Monday, April 28, 2025
Take Advocacy Action: A suite of resources for those in the child life community to take action on gun violence.
Gun violence is a public health crisis impacting the children, families, and communities Certified Child Life Specialists serve. Child life has a rich history of supporting the emotional safety of children and families, as every child deserves to feel safe in every aspect of their life. As advocates, condolences are not enough. The child life community is responsible for supporting the children and families they serve as they navigate these crises in their schools and communities.
Child life specialists' advocacy is vital; this toolkit offers resources to make your voice heard.
Child life specialists can advocate protecting children from gun violence. ACLP encourages you to use email/phone scripts to contact your elected officials about gun violence.
For tips and best practices when contacting your elected officials, download the Tip Sheet below.
Download the Tip Sheet
Sample Phone/Email Script Supporting Elected Officials
If you support the stance of your elected official, call or email and offer them positive reinforcement.
"Hi, I am a constituent, and I live in ________, zip code _____. I am calling/writing to express my appreciation for Senator ____'s support of common-sense gun reform {insert specific legislation if applicable} to help keep our children safe from gun violence. As a Certified Child Life Specialist, I have supported children and families injured and killed by firearms and seen the lasting effects on their families and communities. Every child deserves to feel safe in every aspect of their life. Please do not stop here. The momentum is needed, but this cannot be where we rest. Keep going. I will be watching to ensure this is a priority issue for you and base my votes and donations on it. Again, I appreciate your willingness to work on this issue. Thank you."
Sample Phone/Email Script in Opposition of Elected Officials
If you disagree with the stance of your elected official, call or email and politely and firmly ask them to support gun regulations.
"Hi, I am a constituent, and I live in ________, zip code ____. I am calling/writing to express my desire for Senator _____ to enact common sense gun reform {insert specific legislation if applicable} to help keep our children safe from gun violence. As a Certified Child Life Specialist, I have supported children and families injured and killed by firearms and seen the lasting effects on their families and communities. Every child deserves to feel safe in every aspect of their life. I know reaching across the aisle in Congress is not always easy, and I want you to know it is important to me. Our children are worth it. This is a top priority issue for me, and I intend to base my votes and donations on who is making a good-faith effort to find common solutions. Now is the time to act. Thank you."
Find Contact Information
The contact information for your elected officials can be found here:
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Customizable, shareable social media messages to amplify your advocacy.
When posting on social media, research to see if a hashtag(s) is used by fellow advocates online. For example, use #EndGunViolence with social media for gun violence prevention.
Below are sample social media messages that can be shared across your channels:
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Share your expertise on this topic with the child life community.
Submit an abstract on this topic for an ACLP Webinar or the Child Life Conference, or write an article for ACLP Bulletin. Abstract submission for the 2024 Child Life Conference will be open July 1 - July 31, 2023.
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ACLP Resources
Additional Peer Organization Resources