Presented by Annie Drehkoff, MS, CCLS
Child Life Manager, ChicagoCAC

In both healthcare and community settings, Certified Child Life Specialists help children and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of acute and chronic illness, injury, trauma, disability, loss, and bereavement. They provide evidence-based, developmentally, and psychologically appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation for procedures, and education to reduce fear, anxiety, and pain. Learn more about the role child life specialists play in supporting children and families, and in particular how they support children who have experienced sexual abuse who come to a child advocacy center for a forensic interview, medical exam, and/or therapy services.