Summer Holiday
Support Program
For carers & the children in their care
An at-home program offering a vital mental health resource during the summer school break.
Why we designed this program
Summer holidays can often be challenging for caregivers and children alike.
The reduction in regular support services and the lack of routine can lead to heightened stress, increased behavioural issues and a sense of overwhelm and isolation for both children and caregivers.
With this in mind, we have designed a unique summer series to support carers and the mental health of the children they care for.
Please Note: This program can be individualised according to the child’s age, and cater for children (3yo+), preteens and adolescents.
Our Summer Support Series is designed specifically for foster, kinship and out-of-home care families and offers tailored support that meets their unique needs.
The program provides structured activities that promote emotional regulation, creativity, resilience and connection and supports children’s mental health through meaningful experiences, while easing the load for caregivers.
Empowering Caregivers &
Supporting Children
Program Features
Our Summer Support series was developed by child mental health clinicians who understand the unique needs and challenges of the out-of-home care system. This program therefore goes far beyond just keeping children occupied during the holidays.
The intention of the program is to lay the foundation for children to be able to express themselves creatively and feel understood and supported, while caregivers receive the tools they need to facilitate a calm, nurturing environment.
The Program Includes:
1. Convenient At-Home Delivery
Online and/or printed guides educating and empowering caregivers to facilitate therapeutic activities.
2. Creative Hands-On Materials
A physical toolkit with creative supplies and resources for weekly therapeutic activities.
3. Flexible & Individualised
The program is adaptable according to the child’s age and emotional and developmental needs.
(For children 3+yo to adolescents.)
Key Benefits
The Summer Support Program offers benefits for both caregivers and children.
By providing structured, trauma-informed support, the program ensures children are cared for in a way that prevents crises and fosters growth while giving caregivers practical tools to manage challenges effectively.
Emotional Regulation
Children are guided through activities that foster emotional regulation and resilience, reducing the likelihood of behavioural challenges and ensuring a smoother and more manageable summer period.
Key Benefits Include:
Crisis Prevention & Stability
The program provides therapeutic, structured activities that help children maintain a sense of routine and stability. The therapeutic activities as well as the structure it provides can reduce the risk of emotional crises and behavioural escalations.
Trauma-Informed Tools
Equips caregivers with trauma-informed strategies and practical tools to meet the child’s emotional needs and manage potential challenging behaviours. This ensures that children are supported in a way that promotes emotional stability and safety.
Clear Outcomes
Enables progress in emotional regulation, social connection, creative expression and self-confidence. Care teams can feel confident that the children are being well-supported and are less likely to experience crises.
Caregiver Wellbeing
Provides self-care tools for caregivers, enabling them to manage stress, enhance their caregiving skills and provide nurturing care.
Enhanced Learning & Confidence
Creative play and/or arts activities and mindfulness exercises build emotional resilience and coping skills, promote problem-solving and communication abilities and foster a sense of self-confidence.
About Us
Rykie Smith
Founder and Principal Therapist
Our practice has been partnering with agencies in the out-of-home care sector since 2019, supporting caseworkers and care teams, along with the children and families they serve.
The Art of Wellbeing team is composed of skilled mental health professionals with extensive experience in trauma-informed care, child developmental needs and the application of a range of therapeutic modalities, including arts and play therapy.
We take an evidence-based approach to our programs, combining the latest research with practical, hands-on activities to ensure the best outcomes for clients.
Our mission is to provide meaningful, trauma-informed programs that empower caseworkers, children and caregivers, ensuring that everyone has the support they need - and deserve - to thrive.
Enrol Your Client!
We want to ensure that as many children as possible are supported during the summer holidays. This program is therefore launching at a discounted rate.
For your convenience, you can find quotes for funding approval below.
Costs
The enrolment deadline is
Tuesday, 17 December 2024.
If for some reason you need an extension, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss.
Enrolment Deadline
Quote: Summer Support Program - Jan 2025
Please Note: Discounts may apply if your division is enrolling multiple children. Please contact us to discuss.
Simply fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch to finalise details.
Secure Spot Here!
“Anyone who does anything to help a child in their life is a hero to me.”
- Fred Rogers -
Good to Know
Not a Replacement for Therapy
This foundational program is designed to provide trauma-informed support and practical strategies for caregivers and children, and it is not a replacement for individualised therapy or crisis intervention services.
Please see our terms & disclaimer here.
Benefits to Agency Personnel
We can arrange for the program to be accessible to the child’s caseworker, providing a valuable resource for supporting the wellbeing of both caregivers and children in out-of-home care.
Always Here to Help
We appreciate the dedication you and your team show in supporting children and families. Our programme aims to provide resources that enhance existing services.
Please reach out to discuss how we can assist you and your clients.