California Children's Program - Program Outline
For iniformation on the California four-day format, please
call the Betty Ford Institute California Children's Program
at (760) 773-4291 or (800)
434-7365 ext. 4291 for more details.
| Program Overview |
| Day 1: |
Addiction, It's Not My Fault |
| Day 2: |
A Feelings Disease: It's Okay to Share
My Feelings |
| Day 3: |
The Heart of Recovery: Taking Care of
Me |
| Day 4: |
Changing the Family Legacy: Celebrating
You and Me |
| Program Description |
| Day 1: |
Addiction, It's Not My Fault
After creating a safe, supportive environment, children
learn basic facts and information about the disease
of alcoholism and other drug addiction. Through a
variety of interactive games and play, they come
to understand key concepts such as loss of control,
addiction, relapse, treatment and recovery. Most
importantly, children begin to realize that a loved
one's addiction is not their fault. |
| Day 2: |
A Feelings Disease: It's
Okay to Share My Feelings
Armed with accurate, age-appropriate
information about addiction, youngsters begin to examine
the impact this disease has upon them by talking about
it and sharing feelings. Children deepen their skills
in identifying and expressing their feelings in balanced
ways and breaking the "no talk" rule so prevalent
in addicted families. Through writing stories, doing
artwork or composing letters to "Dear Addiction," children
prepare to share with their parents on Day Three. |
| Day 3: |
The Heart of Recovery: Taking
Care of Me
Children learn a variety of ways to take good care
of themselves and stay safe. In a structured format
with their parents, youngsters share art, stories or
letters so they can express their feelings about how
addiction has affected them. Children
come to understand that it's okay to ask for help and
there are safe people and places to go for help. |
| Day 4: |
Changing the Family Legacy:
Celebrating You and Me
Children and parents participate together for the majority
of the day. They share what they like and love about
each other, make plans to take good care of themselves
and ways the family can grow together. Both children
and parents talk, trust and share feelings in a brand
new way. |
A continuing
care plan is provided after completion of the program. Weekly continuing care is available on campus at the Center.
Other follow-up activities include correspondence, e-mails,
telephone calls, a quarterly newsletter called Five Star
Flash, the Beamer Series and an annual Reunion. The Children's Program staff
is available as an ongoing resource to parents/caregivers
who may need additional referrals and guidance.
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 Click on image to enlarge |
