Child-Family Life Services at University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital provides various services to patients and their families in effort to make their hospital experience less stressful. 

The Child-Family Life specialists help children cope with hospitalization and painful medical procedures. Through therapeutic play and child-appropriate hospital tours, we help children and families cope with fears or concerns about hospitalization. If a child is hospitalized, we offer activities that reduce stress, increase socialization and promote growth and development.

Medical play sessions for hospitalized children and their siblings help to increase their awareness of the medical environment and medical procedures. The specialists also provide assistance for families and caregivers on how to manage stress and/or anxiety regarding a child’s illness. They also help families cope with death, dying and bereavement issues.

• Welcome
• When you come for surgery
• Top ten tips for kids
• If you stay overnight
• More about the sleep medicine

We are called Child-Family Life because we work with children ranging in age from infancy through adolescence. We provide age-appropriate opportunities for children to express their feelings about their illness and to understand what is happening to them through:
• Preadmission program and tour
• Education and preparation for medical procedures
• Support for patients during medical procedures
• Medical play
• Therapeutic activities
• One-to-one bedside visits

We are called Child-Family Life because we know that parents and family members are the best source of support and comfort for their child. When all family members feel comfortable and confident in the health care environment, the patient will feel more secure. Child-Family Life provides support for family members through:
• Family activities
• Parent social programs
• Helping parents understand their child’s behavior in the health care setting
• Helping parents learn how to support their child during procedures
• Promoting health through leisure and play
• Helping siblings understand illness and the effect it can have on them

We are called Child-Family Life because we know children need to grow and develop as they normally would at home and in their community. Child-Family Life helps children learn and express themselves through;
• Play and interaction with other children
• Playroom activities    
• Special events
• “Live” interactive kids’ TV shows
• Creative programming
• Special community guests
• Cool stuff for teens

Professional Qualifications
Child-Family Life Specialists have a graduate or undergraduate degree in a variety of disciplines related to child development, psychology, education, family studies or therapeutic recreation. In addition, each Child-Family Life specialist has completed a clinical internship and obtains national certification through the Child Life Council.

Contact Information
Child-Family Life Services
University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital
420 Delaware St. S.E.
MMC 603
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612-273-3124
Questions? Email cfl@fairview.org