Valley Children’s has received a $20,565 grant from The Toy Foundation’s™ (TTF) Children’s Hospital Play Grants program. Funds support a new sensory corner in the hospital’s Child Life Playroom.
Play is a powerful tool to significantly improve the care, well-being and health outcomes of pediatric patients. Valley Children’s Child Life program relies on funding and donations to provide this type of specialized care to the more than 2,500 children who visit the playroom each year.
“We are excited to have a safe space for patients and families to explore their environment through the use of the different sensory items our Child Life team was able to purchase,” said Marisa Ybarra Reyes, Valley Children’s Child Life program supervisor. “With this funding, we have been able to install activity panels, purchase a mobile interactive projector and stock the playroom with various fidget and sensory toys.”
“Play has a profound impact on a child’s healing journey, benefiting their physical, emotional and educational well-being,” said Pamela Mastrota, executive director at The Toy Foundation. “We are pleased to support Valley Children’s in providing the power of play to help their patients heal and thrive.”
Valley Children’s is one of 20 children’s hospitals and health systems selected to receive a Children’s Hospital Play Grant. TTF is distributing a total of $380,000 that is expected to support 240,000 children nationwide. TTF’s grant program also supports hospitals in communities where at least 50% of patients rely on Medicare. At Valley Children’s, more than 75% of families depend on Medi-Cal for healthcare coverage.
For more information about TTF’s Children’s Hospital Play Grants program and to see the full list of 2024 grant recipients, visit ToyFoundation.org.