What does it look like when hospitals don't value your child's psychological and emotional safety? A 2023 salary survey suggests it might mean nearly 60% of the Certified Child Life Specialists who do this vital, necessary work become "likely" or "extremely likely" forced out due to an inability to afford basic living expenses.

Kirsten Black, MS, CCLS, Registered HPS (and architect of that salary survey) joins the pod this week to discuss the true cost when Certified Child Life Specialists can't earn a living wage.

Host: Annie J, MS, CCLS, CAHP

Guest: Kirsten Black, MS, CCLS, Registered HPS

Editing: SH Creative

Follow the Pod: @code_clio

➡️ April 09. 🕔 5:00pm EDT 🗣️ Episode 3: The War on Wages w/guest Kirsten Black, MS, CCLS, Registered HPS It matters that the people who care for your child’s psychological and emotional safety can’t afford their basic living expenses. It matters that hospitals see Certified Child Life Specialists as opportunities to trim the budget. It matters that we refuse to allow this topic to become too taboo to discuss. Thank you to everyone who shared their heart, and their story, as we preview the true cost when Certified Child Life Specialists aren’t paid a living wage.

Host: Annie J, MS, CCLS, CAHP

Guest: Kirsten Black, MS, CCLS, Registered HPS

Editing: SH Creative

Follow the Pod: @code_clio

Between junk certifications, hospitals hiring non Certified Child Life Specialists for "child life" departments, and people selling products promising the results of a CCLS without actually being a CCLS, there has never been a more important time to protect you, your family, and, most of all, your children during your most vulnerable moments.

Join us for Episode 2 as Cinda McDonald, M.Ed., CCLS, GCCA-C, CTRS-C discusses the current fight for licensure in the state of Texas, and learn how you can make a real difference in the lives of children everywhere!

Host: Annie J, MS, CCLS, CAHP

Guest: Cinda McDonald, M.Ed., CCLS, GCCA-C, CTRS-C

Editing: SH Creative

Follow the Pod: @code_clio

Sign the Licensure Petition: https://www.change.org/p/protect-texas-children-support-licensure-for-certified-child-life-specialists