Caregiver Psychosocial Support: Session Guide, Helping Young Children with Disabilities Meet Their Potential

These sessions are intended for caregivers of any age, including those caring for children within the 0-3-year age range. The sessions are facilitated by peers, counselors, or community health workers who have attended psychosocial support training. The sessions are structured around 12 weekly meetings, with three types of sessions: open forums, art-based discussions, and guest speaker presentations. The facilitators will gather feedback from the group after sessions 4 and 8 to assess the effectiveness of the sessions and make necessary adjustments. Each session is approximately 1.5 hours in duration and follows a five-step process: opening, check-in, discussion prompt, discussion, and a facilitator-led exercise on gratitude. The first theme, "Making Connections," includes sessions 1-3, which focus on introducing participants to each other and establishing personal connections. Session 1 involves creating a representation of oneself using sticks and fabric scraps, while session 2 requires drawing someone important to the participant. Session 3 is an open forum where caregivers share their challenges and successes. The second theme, "Receiving Help and Helping Others," includes sessions 4-8, which focus on coping with stress, recognizing stress, managing stress, and accessing external support. Session 4 features a guest speaker discussing stress management and external support options. The facilitators will gather feedback from the group after this session to assess its effectiveness. The package of materials provided to each support session facilitator includes a guide book for support sessions, a registration book with names, attendance, and phone numbers, a folder for additional materials, and a list of resources available at the community level. The facilitators will also be provided with a list of resources collected by countries before the training. The sessions are designed to be flexible and adaptable to the needs of the group. The facilitators will use a five-step process to guide the sessions, including opening, check-in, discussion prompt, discussion, and a facilitator-led exercise on gratitude. The sessions will be approximately 1.5 hours in duration, allowing for a balance of structured activities and open discussion. The facilitators will gather feedback from the group after sessions 4 and 8 to assess the effectiveness of the sessions and make necessary adjustments. This feedback will help to ensure that the sessions are meeting the needs of the caregivers and providing them with the support and connections they require. The Caregiver Psychosocial Support sessions are an important resource for caregivers of children with disabilities. By providing a safe and supportive environment for caregivers to connect with each other and share their experiences, these sessions can help to improve the well-being and resilience of caregivers and their families.