An EPIC Summer

In 2014, 4KIDS developed a unique, EPIC Therapeutic Approach to bring more children and families into hope-filled healing by addressing the Emotional, Physical, Intellectual, and Character based needs of kids. Based on a trauma-informed care perspective, EPIC teaches kids and caregivers how to connect with one another, emphasizing trust-based relationships.

Over the last couple of years 4KIDS has grown from having one therapist on staff to now seven full-time clinicians available to support foster and adoptive families. Instead of having to receive services from outside organizations, 4KIDS families now have the opportunity to seek assistance within 4KIDS directly. On top of providing ongoing therapy to families, this summer the 4KIDS clinical team hosted the 3rd annual EPIC Camp, which helps kids from hard places dive deeper into healing.

For an entire week, ten of our foster and adopted children learned how to apply key EPIC strategies, such as re-dos, role playing, and using their words, in a real-life setting surrounded by other peers and supportive adults. During one group session, they practiced how they would console someone who was being bullied. In another session, they learned how to use things like kinetic sand and essential oils to help avoid meltdowns. Each child was paired up with a “buddy” counselor who assisted them in every activity and by the end of the week, many of these duos were inseparable.

“On the first day of camp, my little brothers were hesitant to be dropped off and did not want to stay long. But by the end of day two they were so excited to go back again. They couldn’t stop talking about the things they were learning and how much fun they were having with their buddies!” – Jamey

This is what the EPIC Therapeutic Approach is all about— connection. When kids with trauma learn to trust the power of relationships again, there’s no limit to what they can achieve. In just five days, these campers discovered the the power within them to make good choices and be the best that they can be, gaining tools to help them succeed both in school and at home.