Wonders & Worries is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) based in Austin, Texas, that provides professional support for children through a parent's illness, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Lou Gehrig's disease, posttraumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer's disease.
Services are provided without charge in English or Spanish by a Certified Child Life Specialist to families in Central Texas. Pilot programs have been implemented in Raleigh, North Carolina; Ottawa, Canada; and San Antonio, Texas. A randomized clinical trial for the organization's curriculum is underway.
History
Wonders & Worries was launched with the support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF), which provided funding in spring 2001 to conduct a pilot support group for children who had a parent with cancer. LAF provided an additional grant in fall 2001 to expand services to include a school-age support group, an adolescent support group, individual counseling for children who have a parent with cancer, and quarterly social functions to reunite Wonders & Worries clients.
Services
Individual Sessions: for children aged 2–18yrs
Group Sessions: helping children aged 5+ meet other children coping with similar experiences
Child/Parent Relationship Training Classes: teaching parents how to reconnect with their children during an illness or following a loss
Informal Support / Recreational Group Activities – allowing families to enjoy being together in a fun, relaxing environment
Bereavement Support Sessions – helping families prepare for the end of life and gain skills that will help them cope with the loss
See also Child Life Specialist Childhood bereavement Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
References
External links
Official website