Parents and children with health challenges support group starts

Morgan County Starting Points is facilitating an eight week support group for parents and their children who have health challenges. There is no fee for the program.

The support group, a Starting Points Family Partnership program, will be held on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning February 16 through April 5 at Word of Deliverance Church in Berkeley Springs.

Co-facilitators for the program include pediatrician Dr. Pam Quarantillo, licensed social worker Cindy Largent-Hill and Amy Litten.

The group’s focus will be helping families learn to cope and live after a health diagnosis. Facilitators will use a curriculum developed by the Nurturing Parenting Program.

Topics include coping mechanisms, discipline, life skills, family structure, health and healing, personal power, independence, communication and needs, stress, grief and loss.

Parents and children will each have separate educational sessions for an hour and a half, then will have family time and snacks for a half-hour, said Starting Points Case Manager/ Family Partnership Program Coordinator Hannah Stewart.

Donations are being requested to help cover the costs of refreshments, crafts supplies and door prizes.

If interested in attending or donating to help cover costs or for more information, contact Stewart at 304-258-5600.

The support group is sponsored by Morgan County Starting Points, a department of Shenandoah Valley Medical System, funded in part by the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.