Thanks to a sizeable grant from The Duke Endowment, the Pavillon in Sunny View will continue to reach at risk children in the region as part of its programs to treat alcoholism and other drug addictions.

Pavillon has received $50,000 to continue administering its children&squo;s program throughout the Carolinas. The latest award of support is part of a $150,000 pledge from The Duke Endowment.

&dquo;We are delighted that the Duke Endowment shares our commitment to reaching at risk children in the Carolinas regarding the affects of this devastating family disease,&dquo; said Anne Vance, CEO of Pavillon.

The program is free to any child, age 6-14, who has family members with alcohol and/or drug addiction.&bsp; Weekend sessions are scheduled throughout the year. It begins at 12:30 p.m. on Fridays and ends at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays. The program takes place at Pavillon&squo;s 140-acre campus in Sunny View.

Pavillon&squo;s children&squo;s program promotes healing and wellness for children who have a family member who suffers from addiction. The program builds upon children&squo;s strengths, deepens their resilience and further helps them to realize their own intrinsic worth.

Potential participants of the program are identified through working closely with area school systems and many social service organizations.

Janie Bell, a psychotherapist with 25 years experience in working with children and adults, directs the program. She has also worked as an educator and as an administrator. She has been with Pavillon for three years, serving as a counselor and supervisor of staff development

Bell observed that a great deal of research continues to take place regarding the depth of impact on children of addiction. In the area of prevention, scientists from the National Institute of Drug Abuse are specifically studying the issues children face in a home with alcohol and drug abuse and the increased risks they face.

Three areas are being targeted for research: family functioning and parenting, early problematic childhood characteristics and psychological skill enhancement.

A risk factor takes the form of early conduct disorders such as depression and acting out.&bsp; Prevention of eventual drug and alcohol abuse in these children must include helping them intellectually in the areas of setting goals, analyzing and solving problems, dealing with strong negative feelings, and recognizing and controlling impulses. Pavillon&squo;s Children Program specifically addresses these key issues, Bell said.

Children engage in educationally therapeutic and fun activities each day.&bsp; The child&squo;s adult companion participates briefly on Friday during the welcome and orientation and again at the end of the program on Sunday for closing activities and lunch.&bsp; For confidential information, or to register your child, call Pavillon at 800- 392-4808.

As a non-profit, fully accredited organization, Pavillon is a recognized leader for its effectiveness in the field of twelve-step residential treatment, research-based recovery services and education for chemical dependency and related disorders.