Child Life
Your child’s best friend and biggest cheerleader when they visit HSHS St. John's Children's Hospital.
About Our Child Life Specialists
Compassionate. Energetic. There when you need them. These words describe the amazing people who are the HSHS St. John's Children’s Hospital Child Life Specialists. When your child visits – for a short appointment, extended hospital stay or regular treatment - our Child Life team makes them feel like a kid, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
Utilizing age-appropriate techniques, our Child Life Specialists focus on making sure your child feels safe and loved. Whether it’s a fun, bed-side activity or a game to distract them from a specific procedure, our child life team makes sure your child leaves with hugs and smiles, and a positive experience at the hospital.
Child Life is a service supported by the HSHS St. John's Foundation available to all children, teens, young adults and families at HSHS St. John's Children’s Hospital. On our campus, the certified Child Life Specialists are trained to help children and families cope with health care experiences. They’re a special group of staff, dedicated to listening and getting to know your child and their unique needs.
They become your child’s best friend and biggest cheerleader while your child visits our hospital.
Donate a Gift
Brighten a child’s hospital stay with a thoughtful gift. Browse our wish list and send joy directly to young patients.
Make a Monetary Donation
Child Life services are provided by generous donors to the HSHS St. John's Foundation. If you would like to contribute, you can do so online.
Contact Us
If you have questions or you're interested in speaking or meeting with a Child Life Specialist, call us at 217-544-6464, ext. 2051757.
Volunteer Opportunities
Child Life volunteers at HSHS St. John's Children’s Hospital Child Life Department are utilized in a number of important ways such as providing play for patients, breaks for parents, restocking items, organizing and sanitizing toys and additional programming support.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out an online application and our volunteer services can assist.
More Information About Child Life Services
Using play, education and self-expression, Child Life Specialists make your child feel comfortable while promoting optimum development.
- For pediatric patients - focused one-on-one support for our most important visitors.
- For siblings of patients in the hospital – we listen and provide answers to tough questions.
- For kids, their family members and other loved ones in the hospital – age appropriate play and activities are provided.
- For kids with friends in the hospital – we can share and answer questions about what to expect while visiting their friend.
- For parents with kids in the hospital – we listen and provide appropriate and necessary resources.
- Grief support for parents, siblings and kids – no matter the circumstances, we ensure you and your family is completely supported during heartbreaking times.
The Child Life Specialists serve as your families’ connection to knowledge and resources, both within the HSHS family of care and the community. Your child is the reason we exist, and we love them like our own!
When your child visits HSHS St. John's Children’s Hospital, there are usually a lot of questions, especially from your child. Our Child Life Specialists ensure that your child feels safe, comfortable and listened-to while they visit. Here’s how we help.
- Prepare children for medical treatments, tests and procedures
- Provide distraction, play and support during tests and procedures
- Provide coping techniques to deal with stress
- Offer developmentally and age-appropriate activities.
- Answer questions with age-appropriate answers about treatment and procedures
- Prepare patients and siblings for what to expect while at the hospital
- Offer patients and siblings emotional support throughout the journey
When your child leaves HSHS St. John's Children’s Hospital, we want them to leave with new friends and positive memories of their visit.
As a parent, there’s a lot to manage when your child has to visit the hospital. Life doesn’t simply stop when your child is here. Our Child Life Specialists understand that parents need help – answering questions, managing siblings, scheduling appointments or other challenges that come up. We are dedicated to providing you the resources you need to help. Here’s what we can do.
- Provide emotional support throughout the journey
- Offer tips and ideas for supporting children, patient and siblings, such as developmental information, and prep books prior to sibling visits
- Give concrete answers on what to expect during an extended hospital visit, including visitor procedures, where to stay and other information
- Offer support for families during grief situations
Your child’s care is our life’s work. Ensuring that you and your family are supported is central to the work we do in our community!