Washington, DC — Six children’s hospitals were selected to receive grants from Mattel Inc. totaling $67,500 for programs that integrate adaptive play and provide sensory distraction as a means to facilitate therapeutic treatment. The Mattel Play Grants Program is in its fourth year and has awarded more than 30 grants totaling nearly $450,000 through its partnership with the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA).

“The foundation recognizes the importance of play in the healing process and the challenges hospitals have in offering space and equipment for patients who face extraordinary physical and cognitive hurdles,” said Robert Goodwin, executive director, Mattel Children’s Foundation and director, corporate affairs, Mattel, Inc. “Through these grants we hope to ease the burden of treatment and recovery by making play accessible to patients and families cared for in our nation’s children’s hospitals.”

Therapeutic play, specialized activities that developmentally support and facilitate the emotional well-being of a pediatric patient, is not reimbursed by public or private insurance programs despite the positive impact it has on hospitalized children. Studies have shown that therapeutic play can relieve the anxiety and stress of children undergoing medical procedures.

“With support from Mattel Inc., children’s hospitals are able to incorporate play that meets the needs of patients and families into the healing process,” said Amy Knight, CHA’s chief operating officer. “We are grateful for Mattel Inc. recognition and support of children’s hospitals as they work to enhance play that supports the emotional, physical and social well-being of hospitalized children.”

Recipients of 2016 Mattel Play Grants include: 

•    UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA,  Virtual Reality Therapy to Ease Pain and Anxiety, and Improve Quality of Life in Children Hospitalized with Sickle Cell Disease and Cancer
•    Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, Adaptive Sports Equipment for Specialty Medical Camps
•    The Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart, Pensacola, FL,  Autism-friendly Campus Initiative
•    Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, Maryland Heights, MO, Adapted Play Space
•    The Children’s Medical Center at Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, NY, I Spy With My Little Eye
•    The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Enhanced Sensory Room

In addition to the Mattel Play Grants Program, the Mattel Children’s Foundation and Mattel Inc. has generously helped create positive healing environments by delivering more than 650,000 toys valued at $6.5 million to pediatric patients at children’s hospitals since 2005.

For more information regarding the Mattel Play Grants Program, visit the CHA website.

Children’s Hospital Association  is the national voice of more than 200 children’s hospitals, advancing child health through innovation in the quality, cost and delivery of care. www.childrenshospitals.org | www.speaknowforkids.org