Child Life Program and Certified Child Life Specialist
Jaynie Wood, Certified Child Life Specialist
Supporting a Caring Environment
Contact our Certified Child Life Specialist
For the timeliest response, please send an email to:
Jaynie R. Wood MS CCLS -
jwood@sbch.org
Mon - Thurs 7am - 5:30pm
(805) 682-7111 x55390
The hospital environment can be especially stressful for children. At Cottage Children’s Medical Center, our Certified Child Life Specialist is dedicated to easing the stress and enhancing the emotional comfort of all children and teens in our care as well as their siblings, family members and loved ones.
To help reduce a child’s fear, anxiety and pain, we use evidence-based and developmentally appropriate methods, such as therapeutic medical play. When young patients and their family members better understand the hospital environment and their medical conditions and treatments, they feel more at ease and can focus their energy on healing.
Support Services For Your Child and Your Family
Pre-Admission Tours
Pre-admission tours with our Certified Child Life Specialist can be arranged from Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tours may also be given during a pre-surgery visit, during the same days and hours.
Sibling Support
The Certified Child Life Specialist is available to help brothers and sisters cope with a sibling’s hospitalization and other needs that may occur in the clinical environment.
Pre-Procedural Preparation
Children need time to prepare for tests, procedures and surgery so that they can be more at ease. Our Certified Child Life Specialist assists children in a manner that is appropriate for their age and developmental level.
Perinatal Loss
The loss of an unborn child can be traumatic for siblings. Our Certified Child Life Specialist is available to provide support prior to admission as well as upon admission.
Response to Trauma and Emergencies
As a Level 1 Trauma Center, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital cares for the most seriously injured and ill patients. Our Certified Child Life Specialist supports the emotional and educational needs of the children and their families who are in the highly stressful environment of the Trauma Center and the Emergency Department.
Support for Children of Adult Patients in Crisis and Trauma
When parents are experiencing trauma or a crisis, the Certified Child Life Specialist can assist children by helping to explain the critical setting and to support the patient’s family members during difficult discussions.
Encouraging Family Communication Using the Chatter Box
The Chatter Box encourages communication within the home and is a tool to support families by sparking conversations about all topics, even topics that may be difficult to share.
Ways You Can Help Patients
We are grateful for donations of NEW toys, games, art supplies and other items that would provide comfort to our young patients. Please note that due to our infection control policies, we can only accept new and unused items.
If you would like to learn more about making a donation, please send an e-mail to jwood@sbch.org.
