Support Group Facilitation

Presentation Overview Structuring Successful Support Groups Addressing Challenges in the Group Review Facilitation Skills and Techniques Put It Into Practice

Structuring Successful Support Groups Logistics – Consistency – Caregivers as Support Group Facilitators – Space/Location – Language – Food – Child Care – Transportation – Welcoming New Members

Structuring Successful Support Groups (Cont’d) Meeting Structure – Consistency – Group Agreements – Confidentiality – Mandated Reporting – Check Ins – Topic Based or Open Discussion – Presentations – Resource Sharing

Structuring Successful Support Groups (Cont’d) Outreach to Participants – Outreach Phone Calls – Reminder Phone Calls – Support Group Flyers – Postcards – Other ideas?

Addressing Challenges in the Group What challenges have you experienced in running Support Groups? How have you overcome those challenges?

Facilitation Skills and Techniques Scanning the Crowd Paraphrasing Drawing People Out Mirroring Stacking Tracking Encouraging Making Space Intentional Silence Using the Clock