CHILDREN OF DIVORCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM (CODIP)

Children experience difficult challenges when their parents separate or divorce.

CODIP is an evidence-based prevention program specifically designed to help children cope with challenging family changes. Since its inception in 1982, CODIP has helped thousands of children in countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

When you choose CODIP, you receive a thoughtfully designed, easy-to-use, age-appropriate, effective program. CODIP was specially designed to help children understand and accept their feelings and perceptions regarding their parents’ separation.

Informational flyer

AUDIENCE

Counselors, mental health professionals, and other trained adults who work in schools, community centers, afterschool programs, and service groups with children in kindergarten through grade eight.

GOALS

Minimize the emotional and behavioral problems that may result when children experience divorce in their families
Increase children’s ability to identify and appropriately express their divorce-related feelings
Increase children’s understanding and acceptance of divorce-related concepts
Reduce children’s anxiety and worry about their family circumstances that can interfere with academic achievement
Build confidence by teaching specific skills to help children cope with a variety of challenges

BENEFITS

Reduced desire of children to blame themselves or someone else for the divorce
Increased coping skills and the ability to solve personal problems and to let go of problems that are beyond their control
Enhanced positive perceptions of themselves and their families
The positive, supportive group environment of peers in the school setting allows children to share their experiences and learn from one another

HOW IT WORKS

School personnel, community members, or parents refer children to the program
Trained group leaders conduct 12-15 group sessions at school
A series of four procedure manuals and specially designed board games target different age ranges to ensure that each child receives age-appropriate information and skill-building activities

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Evidence-Based Program - National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Lela Rowland Award for Outstanding Prevention Program - National Mental Health Association
Award for Program Excellence - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: SAMHSA
Exemplary Program - Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
Successful Program - New York State Education Department

Resources

Author JoAnne Pedro-Carroll, Ph.D., helped to develop resources with Sesame Street for parents of young children. Visit: www.sesamestreet.org/divorce