March is Child Life Specialist and Social Worker Month, and every day at Team IMPACT, we witness the incredible role that certified child life specialists (CCLS) and social workers (MSW) play in the lives of children and families facing medical challenges. Their dedication, compassion, and expertise make a world of difference—not just in hospitals but also in the communities and support networks that rally around these children. As we celebrate Child Life Specialist and Social Worker Month, we want to highlight child life specialists’ and social workers’ unwavering commitment and the impact they have, not only in hospital settings but also through programs like Team IMPACT.
In 2020, three-year-old Scarlett was diagnosed with epilepsy. The next year, she received another diagnosis: Batten’s Disease. With this second diagnosis came a complete change in the way Scarlett and her family navigated their lives. This diagnosis came with new doctors’ appointments, different physical and occupational therapies, and a future full of unknowns. When Brittany Fernandes, a child life specialist at Notre Dame Health Center, met Scarlett, she knew Scarlett would enjoy having a team of her own. Brittany, a longtime supporter of Team IMPACT, had referred many patients to the program before and seen firsthand how the program transforms lives. “It is such an uplifting relationship between the team, Team IMPACT, the family, and myself,” Brittany said. “I trust that they will take the families I refer and lift them up, allowing a child to really shine and feel special.”
Team IMPACT’s clinical model helps strengthen the trust each child’s medical team has in the program. From the very first call with Scarlett’s family, Intake Coordinator Erica Ballou, MS, CCLS, learned about the family’s medical journey, interests, and dislikes, carefully taking notes and ensuring each factor. “As an Intake Coordinator, I conduct a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment with the family to determine eligibility for our program and to assess each child’s needs in identifying the best team environment for them,” Erica said. “I utilize my child life education and clinical skills every day as I educate families about the program, help identify the best timing for their child, and make recommendations for team selection based on their child’s social, emotional, medical, and sensory needs.”
When matching a child through Team IMPACT, it isn’t just about finding a team—it is about finding the right team. When Regional Director of Match-Up, Mary Welker, CCLS, began looking for Scarlett’s team, she relied on her clinical background to help find Scarlett’s perfect match. “I wanted to become a CCLS because of a traumatic hospital experience I had as a young teenager. I vowed that day to help make sure that nobody else had to experience that,” Mary said. “In my day-to-day work at Team IMPACT, I can relate to these kids and work hard every day to learn and create an experience for them that will be positive and fulfilling.”
In February of 2024, Scarlett was matched with the Dean College field hockey team. “Scarlett has a very complicated medical situation. We had to consider distance, her severe seizure disorder, her difficulty maintaining body temperature, and most importantly, a team that prioritized fun and joy,” Mary said. “We knew Dean field hockey was the perfect fit—a team that is energetic, silly, and full of love.”
Scarlett’s match with the Dean field hockey team is managed by Northeast Case Manager Kristen Desrosiers, MSW. Team IMPACT case managers are integral to ensuring that each match is not just a connection but a lasting, beneficial relationship. “As clinicians, we have the training and background necessary ensure that this program is clinically beneficial for the child,” Kristen said. “We are skilled at assessments, understanding the unique needs of each family, coming up with a treatment or ‘gameplan’ on how our program can help a child achieve their goals, and providing the appropriate psychoeducation to teams on the best ways they can support their match.”
“In social work, there is a big emphasis on meeting the person where they are at. We do just that at Team IMPACT,” she continued. “For Scarlett’s match, I have had the opportunity to work with Scarlett’s child life specialist, Brittany Fernandes. She is such an incredible resource for providing additional information and guidance on what a family needs at the moment and how best to interact with a child. Working with Brittany is a great example of how social workers and child life can work together to create special moments for children in this program.”
“The case managers and team are always thoughtful in the way they approach a family and receptive to any advice I provide them about how to interact with a particular child,” Brittany shared. “They always understand when I state that a family needs some space right now or needs extra support to get over a big hurdle.”
Child life specialists like Erica, Mary, and Brittany; social workers like Kristen; and the clinical staff at Team IMPACT provide essential psychosocial and emotional support, helping children and families navigate sometimes overwhelming medical experiences and tailoring the program to help each child hit their goals with their teammates encouraging every step of the way. “The role of child life, and other psychosocial supports such as social work, is vital to a child and their family who is on a medical journey,” Brittany said. “The goal of child life is to help children, and their parents navigate a world they never wanted to enter, that of a sick child in a hospital, but with support the journey can be made a lot easier. A child life specialist wants to watch a child to thrive and just be a kid, no matter the circumstances.”
From the initial match through to graduation and every milestone along the way, our dedicated team of child life specialists and social workers ensures that families and teams are getting the most out of their experience. They adapt and respond to each family’s evolving needs, making sure that every interaction has a meaningful impact.
Dean field hockey Head Coach Megan Gutierrez has seen the impact of this match firsthand, both through Scarlett and her teammates. “Being part of Team IMPACT means having the opportunity to positively impact the life of a child facing a serious illness or disability by connecting them young empowering role models and giving a mutual meaningful relationship where both Scarlett and our team are experiencing personal growth and a sense of belonging beyond the game itself,” Coach Gutierrez said. “It gives a bigger meaning to our sport and our team—we play for her.”
Kristen has also observed this growth in Scarlett since becoming a Bulldog. “Since joining the team, I have seen the team step in and continuously show support to Scarlett and celebrate her,” Kristen said. “Even when the team and Scarlett couldn’t be together in person, they continued to show support by sending videos to check in or a care package.” Kristen recalled a recent interaction the team had with Scarlett where they had a party for her Signing Day at her house. They made crafts, read books, enjoyed each other’s company, and celebrated Scarlett’s official signing. “It was a day full of celebration—the team officially welcomed Scarlett to the team,” Kristen said. “Scarlett’s mom, Gina, shared that Scarlett just loves being around people and shared that this team has brought her so much joy.”
This month, we celebrate and honor child life specialists and social workers who dedicate their lives to supporting children and families in their toughest moments. Whether it’s in a hospital, on a sports field, or within a community, their expertise and compassion are life changing. “I always knew I wanted to work in a helping profession,” Kristen shared, “and at Team IMPACT, I get the opportunity to connect with families and teams daily and help them create meaningful moments together, which, over time, build into a very special relationship that not only benefits the families but the teams as well. It’s truly an honor and so rewarding to see the growth of these relationships. There is nothing better than hearing from a parent about how their child’s self-confidence has increased with the help of the team or how this experience has brought so much joy to their family during a difficult time. This program has a direct impact on the families and the student athletes involved, and I feel so lucky that I get to play a small part this journey.”
To Brittany, Erica, Mary, Kristen, and all the CCLS and Social Workers who make our work possible, thank you for your dedication, heart, and unwavering support. You make the world a brighter place, and we are endlessly grateful for the impact you create every day.
