What is a Comprehensive Program Review

This service is effective in providing strategies to meet the specific goals of the requesting facility. The process, inclusive of systematic self-assessment, on-site consultation, and final report offers assessment of overall program strengths and opportunities for improvement, validation of child life as an essential component of the facility’s care quality, as well as advocacy tools, additional resources, and recommendations for future program development.

The specific goals for each program review are established between the requesting facility, the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), and the consultants prior to their arrival.

Use Cases

Comprehensive Program Reviews have been useful in: 

• setting new directions for an existing program

• validating departmental goals, policies and practices

• developing tactics for program expansion

• enlarging an existing department

• establishing a new department or program

• during transitions in program leadership

Process

The process consists of an on-site visit by two recognized leaders in the field of child life, who have been selected by ACLP using specific criteria. The review generally takes two full days.

All participating programs receive a copy of ACLP’s digital publication, Program Review Guidelines (PRG). The onsite review concludes with a verbal report of initial findings and recommendations with a full written report submitted within 6-8 weeks.

Areas of Focus

The Comprehensive Review includes the follow areas of focus:

• Guidelines and Procedures

• Program Leadership

• Funding and Budgeting

• Staffing and Scope of Service

• Staff Development and

• Clinical Supervision

• Child Life Programming

• Interdisciplinary

• Collaboration and Education

• Volunteers

• Environment

• Documentation and Data

• Collection

• Research and Evidence-Based-Practice

• Clinical Preparation Program

Sample Agenda