Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Share Your Story/Child Life Specialists Help Kids In Our Community

Child Life Specialists Help Kids In Our Community

Child Life Specialists Help Kids In Our Community
February 7, 2015
Blog Editorial Team
1 Comments

When a shooting occurred recently at a local motel, child life specialists from Cincinnati Children’s were called upon to offer assistance. Katie Nees, Annie Krause, Tina Ulanowski and Heather Storey are members of the American Red Cross Mental Health Team. That means they donate their time and talent to assist children in incidents in which the Red Cross responds, including floods, house fires and shootings.

On a Tuesday evening when they got the call that motel residents, including children, were evacuated to a makeshift shelter due to a shooting, Nees and Krause, abandoned their plans for the night and headed to the scene. 

“It was our first assignment since joining the Mental Health Team,” says Nees, “and we quickly realized we were not as prepared as we thought.”

They grabbed some toys, jumped in their cars and were greeted by heavy security at the shelter site. By turning tables on their sides to form walls, they created a private play space within the shelter in which to work.

“For a couple hours, we provided child-centered play which quickly created a sense of normalcy; the relief felt in the room from adults and children was tangible,” Nees remembers.  

Nees and Krause fielded lots of questions from the children, including “how do we know the good guys from the bad guys?” Having seen guns drawn and orders to “Get out now” gave the kids plenty of reason to be frightened. 

“We helped the kids talk and process through their concerns, and even had one of the police offers join us in our play space for a time,” says Nees. 

Ulanowski responded the next morning when the Red Cross asked for more assistance. She witnessed behavior that she knew was a result of trauma. Drawing pictures with messages for the police officers helped the children work through the details of the shooting. 

Storey took over, having just finished work, as Ulanowski left for her own Cincinnati Children’s shift. Storey supported the children in constructive play, open conversation and even an impromptu game of indoor soccer (with an infant in her arms!) while the adults left the shelter to return briefly to the hotel. When the shelter closed, one child tearfully asked Storey not to leave. “I reminded him of the things he could do to cope,” Storey says.  

Nees sums up the team’s first experience this way:  “We hope our time with the children has started them down the road of turning a potentially traumatic situation into one of growth and finding new strength.” 

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in CenterNews, an online publication for Cincinnati Children’s employees. It was contributed by Chris Klein, a member of our Patient Services team. 

 

Related Articles

These Paws Paved Way for Animal Assisted Therapy
These Paws Paved Way for Animal Assisted Therapy
Fabric of the Hospital: Volunteers Sew Comfort
Fabric of the Hospital: Volunteers Sew Comfort
KIND Program: Starting With Better Questions
KIND Program: Starting With Better Questions
Auxiliaries Support Cincinnati Children’s
Auxiliaries Support Cincinnati Children’s
TAGS:
  • Child Life Specialists
  • community health
  • volunteers

About the author: Blog Editorial Team

Our editorial team works with experts, patients and families at Cincinnati Children’s to bring you important information that we hope helps you navigate the complex world of parenting.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

Tammy Simendinger February 19, 2015 at 8:41 pm

These women were a huge asset to the Red Cross, to the kids and their families. We are so glad to have this partnership. Thanks so much!

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • Learning and Growing
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Pin of the Week
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • The Young & Healthy Podcast
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Subscribe today to our family newsletter for tips, blog posts, podcasts and more.

Subscribe Now

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 840 views

  • Lean, Purple Drank, Sizzurp: A Dangerous Teenage Drink 588 views

  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 517 views

  • Family Finds Heart Care Needed for Complex Condition 391 views

  • How To Increase Calories In Your Underweight Child’s Diet 285 views

  • Should I Worry If My Child’s Chest Is Sunken? 252 views

About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2025 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center