Unique to adult hospitals, our Palliative Care Child Life Program serves children (ages 0-18 years) of adult patients facing serious, life-limiting conditions. These psychosocial services are free to families and fully funded through generous philanthropic support from our community. Last year, this program saw a 25% increase in the number of child life visits facilitated in Fort Worth. Our two child life specialists conducted 593 visits with 187 families and 237 children.
Children have fears and questions that may go unspoken when their loved one is experiencing a serious medical condition. Their most common concerns are often; Can I catch it? Did I cause it? Who will take care of me? Our highly-trained and expertly-skilled palliative care child life specialists provide guidance to adults so they feel more confident addressing these concerns with their children.
Each year, more than two million U.S. children under the age of 18, experience the death of a parent. Those deaths often occur following a serious illness. Research shows that a parent's serious illness or death can dramatically impact children, increasing their risk for substance abuse, criminal activity, dropping out of school, and depression. Interventions facilitated by child life specialists can help mitigate those risks and provide a safe place for children to ask questions they may struggle to bring up to their families.
At Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth, our Child Life Specialist supports with services which include:
Our two child life specialists are fully funded through philanthropic support from our community.
Cristie King, Manager of Major GiftsCristie.King@BSWHealth.org817-922-7714
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