School-Based Groups

Children of cancer patients often become forgotten victims because their needs are not recognized. Cancer Family Care, a community-based agency that focuses on the nonmedical needs of cancer patients and their families, began offering group services to the children of some of its clients in 1984. The group program was expanded into schools in 1985. This article looks at the growth and development of these services and discusses 32 support and bereavement groups that have been completed. Topics covered are group themes, selection of members, format, group process and content, interventions, and evaluations by participants, teachers, and parents. The author concludes with recommendations for replication, with particular emphasis on the use of schools for groups of this nature.