Overview

Child Life Program: Needs-Based Grant

Funded by Disney, this pilot, needs-based grant project aims to offer child life programs the opportunity to submit grant requests to cover expenses to support child life program activities such as the purchase of supplies, materials, and equipment, as well as to fund innovation and creativity in new programming.

The needs-based grants will be used to support child life programs with budget constraints that provide children and families from diverse, underserved communities with physical and emotional support through play and innovation.

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Criteria

Grants will be awarded for full or partial funding based on the program meeting the outlined application criteria. Awarded grants will range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Individuals must meet the following criteria to apply:

  • Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)

  • Current ACLP member

  • Employed by a licensed facility that provides pediatric healthcare services

  • Employed in a child life program with an annual budget of less than $500,000

  • Only one application per project, per child life program, can be submitted


In addition, they must be able to demonstrate:

  • How the grant will foster creativity and enhance the quality and effectiveness of child life initiatives within their program

  • How the child life program must serve a diverse, underserved population and the request must outline this information for the reviewers

Individuals must be willing to provide post-award updates on the impact of requested resources, noting the impact the award has had on the program and the overall well-being of children and families.

Applications received after the application deadline will not be accepted. Additionally, applications that fail to comply with all eligibility and submission requirements will not be considered for funding.

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Funding Use & Restrictions

Awarded grants will range from $1,000 - $5,000. Grant funds can be used to cover expenses related to the purchase of supplies, materials, and equipment and fund innovation and creativity in new programming.

Some examples of what grant funding could include:

  • Medical play kits

  • Distraction tools

  • Therapeutic play resources

  • Books

  • Facility dog programming

  • Neurodiversity training for staff


Funds can not be used for the following:

  • Salaries, bonuses, internships, or other awards related to staffing

  • Stipends or payments to patients or their families

Application Timeline

The following outlines the steps and process for applicants from the initial submission to notification of award.

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Apply

Applications for this pilot program, funded by Disney, must be submitted by October 31, 2024, by 11:59pm EST.

Apply