 44 low-income families facing life-limiting illnesses.


Article by Wendy Liang

SPOTLIGHT:Robert Wing, CCLS

Many patients, families, and pro-fessionals may have noticed the female dominance in the

child life profession. Based on obvious realities, child life specialists seem to resemble more women than men. But, the discourse of the noticeable gender dispar-ity is neither here nor there. At the end of the day it is never about gender- it’s about the support and service to the patients and caregivers. However, it is worth acknowl-edging the few men who have endeavored and exceled in the profession as a minor-ity. Continuing on with the Light Spinner Quarterly Spotlight Interview Series, this issue we have Robert Wing, director of Child Life Services at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Readers can relate to his child life beginnings, and learn from his leadership roles and prospects as a mem-ber of the child life community. In his 15 years of child life experience, Robert can still recall initial obstacles and struggles. Breaking into the field was a challenge, as he questioned himself and his art major background. But familiar with the philosophy and practice of art therapy, he was reassured that he can

utilize his group of skills and apply them to a different setting- child life. After years of direct patient care at Schneider’s Children’s Hospital and The Floating Hospital for Children, he continues to be a part of the child life team holding a dif-ferent role as the director. He calls on his people-oriented personality, warmth, and compassion when working with patients as well as his staff. Some may wonder if Robert is comfortable managing a mostly female staff. He assures that he has worked with women since the beginning of his profes-sional career, including many invaluable female mentors. Even though male role models were few and far between during some stages of his career, it was not a disadvantage by any means. While Robert currently engages in less direct patient support as a director, he manages the staff team, sets directions, and advocates for the various facets of child life. He values the part of his job in which he is able to build connections with not only patients, but also staff members- encouraging staff morale and enjoyment in what they do. Robert also supports the

medical team in its entirety by represent-ing child life as an integral role in the hospital. With his director role and success in child life thus far, Robert expresses his continu-ous desire for growth and challenges. His goal is to not only develop the child life program at UMass Memorial, but also to progress the profession as a whole. He believes that a gender and cultur-ally diverse staff is crucial to a stronger child life team- one that reflects the popula-tion being served. Robert plans to further contribute to the child life profes-sion with his leadership, ideas, and passion for the field.

Robert and his son, Tucker.


Cultivating Compassion

phOtO By KiDDie

Healing is sprouting between Child Life Specialists and a very special patient in the gorgeous gardens of La Rabida Children’s Hospital. Journey with Light Spinner Quarterly to Chicago, IL tosee how life continues to fi nds a way despite the elements.


Light Spinner Quarterly speaks with La Rabida’s child life specialist Ericka Thomas about her time spent gardening with 15 year old patient Sanel. Sanel, with a form of muscular dystrophy, spent his summer cultivating his

gardening skills. Since ordinary activities did not appeal to Sanel, Ericka helped him plant fruits and vegetables. As the produce grew, so did the incredible bond between the two.

Article by Wendy Liang


LSQ: When did you first meet Sanel?Ericka: I first started working with Sanel when he became an inpatient here at La Rabida in March of this year [2012].

How did you decide on gardening as an intervention for Sanel? When Sanel was admitted, he was not a happy camper. He was not pleased with any activities I suggested and he did not feel Child Life had any activities he would enjoy. Trying to find out Sanel’s particu-lar interest was very difficult. He was not very forthcoming with information or suggestions and did not like anything I offered up. A trip outside provided the perfect opportunity. When Sanel saw the hospital’s garden space he was impressed. There were a few flowers starting to bloom that Sanel was allowed to pick and take to his room. He really enjoyed the flowers in his room. He thought the flowers “brightened up the space”. It was then; I suggested the idea of gar-dening. I knew Sanel would have quite a lengthy stay and he needed an activity that he could plan, and see come to fruition. Gardening proved to be the perfect project.

Is gardening something other CLS’ can do with their patients? How can they adapt gardening to their hospital? To start a garden, very little space is needed. All you need are just basic gardening supplies and water and some sun. We are very fortunate to have outdoor space designated for gardening, but I think anybody can adapt a make shift garden, all you need is the creative of mind of a Child Life Specialist. You can make it as small or as grand as you want it to be. It can be an ongoing project for patients who may have a lengthy admission or it can be created for the patient to start and take home to watch the plants or flowers grow.

Gardening seems like a unique intervention. What makes it so special? Gardening can be used for fulfillment in so many different ways. It fulfills the need to nurture because of the care and time given to the garden; it is pleasing to the senses the different smells and the visual stimulation of the different colors from the vegetation. Sanel felt a sense of accomplishment and pride as he saw different vegetables growing. We donated lettuce from the garden to the hospitals cafeteria that was used for the salad bar. We were able to do several cooking projects including making a margarita pizza with basil from the gar-den. From gardening, Sanel became more open to trying different ac-tivities. Activities he was not willing to try when he was first admitted. What impressed you about Sanel? How knowledgeable he is about his medical care. How caring he can be. He has a great sense of humor and loves to play practical jokes.

