One target population of focus for THE PLAYGROUNDgr is youth placed in foster care.
This is due to the research that shows 90% of children placed in foster care experience trauma. In addition, research shows that play based therapy is a leading therapy in supporting and healing trauma. In foster care, foster parents are required to complete foster care hours to complete licensure requirements each year.
The gap, foster care workers, parents and children are not learning the same strategies. THE PLAYGROUNDgr is changing that! In 2023 several community partners came to the table to create a fruitful training. On May 3, THE PLAYGROUNDgr trained foster care workers alongside a partnership with DHS and GVSU. On May 6 we trained foster care families alongside partnerships with: Samaritas, Catholic Charities of West Michigan, Bethany Christian Services and The YMCA. Clinician’s through Trisha Waun Consulting and DAB St John’s gifted their time, and led tweens/teens and elementary aged youth in our curriculum, Healing Through Play.
In addition, Full Bloom Children’s Yoga and Mindfulness led families in family yoga, led by founder and clinical social worker Zoe Gates, and finally a healthy food workshop, led by the YMCA. THE PLAYGROUNDgr is committed to leading this support each year.
Workshops will continue to include: foster parent/care giver of a child placed in foster care hands on Healing through Play trainings. Children’s workshop, led through Healing Through Play, Tween/Teen Workshop, Family Workshop, Family Yoga will continue to be led through experts with value and understand therapeutic play. During this full day training, we are committed to continuing to provide: breakfast, snacks, lunch and play support door prizes.
Special Thanks to this years sponsors: Grand Rapids Community Foundation and Food Hugs.
