Children are still coping with the emotional aftermath of the June 2016 floods that devastated most of the central and southern parts of West Virginia, according to the nonprofit Save the Children.
In the weeks following the floods, Save the Children provided support to more than 44,000 children and caregivers, according to a press release. Starting in December, the nonprofit will launch its Journey of Hope program in the state’s five most heavily affected counties Clay, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Nicholas and Roane.
The program was developed after Hurricane Katrina and uses a series of team activities, including play, discussion and art to help children identify and manage emotions. These activities also help children develop healthy coping skills for stress and trauma.
So far, Save the Children has trained 10 master trainers who in turn will be training an additional 100 facilitators over the next six months. These facilitators will work with small groups of children and caregivers through June 2017, potentially impacting more than 800 children in 18 schools.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.