Who can participate in the Children’s Program?

ACT’s current program information describes services for children whose parent or caregiver is participating in ACT services, including children staying in ACT residential shelters. Contact ACT to discuss current eligibility and available programs.

What happens when a child is staying in shelter?

ACT states that children staying in its shelters receive an assessment and may participate in individual and group counseling. Groups are divided by age so support can be presented in an age-appropriate way.

Are children grouped by age?

Yes. ACT’s current program information states that Child Specialists divide children into age-compatible groups so counseling and educational material can be appropriate for their developmental level.

What are the children’s educational support groups?

ACT offers educational support groups for children whose parent is participating in certain adult groups. The children’s group is offered at the same time as the adult group.

Do I need to register my child for a group?

Yes. ACT’s current page states that children must be registered before attending an educational support group. Call ACT for current registration information.

Does my child have to talk about what happened?

The current source does not describe specific counseling participation requirements. Ask an ACT Child Specialist what your child can expect and how counseling is adapted to their age and comfort level.

Can my child receive individual counseling?

ACT states that children staying in its residential shelters receive an assessment and individual and group counseling. Contact ACT to ask whether individual counseling is available in other program settings.

What if my child does not seem upset?

Children respond to stress and violence in different ways. You can still speak with ACT if you have questions about whether support may be appropriate.

Can parents receive support too?

Yes. ACT offers adult counseling, support groups, residential services, safety planning, advocacy, and other programs that may support the parent or caregiver while a child receives services.

Are Children’s Program services free?

ACT’s broader program materials describe victim services as free of charge.

Children’s Program

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Support designed for a child’s age and needs

ACT’s Children’s Program provides educational support groups, assessments, and counseling for children whose families are receiving ACT services.
Children are grouped by age so that activities, conversations, and counseling can be presented in ways they can understand

Age-appropriate support

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ACT Child Specialists organize groups by age so children can participate in activities and discussions appropriate for their developmental level.

Individual counseling

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Children staying in ACT’s residential shelters receive an assessment and may receive individual counseling.

Educational support groups

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ACT offers children’s educational groups for children whose parent is participating in selected adult support groups.

Group counseling

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Age-based groups give children opportunities to learn, express themselves, and receive support with other children at a similar developmental stage.

Support for healthier choices

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Program activities are intended to strengthen self-esteem, teach that abuse is never deserved, and help children understand healthy, nonviolent ways to handle emotions, choices, and relationships.

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Children may show that they need support in different ways

Every child responds differently to stress, violence, or changes at home. A child does not have to show every sign — or any obvious sign — to benefit from support.

Changes in mood or behavior
Fear, worry, or difficulty feeling safe
Anger or frequent emotional outbursts
Withdrawal from family, friends, or activities
Trouble concentrating
Changes in school behavior or performance
Difficulty sleeping
Low confidence or self-esteem
Confusion about what they have seen or experienced
Taking responsibility for problems between adults
Difficulty talking about feelings
Questions about whether violence or controlling behavior is normal

Talk with an ACT advocate Ask about counseling for my child

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Support can look different for every family

Healing doesn’t happen all at once. We are here to support you at every stage, from immediate safety to long-term recovery.

Ask about children’s counseling

Talk with ACT about whether individual or group counseling may be available for your child.

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Join an educational support group

Children’s groups are available in connection with certain adult ACT groups and are facilitated by a Child Specialist.

Children must be registered before attending.

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Get support while staying in shelter

Children staying in ACT shelters receive an assessment and may participate in individual and age-appropriate group counseling.

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Find support for the whole family

Parents and caregivers may also receive counseling, advocacy, education, and other services through ACT.

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Support for children and caregivers

The helpline can be a starting point for connecting with other ACT programs and services.

Children’s counseling

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Initial assessment for children in shelter
Individual counseling
Age-appropriate group counseling
Educational support groups
Child Specialist support

Learning and development

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Program goals include helping children:

Build self-esteem
Understand that abuse is never deserved
Learn healthier, nonviolent ways to respond to conflict
Develop responsibility for their own choices and actions
Learn that discipline does not require violence

Family connections

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ACT can also connect families with:

Residential services
Adult support groups
Individual counseling
Safety planning
Advocacy
Information and referrals
Other ACT programs

Building stability and independence

ACT’s current Residential Program emphasizes advocacy, access to community resources, social support, employment, education, housing, and personal growth as important parts of helping residents work toward greater independence. ACT also works with community organizations and service providers to connect residents with additional resources.

View all ACT programs