Children

Jump to: Colorado | Texas

California

Why is it important for children to participate?
Research clearly shows that addiction tends to run in families so children from alcoholic and other drug addicted families are at high risk. Empowering these youngsters with healthy living skills is truly prevention in its purest form. Helping children to learn that it's not their fault and they are not to blame allows them to become kids again.

How does the program help a family deepen its healing?
Through their artwork, stories and letters to Addiction, the children share with their parents about what it's been like for them living with addiction. This is a very powerful and moving experience. Parents respond the next day by often asking for forgiveness and letting their children know how much they love them. On the last day they work on how the family will proceed with its recovery.

What do children do in the program?
The program features a balanced blend of learning, playing and growing. Youngsters learn about addiction in an age-appropriate way, share feelings, develop a variety of coping and self-care skills and build upon their strengths and intrinsic worth. Just as importantly, the program provides the opportunity for children to be kids, as recreational and other fun activities are included in the program.

What can I say to patients/parents to encourage their participation?
This program is a gift that their sobriety brings to their children. They deserve the opportunity to heal and alter the cycle of addiction in the family. Since children have unwittingly been a part of the disease, they deserve to be a part of the recovery as well. For patients/parents who grew up in addicted families, they can now give their children the gift they never got as kids – a safe place to grow, learn and heal.

What days do the parents/caregivers participate?
On Thursday morning it's important for one parent, patient or adult family member to participate in an orientation meeting from 8:00 - 9:00 A.M. Patients participate all day with their children on Saturday and Sunday. The program usually finishes by 3:00 P.M. on these days.

What happens at the conclusion of the program?
Staff meets with each family for continuing care recommendations and referrals at the close of the program. Local youth are invited to participate in the BFI continuing care group for kids on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 6:30 P.M. During the last day of the program each family outlines which steps they plan to take for both the individual and collective health of the family.

How often does the Children's Program take place?
The program currently occurs two to three times a month for children and their families. Programs take place at the Betty Ford Center and at various locations in collaboration with community providers.

How old must children be to participate in the program?
The program serves youngsters ages seven through twelve.

How much does the program cost?
If a family has the resources, the fee is $400 per child, which includes lunches and parent participation. Full and partial scholarships are available. No child will ever be turned away due to an inability to pay. The actual cost per child to run the program is much higher. The difference in cost is made up through donations.

Is sobriety a prerequisite for program participation?
Yes, minimum of 30 days or be currently in a treatment program. All participants will remain free of mood altering chemicals for the program's duration.

How do I register a child for the program?
For the California program, call (800) 434-7365 and ask for the Children's Program. For the Texas program, call (972)751-0363 (Metro toll free) or (888) 828-8682. For the Colorado program, call (303) 220-5440.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, our staff can meet with a patient or family member individually.

Colorado

Why is it important for children to participate?
Research clearly shows that addiction tends to run in families so children from alcoholic and other drug addicted families are at high risk. Empowering these youngsters with healthy living skills is truly prevention in its purest form. Helping children to learn that it's not their fault and they are not to blame allows them to become kids again.

How does the program help a family deepen its healing?
Through their artwork, stories and letters to Addiction, the children share with their parents about what it's been like for them living with addiction. This is a very powerful and moving experience. Parents respond the next day by often asking for forgiveness and letting their children know how much they love them. On the last day they work on how the family will proceed with its recovery.

What do children do in the program?
The program features a balanced blend of learning, playing and growing. Youngsters learn about addiction in an age-appropriate way, share feelings, develop a variety of coping and self-care skills and build upon their strengths and intrinsic worth. Just as importantly, the program provides the opportunity for children to be kids, as recreational and other fun activities are included in the program.

What can I say to patients/parents to encourage their participation?
This program is a gift that their sobriety brings to their children. They deserve the opportunity to heal and alter the cycle of addiction in the family. Since children have unwittingly been a part of the disease, they deserve to be a part of the recovery as well. For patients/parents who grew up in addicted families, they can now give their children the gift they never got as kids – a safe place to grow, learn and heal.

