The HEAL Network
The HEAL (Helping End Abuse For Life) Network consists of 15 partner agencies in the Region of Peel, Ontario, who are dedicated to helping children and youth deal with their exposure to woman abuse. Partner agencies represent social service, ethno-specific, child protection, women shelters, and community agencies. HEAL programs include: The ‘Helping Mothers and Children Survive Abuse Together' Group; the Lunch Group; Breaking Down Walls: A Group for Teens Exposed to Woman Abuse in their Families; and the Alternative Intervention Program. All programs are free of charge to residents of Peel. The following describes each of the programs offered:
Helping Mothers and Children Survive Abuse Together (HMCSAT)
This program is for women and their children, ages newborn to 12 years, who have been impacted by their exposure to woman abuse. It offers the following:
• A ten- week closed psycho educational group, which offers an opportunity for mothers and their children to come together for the first half hour of each session to voice their experiences through play, art and movement. During the last hour and a half women and children meet separately in age-appropriate groups to discuss the following: Identifying Feelings Associated with Being Exposed to Woman Abuse, Learning How to Express Feelings Appropriately, Developing a Positive Sense of Self, Understanding Healthy Relationships, and Learning How to Lead a Violence-Free Life.
• Access to cultural interpreters is available.
Alternative Intervention Program
This program is for children ages newborn to 16 years, and helps the following groups:
• Families who have been pre-screened for a HEAL group (however, due to the nature and/or complexity of their situation), counselling is deemed more appropriate
• Families who would like to work on additional issues after completing a HEAL group
The Lunch Group
This school-based program is for children between the ages of 7 and 10 years. It provides:
• Outreach to the most isolated and at-risk children who are exhibiting serious behavioural and/or emotional difficulties, possibly due to their exposure to woman abuse.
• A weekly program over the lunch hour for 12 sessions, which focuses on the development of children's coping skills and adaptability through concrete exercises and activities;
• A two-hour parenting skills workshop for all parents provided at the school.
Breaking Down Walls: A Group for Teens Exposed to Woman Abuse in their Families
This program is for youth ages 13 to 16 years who have been exposed to woman abuse. It offers:
. A ten-week closed group, and
. Explores topics such as Dealing with Anger, Bullying and Conflict Resolution, Breaking the Cycle of Violence, Helplessness, Responsibility for Abuse, Dismantling Gender Stereotypes, Dating Violence/Social Action, and Developing Social Competencies.
Intake Department: Samantha Brown, Tel. 905-450-1608 ext. 119
Program Coordinator: Susan Wright, Tel. 905 450-1608 ext. 105
Please contact EWA for a complete hard copy:
publications@womanabuseprevention.com
Telephone: 416.968.3422 x21 |
