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Reducing the trauma and stress for children and families interfacing with the hospital is the primary goal and misssion of Child Life.
About Child Life
A Child Life specialist is specially trained to work in a health care setting,
(907) 261-3014
Bonnie Reichwein
Child Life Specialist
Jennifer Bugenhagen
Child Life Specialist
Jodi Robinson
Child Life Specialist
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focusing on the developmental needs of children and their families. Child Life specialists work to provide a safe environment for children to ask questions and express their emotions. The services are designed to help children and their families become familiar with the hospital environment and reduce fears associated with a hospital stay or visit. Child Life uses play as a primary tool to reduce anxiety, teach, and assist with development.
The following are special services offered by Child Life staff:
Pet Therapy
If you are in the Children’s Hospital on Wednesday mornings from 10:45-11:30 AM you may hear smiles and giggles coming from the hallway. Three specially trained pet therapy dogs and their owners take turns visiting children that day. Pet therapy is a great way for children in the hospital to play and have fun. Pet therapy is proven to reduce patient anxiety and help ease the transition from home to hospital environment. If you and your dog are interested in learning more or becoming a pet partner, please contact Mary Troll at (907) 212-2681.
Distraction/Relaxation
If you see bubbles floating out of a patient room don’t be alarmed. Child Life may be using distraction as a way to reduce the anxiety involved with an IV start or other medical procedure. Children of all ages often experience anxiety when faced with a medical procedure. Distraction and relaxation interventions help children cope with their experience. Child Life staff meet the child and the family and help figure out a plan to help reduce that anxiety either through distracting activities or relaxation methods.
Play Therapy
Arriving at the hospital can be a scary experience for children. Seeing a play area or having a favorite toy brought into the room is a great way to reduce anxiety and increase comfort for a child. Child Life provides developmentally appropriate toys to children and their families. They also provide medically oriented play to help desensitize children to the normal tools used in a hospital. Child Life uses play therapy as a way to help children work out their emotions around being in the hospital. Lastly, Child Life provides play opportunities in the art room as a way to stimulate normal development and plain old fun!
Surgery Tours
Many families and children are curious about the surgery process. If your child is scheduled for surgery you can call the Child Life Department to learn more about the surgery process. The Child Life specialist will show you around the surgery areas and explain expectations for the day of surgery from a child’s perspective. Children are given the opportunity to ask questions and explore materials/supplies that will be part of their surgery experience. This “show and tell” often reduces the anxiety around what will happen at the hospital. Please call (907) 212-3014 to speak with one of our staff. Tours are currently offered by appointment only. Other family members are welcome, but please do not bring food and drinks on the tour.
Therapeutic Art
Building friendship bracelets with beads, creating picture frames, experimenting with blow pens, and coloring are just a few of the ways Child Life provides therapeutic art activities for children and families. Medical equipment is also used for art to help desensitize children to the things that are used on them. The Child Life staff stock and maintain an arts and crafts room for patients and families to utilize during their stay at The Children’s Hospital. Child Life provide bedside art activities for children who aren’t quite so mobile. Art and craft activities are provided as a therapeutic tool for dealing with anxiety, emotional expression, and fun.
Volunteers
Children’s Hospital volunteers are an integral part of Child Life service delivery. Our volunteers visit from room to room providing a playmate for a child or sibling. You may find our volunteers reading stories, taking a walk with a patient, rocking a baby, cleaning toys and play areas, and helping out with special events. Child Life is happy to help families connect with a volunteer to help make their hospital stay smoother. Our volunteers are specially trained and do a great job! If you are interested in volunteering on the Pediatrics or Sub-Specialty units, please contact Volunteer Services at 907-212-3100.
Donations
Children’s Hospital welcomes donations. Please know that to help protect our patients and families we ask that all stuffed animals, books and blankets are brand new. All other items must be able to be wiped down with bleach. Please call (907) 212-5895 to set up a time for a drop off with one of our staff.
School at the Hospital
Children’s Hospital has it's own teacher! Child Life works closely with our hospital based school teacher, Janie Henderson. School is so important to maintaining normalcy while in the hospital and as children go back home. To contact her regarding school concerns, developmental referrals or if your child is going to be in the hospital more then 5 days, please contact her directly. Janie Henderson (907) 212-2503.
Students
Students are welcome at Providence. The Child Life department will be offering one slot for a Child Life internship to qualified individuals in the winter/spring semester only. For more application and more information please contact Bonnie at 907-212-2817. Applications are due by September 22 and interviews will be completed by October 28. Only those students who are enrolled at a university during their internship semester will be eligible for our internship. Applications and transcripts can be faxed to Bonnie Reichwein at 907-212-8414. An agreement will need to be signed between the university and the Providence Alaska Learning Institute if you are accepted as our intern.
For more information, please contact Child Life at (907) 212-3014.
Bonnie Reichwein (907) 212-2817 Child Life Specialist
Jennifer Bugenhagen (907) 212-2491 Child Life Specialist
Jodi Robinson (907) 212-2818 Child Life Specialist
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