Topic: Divorce, Emotional Competency
Target Population: Middle Childhood
Sector: Community-Based, School-Based
This program is for children who are in 4th through 6th grade and whose parents are divorced or separated.
Children of Divorce Intervention Program (CODIP): Grades 4-6, a community- or school-based preventive intervention curriculum, is designed to decrease the adverse effects some children experience during parental divorce and separation by teaching them coping, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
No peer-reviewed studies evaluating the current version of the curriculum could be identified through a public search.
Children are referred to CODIP: Grades 4-6 by parents, community members, or school staff. The program is delivered in a nurturing group environment and intends to decrease emotional issues and behavioral problems, increase self-esteem, and enhance youth’s understanding and expression of divorce-related changes. The curriculum addresses the following topics:
Activities, such as group discussions, skits, role-plays, films, homework, and feedback from group members, are utilized throughout sessions to support and strengthen emotion sharing, coping skills, and self-esteem among participants.
Separate curricula have also been developed for youth in kindergarten and 1st grade, 2nd and 3rd grades, and 7th and 8th grades.
CODIP was founded in 1982 and has been implemented with thousands of children and adolescents around the world, including the United States, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The extent to which CODIP: Grades 4-6 has been implemented is unclear.
This program is delivered by counselors and mental health professionals. Training is not required; however, a variety of training options and customized professional development offerings are available. Please use details in the Contact section for more information.
Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring school administration or community center leadership, youth, and parent buy-in; recruiting a suitable facilitator and ensuring he or she can attend training, if desired; finding a location to hold sessions; and understanding this program could address sensitive topics.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing CODIP: Grades 4-6, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
The curriculum consists of 12 40- to 60-minute sessions.
The curriculum manual costs $125. A package containing manuals for Grades 4-6 and Grades 7-8 is available for $225.
To move the CODIP: Grades 4-6 to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence at least one evaluation of the current version of the curriculum should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact Children’s Institute by mail 274 N. Goodman Street, Suite D103, Rochester, NY 14607, phone 1-585-295-1000, fax 1-585-295-1090, or visit https://www.childrensinstitute.net/contact-us
