Child Advocate/Child Life Services

Child Advocates (CA)/Child Life Specialists (CLS) work with children and families to help them overcome difficult life challenges. CA/CLS at TEDI BEAR CAC help children and their families feel as comfortable as possible by providing support to relieve anxiety and build trust.

Our child life program makes a child’s experience less stressful and more empowering. Children and families are able to ask questions and express concerns about their visits. The forensic interview and medical exam are explained in terms that children can understand, and a tour is provided for children to help ease anxiety about the appointment.

CA/CLS will provide therapeutic activities, distraction, and coping techniques as needed to support children throughout the appointment. CLS interventions play a crucial role in minimizing trauma for child victims and their families.

Child Life Practicums/Child and Family Internships

Child life student opportunities are available for ECU students who are majoring or concentrating in Child Life. Only students currently enrolled at ECU are eligible for practicum or internship at TEDI BEAR CAC.

Application Deadlines are determined by the ECU child life department and/or the ACLP.

Please download the Child Life application (PDF).

For more information, you may contact Katie Wood at TEDI BEAR.

Please note: Students are only allowed one clinical rotation at TEDI BEAR CAC.