Family Education & Support: Evidence Based Practice
Psychoeducation for Children, Youth and Their Families in Delaware
Website authors/contributors:
Malisa Knox, LCSW; William Northey, Ph. D.; Melina McConatha-Rosle, MSW; Juliana Shayeb
Program Origins
This project was funded through a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Real Choice for System Change grant awarded to Delaware Division of Child Mental Health Services. The University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies created this curriculum to provide helpful information to families on on social, emotional and behavioral health issues. The content, specifically designed for parents / caretakers, as well as for children and youth, is based on an extensive review of the literature, dialogue with experts in the field and key stakeholders, family and caregiver focus groups, and a statewide consumer survey.
The curriculum can be accessed and used online, and all prgram handouts may be downloaded and printed from the website. The program may be used in individual family sessions or multifamily groups as an adjunct for families starting out or already active in treatment. The curriculum may also be used in school settings by counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, etc.
Program Vision
- To provide parents and caregivers accessible and practical information regarding childhood behavioral health issues.
- To provide therapists and counselors a comprehensive and easy-to-use psychoeducation program for families who have children with behavioral health issues.
Session Outline Format
The curriculum is presented with suggested outlined session guidelines that may be tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual family or group.
Each session includes:
- Learning Objectives
- Methodologies
- Facilitator’s Actions
- Materials Needed
- Handouts
Concurrent Group Sessions
Caregiver Topics
- Orientation
- Caregiver Support
- Youth Disorders
- Behavior Support
- Negotiating Systems
- Problem Solving the Tough Spots
Youth Topics
- Orientation
- Stress Management
- Changing Self Talk
- Owning and Understanding Symptoms
- Developing and Maintaining Friendships
- Problem Solving
Multi-family Group Format
A Note to Parents and Caregivers
Question posed to our families for your families:
What do you know now that you wish you had known when first finding out your children had behavioral health challenges?
“For one thing: to keep asking questions, to keep fighting to get help for my child…and most importantly to trust my instincts…”
—A parent who contributed to this project.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Susan Cycyk and Nancy Widdoes at the Division of Child Mental Health Services for obtaining this and other grants like it to make real and lasting system change in Delaware that hopefully will help many children and families.
Special thanks to the family members, providers and advocates who provided input:
- Deb Lockerman
- Heather and Ken Mick
- Chris, Reese and Connor Knox
- Taunja Durham
- Norma Holt
- Christie Butterworth
- Emily Quill
- Mary and Louis Ragones
- Kathleen Stapleford
- Melina Coates
- Divinity Nevins
- Sandra Pacheo
- Earline Jackson
- Norma Brister
- Brenda Rash
- Stacy and Thor Lundin
- Rob Markley
- Kenny Wilkins
- Pat Maichle
- Michael Partie
- Joan Chatterton, RN, LCSW, CADC
- Harvey Doppelt, PhD
- Aileen Fink, PhD
- Ben Lungen, PhD
- Gary Renard, MS
- Wendy Strauss
- Aimee McFarlan, LCSW
- Sharon Fisher, LCSW
- Valleree Roach, LCSW
- Glyne Williams
- Eulinda Dipietro, MSW
- Kiya Crippen
- Jim Purcell
- Cynthia Smith
- Bruce Kelsey and the Delaware Guidance Services therapists participating in the pilot.
- Parents and caregivers who participated in the focus groups and consumer survey and those who are participating in the pilot.
References
Use of Our Material/Information
Copying or other utilization of these materials does not require permission. If you use these materials, please use the following citation: Center for Disabilities Studies, University of Delaware. Please also include in your citation additional original authors/sources where indicated.