ACLP offers Program Review & Development Services (PRDS) for child life programs in need of support from a consultant. Programs can select from a variety of review and development service options based on what type of consultation best matches the programs need. The PRDS Consultant Team is made up of established and respected leaders in the child life field.
PRDS offers several consultation services to meet your needs and resources. The following services are currently offered:
- Comprehensive Program Review
- New Child Life Program Development
- Child Life Education
- Child Life Team Development
- Other
Each service is described in more detail below:
1. Comprehensive Program Review
The Comprehensive Program Review provides a broad and inclusive review of an existing child life program. 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.
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
See an example of a successful program review
here. The actual 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.
2. New Child Life Program Development
Assistance in the creation of a new child life program. No current program exists.
3. Child Life Education
Exploration of a "focused" review of a specific portion of your program. See PRDS Menu for topic suggestions
4. Child Life Team Development (half- or full-day retreat)
Provision of professional development and/or team building for child life team members
5. Other
Please contact the ACLP office at aclpprogramreview@childlife.org if you are interested in discussing alternative program review and development services. An assessment of your needs may result in a plan for reduced or expanded consultant time and an adjustment of fee structure. The institution is responsible for arranging and funding travel expenses, lodging and meals for the reviewers.