The Department of Child Life, Creative Arts Therapy & School Programs at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware helps patients and their families cope with medical experiences. Our staff promotes the use of play, preparation, education and self-expression activities as a way to normalize the hospital. Our team of certified Child Life specialists are skilled at supporting the child and their family during a stressful medical event. We strive to empower children and families, while partnering with them to meet their individual needs.
Call to request a visit from a Child Life specialist or, if you need immediate assistance, ask your nurse or another team member to contact us.
Our Leadership Team
Jennifer Sciolla, MS, CTRS, CCLS
Senior Director, Child & Family Services
jennifer.sciolla@nemours.org
Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science from Temple University and her Master of Science from Nova Southeastern University. Jen has worked in many the region’s premier healthcare systems as a clinician and as a Child Life leader. She is a longtime adjunct instructor at Temple University and a consultant for the Association of Child Life Professionals, providing programmatic consultation and development to Child Life programs across North America. Jen joined Nemours in December 2014 and is the Senior Director of Child and Family Services, overseeing the Departments of: Child Life, Creative Arts Therapy and School Programs; Social Work, Patient Relations and Pastoral Care.
Melissa Nicely, MS, CCLS
Manager, Department of Child Life, Creative Arts Therapy & School Programs
melissa.nicely@nemours.org
Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Fresno State in California, and her Master of Arts in Child Life from University of La Verne, in California. Melissa has worked in children’s hospitals in California, and has experience as a nonprofit professional at the Association for Child Life Professionals. Melissa joined Nemours as a child life specialist in 2013, and became a manager in 2015
Nicole Gandolfo, MA, CCLS
Manager, Department of Child Life, Creative Arts Therapy & School Programs
nicole.gandolfo@nemours.org
Nicole earned her Bachelor of Arts from Boston University and Master of Arts in Child Development from Tufts University, Eliot-Pearson School of Child Development. Nicole has experience working as a child life specialist and student program coordinator in multiple child life programs across the United States. She has enjoyed professional volunteer involvement with the Association of Child Life Professionals, including serving as a past committee chair. Nicole joined Nemours as a manager in child life in November 2020.
Child Life Specialists
Joelle Arrante, MS, CCLS
Child Life Specialist
joelle.arrante@nemours.org
Lauren Bell, CCLS
Child Life Specialist
lauren.bell@nemours.org
Molly Bogan, CCLS
Child Life Specialist
molly.bogan@nemours.org
Molly Donadee, MS, CCLS
Child Life Specialist Sr
molly.donadee@nemours.org
Amelia Hayes, CCLS
Child Life Specialist Sr., Palliative Care
amelia.hayes@nemours.org
Timmy Kuk, MS, CCLS
Child Life Specialist
timmy.kuk@nemours.org
Harlee Light, CCLS
Child Life Specialist Sr.
harlee.wirtshafter@nemours.org
Laura Mitchell, CCLS
Child Life Specialist Sr.
laura.mitchell@nemours.org
Lexi Schubert, CCLS
Child Life Specialist
alexandra.schubert@nemours.org
Jana L. Teagle, CTRS, CCLS, CBIS
Child Life Specialist Sr.
jana.teagle@nemours.org
Brooke Thueson, CCLS
Child Life Specialist Sr.
brooke.thueson@nemours.org
Kim Vignola, CCLS
Child Life Specialist Sr.
kimberly.vignola@nemours.org
Grace Woehrle, CCLS
Child Life Specialist
grace.woehrle@nemours.org
Coordinators
Child Life Program Coordinator
Sara Narimanian
Work Cell: (302) 298-6769
sara.narimanian@nemours.org
Child Life Activity Coordinators
Kalani Hollman
Katie Charlton
Kennedy Hubbard
Ezra Wittwer
What We Do
When a child is anxious or overwhelmed, or other children have difficulty understanding what's happening, it can affect everyone. Child Life specialists support the entire family during a medical experience. Our staff provide all kinds of services and support not only to our patients, but also to parents, siblings and other family members.
Psychosocial support
We can help your child cope with an injury, diagnosis or treatment by encouraging discussion, answering questions, and talking about feelings and concerns.
Preprocedure/preoperative support
We work to reduce your child’s fears and anxiety before a procedure or surgery by explaining what will happen and what to expect.
Support during a procedure
We try to reduce your child’s anxiety by providing distraction and nonmedical pain management.
Medical/therapeutic play
We try to help your child understand and cope better by playing with pretend or real medical equipment and providing opportunities to share feelings, concerns and fears.
Pain and stress management
We strive to ease physical, psychological and emotional pain with relaxation strategies such as guided imagery and deep breathing.
