• Volunteers must be current and up-to-date licensed hair stylists in the state of California. EAMF must have a copy of your license in our files.
• Due to the nature of most haircuts, Clipper Skills are a must. However, medical restrictions dictate that you will always use a guard.
• Stylists should be confident not only with their clipper skills, but also with working on children of all ages…babies to teenagers.
• Stylists should be comfortable in a hospital setting. There will be an EAMF Supporter with you at all times to guide you through the logistics of the appointment.
• Prior to cutting the hair of a patient, all stylists need to shadow a current volunteer stylist during a hospital haircut. This will allow volunteers to observe and understand all that is involved in the process.
• Because of the sensitive nature of these visits, dealing with hospitalized children, their parents, and hospital staff, volunteer stylists need to be fully committed, patient, flexible and caring individuals.
• Stylists must acknowledge that they are representatives of the Elizabeth A. MacDonald Charitable Foundation, agree to follow all volunteer guidelines and conduct themselves in a respectable manner at all times.

How many hours am I required to volunteer each month?
EAMF does not require a volunteer to commit to a specific number of hours. We assume that you will be willing to participate as much or as little as your schedule allows. EAMF is aware that your time is very valuable.

Can volunteering with  affect my Stylist license in any way?
No. EAMF has worked closely with our lawyer to insure that the parental permission form and the medical release documents, which are signed before every haircut, will keep you protected.

Where are the haircuts done?
All haircuts take place in the patient’s hospital room. We are currently servicing the following Los Angeles area hospitals: Children’s Hospital Los Angels (CHLA), Hollywood; Kaiser Sunset, Hollywood: Mattel Children’s Hospital (UCLA), Westwood; UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica.

Once I sign up, how will I know about haircuts?
Notices of haircut requests are sent out on our  Facebook group page. The notices include all pertinent information: hospital, requested day/time, number of haircuts, etc. The first stylist to message back that they are available to volunteer will be assigned that haircut. Once you have committed to the scheduled haircut, you will be sent an appointment card with the time/date/hospital and the name and phone number of the EAMF Supporter who will be assisting you.

What do I wear?
We ask that you be mindful in your dress as we are working in a pediatric environment. You will be given an EAMF t-shirt to wear to all haircuts. To honor the many diverse cultures, parental attitudes and professional staff requests within each hospital, we ask that any visible tattoos be covered when entering a child’s hospital room. (Long sleeve EAMF t-shirts are available by request.) Closed toe shoes are also a standard hospital requirement.

What do I need to bring with me?
You will need to bring your sheers, clippers, and any other cutting accessories you like to use. EAMF will supply a stylist apron, capes, and Barbicide wipes to sterilize your equipment before and after the cut.

Where do I park?
EAMF will pay for you to conveniently park in the hospital parking structures. You will be given a voucher at the end of the haircut.

How will I know where to go when I get to the hospital?
An EAMF Supporter will meet you in the hospital lobby and stay with you throughout the haircut. The Supporter is there to assist you and help make sure the haircut goes as smoothly as possible for you, child, parent, and hospital staff.

What if I am running late?
Haircuts are scheduled around patient’s medical procedures and treatments, so it is imperative that you be on time. If you are running late, contact your EAMF Supporter and let them know ASAP, so they, in turn, can inform the hospital staff.

What if I wake up the morning of the haircut and I am sick?
Hospitals have strict guidelines about not entering if you have a fever, cough, runny nose or are feeling sick.  Contact EAMF as soon as possible in order to find a replacement. Remember, not only the child, but also hospital staff and parents are all anticipating the haircut.

What if a family member in the room wants a haircut?
The only time we cut another family member’s hair is when they would like a head-shave in support of the patient. We are not allowed to give the Mom, Dad, or a sibling a “little trim,” no matter how nicely they ask.

Can I take pictures with the children?
No. The EAMF supporter is the only one who has hospital permission to take photographs. If taking pictures during the cut is appropriate, the supporter will be more than happy to send you a copy.

Can I go back and visit the children?
Unfortunately not. As adorable as they are, and as much as we all fall in love with them, hospital rules state no. In fact, due to Health Privacy Regulations (HIPAA), we are not even allowed to discuss the patient’s name or diagnosis outside of the patient’s room.

I would love to volunteer my talents to this program, how do I sign up?
Click on the link below, fill out the form, and hit send. An EAMF representative will contact you to set up a shadowing haircut. Again, thank you for taking an interest in our  program. We need You!