Category: Uncategorized

Student Thesis Project

by Mountain West Child Life Association

Disclaimer:  This is a student project that is not associated in any way with MWCLA.  If you have questions about this project, please contact Amelia Herder at u1427319@utah.edu

This information is also posted in the resources tab.

I am a child life graduate student at the University of Utah and for my thesis, I’ve put together books with activities to help with normalizing the hospital, processing emotions, and positive coping. It was designed with siblings of children with cancer in mind but many of the activities are beneficial to the child undergoing treatment children as well.

A little bit of background about the books:

There are three different versions of these activity books—one for preschoolers, one for school-age children, and one for adolescents. They provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate play and include activities designed to help normalize the hospital, promote healthy coping, and support family relationships when a sibling (and often a parent) needs to travel for treatment.  

The book links can be found here:

Adolescents:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17od0PS78AYfoCuqKX40dhll0pL92L27R/view?usp=drive_link  

School-age children: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Fu5ugybXk8KNdaEgnZuEUAD6icKAYgP/view?usp=drive_link 

Preschoolers:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QWKmKoy-WNasKIrfHazN90bua0qd051r/view?usp=drive_link 

I’ve also put together an infographic with a QR code to all of the books: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1diHtUCYOOn571ELly9_xaVlGgT-kbCfn/view?usp=drive_link 

Since this is for my thesis, I would also really appreciate some feedback. I have a quick survey (less than a minute) to help me know how to make this a better resource here: https://forms.gle/fLr4oa1S3sHAiTU66 

Child Life Specialist Job Opening in New Mexico

by Mountain West Child Life Association

Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque, NM is hiring.

Full-time Child Life Specialist position, Monday- Friday, 7:30am- 4pm. Morning would provide coverage in the Surgical Services area, and afternoon would be for the PPICU.

Click link below for more information and to apply.

https://careers-phs.icims.com/jobs/38443/child-life-specialist—children-services/job?hub=11&_gl=12b6ark_gaODA2NjQ2NzY2LjE3MDI1Njg2NDQ._ga_5Y2BYGL910*MTcwNDgzODk2My4zOC4wLjE3MDQ4Mzg5NjQuMC4wLjA.&mobile=false&width=1002&height=500&bga=true&needsRedirect=false&jan1offset=-420&jun1offset=-360

MWCLA Fall Meeting

by Mountain West Child Life Association

Please join us for our Fall MWCLA meeting on Wednesday, Oct 25th at 12-1pm MST.

MWCLA Fall Education Opportunity

Allie Butler, CCLS will be presenting:   “Implementation of Child Life within a Pediatric Mental Health Institute” 

The presentation will focus on variety of interventions and programming created to support patients throughout a mental health institute. 

Attendees will receive 1 PDU in the intervention category.

Microsoft Teams Meeting

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 219 783 451 205

Passcode: pJ54fr

Download Teams | Join on the web

Join with a video conferencing device

childrenscolorado@m.webex.com

Video Conference ID: 114 178 637 3

Alternate VTC instructions

Or call in (audio only)+1 720-439-5006,,905119284#   United States, Denver

Phone Conference ID: 905 119 284#

CALL FOR PRESENTERS! 7th National Symposium on Children’s Grief will take place on June 17 – 19, 2024, in Denver, CO.

by Mountain West Child Life Association

The National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) Symposium is the longest-running and most comprehensive Childhood Bereavement Symposium offered in the United States. 

Call for Presenters!

Interested in presenting a session at the symposium? Submit your proposal using the link below. It will be reviewed by the Symposium Committee, and you will be informed of their decision in November 2023.We invite proposals in your area of interest and expertise. Feedback from past events have requested additional content in the areas listed below. Our goal is to have diverse and broad representation in the sessions, particularly highlighting innovative ideas and practices that will support us in all areas of our work.

Topics of interest to past attendees:

  • Admin Track: Grant writing, Operations, Software, Fundraising, Board Governance, Social media, Marketing 
  • Modalities for grief: Play therapy, Music therapy, Video games, Creative arts, Grief games, Adventure therapy, Activities
  • D.E.I. / Cultural humility / Cultural implications of grief
  • Volunteer recruitment and training
  • Anticipatory Grief
  • Working in rural areas 
  • Sibling grief
  • Grief in healthcare systems
  • New research and ideas in the field
  • Homicide and Suicide
  • Research and Evaluation
  • Working with caregivers
  • Ambiguous Loss / Disenfranchised Grief
  • Schools
  • Running small centers
  • Working with young adults
  • Trauma Informed Care 
  • Grief in LGBTQ+ Youth
  • Special Needs
  • Technology to support programs

Content Levels:The committee is tasked with selecting sessions across all three levels. Brief descriptions of these levels are listed below for your reference.

  • Basic – This best describes a topic or issue that the prospective audience is encountering for the first time in a meaningful way.
  • Intermediate – This best describes a topic or issue that the audience likely has a theoretical foundation for understanding and/or a working knowledge.
  • Advanced – This best describes a topic or issue about which the audience has significant knowledge and/or experience with the subject area.

Applications will be accepted through October 16, 2023.Questions? Email Megan Lopez, National Program Director at 

megan.lopez@childrengrieve.org. 

https://nacg.wufoo.com/forms/2024-nacg-symposium-session-application