Diversionary Play Volunteer Program
The Cavett Kids Foundation and OU Children's Physicians joined together in creating a new program called Diversionary Play that has the potential to affect the lives of over 63,000 patients and their families. The new program created a volunteer placement system for each of the twelve pediatric doctor's clinics at OU Children's Physicians. These volunteers will provide interactive activities in the waiting areas like arts & crafts, special parties, story time, special visitors, and many, many more.
The Diversionary Play program has the potential of touching the lives of children and families from all socioeconomic and culturally diverse backgrounds from all areas of Oklahoma and potentially outside Oklahoma’s borders. With 70% of the hospital’s population being a minority and 70% coming from families with low income, a program such as this one serves everyone. Although the program is currently being conducted in Oklahoma County at the University of Oklahoma Children’s Physicians (OUCP), the program intends to involve and help over 65,000 patients, siblings, and parents each year from all 77 counties in Oklahoma.
How You Can Help
Many children traditionally dislike going to the doctor for a clinic visit. Parents are often forced to make their 
children go to their required visits. Health care providers are challenged to deal with the issues of resistant children. Together, these issues tend to create a very stressful experience for everyone involved. Children are confronted with a mix of negative emotions such as anxiety, stress, uncertainty, anger, resistance, frustration and fear.Our Diversionary Play program provides activities for children, their siblings, and often parents in the waiting areas of the OU Children’s Physicians clinics. This program serves to greet children and their families with an entertaining environment filled with interactive arts and crafts activities where the children are encouraged to be the children they are while they wait for their appointment. Diversionary Play strives to turn their time at the doctor's clinics into a positive experience.
children go to their required visits. Health care providers are challenged to deal with the issues of resistant children. Together, these issues tend to create a very stressful experience for everyone involved. Children are confronted with a mix of negative emotions such as anxiety, stress, uncertainty, anger, resistance, frustration and fear.Our Diversionary Play program provides activities for children, their siblings, and often parents in the waiting areas of the OU Children’s Physicians clinics. This program serves to greet children and their families with an entertaining environment filled with interactive arts and crafts activities where the children are encouraged to be the children they are while they wait for their appointment. Diversionary Play strives to turn their time at the doctor's clinics into a positive experience.Current research literature identified better health outcomes with patients who are engaged in activities that make them happy. Less time involved in calming a child down before being seen and reducing the potential of being scared have also been noted in the literature. One is reminded of Robin Williams and the movie Patch Adams and the power of happiness and laughter. In addition to the children who are waiting, the program assists in keeping the patients’ siblings entertained allowing parents to focus their energy and attention on their ill child’s needs and the doctor’s assessment and care instructions. Finally, these activities provide a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere in the clinic, allowing medical personnel to provide the highest level of quality of care for the children.
The Diversionary Play program has the potential of touching the lives of children and families from all socioeconomic and culturally diverse backgrounds from all areas of Oklahoma and potentially outside Oklahoma’s borders. With 70% of the hospital’s population being a minority and 70% coming from families with low income, a program such as this one serves everyone. Although the program is currently being conducted in Oklahoma County at the University of Oklahoma Children’s Physicians (OUCP), the program intends to involve and help over 65,000 patients, siblings, and parents each year from all 77 counties in Oklahoma. How You Can Help
Volunteers: There are endless opportunities to become a volunteer. Volunteer hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Typically, a volunteer is matched with a clinic based on the clinic's need for a volunteer and volunteer's availability. The minimum amount of time to volunteer is two hours. There is no formal comittment to volunteer with the Diversionary Play program. However, volunteers will be required to undergo a background check, verify shot records, pass a Tuberculosis screening, and attend a short orientation. All of the required tests and screenings are free of charge. Would you like more detailed information about how to become an official volunteer? Click on the following link to download the Diversionary Play Volunteer Packet! Once you download the packet and fill out forms 1, 2, and 3, please contact Jenny Rodgers at Jenny-Rodgers@ouhsc.edu or call (405) 271-2271 to discuss availability and to schedule a trial volunteer session.
Supplies & Donations: Each clinic has a designated "Art Area" that will be filled with activity supplies like as glue, markers, glitter, party supplies, etc. Although the program is funded by OU Children's Physicians and the Cavett Kids Foundation, the cost of providing art supplies for nearly 63,000 patients and their families is overwhelming. The cost for a clinic's Art Area to be filled with supplies will be close to $750. Any donations, whether monetary or through the form of supplies, will help the success of the Diversionary Play program.
Click on the following link to download our one page flyer about Diversionary Play!
Help bring a smile to a sick child by making a tax deductible donation.
Camper Registration
- Camp Wildfire (closed)
- Kamp Kidney (closed)
- Heart Camp (closed)
- Camp Cavett (closed)
Volunteer Registration
- Camp Wildfire (closed)
- Kamp Kidney (closed)
- Camp Cavett (closed)
Camp Cavett Fishing Days Registration
- Bass Fishing Guides (closed)
- Striper Fishing Guides (closed)
Want to know everything the Cavett Kids Foundation does throughout the year? Click on the following link to see our Calendar of events!
OU Medical Center
Cavett Kids Foundation
P.O. Box 26307, Room 2311 ET
Oklahoma City, OK 73126
Phone: (405) 271-2271
Fax: (405) 271-5348
info@cavettkids.org
Need directions to our office? Click here!
Want to help Cavett Kids bring hope and happiness to seriously ill children's lives? Click here to learn how you can make a difference.