Children's Program

Children’s Programming at the Stone House is unique because it allows women the option of maintaining custody of their children while participating in a residential mental health program, thus avoiding the trauma of separating the mother and child. For those families once separated through foster care or institutionalization, reunification can occur through the structure of the Stone House programs.

The Elizabeth Stone House works with mothers to assess the specific needs of each child. The program provides individualized comprehensive services for children, ranging from supportive counseling and advocacy, to referral to area medical facilities, day care centers, after-school and counseling programs. Community field trips, activities, discussion and play groups are an integral part of our Children’s Program services.

Helping mothers strengthen the bond between themselves and their children is an important aspect of the Stone House program. In addition to individual advocacy, the weekly "Mother’s Group" provides women an opportunity to learn about a variety of issues related to parenting and child development. Practical topics, such as nutrition and stress management, are combined with discussion related to the emotional issues of single parenting to help mothers enhance their parenting skills, therefore strengthening the family unit as a whole.

For more information about the support groups we offer, please click here.

Our Children’s Programming includes:

Teen Program

The Teen Program includes all groups and services provided to residents and community members between the ages of 12 and 19 (exceptions are made for teens who outgrow the program but still require our services.)

The following services are offered to all families:

-Monthly family outings
-Stone House Tutoring Program
-Monthly children’s birthday parties
-Holiday gift drives
-Holiday parties
-Free summer camp program
-Large resource library/computer room with internet access
-Free tax return processing

In addition to those listed above, Teens in our program benefit from the following services:

-Teen Group (weekly support group)
-Outings/field trips oriented to teens
-One-on-one advocacy/counseling on the following: academic and personal goals, college preparation, work, relationships, family issues, sexual health, domestic violence, peer pressure, gang violence, drugs and alcohol, and other issues affecting teenagers today
-Monthly teens’ birthday parties

Teen Group
This group, run by our Family and Teen Specialist, is open to all young people age 12 and over from both the residence and the community. Held on Monday nights from 6:00-7:30, Teen Group is a community of young people who are supportive of each other’s situations, lifestyles, and experiences, and provides a safe space in which teens can be themselves. Each meeting is centered on a specific theme of discussion. Topics might include sex and sexuality, relationships, drugs, gang culture, and other topics often confronted by teens. Members also participate in field trips, group outings, and themed dinners. Those involved in the program may choose to take advantage of one-on-one advocacy for academic and/or personal guidance and goal-setting. Always refreshments and/or dinner are served, and teens are encouraged to invite their friends.

Child Witness to Violence Group

This group is designed for 8 to 12-year-old children who have experienced or been affected by domestic violence. It is a curriculum-based group that runs for 12 weeks. Children are educated about the dynamics of domestic violence and are encouraged to reflect on their experiences and thoughts. Topics also include safety planning, substance abuse, children’s rights, and the creation of non-violent strategies for moving forward.

The Nurturing Program

The Nurturing Program at the Parent-Child Center of the Elizabeth Stone House is a fifteen week curriculum based program that addresses a broad spectrum of parenting and child development issues. Facilitators lead both parents’ and children’s groups through a variety of activities and discussions geared towards improving communication within the family. The groups are interactive, and each participant is encouraged to explore how environmental stresses, community, and family of origin affect and shape parenting styles.

In accordance with the philosophy of Stone House, the goal of the Nurturing Program is to build on strengths already present in the family while teaching new skills that enhance family communication. While there is an established curriculum, the input of each participant is an integral part of the ongoing development of the program.

The Family Nurturing Program meets once a week for three hours at a time over a fifteen week period. Families are divided into separate groups (parents and children) for the first hour and a half, the parents and children are then reunited in a larger room for family time, this includes dinner, which gives the parents and children the opportunity to discuss what they have been learning. Once families are finished with dinner and clean-up, we continue on to activities that include all the families in the program.

The Family Nurturing Program discussions and activities focus on a variety of topics, including: praise, discipline, family rules, and expectations that are appropriate to a child’s developmental level. The curriculum for the children’s group parallels that of the parents’ group; however, the topics are presented to the children in a way that is age-appropriate.

Parents can self refer, or are referred from the Department of Social Services, Community Mental Health Agencies, or other Family Service Agencies.

For more information on any of these services please contact supportgroups@elizabethstone.org or 617-427-9801 x421.