Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. What is The Family Summit Foundation--A Center For Grieving Children?
A. The Family Summit Foundation is a support center for children, teens and their families who are grieving the loss of someone they love because of death, divorce or separation. We also have support groups for children in foster care.
Q. Do you provide counseling?
A. We are not a counseling clinic, and we do not offer professional therapy sessions. We provide support groups and information to help those who are grieving move through the healing process. All volunteer facilitators are trained in child and teen grief during a mandatory workshop. Our staff who work with the families and children have degrees in, or in fields relating to, Child Development and Family Relations, with specific training in childhood bereavement.
Q. What does your program for children and teens consist of?
A. We provide peer support groups for children and teens from 2 to 19 years of age. All the groups meet once every other week for a 1 1/2 hour session.
There are separate youth groups (ages 3-12) for those suffering from the death of a loved one and for those suffering due to divorce or separation and for children in foster care. These groups meet on different nights. When they arrive, the children are divided into smaller groups by age where they engage in activities which allow them to express their thoughts and feelings. These activities include a "talking circle" as well as games, music, art, working with clay and journal writing.
There are also teen groups (ages 13-19), again for those suffering from the death of a loved one and for those suffering due to divorce or separation and those in foster care. They also meet on separate nights. During the teens' sessions, the participants usually prefer to talk, but may also participate in journal writing or any of the other activities.
The children and teens are never required to talk--they participate as they feel comfortable doing so. All the groups are facilitated by trained volunteers and professional staff of The Family Summit Foundation. Each group has up to 15 children or teens and at least 5 volunteers/staff facilitators.
Q. Do you have support groups for adults too?
A. Yes we do offer support groups for the adult family member or care-giver who accompanies the children or teens to their groups. The adult support groups meet at the same time and on the same night as the respective children's or teen's group.
Q. How do I get my child/teen started?
A. A parent or legal guardian should call our Center at (801) 476-1127. The staff member will take down some basic information and arrangements will be made for an orientation meeting. Questions about the center will be answered at this time.
Q. What happens at the orientation meeting?
A. You will be given a tour of our facilities and you will be introduced to our staff members. More information about our program will be given to you at this time and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about our organization. Application forms will be filled out at this time.
Q. What is the cost?
A. There is no charge for attending. The Family Summit Foundation is a non-profit organization supported through foundations and private donations. All donations are appreciated.
Q. How long after the death does a family need to wait before calling?
A. A family can call as soon as they think they are ready to start the process for participation. We believe each person and each family grieves differently, and that the family can best determine when they are ready to attend a support group.