Child Life

“Better than Kindergarten”: Reflections from the Texas Border Crisis

For a lot of us working as child life specialists, a daily walk into our playrooms may look like this: a colorful space with climbers and manipulatives just for infants and toddlers, a more hands on arts and crafts space for preschool and school aged children, a corner with books or board games, a play […]

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Hurricane Florence Response Update

While the hurricane has come and gone, the flooding that ensues is still continuing to crest all over the east coast.  For families and responders providing support, this means there has been numerous changes, happening almost hourly, with road closures and shelter access.  Last Wednesday, some of our CLDR members travelled over 6 hours from

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Responding to the Shooting in Cincinnati: Gail Klayman

I didn’t have to think twice about canceling my Friday afternoon plans. I received a call from my local Red Cross about a children’s support need during a vigil for a shooting involving 5 people just 3 miles from where I live. Downtown Cincinnati’s Fountain Square is the pulse of my home town. I enjoy

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2018 Impact Donor of the Year: Child’s Play Charities

Child’s Play Charities receives the Child Life Disaster Relief Impact Donor of the Year award.  Their funding and their vision has had a significant impact on CLDR’s ability to help children and their families cope during natural and man-made disasters.  In August of 2017, Child’s Play reached out to CLDR during the devastation of Hurricane

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Hurricane Season is Upon Us: A reflection from Erin Silber

Summer has officially begun.  Most of the country revels in excitement because it’s finally that time of year for barbecues, swimming, boating, the beach, and being outside whenever possible.  Children are excited that school is out and they now get to have some summer fun.  Some parts of the country, however, know this joyous season

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Urgent Matter: Children & Families at the US Border

We at, Child Life Disaster Relief, are severely concerned about the separation of children and families at the U.S. border and stand with many other professional organizations against this cruel and inhumane action.  Separating children from their families has both short- and long-term serious effects for their development, health, and society as a whole that

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Child Life Month: Child Life Specialists of the Past, Present, & Future

We couldn’t let this month go by without celebrating the strong, powerful, determined and compassionate group of people that are the reason Child Life Disaster Relief is what it is today… Child life specialists of the past, present, and future, this one is for you! We thank the pioneers, advocates and trailblazers who once upon

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