Our History
The PNWCLA was founded in 2002 to help Child Life professionals in the Puget Sound area grow in their professional skills as Child Life Specialists through networking and day camps. As the needs have grown to expand the Child Life profession in our area, PNWCLA is now reaching Child Life Specialists from Alaska to Oregon and everywhere in between! With this growth comes great new opportunities for the Child Life profession in our region. We would like to use these next two years to continue growing as an association as we integrate new members, reach more communities and keep up to speed with current research in the Child Life profession.
Our Mission
The PNWCLA is a membership organization that seeks to encourage and promote the health and well-being of children and their families in the health care setting by actively:
- Pursuing professional development and education within the role of a Child Life Specialist to Child Life professionals, students, and the greater community.
- Following the standards of the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
- Providing a formal means of networking between Child Life professionals in the Pacific Northwest Region.
- Promoting community education to the Pacific Northwest Region through the sharing and advocating of psychosocial care for children and families in the healthcare setting.
Our Leadership Team:
Co-Chair: Amie Lusk & Anne Chen
Treasurer: Jessica Thompson
Secretary: Sarah Farris
Continuing Education Coordinator: Katie Walker
West Community Outreach: Sarah Rudy
East Community Outreach: Karla Edwards
South Community Outreach: Melissa NewMyer & Kristen Bakalis
Webmaster: Jesse Bartlett
Social Media Char: Kendall Baker