One of the many services provided by the Center for Child Protection’s Family Advocate Program is a mental health assessment, if needed, with children after they’ve received a forensic interview. During this time, the Family Advocates use an evidenced-based safety plan where they help the kids identify coping skills they can use when they are upset.
Several children often mention coloring, listening to music, writing in a journal and more as ways to calm themselves if they’re upset. However, at times they may have limited access to these items, therefore, Coping Kits were created. The goal of this program is to create a kit full of items that can help a child cope with their feelings when they are having a difficult time. It is helpful for kids who are overwhelmed to have easy access to items that can be used to help them calm down. The idea is to provide healthy replacement items, i.e. stress balls, to be used instead of unhealthy coping skills kids sometimes engage in.
While Coping Kits are not new to children’s advocacy centers, the Center for Child Protection is excited to start providing these kits to the children of Travis County. Children are given these kits if they are visiting the Center for a forensic interview, are being sent to Dell Children’s Medical Center for further evaluations or are in need of new coping mechanisms.
Coping Kits at the Center are decorative canvas bags that include a variety of items:
- Coloring books for teens and adults
- Colored pencils
- Stress balls
- Fuzzy socks
- Journal & pens
- Lavender lotion
To learn more about how you can help donate to the Coping Kit program, please contact Anne West at awest@centerforchildprotection.org or call 512.472.1164.
Contact Info
Center for Child Protection
8509 FM 969, Building 2
Austin, Texas 78724
Phone: 512-472-1164
Fax: 512-472-1167
Web: centerforchildprotection.org
