Introduction
• This presentation is being provided for staff who may be
starting a veteran parent program to support FICare
• The narrative on the slide notes is a guide to help you
understand the content of the slides
Engaging Veteran Parents:
in providing support in a group setting
What can a veteran parent offer
• An ear
• Understand parent perspective
– Relate as a non-clinician
• Methods of coping
• Practical tips
• Hope
• An end to potential isolation
• Provide insight to staff
Who are Veteran Parents
ARE NOT:
• Medical experts
• Psychologists
• Cure all’s
• Work horses
ARE
• Listening ears
• Crying shoulders
• Resource centers
• Guides
• Confident
What Veteran Parents need to know
before getting started
Boundaries of peer support
Support is limited to shared common
experience
Judicious use of self
Confidentiality
Member of inter-professional team
Parent group
How?
What?
Where?
Who?
When?
“Check-in” before a group session
• Ask the team leader,
social worker or ward
clerk about any red
flags, major changes or
losses
• Only that might relate
to you
• If possible, check the
patient board and
patient list
How to encourage parents
to participate
• Do “parent check-in
rounds” when you first
get to the unit.
• Inform parents of the
group topic, location
and food
• Do a second “sweep”
15 minutes before
start time to remind
them
When to approach at the bedside
• When parents are not
engaged with the
medical team
• When parents are not
busy with their baby
• When parents make eye
contact and are open;
watch body language
How to develop a relationship
in a group setting
• Take a moment and
release all personal
issues
• Define your role
• State how you can help
• State when you are
available
• Assure confidentiality
Participating in a session
• Your qualifications are
your experience and your
ability to listen
• Remember this is not
about you
• Do NOT give false hope
or say “don’t worry”
• Use your experience and
support as it relates to
the parents participating
in the group
How to briefly introduce yourself
My name is _____. I am a veteran parent. I had a
baby in here ___long ago, now I’m here on
____days to help support parents because place
can be pretty overwhelming! I know when I was
in here I felt it really helped me when I talked
to other parents who had been through it before
and to also go to groups for support and
information.
How to do introductions
and “read” the room
• Start each session with
introductions around the
circle
– as much you are willing to
share
• Assure them they can
leave at anytime
• Make sure parents feel
involved and heard
• Be aware of feelings
What are the roadblocks to
communication
•
•
•
•
•
Advising
Judging
Reassuring
Avoiding change
Asking too many
questions
What language works best
• Watch clarity and
speed with which you
speak
• Watch the balance
between providing
information and
allowing others to
share
• Use positive
encouraging
compliments
• Use appropriate
language
How to co-lead a group
• Make eye contact with
• Listen
co-leader
• Provide balance
• Provide your insight: I
felt scared, guilty,
exhausted etc. when I
was in here
• Steer away from negative
conversation
How to wrap up a group session
• Give a 10 minute warning
before ending
• Allow time after group
for one-on-one
• Thank them for coming
and sharing
• Clean up the room, offer
extra food to
parents/staff
How to debrief post group
• Connect with the co-leader after group during
clean up when parents have gone
• What worked and what did not
• Ask any questions
• Give your feedback then or via email
• Share your comfort level with the session
The most important piece a
Veteran Parent can provide is
HOPE!
Coordinators responsibilities to
Veteran Parents
• Provide post/pre-debrief
• Inform of red flags:
losses, social issues
• Beginning sessions - have
a topic, i.e. d/c
planning, participate
until they get
comfortable
• Follow-up via email, give
feedback
• Provide ongoing support;
check-in, clarify what
was done if a Mom was
upset
• Thanks and
acknowledgement
• Provide paid parking
Staff acceptance is important!
Veteran parents need:
• To feel they are part of the
team
• To be given feedback
• Debrief after a group session
Veteran parent tips when engaging
with NICU parents
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Train and role play with the social worker ahead of time
Listen
Smile and make eye contact
Give generic but genuine compliments
Refer to baby by name & correct gender
Give hope, give your truth, but don’t give promises
Use appropriate language
Don’t judge
Do not provide medical information
Understand you can’t fix, but you can listen
Create a safe environment to share experiences