Child Life Specialists
at Wellstar Children's Hospital of Georgia
Child Life Specialists, also called Child and Adolescent Life Specialists, are trained professionals
educated in child development and skilled at working with children and families to overcome the challenges of a hospitalization.
Our Approach
Hospitals can be scary for young patients, siblings and parents. We are here to reassure patients and their families that they are in a safe place and that everything we are doing is to help them.
Using developmentally appropriate activities, we can help children understand their medical treatment in "kid language". We care for all ages of patients - from birth up to age 21 – focusing on patient- and family-centered care.
We also answer any questions patients’ families might have while their child is here with us.
Using developmentally appropriate activities, we can help children understand their medical treatment in "kid language". We care for all ages of patients - from birth up to age 21 – focusing on patient- and family-centered care.
We also answer any questions patients’ families might have while their child is here with us.
Why Choose Us
Comprehensive care for children
We have the pediatric clinical expertise and experience of taking care of generations of children by providing expert care based on your child’s individual growth patterns and level of development. Our team provides a full support staff that helps your whole family through short term or longer term health issues. We understand that your child’s health affects the entire family because life doesn’t slow down when illness occurs.Nationally certified
At Children’s Hospital of Georgia, we follow The Association of Child Life Professionals guidelines so all of our team members are skillfully trained to work with our pediatric patients. Each member of our team must have a bachelor's degree (typically in Child Development), complete an extensive internship under the supervision of a certified Child Life Specialist, and pass the Child Life certification examination.Developmentally Appropriate Interventions
Our team of Child Life Specialists help young patients during their hospital or clinic visit by giving extra support for coping and encouraging normal childhood activities while receiving medical care. We also know that providing children with familiar activities helps make them more comfortable and content, we do this through:- Medical play, which helps a young child understand what is happening. This play is critical to a child’s healing and helps them to feel normal.
- Coping and distraction techniques, can help children get through stressful procedures.
- Psychological preparations and therapeutic intervention, for children who are having a particularly difficult time dealing with their diagnosis and treatment.
Building rapport with long-term patients
Our longer term patients get to know our Child Life Specialists and are always happy to see a friendly and familiar face when they return to the hospital for either an appointment or procedure. Our priority is to ease any anxiety, especially for those patients most often adversely affected by a hospital admission - our very young patients from 6 months to 4 years of age. Our goal is to help children understand the hospital, their treatment, and the medical process.Special events for children
We try to remember that kids don’t want to miss special events just because they are in the hospital. So our team schedules frequent character visits – super heroes and princesses, and pet therapy - once a month. Also, community groups provide activities that include special events and games. Holidays are very fun! We take our kids trick-or-treating throughout the hospital and Santa comes on Christmas day!Camps
At Wellstar Children's Hospital of Georgia, our primary missions are: patient care, education and research. This means we bring world-class clinicians, pioneering research, and the latest technologies and breakthroughs directly to you, right here in Augusta, Georgia.
Over the years, thousands of volunteers have put in countless hours of sweat equity to make sure the children at our Wellstar Children’s camps are safe, comfortable; and able to have a camp experience like their more healthy friends.
It is a rewarding but frustrating calling. There are always more needs and wants. The most difficult part has been working with the limitations—the long drive, the sick children and their families who are turned away due to lack of space, the need for more amenities and activities.
With just a small leap of faith, and your support, we can build the WCHOG camps into an experience that will continue to make memories for children.
We think you will want to be a part of making this incredible opportunity happen… of making this dream come true. Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia is uniquely qualified and positioned to work with its volunteer leaders to create the safest, most comprehensive camp for children with challenges.
WCHOG and the Family Y are partnering to raise funds to modify the existing camp so that WCHOG kids—kids with cancer, kids with diabetes, kids with joint disorders, kids with heart conditions and kids who have been recently diagnosed with cancer—have access to the same experiences as other Camp Lakeside campers.
Over the years, thousands of volunteers have put in countless hours of sweat equity to make sure the children at our Wellstar Children’s camps are safe, comfortable; and able to have a camp experience like their more healthy friends.
It is a rewarding but frustrating calling. There are always more needs and wants. The most difficult part has been working with the limitations—the long drive, the sick children and their families who are turned away due to lack of space, the need for more amenities and activities.
With just a small leap of faith, and your support, we can build the WCHOG camps into an experience that will continue to make memories for children.
We think you will want to be a part of making this incredible opportunity happen… of making this dream come true. Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia is uniquely qualified and positioned to work with its volunteer leaders to create the safest, most comprehensive camp for children with challenges.
WCHOG and the Family Y are partnering to raise funds to modify the existing camp so that WCHOG kids—kids with cancer, kids with diabetes, kids with joint disorders, kids with heart conditions and kids who have been recently diagnosed with cancer—have access to the same experiences as other Camp Lakeside campers.
Camp Rainbow
At Camp Rainbow, children with cancer and their siblings spend relaxing, fun-filled days with children in similar situations. Together, they learn from each other, offer mutual support and share their complex emotions. The week essentially becomes a family vacation. Children spend six days just being children, while parents and other family members get a needed rest knowing their children’s needs are being met by the camp staff.Located at Camp Lakeside in Lincoln County, Georgia, Camp Rainbow was established in 1985. Any patient with cancer or a rare blood disorder who has been diagnosed and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia is eligible to attend and bring one sibling along. Campers can participate in activities such as fishing, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf, basketball, arts and crafts, etc.
Camp Rainbow is an opportunity for children to create memories that will last a lifetime. To learn more, you can connect with Kym Allen, director for Camp Rainbow by email or by calling (706) 721-5503.
Thank you to our generous camp donors/supporters!
Camp Joint Venture
Camp Joint Venture, sponsored by the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, is an overnight summer camp for children between the ages of six to 18 who have been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis and related diseases. The goal of camp is to provide children and adolescents with rheumatic disease the opportunity to participate in normal childhood activities in a summer camp setting. It also provides parents a break from caring for a child with chronic illness. They can be assured their child is safe, cared for and having fun in a safe environment.At Camp Joint Venture, the main focus is taken off the child’s medical needs and placed instead on the psychosocial and developmental needs. Campers are offered the excitement and fun of traditional summer camp activities. They are also offered the unique advantage of being in an environment cared for by staff that are responsive to their special medical needs. Campers enjoy a week packed full of fun and adventure while learning that they are not alone in their fight against rheumatic disease.
Children from all over the states of Georgia and South Carolina will be attending Camp Joint Venture, which is held at Camp Lakeside in Lincoln County, Georgia. Camp Lakeside gives children a deeper understanding of nature and allows them to share the joys of an outdoor setting that is comfortable and secure. Campers are encouraged to explore a variety of interests and activities including swimming, arts and crafts, archery, boating, biking and a multitude of sports activities.
Camp Joint Venture is an opportunity for children to create memories that will last a lifetime. To learn more, you can connect with Kym Allen, director for Camp Joint Venture by email or by calling (706) 721-5503.