Imagine the impact Child Life could make if we doubled the number of CCLS' entering the field by expanding the skillset of a CCLS through a split internship of 300 hours in hospital and 300 in the community....

With the new Child Life internship guidelines taking effect 11/1/2024, we are exploring opportunities to grow the number of clinical internships available to students, and also exploring ways to introduce students to the incredible supports Certified Child Life Specialists are providing beyond hospital walls. Our goal is to match hospitals with local community-based Certified Child Life Specialists, with each providing clinical training for 300 hours - thereby reducing the burden on hospital-based clinicians while increasing the clinical training opportunities for students

We support the development of Child Life internships in whatever way is most meaningful for you and your team. We have worked with 1-2 person programs and larger children's hospitals, and everything in between! We can provide structured learning opportunities for interns or support your team in doing the same. Our aim is to support you in the creation of the most impactful student learning opportunity, while also supporting your team with the professional role they can and should play in training the next generation of Certified Child Life Specialists.

We support the development of Child Life practicums/pre-internships in whatever way is most meaningful for you and your team. We developed the first virtual practicum, Child Life Community Practicum (currently offered through Eastern Washington University), and have collaborated with hospitals across the continent in developing partnerships for in-person shadowing. For in-person practicums/pre-internship experiences, we have worked with 1-2 person programs and larger children's hospitals, and everything in between! We can provide structured learning opportunities for students or support your team in doing the same. Our aim is to support you in the creation of the most impactful student learning opportunity, while also supporting your team with the professional role they can and should play in training the next generation of Certified Child Life Specialists.