What kind of conversations came out of your time together gar-dening? Sanel is quite the conversationalist. He has an opinion about everything from gardening to politics. He is also very much in to Public Relations. Sanel came up with the idea of contacting the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. He wanted someone to come and give us advice on what to plant and vegetation that would work well with our garden. Once the museum heard our story, they were more than happy to help out.

Sanel having fun with the nurses.

La Rabida’s outdoor garden.

What were some of your favorite moments from spending time gar-dening with Sanel? Sanel and I are ying and yang. He is the pessimist and I’m the optimist. Sanel didn’t think anything would grow. He thought we started too late, planted things too close together. I’m always reassuring him everything would be ok. It’s always fun to see the surprise on his face when the tomatoes started growing and the lettuce started sprouting.

Did you adapt some of the gardening equipment for Sanel? Our garden space was originally created to include patients who may be in wheelchairs. We have several planter boxes that are wide enough for several patients to participate in the gardening project and also tall enough for patients in wheelchairs to easily get close enough to also par-ticipate. Sanel has limited mobility in his hands, therefore he couldn’t do any of the actual planting, but he had a great deal of input in the planning of the garden; what vegetables/fl owers to plant. He was very particular about how plants should be grouped together.

What is your hope for the future of your child life program?

La Rabida’s Child Life program is primarily in-patient based and we are hoping to expand our services to other areas of our hospital including our out-patient clinics and also help pilot a palliative care program.

Do you have a green thumb yourself? What kind of activities do you enjoy to relax? No green thumb for me. I am new to gardening nor am I an outdoors person. This was truly a sacrifi ce and a step outside of my comfort zone. I learned a great deal about gardening through this process. I would make sure the garden was cared for in my absence and tend to it even if Sanel could not make it outside. I think this experience has inspired me to think about gardening in the future.

Michele Armand, CCLS: Connecting with the outside world is a good way to relax. Spending time with friends and family; trying new restau-rants, going to see new movies, and wine-tasting.

A special thanks to Media Relations Specialist Zion Banks.

For more information about La Rabida, visit www.LaRabida.org


(top left) A garden fresh pizza made from La Rabida’s garden. (bottom left) The fi rst strawberries of the season ripening for Child Life. (bottom right) Ericka Thomas and Sanel proudly showing off the fruits of their labor!

The SUPeR SPeCIALIST SAND TRAY Give kids the chance to express themselves in the hospital environment through a playful, meaningful medium.Materials:• tin foil tray (any size)• moon sand, dry pasta noodles, or cotton balls• small toys (action figurines, animals, army men, etc.)

Directions: (1) Prep the area (i.e. tray table, playroom table) by making sure everything is on a clean surface. (2) Fill the tin foil tray with moon sand, dry pasta, or cotton balls (while staying aware of the child’s possible sensory dislikes). (3) Place a handful of toys in the tray.

(4) Let the child play. Make intermittent conversations about the play to see what emotional issues/experiences may be arising.

If options are available, let the child decide what he/she would like to play with. Try discussing who each figure is. If the child has a difficult time starting play, offer a name or title for a toy, then follow the child’s lead. Read the child’s cues and allow for independence. Watch for play in relation to power struggles (e.g. shark being agressive with smaller fish) and fear (e.g.. figure hiding in sand). Encourage imagination!

Survival Archival: Toy Guide

VeRTICLe PLAYRoom

If there’s one thing every child life play-room could use more of, it’s space! We are saving

the day by of-fering you the option of hav-ing an entire playground on the wall!The new

Polly Pocket Wall Party Ultimate All-in-One Playset uses suction cups to stay on a window, or Command Strips to adhere to a wall. With multiple levels to play on, this set generously includes a Wall Party Tree House, Bal-loon Ride, Camp, Juice Bar, Pet Park and Cafe Playsets. $45.89www.amazon.com

FeeLING ANGRY?

