Here are questions that parents sometimes ask about Friendship Club.  If the answer to your question is not included, please seek help via email or telephone.

1. When does Friendship Club meet?
2. How long do Friendship Club meetings last?
3. Do I stay with my child during the meeting or leave?
4. What is the individual initial visit about?
5. Is Friendship Club a good match for my child?
6. So, is Friendship Club suitable for ALL children?
7. How are children placed into groups?
8. When would I find out if there is a group for my child?
9. Can you continue the therapy that my child receives at school?
10. What if the meeting dates conflict with my family vacation?
11. How do I register?
12. Is there a down-payment or fee?
13. Is this covered by my insurance policy?
14. Are there any other financial aid opportunities?
15. If I'm using a thrid party payment, do I need to pay at the first session?
16. Can I get a final report of how my child did over the summer?

When does Friendship Club meet?

Friendship Club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays for six weeks of the 
summer.  The dates for 2008 are June 17th-July 31st.  
Morning and afternoon sessions are offered.  Prior to the first 
meeting, an individual initial visit is scheduled.  In 2008, individual 
meetings will be the week of June 16.

Back to Top

How long do Friendship Club meetings last?

Each Friendship Club meeting provides one hour of structured activities.  It 
is typical, however, for meetings to last longer than one hour. Play time is 
offered at the beginning of the session to ease the transition.  Following 
the scheduled activities, the Friendship Journals are assembled and 
reviewed.  Children then shop at 'store'.  The closing transition can also 
take a few minutes.  Please allow extra time around the scheduled session to 
keep the experience pleasant.

Back to Top

Do I stay with my child during the meeting or leave?

Staying or leaving is always a 'best interest' issue.  Typically, neither a 
parent's concern nor a child's distress has lasted past the intial meeting.  
Parents are welcome to leave after providing a cell phone number.  However, 
parents are not expected to leave if they are not comfortable.  There are a 
number of options (shopping, parks, quiet benches) for parents in the nearby 
area.  It is always nice to see parents enjoying the hour as much as the 
children!

Back to Top

What is the individual initial visit about?

The initial visit is an important step to prepare for Friendship Club.  At 
this meeting, the interventionist meets the child and talks to the parents.  
The child gets to see the play space and play with some toys.  They get 
their picture taken and walk through the 'opening routine' without any other 
children present.  When they return for the first session, they feel more 
comfortable because they know what to expect.  The parent and 
interventionist have a chance to talk and outline individual goals for the 
program.  Parents often bring in IEPs or other reports to share.  The 
interventionist will ask questions about the child's strengths and 
weakness.  She will want to know what the parents would like their child to 
get out of the program.  The initial individual meeting allows parents, 
children and interventionist to get to know eachother.

Back to Top

Is Friendship Club a good match for my child?

Friendship Club is a good match for a variety of children. Children with 
and without disability labels have participated with success. Parents have 
chosen Friendship Club for their children with labels such as preschool 
child with a disability, ADD, ADHD, learning disabled, language delayed, 
autism, asperger syndrome.  Some parents have enrolled their children in 
order to learn more about their child's behavior or learning style.  The 
program is a setting in which social interactions, conversations, games and 
play schemes are slowed down. Children are instructed on specific social 
skills.  They practice the targeted social skills and receive feedback and 
reinforcement for their efforts.

Back to Top

So, is Friendship Club suitable for ALL children?

There are some children for whom Friendship Club is not a good match. 
Children who require individual assistance to remain in the area, are not 
able to follow simple verbal directions and/or are not able to communicate 
their basic needs may not be ready.  In addition, these children may require 
a more intensive intervention experience that Friendship Club is not able to 
accomodate.  If you are not able to determine if your child is a good match, 
please feel free to call or email with your questions.

Back to Top

How are children placed into groups?

Children are placed into groups based on age and need.  The groups are 
organized to allow for balanced needs. The goal is that all children benefit 
from the activities and adult attention can be shared.  Typically,  
children are within one year of age.  The groups may be smaller then four 
children to accomodate more intense needs.  Occassionally, a group includes 
five children who have the maturity and experience to manage themselves.

Back to Top

When would I find out if there is a group for my child?

By mid-May groups begin coming together.  The interventionist reviews the 
list of interested families based on registration forms.  She puts together 
groups based on ages and needs of the children.  Of course, scheduling 
preferences are also considered.  Families are offered one or two choices 
that match their needs.  Although it is possible that there would be 'no 
match', the groups always seem to come together quite nicely! Just be sure 
that your registration form is completed early.

Back to Top

Can you continue the therapy that my child receives at school?

Any information, strategies or systems that are important to a child and 
family are prioritized and implemented.  Friendship Club can be useful in 
maintaining skills developed during the school year.  In addition, school 
therapists may suggest need areas for summer intervention.  Please share 
relevant information with the intervention specialist.

Back to Top

What if the meeting dates conflict with my family vacation?

Soon after the first meeting, Friendship Club becomes an experience rich in 
personal relationships.  It is important that children attend as many 
meetings as possible.  If your child must miss for a vacation, they can 
still participate.  However, your fee is not adjusted.  There have been a 
circumstances in which all families in the group have agreed to switch the 
meeting times or days to accomodate one child's conflict such as Safety 
Town.  This, of course, depends upon the availability of the other families 
involved.

Back to Top

How do I register?

Pre-registration materials are available on-line by clicking on the "FORMS" 
heading.  Pre-registration materials are accepted up to the initial 
meetings.  However, group placement is made with a consideration for 'first 
come, first served'.  Your pre-registration is not an obligation.  Once your 
group match(es) is offered, you may accept or decline.  Your individual 
meeting is scheduled.  You are enrolled as of the first session.  There are 
no refunds following the first session.

Back to Top

Is there a down-payment or fee?

There is no down-payment.  There is a program fee of $450.  If you are able, 
please pay in full on the first session.  You may choose to pay half at the 
first session and the remaining balance at the half-way session.  Children 
may not attend the second session without an attempt to pay the program fee.

Back to Top

Is this covered by my insurance policy?

No. Because Miss Tracy is a teacher, Friendship Club is considered an 
educational experience. Friendship Club is not covered by insurance 
policies.

Back to Top

Are there any other financial aid opportunities?

Yes.  Third party payments have been made by the Cuyahoga County Board of 
Mental Retardation for qualifying families.  In addition, funds have also 
been provided to qualifying families from Individuals Devoted to Educational 
Advocacy.  These organizations have their own procedures and deadlines.  
Please make inquiries directly to them as early as possible.

Back to Top

If I'm using a thrid party payment, do I need to pay at the first session?

If you are using a third party payment, you do not have to pay funds which 
are promised by the agency.  You are asked to provide documentation of 
promised funds by the first session.  Costs not covered by the third party 
are also requested at the first session.

Back to Top

Can I get a final report of how my child did over the summer?

A final report is provided to each family following the program.  The report 
is mailed within one week of the final session.  It is written in summary 
form and includes activities, strategies and levels of performance.  Parents 
may share the reports at their discretion.  If the child is attending the 
program as their public school district's extended school year service, a 
copy of the report is sent to the school contact person.

Back to Top