Child Life Program

Child life specialists are here to support moms on bed rest or in the hospital by discussing how their experience affects their kids at home. We offer resources to meet your children's emotional and developmental needs and aim to make things easier for older siblings. Specialists can also help parents find enjoyable activities for kids both at the hospital and at home.

To speak with a child life specialist in the NICU or Antepartum Department, please call 415-600-0714.

Our trained canine companions bring joy to children at Sutter Children's Center, Sacramento. In 2003, our Child Life program introduced the Facility Dog program to help ease the fears of hospitalized kids. Our program dogs are graduates of Canine Companions for Independence and are specially trained to comfort and cheer up our youngest patients.

Our inpatient pediatric and pediatric ICU patients in San Francisco receive a weekly visit from medical clowns. Using the healing powers of joy and laughter to balance stress and anxiety while recovering from illnesses, the Medical Clown Project provides a unique form of therapy to adults and children in healthcare settings.

Our Music Therapy programs provide free therapy services from board-certified music therapists for patients and families. Using singing, songwriting, playing instruments and music-assisted relaxation, music therapy addresses physical and mental health needs.

It's common for children to struggle with expressing themselves in words. We believe music has incredible power to reduce the trauma of hospitalization, alleviate pain, encourage emotional expression and support healing and wellness. Our therapists collaborate with children and their families to provide personalized therapy, tailoring activities to each patient's age, condition and preferences.

Talk with your care team about participating in Sutter Children’s Center Music Therapy program in Sacramento. To learn more about the Music Therapy program at CPMC, please contact us at 415-600-0816. To learn about making a charitable contribution to help expand the Music Therapy program’s free services, please visit the CPMC Foundation.

Our Novack Family child life specialists in San Francisco understand that a hospital stay or visit can be challenging for children and their families. We pair every child staying in the pediatrics unit, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and newborn intensive care unit (NICU) with a dedicated child life specialist. They’re here to help your little one and family cope with the potential stressors associated with their hospitalization and illness.

Child life specialists support children during medical procedures by encouraging understanding and cooperation. They provide therapeutic medical play, help children express their feelings about hospitalization, and offer activities that promote growth and development, helping children feel in control of their hospital experience.

Child Life Internship

Learn and develop your professional skills as an intern with Novack Family Child Life services. The Novack Family Child Life program accepts applications from current Mills College students each fall and spring and welcomes one qualifying student each semester. The internship follows the Child Life Council’s guidelines and timeline.

Please visit the Child Life Council website for dates, further requirements and details to apply.