Code C.L.I.O. (Child Life Isn’t Optional)

When Dr. Jody Thomas, PhD released her foundation's first blog post, she knew she had to make one thing clear, "Kids Hurt More Than They Have to and That Is Dumb.”

Here at CODE C.L.I.O. we tend to agree. Pediatric pain management is not a luxury, it's not a "nice to have," and it’s certainly not thinking your CCLS is simply the equivalent of an iPad stand.

Join us for Episode 6 as CEO of the Meg Foundation for Pain, Dr. Jody Thomas, discuses pediatric pain management support, its crucial intersection with the role of a Certified Child Life Specialist, and how having a good friend lovingly challenge you to make your dreams a reality can be a powerful recipe for making the world a lot less painful.

Host: Annie J, MS, CCLS, CAHP

Guest: Dr. Jody Thomas, PhD

Follow Meg Foundation: @megfoundationforpain

Meg Foundation Website/Resources: https://www.megfoundationforpain.org/

CODE C.L.I.O. Information:

Editing: SH Creative

Follow the Pod: @code_clio

While play may be a child's favorite language, words still matter during the hard moments. Books can be an essential tool in helping with everything from learning how to name + handle different emotions to providing a template for difficult conversations, diagnosis education, and trauma informed care on topics like death, dying, and grief. 

Join Episode 5 guests, Laura Camerona, CCLS and Jessica Correnti, MS, CCLS, Certified Child Life Specialists and Authors, as we dive into the importance of bibliotherapy and looking for the CCLS credential after an author’s name as well.

Host: Annie J, MS, CCLS, CAHP

Guests: Laura Camerona, CCLS + Jessica Correnti, MS, CCLS

Follow Laura: @words.worth.repeating

Follow Jessica: @kidsgriefsupport

Editing: SH Creative

Follow the Pod: @code_clio

Child development + stress/trauma/harm to that development doesn’t just exist during a hospital admission or a clinic visit.

The good news? The solution to supporting children and families outside the four walls of a hospital is already here. The real question is are we ready to listen and uplift the Certified Child Life Specialists doing it?!

Join guests Katie Taylor, CCLS and Shani Thornton, MS, CCLS as we discuss the not so hidden epidemic of preventing stress/trauma/harm to development out in the community setting, and why having access to a Certified Child Life Specialist matters even more when it's in your own home.

Host: Annie J, MS, CCLS, CAHP

Guests: Katie Taylor, CCLS + Shani Thornton, MS, CCLS

Follow Katie: @childlifeoncall

Follow Shani: @ChildLifeMommy

Join Child Life Circle: https://childlifeoncall.com/child-life-circle-community/

Editing: SH Creative

Follow the Pod: @code_clio

What does it look like when hospitals don't value your child's psychological and emotional safety? A 2023 salary survey suggests it might mean nearly 60% of the Certified Child Life Specialists who do this vital, necessary work become "likely" or "extremely likely" forced out due to an inability to afford basic living expenses. 

Kirsten Black, MS, CCLS, Registered HPS (and architect of that salary survey) joins the pod this week to discuss the true cost when Certified Child Life Specialists can't earn a living wage.

Host: Annie J, MS, CCLS, CAHP

Guest: Kirsten Black, MS, CCLS, Registered HPS

Editing: SH Creative

Follow the Pod: @code_clio

➡️ April 09.

Host: Annie J, MS, CCLS, CAHP

Guest: Kirsten Black, MS, CCLS, Registered HPS

Editing: SH Creative

Follow the Pod: @code_clio

Between junk certifications, hospitals hiring non Certified Child Life Specialists for "child life" departments, and people selling products promising the results of a CCLS without actually being a CCLS, there has never been a more important time to protect you, your family, and, most of all, your children during your most vulnerable moments. 

Join us for Episode 2 as Cinda McDonald, M.Ed., CCLS, GCCA-C, CTRS-C discusses the current fight for licensure in the state of Texas, and learn how you can make a real difference in the lives of children everywhere!

Host: Annie J, MS, CCLS, CAHP

Guest: Cinda McDonald, M.Ed., CCLS, GCCA-C, CTRS-C

Editing: SH Creative

Follow the Pod: @code_clio

Sign the Licensure Petition: https://www.change.org/p/protect-texas-children-support-licensure-for-certified-child-life-specialists

Welcome to CODE C.L.I.O.; A new podcast about uplifting the child life field + educating the public on our work as essential clinicians!

This podcast is for everyone and anyone who cares about the psychosocial, cognitive, and emotional development of children. Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) want to care for you and your families. But, we can’t do that if we don’t get paid a living wage or if we’re constantly disregarded, disparaged, and disrespected by our colleagues.

This week, we are kicking off the inaugural season with the help of Dr. Jessika Boles, PhD, CCLS. Join us as we ask, and answer, what is a Certified Child Life Specialist, does it matter that the field could disappear altogether, and is there anything we can do about it?

Host: Annie J, MS, CCLS, CAHP

Guest: Dr. Jessika Boles, PhD, CCLS

Editing: SH Creative

Follow the Pod: @code_clio

ACLP Value Proposition Statement: https://www.childlife.org/practice/why-child-life/child-life-value-proposition-statement