SPECIAL SERVICES
A place just for kids has special services and programs you might not expect from a hospital.
Child Life Programs
Phone number: Dial 3520
Child Life staff help kids use play and creative activities to work through feelings about being sick or hurt. A variety of everyday and special activities help bridge the gap between hospital and home:
• A cheerful playroom offers fun activities to help kids cope with the stress of being in the hospital. The playroom is located on the fifth floor. Child life specialists will bring activities to the bedsides of kids who can’t come to the playroom.
• Creative art activities are available throughout the hospital for patients and for kid visitors, too.
• A teen lounge and teen program are located on the fourth floor.
• An accredited in-house school program serves all hospitalized school-age kids, from kindergarten through 12th grade. Taught by teachers from the Oakland Unified School District, the program features an interesting curriculum and a classroom with computers, books, art supplies, and more.
• There is a specially trained art therapist on staff.
• There’s a playground and a butterfly garden to enjoy in the courtyard.
Sometimes celebrities and newspaper and TV reporters visit Children’s. You may be asked for permission to have your child’s picture taken. We hope your child and you will enjoy these special occasions as much as we do, but if you would prefer not to participate, that’s fine, too.
Family Resource & Information Center
Phone number: Dial 3549
Located across from the Friendly Café on the second floor, the Family Resource & Information Center is a place where parents can relax, do research, and take a break from hospital routine. You’ll find information, support, referrals, medical references, local information, and Spanish language resources along with access to the Internet, books, magazines, pamphlets, and videos. We encourage you to stop by.
The Family Resource & Information Center hosts family coffee hours, knitting workshops and other family events. Dial 3549 for information.
Gift Shop
Phone number: Dial 3275
The hospital gift shop, located on the first floor, has a variety of gifts and treats for all ages. Phone cards may be purchased there for out-of-area calls from bedside phones.
Automated teller machine (ATM)
An ATM is located in the Friendly Café on the second floor.
Ambassador Services
Phone number: Dial 3474
You’ll visit the ambassador desk in the main lobby each time you enter the hospital. The ambassador on duty will give you a visitor’s pass and perform a quick health screening for young visitors. Ask the ambassador about a long-term pass if your child will be with us for a week or longer.
The ambassadors can also tell you about local restaurants, food takeout and delivery, and local attractions and accommodations.
Food Services’ Dining On Call is room service for patients
Phone number: Dial F-O-O-D (3663)
Children’s popular Dining On Call is our room service program that lets kids eat what they want, when they want. By following the menu guidelines, kids can choose from our large, child-friendly menu and order food whenever they are hungry. Your nurse will provide a copy of the menu.
• Children 6 years of age and older may order their own meals by dialing F-O-O-D (3663) on the bedside phone.
• For children younger than 6 years, a parent, nurse, or clinical assistant can place the order at the same number.
Meals are delivered within 45 minutes of calling Dining On Call. If your child wants to eat lunch at about 12:30 p.m., call before 11:45 a.m. Meals can also be pre-ordered up to a day in advance for delivery at the times you specify.
You can order at any time, but we suggest the following times for ordering meals:
Breakfast 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Dinner 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
After 6:30 p.m., please check with your child’s nurse about snacks from the unit kitchen. Even if a patient forgets to order, we’ll make sure that all patients receive a meal!
Please check with your child’s nurse before bringing in any special food for your child. Some patients may be on a restricted diet, or may need monitoring of what food and drink goes in and out!
Special Diet
Please let your child’s nurse know if your child has food allergies, special requirements, or religious/cultural dietary needs. Kids with diet restrictions may use the room service menu, too. We will offer appropriate substitutions. A dietitian or dietetic assistant can answer questions about food selections.
Kids scheduled for surgery or some special procedures will be “NPO” for four to eight hours beforehand. This means nothing by mouth, including water or juice.
Hospital Café
Located on the second floor, the Friendly Café offers hot and cold dishes ranging from complete meals to fresh soups, specialty foods, and a salad bar.
Friendly Café service hours:
Monday – Friday
Breakfast: 6:30 a.m.– 10:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Dinner: 4:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday
Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. –10:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.– 2:00 p.m.
Dinner: 4:30 p.m.– 7:00 p.m.
Café vending machines are stocked and available 24 hours a day.
Local Restaurants
A list of nearby restaurants, including those with takeout and delivery service, is available at the Family Resource & Information Center across from the café and at the ambassador’s desk at the hospital entrance.
Coffee Bar at the Outpatient Center
Specialty coffee drinks are available at the coffee bar on the first floor of the Outpatient Center, located across the street from the main hospital building. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
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