Pre-Group Interviews

The group is finally beginning. All of the hard work and research as culminated into a wonderful final project, ready to be served to the general public! Yesterday, we began our pre-group interview for the children's coping skills group, which will officially begin next week at a transitional housing facility for women and children in Chapel Hill. Given that Orange County does not have a shelter for battered women and their children, a fact that desperately needs to be changed, many of the women in this facility come from domestic violence settings.

The pre-group interviews went wonderful, better than I ever could have expected and/or hoped for. Stephanie and I began by conducting a brief introduction with the mothers. We explained the overview of the program, highlighting new changes to the curriculum. We also emphasized our commitment to working one-on-one with the mothers. We strongly believe that a lack of communication/relationship between facilitators and mothers was a major fault of the last group which we led here in the spring of 2010. Thus, Forgotten Voices emphasizes open dialogue, respect, and trust among facilitators, mothers, and children. We are all working for the same goal: present and future success and happiness for these children. In order to accomplish this objective, it is vital to all work together.

After the introduction, Stephanie and I interviewed each mom along with her child. After this interview, moms completed a brief child history form and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. This last assessment tool will be compared with a followup version at the end of the group. The results will be used to help evaluate the success and effectiveness of the group.

Currently, we are working with 4 families, with a total of 7 children. Two to three more families are projected to move into the facility this week. If any of the new families include children between the ages of 4 to 11, they will also be included in the group. Stephanie and I will conduct their pre-group interviews at a designated time this weekend, prior to the first group session next week.