The Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) serves the needs of more than 6,000 professionals with different experience levels from new to their career to the advanced level. To continue to serve the needs of child life professionals, we are exploring the interest in and need for an advanced-level credential (or certification) or a certificate program.
Please note that this is an exploratory study to help ACLP assess whether an advanced practice recognition program is reasonable. It does not mean that the decision to create a new, advanced practice program has been made. The results of this study may indicate that this type of program is (or is not) warranted.
The study includes two activities:
- Focus group with subject matter experts to gather information regarding the difference between advanced and entry-level practice, current and future directions of the profession, and value of certification and/or certificate program to various stakeholders
- Electronic survey to gather information from current certificants regarding the interest and need for an advanced-level credentialing product.