National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and Rainbows team up to assist children who have a family member with mental illness

Child to Child is an exciting new support group being offered by NAMI DuPage, Illinois. Originated by two graduate students in their research class at National Louis University, and with the encouragement of their professor and academic advisor, the Child to Child Program has become a reality. The group offers peer support and education for children who have a family member with mental illness.

This type of support group is hard to find, though the demand is great, as it fills the gap in services rendered by the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and care for adults or children with mental illness. It has been found that the needs of children with a family member with mental illness are rarely addressed.

Through the collaborative efforts of NAMI DuPage, Rainbows, and National Louis University, the pilot program was launched in September of 2006. The Child to Child Program was adapted from the Rainbows elementary age curriculum and developed by graduate student Mary Ragel and Nancy Plzak, LPC, assisted by Laurie Olbrisch, Executive Vice President of Rainbows.

The program was successfully offered to children ages 8-12 on Tuesday evenings at a local middle school in West Chicago, Illinois. Small groups led by students or graduates of National Louis’ Human Services/Counseling Department, who have undergone Rainbows facilitator training, ensured individual attention. The program was offered free of charge to interested families. In addition, a special enrichment/education program for parents or adult family members ran concurrently while the children’s program was in session. Light refreshments were also provided.

Subsequent programs will be scheduled as requests for participation are received.

For more information, please call:
Mary Lou Lowry, Executive Director, NAMI DuPage, (630) 752-0066, ext. 212.