Program Goals:
About the Creative Arts Therapy (CAT) Team:
The CAT team consists of Music Therapists and Art Therapists.

• Music Therapy is an established healthcare profession that employs evidence-based music interventions to help achieve patients' treatment goals. Our board-certified music therapists (MT-BC) utilize these interventions to meet the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages.

• Art Therapy is an evidence-based healthcare professional. Sessions are facilitated by a Board Certified or Registered Art Therapist and utilize the process of creating art to improve mental, physical, and emotional wellness.

CAT team goals:

• To normalize the hospital environment


• To encourage self-expression and creative outlet


• To provide opportunities for family bonding


• To build each patient's self-esteem, confidence, and mastery


• To promote emotional support for patients and their families

Qualifications:

• At least 18 years old or older


• Prior experience working with children


• Outgoing and able to relate well to patients and their parents


• Willing to take direction


• Flexible and creative


• Punctual and reliable

Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Support CAT team with operational needs as assigned by the CAT volunteer supervisor.


• Assist the CAT team with the preparation and clean-up of the art/music group sessions. This includes, but is not limited to, gathering and transporting materials, inviting patients and families, checking families in, sanitizing supplies, etc. Expectations will vary and be set by the CAT team member(s) leading the group.


• Flexibility is essential. CAT team members may find it necessary to use volunteers in various roles. This includes, but is not limited to, administrative tasks to support the therapist's work with patients. *Understand direct patient contact is not guaranteed during all volunteer shifts depending on operational needs.

The Sunnyvale Clinic is an OUTPATIENT clinic.

Program Goals/Objectives:
Child Life programs are designed to promote growth and development, minimize psychological trauma, maintain normal living patterns, and assist the patient and family to effectively cope with hospitalization and/or illness.
Volunteers assist by playing with children who are waiting for clinic appointments.

Qualifications:
Volunteers who work in Child Life need to have prior experience working with children and realistic expectations of the program. In addition, they should be:

• Outgoing and able to relate well to children of all ages and their parents.


• Minimal age of 18 years old


• Able to work with minimal supervision.


• Flexible


• Creative and playful


• Independent and able to initiate activities with children.


• Willing to take direction.


• Punctual and reliable.

Job Responsibilities:
Assist the therapist in the preparation for and leading of group activities. Structured activities will vary from week to week and can involve simple crafts, group games, cooking, etc.
Support the patients - their abilities often fluctuate, but regardless of their abilities, our goal is to assist them in achieving satisfaction and success.

Description:

This is a Child Life recreation program available to patients, siblings, and their families to provide a therapeutic space in the hospital. Patients and families can engage in play, arts and crafts and more! Volunteers support the safety and wellness of our patients as well as facilitating fun activities, socialization opportunities and engaging in play with patients and family visiting the playroom.

Qualifications:

• Minimum age of 18 years


• Minimum weekly 6-month commitment on the same weekday and time

Experience: Preferred working/volunteering with children. Preferred working/volunteering in a clinical setting.