A Child-Centered Evaluation of a Psychosocial Program

Promoting Children’s Healing, Safety and Well-Being in Post-Disaster Contexts

Abstract

This article reports on a child-centered evaluation of a psychosocial, school-based program for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. The program, Journey of Hope: Coping with and Normalizing Emotions, was initiated to promote children’s safety and well-being and to help mitigate a range of violence-related risks facing children in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (which hit the south east United States in August 2005). The approach centered on building children’s resilience by supporting them to better understand their emotions, reflect on their contexts with respect to child safety and well-being, and give them opportunities to develop their own positive, non-violent coping strategies in their lives. Using a mixed-methods approach including interviews, a survey questionnaire, and observation notes, the evaluation assessed the program’s impact on and relevance to participants. Despite the short duration of the program, the evaluation suggested the program had enhanced the social well-being, knowledge, skills, emotional well-being of participants. The program’s relevance came from its adaptable design and child-centered delivery. This article addresses the value of locally-developed curricula and the role of school-based programs in promoting children’s healing and safety from violence in post-disaster contexts.