Texas Children's Program - Program Outline
Five Star Kids is offered in a
three-day format. The children receive the same information
as in the four-day program, with adjustments in the daily
schedule. Parents/caregivers participate in program activities
on the third day. Please call the Betty Ford Center Five Star
Kids at 972-751-0363 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 |
| 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 dependency. Through a variety
of interactive games and play, they come to understand
key concepts such as loss of control, addiction, relapse,
treatment, recovery and codependency. Most importantly,
children begin to realize that a family member'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 had 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, composing letters to
"Dear Addiction," and creating artwork, children
prepare to share feelings 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. Children come to understand
that it's okay to ask for help and there are safe people
and places to go for help. Children also share how addiction
has affected them with their parents or caretakers. At
the end of the program, children participate in graduation
and receive a certificate, a special book, and other gifts
to help them remember the major messages of the program. |
A continuing care plan is provided after completion of the program.
Other follow-up activities include correspondence, e-mails,
telephone calls, a quarterly newsletter called Five Star Flash
and an annual Reunion Roundup. The Five Star Kids staff is available
as an ongoing resource to parents/caregivers who may need additional
referrals and guidance.
|
Click on image to enlarge |
