Speaker(s):
Presentation:
Buddy Circles are a peer-support approach for elementary schools that focus on the social-emotional wellbeing of children, and have proven to be an additional mode of support for students with disabilities, students who have experienced trauma, and students with low levels of esteem and resilience.
Objectives:
- Introduce a peer support approach that enhances support for students with disabilities, students experiencing trauma and/or discrimination, and students who require support due to extenuating circumstances
- Educate how to facilitate student-initiated discussion groups that promote advocacy, problem-solving, and mentoring in school-aged children
- Describe an approach to empower caregivers and providers with the language and tools necessary to increase community awareness and participation in the process