Child Life services
Mission Children's Hospital, located inside Mission Hospital, is the only Child Life program in Western North Carolina. We serve the region’s diverse population of children across all developmental levels and medical diagnoses.
Child Life program
The hospital can overwhelm children, but our Child Life program will ease the stress and anxiety of medical experiences for your child and family
Emotional support for your child
Our specialists offer a range of activities that help your child cope with the hospital experience through play, expressive recreation and developmentally appropriate education. We work closely with hospital caregivers and their medical team to address your child's concerns and stressors in order to provide a more comfortable hospital experience.
Our Child Life specialists will:
- Advocate for family-centered care
- Consider the needs of your child's siblings or other children who may also be affected by their illness or trauma
- Direct preadmission hospital tours and resources, as well as consultations with outpatient families
- Ease your child’s fear and anxiety with therapeutic and recreational play activities
- Encourage understanding and cooperation by providing nonmedical preparation and support for children undergoing tests, surgeries and other medical procedures
- Engage and energize your child and family by coordinating special events, entertainment and activities
- Foster an environment that incorporates emotional support
- Provide information and resources for you and members of the interdisciplinary team
- Support families confronting grief and bereavement issues
For general questions about our Child Life program or donation inquiries, please email the Child Life supervisor at julian.cate@hcahealthcare.com or call (828) 213-0689.