As every kid knows, the new Angry Birds Star Wars app was released this season. Now they can enjoy the real thing with Hasbro’s Angry Birds Star Wars Fighter Pods Jenga Death Star!A perfect addition to the teen lounge and

allows several players. Set includes Death Star Frame, Luke Skywalker Bird, Han Solo Bird, Chewbacca Bird, Darth Vader Pig, 4 Stormtrooper Pigs, X-Wing Fighter Launcher, 31 plastic Jenga Blocks, 1 lock block, die, base, label sheet and game guide/setup card.Let the anger fly in a fun, productive way

this year!$29 www.toysrus.com


Give your patients something hilarious to take their mind off the hospital! Humerus the Funny Bone is activated by clapping and tells side-split-ting knee-slappers such as:* What’s the difference between a wishbone and a backbone?* Why did the actor break his leg?Perfect for ortho clinics and wipes clean in between room visits! $29.95www.humerusandulnar.com

hoSPITAL IN A BoX

Just when you thought you’ve seen all the hospital play sets out there, Play-mobil comes out of left fi eld with an exciting improvement on interventions! Playmobil’s new Take Along Hospital is the new portable play treat for patients. Easy to transport from room to room and keep disinfected.Set includes four multi-cultural fi gures,

a wheelchair, medical equipment kids can relate to, and many other accessories that can all be stored inside the Take Along Hospital.The set comes with a convenient handle

so it can be transported anywhere, by child or adult! Simply assemble pieces while building rapport with your patient. It’s the perfect way to learn about the

hospital, expand the imagination, and work on those fi ne motor skills!For Ages:4-10 $35.95

www.barnesandnoble.com


LAUGh & LeARN™ APPTIVITY™ CASe

Think a baby can’t use an iPhone in the hospital? Lucky for us, Fisher-Price knows better! Welcome to the new Apptivity Case that lets babies try out their technology skills on any regular iPhone. Babies are susceptible to boredom in the hospital too and

usally get stuck watching TV too old for them. Whether your mini patient is drooling, teething, or spitting up- this case can handle it all. Easy to smooth a wipe over after each visit!Fun Fisher-Price learning apps specially tailored for little

ones are free to download from the App Store! Durable case is compatible with: iPhone®, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod touch® 2nd, 3rd & 4th generation.$15www.fi sher-price.com

toys for serious playtoys for serious playtoys for serious playtoys for serious playtoys for serious playPlayworks

WriterGiveawayWinner!

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less over-whelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.” - Fred Rogers

Submitted by the University of Iowa’s Emily Mozena, CCLS and 10 Child Life Students

CHILD

Calm: I remember when I was little and I had to go to the doctor. The only thing that would calm me down during a poke was my dad and if not him, it had to be someone I could trust. Child Life Specialists are people you can trust to soothe you when you are ner-vous. They bring you bubbles and things to play that help keep you calm.

Happy: As a Child Life student, I see patients at the hospital being happy while playing games with the Child Life Specialist when they have to get a poke. Happiness is there when they get to make fun crafts in the playroom. Singing their favorite songs with the Music Therapist makes them happy. Happiness is when their family and friends get to come see them at the hospital.

Inspired: When I was younger, the thought of being in the hospital was terrifying, but now that I am going to school to become a Child Life Specialist, the idea of being in the hospital excites me. I can’t wait until the day when I can go into work and know that I will be helping children and families all day. Working with the Child Life staff at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital has inspired me to strive for my goals and to not stop until I have reached them. I hope that one day I will be able to inspire other children and families to not fear the hospital like I did when I was a child.

Loving: As a Child Life student, I see the loving atmosphere that is created through family-centered care. It’s comforting to see that families have the ability to love each other freely in an environment that can be stressful and just be a family.

Down: I had an experience with a fourteen-year-old girl who has cancer and had been in the hospital for an entire month. I was interacting with her on a Friday afternoon when she said to me, “I’m sad that it’s Friday, I hate the weekends.” Shocked, I asked her why she hates the weekends. She told me, “Because Child Life is gone on the weekends.” To me, her sadness was bittersweet. I was saddened to hear that she dreads the weekends, but happy to hear that Child Life has had such a positive impact on her time in the hospital!

In the last issue of LSQ, readers were asked to write about feelings they had in and out of the hospital that related to Child Life. We picked our winners and are proud to share their

work with you!


Winner of an A to Z Deckof 52 Onion Head

Feeling Cards

www.Playworks.net

Playworks sells toys that invite play and enhance early childhood development [fun for all ages]

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Lonesome: I feel lonesome when I have to come to the hospital and all my family and friends can’t come with me. I don’t like when I have to leave school and be away from my friends. I also feel lonesome thinking about my disease. Sometimes I wonder if I am the only one who has this disease and has to be in the hospital because of it. The Child Life Spe-cialists make me feel less lonesome though because they talk to me about my disease, play fun games with me, and let me do arts and crafts with other patients so I can make friends.

