Help Support the Child Life Program at EAMC
From stuffed animals to sensory tools, your donations make a real difference in a child’s hospital experience.
Together, we can ease fear, spark joy, and provide compassionate support to our youngest patients.
Learn How You Can HelpThe Child Life Services Program at East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) is dedicated to reducing trauma and promoting healthy coping for infants, children, teens, and families during medical experiences.
Our Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) provides developmentally appropriate support designed to ease fear, build confidence, and create moments of comfort in the hospital environment.
What Services Do Child Life Specialists Provide?
The goal of our Child Life Program is simple: to ensure every child receiving care at EAMC feels seen, supported, and safe.
Medical play is a developmentally appropriate intervention in which children explore real or replica medical equipment through guided play. This hands-on experience helps reduce anxiety, correct misconceptions and increase a child's sense of control and coping during health care experiences.
Therapeutic play is a developmentally appropriate intervention that allows children to express feelings, process experiences and build coping skills through play. Guided by a child life specialist, play becomes a safe outlet for emotional expression, problem-solving and stress reduction during hospitalization or illness.
Procedural preparation and support involves providing honest, developmentally appropriate education about upcoming medical experiences while teaching coping strategies to reduce anxiety. During procedures, child life specialists offer real-time emotional support and evidence-based coping techniques to promote a sense of control and improve overall cooperation.
Grief and bereavement support includes developmentally appropriate education about death, emotional support and memory-making opportunities for children and families following the loss of a loved one. Child life specialists help normalize grief responses, providing tangible keepsakes and guiding caregivers in supporting children through the grieving process.
Sibling support focuses on helping brothers and sisters understand and cope with a loved one's illness or hospitalization. Through education, therapeutic play and emotional support, child life specialists ensure siblings feel included, informed and supported during what can be a confusing and stressful time.
How to Contact Child Life at EAMC
Child Life Services at East Alabama Medical Center can be reached the following ways:
- Phone: 334-528-7342
- Email: childlifeteam@eamc.org
You may also request support from a Child Life Specialist by asking your nurse.
How Do You Become a Child Life Specialist?
To become a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), individuals must complete a bachelor's or master's degree with required coursework in development and related fields, followed by a competitive clinical internship in a hospital setting. After completing internship requirements, candidates must pass the national certification exam administered by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) to earn the CCLS credential.
How You Can Support Child Life Services
The Child Life Services Program at EAMC is entirely funded through donations and grants. Many tools we use—such as stuffed animals, Play‑Doh, crayons, distraction toys, and comfort items—are single‑use and need frequent replenishing.
One of the most meaningful ways to support our patients is by purchasing items directly from our Child Life Wish List. Each purchase directly benefits the children and families we serve and helps sustain the resources that make Child Life support possible.