Creative stimulation/development
We use art, music and play activities to promote your child’s growth, maintain developmental milestones, and provide a creative outlet for dealing with emotions.
Bereavement services
We offer comfort, support and memorial activities for families in the event of a child’s death.
Our certified Child Life specialists are trained to understand the different ways children deal with stress, fear, confusion, anger, guilt and sadness — and help them develop coping strategies specific to their individual needs. We’re also here to provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings and other family members as needed.
Child Life Activities & Playrooms
Kids of all ages want to explore, play and laugh, no matter where they are — even the hospital. Of course, in the hospital, kids’ choices are limited. That’s why we offer lots of fun Child Life programs and activities to keep all of the children we see, from tots to teens, uplifted and entertained during even the most difficult hospital stay.
What is the Child Life Clubhouse?
Located on the third floor, around the corner from the Family Resource Center, the Child Life Clubhouse is a fun place for patients and families to escape. The Clubhouse is a safe haven away from medical procedures, equipment and exams, where specially trained Child Life technicians provide normal play activities. Our patients, their families and visitors can participate in arts and crafts, play with a wide variety of toys and games, read, play video games, take part in cooking activities and much more.
Does the hospital also have playrooms?
On each inpatient unit, you'll find a playroom that's stocked with toys and activities. Patients, families and visitors can use the playrooms to relax, visit and engage in small group activities. Please ask a Child Life staff member if you have questions about the playroom on your unit.
How do I find out which activities and events are offered and when?
From the TV in your child's room, just click on the rollercoaster located on the homepage to find out about Child Life activities and events on the GetWellNetwork Event’s Calendar.
Can my child's siblings play too?
Brothers and sisters can absolutely play too. We just ask that all siblings and visitors under 10 years old be supervised by an adult when visiting the Child Life Clubhouse Center and playrooms.
Pet Therapy Program
The hospital is always abuzz when our furry, four-legged friends join us. Trained therapy teams visit in our playrooms and at the bedside. The dogs provide a great distraction and comfort to our children and families.
Benefits of Pet Therapy
Our tail-wagging friends and their certified handlers have an important job to do — bring smiles.
Pet therapy helps to:
- reduce stress
- improve self-esteem
- lower blood pressure
- improve overall well-being
Please contact a Child Life staff member for more information.
Be Part of Our Child Life Program
We welcome visitors and volunteers from our community to participate in our Child Life Program.
Pet Therapy
To find out more, contact our department at (302) 298-7047.
Community Group Visits and Community Entertainment/Performances
We always welcome groups and individuals to apply to visit the hospital, including college and high school groups, community organizations, youth groups, performers, athletes and others.
To find more information about our guidelines and requests of visiting individuals and groups, please click below on the appropriate link that most describes your type of visit.
Apply Community Group Visits and Community Entertainment/Performances
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers help the Child Life Program in so many ways.
Find Out How to Become a Hospital Volunteer
Make a Gift or Donation
Make a Monetary Gift or Donation Online
We’re thankful for our thoughtful and generous community, which provides us with a variety of toys, crafts, games, books and activities for kids of all ages.
Wish list
We truly appreciate donations of new, unused toys, books, craft supplies and age-appropriate video games.
Contact Us
Call Us Email UsInternship and Practicum Programs
The Child Life Program will not be offering student placements (internship or practicum) in Fall 2022. We will resume student offerings in Spring 2023.
The Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware offers comprehensive Child Life internships and practicum programs open to college students and graduates during the fall and spring semesters.
In September 2016, the internship program at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware earned accreditation from the Child Life Council. This accreditation assures that our program meets the minimum standards and requirements established for clinical preparation programs in child life in the most current Official Documents of the Child Life Council as well as the Essential Curriculum Topics for Child Life Clinical Internships.
Accreditation is a voluntary two-step process of self-study and external review intended to evaluate, enhance and publicly recognize quality child life clinical internship programs, promoting the interests of students and the child life profession as a whole through continuous quality improvement of learning and professional practice.
Internship Program
- Application Packet (PDF)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Practicum Program
- Application Packet (PDF)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Contact Program Coordinators
Internship Coordinators
Laura Mitchell, CCLS
Internship Coordinator
(302) 651-4849
childlifestudentprograms@nemours.org
Jana Teagle, CCLS, CTRS, CBIS
Internship Co-Coordinator
(302) 298-7316
childlifestudentprograms@nemours.org
Practicum Coordinators
Harlee Light, CCLS
(302) 298-7822
Practicum Coordinator
childlifestudentprograms@nemours.org
Kim Vignola, CCLS
(302) 298-7712
Practicum Co-Coordinator
childlifestudentprograms@nemours.org
Nemours has a number of service regions. Selecting your region will help us show you the right contact information and the most relevant content for you.