New program aims to help children with health challenges

A new Child Life Certificate program at ASU will educate students in child development and play in order to prepare them to promote effective coping among children who face health challenges.

Students who desire a career in Child Life have the opportunity to complete a certificate containing coursework that will assist in meeting a portion of the national certification eligibility requirements outlined by the Child Life Council. Two schools at ASU have collaborated to create an academic program that combines undergraduate coursework in Child Development and Recreational Therapy.

The partners with this program are the School of Community Resources and Development in the College of Public Programs and the School of Social and Family Dynamics in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

“After many years of informal collaboration between the Schools to assist students with their Child Life academic goals, it is exciting to now offer a Child Life Certificate,” says Kelly Ramella from the School of Community Resources and Development. “Through the support of our advisory group consisting of Child Life Specialists in the community, an innovative interdisciplinary program has been designed that includes a supervised practicum connecting students to Child Life programs.”

“Practitioners and Administrators are thrilled to have the new Child Life Certificate being offered at ASU this fall. Not only will it raise the bar for the Child Life profession, but it will help provide competent students who will be more competitive for the job market throughout the Valley,” says Teresa Boeger, an active member of SCRD’s board and an administrator at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Jennifer Rogers, a child life specialist and recreational therapist, has been hired to teach the new Play in Child Life course being offered this fall. She is currently the clinical resource coordinator for Ryan House, a pediatric palliative care program, and has worked in the Valley for over 15 years at Mayo Clinic and Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

For more information, visit http://www.asu.edu/clas/ssfd/childlife/index.html.