Child life specialists are professionally trained to help children and their families overcome stressful, challenging life events. To ease coping with trying situations such as illness, child life specialists use play, education, and creative activities that facilitate expression of thoughts and emotions.

“The Center comes with an open arms policy once you walk in the door. It’s a place that for me and my family became an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, and a friend to laugh with and depend on.”                                                          

                                                                                                               -----Zack,age 17

Child life specialists understand that techniques to help children manage the stress and trauma of illness differ from those used to help adults. Moreover, when age-appropriate techniques are used with and taught to children they:

• Heal as quickly as possible;
• Cope better with pain and need fewer sedatives and less pain medication; and
• Develop properly and avoid lasting negative effects on their wellbeing.  

“The Valerie Fund helped me not only to learn from my condition but they taught me to embrace it. I will always see the glass half full instead of half empty.”

                                                                                                          ----Meghan,age 16

If you could like to learn about specific funding opportunities for this program, please contact Lori Abrams at (973) 761-0422 or LAbrams@TheValerieFund.org.