CLGNY first began in the 1980’s as a way for child life specialists to come together to discuss best practices and advance the field of child life in the greater New York area. And that continues today.
“What I really like about being a member of Child Life of Greater of New York is getting peer support as well as collaborating with other CLGNY members. It is so helpful to learn what other child life specialists are doing in their programming so that I can figure out how I could implement it into my hospital setting,” shares Lauren Maxwell of NYU Langone’s Hospital for Joint Diseases.
“And I’ve learned that when I share information with colleagues in other settings that together we can reach even more pediatric patients.”
Some members of small or one-person programs find great benefits to the collaboration opportunities, like Vanessa Andrews of Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center.
“As the director of a small program in a long-term care hospital, being a member of CLGNY offers a platform for professional networking, collaboration, and a sense of community that may not have otherwise occurred.”
Networking and many discussions occur at events, like our annual conference.
“I have always found CLGNY to help keep me up to date on events – a meeting time for discussions with others in the field of child life and a place to discuss new ideas for the profession of child life,” shares Patty Weiner, a private practitioner at Patty Weiner Consults and a founding member of CLGNY.
And whether members come to share ideas or gain new ones, everything the organization does is to help advance the field.
“Given the relative size of the child life profession, this networking and support is essential to program development, continuing education, expanding the field of child life, and collaborating with other area hospitals and programs in a variety of ways,” says Vanessa.
Interested in becoming a member?
Download and fill out the application and email it to childlifeny@gmail.com – subject line “Membership Application”.
Once received, the board will review the application and notify you if approved.
(Application best downloaded from Chrome or Safari browsers.)
