Program Review

OVERVIEW

Program Review & Development Services

ACLP offers Program Review & Development Services for child life programs in need of support from a consultant.

Programs can select from a variety of review and development service options based on what type of consultation best matches the programs need.

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Consultation Services

Program Review & Development Services offers several consultation options to meet your needs and resources. The following services are currently offered.

For a complete list, view the Program Review & Development Services menu.

Comprehensive Program Review

The Comprehensive Program Review provides a broad and inclusive review of an existing child life program. This service is effective in providing strategies to meet the specific goals of the requesting facility. The process, inclusive of systematic self-assessment, on-site consultation, and final report offers assessment of overall program strengths and opportunities for improvement, validation of child life as an essential component of the facility’s care quality, as well as advocacy tools, additional resources, and recommendations for future program development.

The specific goals for each program review are established between the requesting facility, the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), and the consultants prior to their arrival.

Comprehensive Program Reviews have been useful in:

setting new directions for an existing program
validating departmental goals, policies and practices
developing tactics for program expansion
enlarging an existing department
establishing a new department or program
during transitions in program leadership

See an example of a successful program review here. The actual process consists of an on-site visit by two recognized leaders in the field of child life, who have been selected by ACLP using specific criteria. The review generally takes two full days. All participating programs receive a copy of ACLP’s digital publication, Program Review Guidelines (PRG). The onsite review concludes with a verbal report of initial findings and recommendations with a full written report submitted within 6-8 weeks.

Comprehensive Program Review Sample Agenda

Day 1

8:30 – 10:00 am
Meet with child life director/leader and administrator to discuss schedule and any changes in plans for next two days, brief tour of hospital.

10:00 – 11:30 am
Review PRG self-evaluation feedback with child life staff.

11:30 – 12:30 pm
Review documentation re: operating policies, personnel, Q&A, etc.

12:30 - 2:00 pm
Meet with key representatives from other disciplines over lunch.

2:00 – 4:00 pm
Discussion and/or observation of hallmark child life programming.
Discussion and/or observation of potential child life growth areas.

4:00 – 5:00 pm
Meet with child life staff either individually or in small groups.

5:00 – 6:00 pm
Meet with child life director/leader.

Day 2

8:30 – 9:30 am
Review departmental materials (charting, etc.).

9:30 – 11:30 am
Observe and meet with child life staff either individually or in small groups.

11:30 – 12:30 pm
Meet with key representatives and stakeholders (individually or in small teams).

12:30 – 1:30 pm
Lunch.

1:30 – 2:30 pm
Prepare summation report.

2:30 – 4:00 pm
Meet with director/leader to discuss findings and make recommendations.

4:00 – 5:00 pm
Meet with administrator to discuss findings and recommendations.

New Child Life Program Development

Child Life Education

Child Life Team Development (Half / Full Day Retreat)

Other

Consultants

The Consultant Team is made up of established and respected leaders in the child life field. Each consultant submits a formal application which is competitively reviewed to ensure adherence to stringent standards and criteria.

Qualifications for PRDS comprehensive program review consultants include:

Current member of the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP)
Certified Child Life Specialist
Active ACLP participation
Has been employed in the field of child life for at least 10 years
Has effectively demonstrated a leadership role in the child life profession
Has demonstrated experience in program evaluation

Program Review & Development Services

Request Process

Programs wanting to participate in a Program Review must complete and email the Program Review & Development Services Request Form to ACLP.

Upon confirmation of the service, ACLP will respond with a contract, documentation describing the process, information on responsibilities of the requesting facility, profiles of the assigned ACLP reviewers, and confirmation of the financial arrangements.

Questions? Email aclpprogramreview@childlife.org.

Submit a Request