Imaginative: Children have the liveliest imaginations propelled by their exploration of their environments in order to learn about the hospital world around them. They manipu-late, they touch, and they are resourceful by using their muscles and senses to move around. Their creative minds express their feelings that teach others, impact others, and inspire me to dig deep to fi nd why I love Child Life. Kids are extraordinarily fanciful little human be-ings.

Fearful: Before getting my blood drawn I get very nervous. Usually, it takes multiple pokes because my veins can be hard to fi nd. So, it sometimes it feels like it takes forever, and my arm can feel very sore after. I have learned if I look away, have someone’s hand to squeeze, and have someone to talk to it goes faster than expected and my nerves disappear a little. Sometimes I don’t even notice they did more than one poke!

Excited: As a Child Life student, I see patients get excited when it is time for group activ-ity. Excited is how they feel when the Therapy Dog or the Music Therapist visits them with her guitar. Excited is how they feel when the doctor gives them the news that they are able to go home!

Created by University of Iowa Child Life Emphasis 2012-2013: Hannah Downing, Mackenzie Glenn, Erica

Johnson, Lisa Kimball, Katie Lamoureux, Jamie Lick, Amy Loughran, Sarah Kirst, Jessica Wasko, Ashley

Winkleblack, and Emily Mozena, MA, CCLS, CTRS

Child Life Regional Conference schedules, job postings, and contests can be found on:LightSpinnerQuarterly.orgDon’t miss an opportunity to get your annual CEU’s!

Winner of an A to Z Deckof 52 Onion Head

Feeling Cards

www.Playworks.net

Playworks sells toys that invite play and enhance early childhood development [fun for all ages]


GRANTS TO APPLY FOR IN 2013

Alcoa Foundation Think global! The major-ity of Alcoa grants fit within one of the following areas: Safe and Healthy, Children and Families, Global Educa-tion and Workplace Skills, and Business and Commu-nity Partnerships.Grant link:www.alcoa.com/global/en/community/foundation/info_page/about_overview.asp

Allen P. and Josephine B. Green Foundation Areas of funding interest include Children, Culture, Education, Environment, Health, Historical Projects, etc. The foundation has paid out over $15,000,000 in grants. The State of Missouri is strongly favored as the tar-geted geographical area. Grant link:www.greenfdn.org

Bahl Foundation Dedicated to advancing the health and well being of children around the world through education, health, faith and the arts.Grant link:www.thebahlgroup.com/index.php/companies/the-bahl-foundation.html

Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation The Build–A–Bear Work-shop Foundation is com-mitted to impacting lives through unique philan-thropic programs that help children and families.Grant link:www.buildabear.com, Search “Community In-volvement”

The Countess Moira Charitable Foundation This special foundation has underwritten several life–saving medical opera-tions for indigent children in addition to supporting charitable organizations that focus on the betterment of youth.Grant link:countessmoirafdn.org

Dr. Scholl Foundation Grants are considered towards programs for chil-dren, developmentally dis-abled, social service agen-cies, hospitals and health.Grant link:www.drschollfoundation.com

Grants for Youth Gardens Want your own garden after reading about La Rabida’s efforts with Sanel? Try this grant on for size! Grants focus on educa-tional focus or curricular/program integration; nu-trition or plant–to–food connections; environmental awareness/education; entre-preneurship; social aspects of gardening such as leader-ship development.Grant link:www.kidsgardening.com/grants.asp

Oscar G. & Elsa S. Mayer Family Foundation One of the responsibili-ties of a child life special-ist is to empower parents to advocate for their own children in the hospital. Use this grant to encourage this relationship! Areas of funding interest include Family/Parenting Relationship, Educational Enhancement, Health/Well-ness, Community/Neighbor-hood Development.Grant link:ogmayerfamilyfoundation.org

With hospital budgets constantly hanging over your head, it’s no wonder you’re stressed, under-staffed, and struggling for more resources. LSQ has put together a list of foundations

just waiting to help out your program with extra funds in the new year!


hAPPY hoLIDAYS!Child life specialists nationwide kicked off the holiday season by dressing up in

kid-friendly costumes for Halloween. Below are a couple of our favorites! Did your team take fun photos during the holidays? Share them at [email protected]

The Child Life Department at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC dressed up as iPad apps! Can you name them all? Add to these fun photos on LSQ’s Facebook page!

Hungry for a fun day at work? Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA. They were board games! Hungry, Hungry Hippos, Operation, Chutes and Ladders, and Candyland!


Recognizeyour

favorite health leader witha

2012WEGOHealthActivistAward!

Tonominate,visit:http://info.wegohealth.com/health-activist-awards-2012

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Activist Award!

light spinner quarterly: issue 7

Documents

world of child life

child life department

child life specialist

hero child life specialist

fi eld of child life

child lifefeelings

s noun child life specialists

hospital environment