03/14/2026
In honor of Child Life Month, we’re hosting a collaborative discussion-based webinar designed specifically for child life professionals who want to engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue about the future of our field. As child life continues to expand beyond the hospital, the scope-of-practice tension has become even louder. Private practice, virtual work, community grief support — all of it raises the question:
What exactly is child life?
How do we protect scope while meeting real needs?
Where are our boundaries and who defines them?
Where is child life headed in the next 10 years?
This one hour, interactive session will include structured breakout rooms, guided discussion prompts, and large-group synthesis. This discussion will be a space for curiosity and professional growth. This is about clarity, not criticism. It will be about protecting the field, not dividing it. Multiple perspectives are welcome!
Following the event, themes and shared insights will be thoughtfully compiled into a professional reflection letter addressed to the Association of Child Life Professionals. This letter is not intended to criticize or share grievances with our governing body. Rather, it is an effort to elevate the lived experiences of practicing child life professionals and contribute meaningfully to ongoing conversations about scope, expansion, and the future of the field. As the field evolves, it is essential that space exists for professionals to reflect on emerging dilemmas, identify areas where additional guidance may be helpful, and share thoughtful recommendations grounded in practice. By compiling themes rather than individual opinions, we aim to present a balanced and professional summary of what is surfacing across settings. This effort is rooted in partnership ensuring that the voices of those providing direct care are heard as part of the ongoing development of our profession.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify and process emerging scope-of-practice tensions within child life settings.
- Discuss ethical considerations related to role expansion.
- Describe potential guardrails for maintaining professional boundaries.
- Differentiate between individual and systems-level scope tensions and describe how professional growth requires both defined boundaries and openness to evolving practice models.
This webinar will not be recorded to preserve a safe space for open sharing. Live attendance is required in order to receive a PDU certificate.
By signing up for this webinar, you are agreeing to have your contact information shared with this webinar's sponsor. This webinar's sponsor is Higgy Bears! Learn more about Higgy Bears at www.higgybears.com
Register for this webinar www.heartsconnected.org/event
