East Cobb SNOBS is always looking for a way to highlight the amazing people and organizations in our area. Recently we were tipped off to the amazing work that Dr. Allison Garefino and the KSU Children and Family Programs team are doing for kids that struggle with behavioral issues.

The Kennesaw State University Children and Family Programs (CFP) is a center for prevention, intervention, and treatment for childhood disorders. Recently featured in an article by the Marietta Daily Journal, the CFP offers treatment for ADHD, ODD, HFASD, etc. as well as services for parents and teachers that work with these children. The Children and Family Programs at KSU seek to build healthy communities through effective mental health interventions.

Family behavior therapy programs are known to be highly effective in both improving the child’s behavior and reducing stress among family members.When families attend behavior therapy, they participate in about 8-16 sessions, which include either individual family or group work. Between sessions, the family uses the skills that they’ve learned from the therapist to put into practice strategies that will help their child. Some other effective  programs include skill building for academic and relational success, skill building for teachers and healthcare professionals, and parenting strategies for developmental success.

The Children and Family Programs aim to inspire positive change in neighborhoods, schools, and communities by offering both direct services to children as well as training services to parents, teachers, and medical professionals. They have several upcoming training and workshops such as a program on Negotiating Pay Raises, Salary, and Promotion on June 12th and a Summer Institute in Savannah for General Mediation Training on June 17th-20th. Feel free to contact Clinical Director Dr. Allison C. Garefino at agarefin@kennesaw.edu for more information.