What days do the parents/caregivers participate?
On Thursday morning it's important for one parent, patient or adult family member to participate in an orientation meeting from 8:00 - 9:00 A.M. Adults participate all day with their children on Saturday and Sunday. The program usually finishes by 3:00 P.M. on these days.

What happens at the conclusion of the program?
Staff meets with each family for continuing care recommendations and referrals at the close of the program. During the last day of the program each family outlines which steps they plan to take for both the individual and collective health of the family.

How often does the Children's Program take place?
The program currently occurs once or twice a month for children and their families. Programs take place at the Doubletree Hotel in Greenwood Village.

How old must children be to participate in the program?
The program serves youngsters ages seven through twelve.

How much does the program cost?
If a family has the resources, the fee is $400 per child, which includes lunches and parent participation. Full and partial scholarships are available. No child will ever be turned away due to an inability to pay. The actual cost per child to run the program is much higher. The difference in cost is made up through donations.

Is sobriety a prerequisite for program participation?
Yes, minimum of 30 days or be currently in a treatment program. All participants will remain free of mood altering chemicals for the program's duration.

How do I register a child for the program?
For the Colorado program, call (303) 220-5440. For the California program, call (800) 434-7365 and ask for the Children's Program. For the Texas program, call (972)751-0363 (Metro toll free) or (888) 828-8682.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, our staff can meet with a patient or family member individually.

Texas

Why is it important for children to participate?
Research clearly shows that addiction tends to run in families so children from alcoholic and other drug addicted families are at high risk. Empowering these youngsters with healthy living skills is truly prevention in its purest form. Helping children to learn that it's not their fault and they are not to blame allows them to become kids again.

How does the program help a family deepen its healing?
Through their artwork, stories and letters to Addiction, children share with their parents what it's been like for them living with addiction. This is a very powerful and moving experience. Parents are given the opportunity to respond by asking for forgiveness and letting their children know how much they love them. On the last day participants work on how the family will proceed with its recovery.

What do children do in the program?
The program features a balanced blend of learning, playing and growing. Youngsters learn about addiction in an age-appropriate way, share feelings, develop a variety of coping and self-care skills and build upon their strengths and intrinsic worth. Just as importantly, the program provides the opportunity for children to be kids, as recreational and other fun activities are included in the program.

What can I say to patients/parents to encourage their participation?
This program is a gift that their sobriety brings to their children. They deserve the opportunity to heal and alter the cycle of addiction in the family. Since children have unwittingly been a part of the disease, they deserve to be a part of the recovery as well. For patients/parents who grew up in addicted families, they can now give their children the gift they never got as kids – a safe place to grow, learn and heal.

What days do the parents/caregivers participate?
On Thursday morning it's important for one parent, patient or supportive adult family member to participate in an orientation meeting for the first hour of programming. Patients participate all day with their children on Saturday. The program usually finishes by 3:00 P.M. on that day.

What happens at the conclusion of the program?
Staff meets with each family for continuing care recommendations and referrals at the close of the program. Also, families may receive periodic correspondence over the course of the following year to reinforce the messages of the program and provide support. During the last day of the program each family outlines which steps they plan to take for both the individual and collective health of the family. The Children's Program continues to be a place that is available for input, referrals and support.

How often does the Children's Program take place?
The program currently occurs two to three times a month for children and their families.

How old must children be to participate in the program?
The program serves children ages seven through twelve.

How much does the program cost?
If a family has the resources, the fee is $400 per child, which includes lunches and parent participation. Full and partial scholarships are available. No child will ever be turned away due to an inability to pay. The actual cost per child to run the program is much higher. The difference in cost is made up through donations.

Is sobriety a prerequisite for program participation?
Yes, minimum of 30 days or be currently in a treatment program. All participants will remain free of mood altering chemicals for the program's duration.

How do I register a child for the program?
For the Texas program, call (972) 751-0363 (Metro toll free) or (888) 828-8682. For the California program, call (800) 434-7365 and ask for the Children's Program. For the Colorado program, call (303) 220-5440.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, our staff can meet with a patient or family member individually.