Code C.L.I.O. (Child Life Isn’t Optional)

What is a Certified Child Life Specialist? (w/Dr. Jessika Boles, PhD, CCLS)

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 03:36:11 -0500

Welcome to CODE C.L.I.O.; A new podcast about uplifting the child life field + educating the public on our work as essential clinicians!

This podcast is for everyone and anyone who cares about the psychosocial, cognitive, and emotional development of children. Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) want to care for you and your families. But, we can’t do that if we don’t get paid a living wage or if we’re constantly disregarded, disparaged, and disrespected by our colleagues.

This week, we are kicking off the inaugural season with the help of Dr. Jessika Boles, PhD, CCLS. Join us as we ask, and answer, what is a Certified Child Life Specialist, does it matter that the field could disappear altogether, and is there anything we can do about it?

Host: Annie J, MS, CCLS, CAHP

Guest: Dr. Jessika Boles, PhD, CCLS

Editing: SH Creative

Follow the Pod: @code_clio

ACLP Value Proposition Statement: https://www.childlife.org/practice/why-child-life/child-life-value-proposition-statement

The Fight for Licensure (w/Cinda McDonald, M.Ed., CCLS, GCCA-C, CTRS-C)

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

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

Episode 3 PREVIEW: The War on Wages (w/Kirsten Black, MS, CCLS, Registered HPS)

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:06:09 -0400

➡️ 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