| This practicum describes a small group intervention with latency aged children of substance addicted caregivers. Treatment focused on providing an intervention option supportive to children and their families, building up behaviors contributing to resilience. The goal was to minimize potential for continuation of dysfunctional lifestyles and substance abuse.; The group intervention was short term, consisting of two groups, run concurrently on separate days. Each session was one and half-hours in length. This writer and one other facilitator, along with a variety of volunteer support staff co-facilitated the sessions.; Group treatment objectives were to decrease maladaptive coping behaviors in the participants while increasing feelings of self worth. Further identified goals were to develop, implement and evaluate an intervention that assisted participants in learning positive alternative means of coping and an increase in their self esteem. The intent was to give the group members healthier opportunities to break the cycle of dysfunction as adults, while remaining connected with their family of origin.; An extensive literature review was undertaken on children of substance abusing caregivers and its effects on the children. The evaluation utilized a pretest/posttest group design. Clinically significant results at p = .05 level were noted for group members in the area of increased self esteem. Both groups stayed constant or increased in positive effect. Facilitator documentation provided qualitative perspectives validating these patterns. Both caregivers and the participants shared that they would highly recommend Kids Power! to other children. |
