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- 0-6 Years
- 7-14 Years
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Call us 24/7
519-433-0334
Groups
Community Group Program for Children Exposed to Woman Abuse
Caring Dads
Parent Education Groups
Vanier offers many parent education groups that identify and
support the skills needed by parents to manage in everyday
situations. Groups are available in London and various locations in
Middlesex County.
Parent education groups (Positive Parenting Program, C.O.P.E.,
Francophone groups) may be offered to families while they wait for
other Vanier services.
Who is eligible?
Call CIT 519-433-0334 to find out if a group will meet your needs.
Community Group Program for Children Exposed to Woman Abuse
The Community Group Program for Children Exposed to Woman Abuse
is a 12-week program for children who have been exposed to and
affected by woman abuse and violence in their family.
Children's groups run at the same time as Mom's groups. If a
mother/guardian is unable to attend, their child will still be
allowed to participate in the children's group. Attendance by
mothers/guardians is strongly encouraged as they play pivotal roles
in their children's healing process.
How it works
Children's Group
This group provides children with the opportunity to process and
understand the violence and abuse they have experienced.
Group guidelines and trained Vanier facilitators help create a
safe, secure and predictable environment for children/youth to
share their experiences.
The children's group is offered throughout the school year during
the day and after school in London and Middlesex. Transportation to
and from the group is available to participants.
Mother's Group
This group provides mothers with an opportunity to explore the
impact of abuse and violence on their children and how they can
best support their children's healing.
Groups for mothers are offered during the day and evening to
accommodate work schedules. Transportation to and from group and
childcare funding is available to participants.
Who is eligible?
The group program is available to Vanier families who are actively
engaged in services at Vanier and who have experienced woman
abuse.
Kid to Kid Group
The Kid-to-Kid Group is a 7-week program for children age 7-14
who have a family member living with mental illness. Children are
grouped according to age/maturity level and activities are geared
to each group.
The Kid-to-Kid Group began as a collaboration between Vanier and
the Canadian Mental Health Association. Vanier offers Kid-to-Kid
Groups throughout the year.
Recently Vanier has begun to offer Parent/Guardian sessions in
partnership with WOTCH. These sessions occur at the same time as
the children's group and offer information about resources and
supports for adults.
Who is eligible
For information, contact CIT 519-433-0334
CIT staff will help families determine if the Kid-to-Kid Group will
meet their needs, or whether other services would be more
appropriate.
Caring Dads
"Caring Dads: Helping Fathers Value their Children" is an intensive group program developed out of the work occurring at Changing Ways, Inc., an agency that assists men who have been abusive in their intimate relationships. This program arose "from the concerns felt for those children who cannot rely on their fathers to be non-violent". "The Caring Dads curriculum provides a powerful incentive for men to recognize the importance of setting a more positive example for their children." Many experts in the field assisted in the development of "Caring Dads" and it has received wide international attention. It had never been offered at a Children's Mental Health facility before the winter of 2010.
Vanier staff felt that we needed to find new ways to engage fathers in their children's treatment process and "Caring Dads" was felt to be an excellent way to begin. Five staff received training at Changing Ways in 2009, and the first group was offered in winter 2010. Seven fathers participated and remained involved throughout the 17 sessions. We discovered that this group had a positive impact on their engagement in their children's therapy at the agency. We are also involved in a research project headed by Dr. Katreena Scott Ph.D. C. Psych. and her team, which we hope will demonstrate the unique value of hosting this program in a children's treatment setting. Vanier is excited to include "Caring Dads" in our menu of group services!
Membership in this program is limited to men who have children receiving Vanier services. For more information about this program, please speak with your Vanier worker or call CIT @ 519-433-0334
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