By Elana Brewer, MS, CCLS, President
It is with deep gratitude and genuine excitement that I step into the role of President of the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP). This opportunity to serve and collaborate with our passionate and dedicated community is both humbling and energizing. As I begin this journey, I’d like to offer a window into my leadership philosophy, the values that guide me, and the work ahead that I feel called to champion.
At the heart of my leadership style is a simple but powerful concept: listening. I believe that real leadership begins with hearing and understanding the lived experiences of those I serve. Our association is only as strong as the voices that shape it, and I’m deeply committed to ensuring that each member feels heard, valued, and supported. In my daily work, I uphold an open-door policy—not just in theory, but in practice—and I bring that same approach to my role within ACLP. Feedback is essential for growth, and I welcome it wholeheartedly, with the expectation that it comes from a place of professionalism and mutual respect.
Over the past few months as President, I’ve had countless moments to reflect on what it means to advocate—not just as individuals, but as a unified profession. As child life specialists, advocacy is part of our DNA. We speak for children, for families, and for compassionate care practices. We advocate in hallways and conference rooms, at bedsides and national conferences, often without recognition but always with unwavering resolve. And while many of our victories are quiet and behind the scenes, their impact often echoes for a lifetime.
Advocacy, for me, is both personal and collective. I’ve seen firsthand the outcomes of passionate, persistent advocacy—whether it's championing improved salaries, promoting work/life balance, or pushing for professional advancement for child life staff. These efforts are not isolated to job satisfaction; they affect retention, morale, patient outcomes, and the sustainability of our profession. I’ve also found that combining data with powerful narratives is an incredibly effective tool in communicating the true value of child life services and in securing increased staffing resources to meet the growing needs of pediatric populations.
One of the most salient examples of recent advocacy came early in my presidency. Two of our members alerted us to Kaiser Permanente’s decision to eliminate the child life specialist title and reduce qualifications required for the role. This change not only devalued our profession but put vulnerable children and families at risk of receiving less specialized care. In response, ACLP leadership, including the Child Life Certification Commission (CLCC), acted swiftly. Together, we drafted and delivered a letter to Kaiser’s senior leadership—backed by data, credentials, and heartfelt testimonies from professionals across the country. Thanks to the united front formed by ACLP, CLCC, and our resilient members within Kaiser, the specialist title and appropriate job description were reinstated.
This was a moment of victory—but also a reminder that we must remain vigilant. Threats to our profession, whether stemming from financial constraints or administrative decisions, are not uncommon. In the past we’ve seen positions eliminated in response to fiscal pressures, and with recent legislative passages we may likely experience that again. In these moments, the importance of strategic and passionate advocacy cannot be overstated.
We also face broader, systemic challenges—particularly when it comes to compensation. The current landscape for determining salaries is murky at best. Child life specialists continue to receive wages that do not reflect the depth, skill, and emotional labor of their work. While ACLP has yet to identify a clear path for creating national impact around wages, I want you to know that local leaders are engaged, informed, and tireless in their pursuit of progress. And I, too, am committed to being a fierce and consistent advocate for our value—whether in national conversations, local negotiations, or everyday decision-making forums.
In my own role leading a large child life program, I’ve fought for higher pay, greater professional recognition, and more inclusive leadership structures. I’ve pushed for mental health supports for staff, flexible scheduling, and investment in career development. These aren’t just “nice-to-haves”—they’re vital pieces of a sustainable, equitable work environment. And I plan to use every ounce of that experience to serve you, my fellow ACLP members, with dedication and clarity.
Ultimately, this association is shaped by all of us. We are educators, innovators, caregivers, and changemakers. Our future will depend on our ability to work together, to advocate boldly, and to maintain our focus on what truly matters—improving the lives of children and families through specialized, compassionate care.
I invite you to share your thoughts, your concerns, and your hopes. My door is always open, and every voice matters. Thank you for your continued trust and support. Together, we will elevate the profession, strengthen our community, and ensure child life continues to shine brightly in every corner of pediatric care.