Promoting Family Engagement in a Community Setting for Children Impacted by the Substance Use Disorder of a Family Member

Abstract

Individuals caring for children impacted by the substance use disorder of a family member are often less able to participate in valued occupations, specifically social participation, and they lack a community in which they feel supported and understood. The capstone student collaborated with Camp Mariposa Aaron’s Place in Indianapolis, IN and Mitchell, IN, with the purpose of promoting family and peer engagement for caregivers of children who attend this program. The student identified a gap in current research on how to best support caregivers of children affected by the substance use disorder of a family member. The main component of this project was evaluation and further development of Camp Village Council, a support program for family members of children who attend Camp Mariposa Aaron’s Place. The student created an intervention binder, educational modules, and educational handouts to promote connectedness between group members and to provide caregivers with an improved ability to carry over what kids are learning at camp into the home. Another component of this project was supplemental programming of family events to promote family engagement. Overall, results suggest that groups facilitated by the student and materials created by the student had a positive impact on the Camp Village Council participants and program as a whole. Results were mixed on the impact of supplemental programming.