For the health and safety of our paitents and the community, holiday toy donation drop offs will NOT be accepted at out hospital during the holiday season. This holiday season, we will ONLY be accepting donations through our Amazon Wish List or our Virtual Toy Drive. If you have more questions, please email: childlifeprograms@nemours.org.
The Department of Child Life, Creative Arts Therapy & School Programs at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children 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.
Jennifer Sciolla, MS, CTRS, CCLSSenior 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.
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
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.
Certified Child Life Specialist II
molly.donadee@nemours.org
Certified Child Life Specialist III, Palliative Care
amelia.hayes@nemours.org
Certified Child Life Specialist II
carrie.howard@nemours.org
Certified Child Life Specialist III
jennifer.kelley@nemours.org
Certified Child Life Specialist II
harlee.wirtshafter@nemours.org
Certified Child Life Specialist III
caitlin.meehan@nemours.org
Certified Child Life Specialist III
laura.mitchell@nemours.org
Certified Child Life Specialist II
deborah.palley@nemours.org
Certified Child Life Specialist I
alexandra.schubert@nemours.org
Certified Child Life Specialist III
jana.teagle@nemours.org
Certified Child Life Specialist II
brooke.thueson@nemours.org
Certified Child Life Specialist II
kimberly.vignola@nemours.org
Child Life Specialist
brianna.vinci@nemours.org
Phone: (302) 298-7047
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.
We work to reduce your child’s fears and anxiety before a procedure or surgery by explaining what will happen and what to expect.
We try to reduce your child’s anxiety by providing distraction and nonmedical pain management.
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.
We strive to ease physical, psychological and emotional pain with relaxation strategies such as guided imagery and deep breathing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Our tail-wagging friends and their certified handlers have an important job to do — bring smiles.
Pet therapy helps to:
Please contact a Child Life staff member for more information.
We welcome visitors and volunteers from our community to participate in our Child Life Program.
To find out more, contact our department at (302) 298-7047.
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.
Volunteers help the Child Life Program in so many ways.
Find Out How to Become a Hospital Volunteer »
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.
We truly appreciate donations of new, unused toys, books, craft supplies and age-appropriate video games.
Phone: (302) 298-7047
Email: childlifeprograms@nemours.org
The Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children 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/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children 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 Coordinator
(302) 651-4849
laura.mitchell@nemours.org
Practicum Coordinator
(302) 298-7316
jana.teagle@nemours.org
Child Life, Creative Arts Therapy and School ProgramsNemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
1600 Rockland Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
Phone: (302) 298-7047
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