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Pamela Vernace Strening, MA, LPC, CDVP,
Family Shelter Service,
605 E. Roosevelt Rd.,
Wheaton, IL 60187
The Mom and Kids program at Family Shelter Service has been around for many years. It has evolved through various
stages and has recently been revised into its current successful form. The group is offered three times a year and is
available for both English speaking and Latina families.
The Mom and Kids program is a 10 week group specifically for mothers and their children, ages 0 to 13, who have
experienced domestic violence. Each group (except for the youngest children) follows a specific curriculum. Children's
groups coordinate topics on the same night while the moms' groups follow a slightly different schedule. Topics covered
include expressing feelings, anger management, the cycle of violence, family dynamics and appropriate communication
styles. Two of the sessions include a family project where moms and kids work together to create a family shield and a
final project to celebrate graduation. A theme that is highlighted throughout the program is that the children are not
alone in their experience of abuse and that the abuse is not their fault.
Every family attends a pre-group interview with a counselor in order to determine if this program would best meet the
needs of the family. It also helps determine which group the children will be assigned to. The children's groups are
formed loosely by age, but maturity and sibling arrangements are also taken into consideration. There are two mother's
groups, one for English speaking moms and one for our Latina moms conducted in Spanish. There are four children's
groups. The rainbow group (ages 0 to 3), the yellow group (ages 4 to 6), the green group (ages 7 to 9) and the blue group
(ages 10 to 13).
The presentation will include an overview of the curriculum, goals, organization and evolution of the program and
practical issues in running the program. Attendee's participation will be encouraged and there will be time allowed for
questions and answers through out the workshop.
For additional information on this program you may contact Pamela Vernace Strening or Denise Pascalo at Family
Shelter Service, 605 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL 60187. Send us your email address and we will send further
information.
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