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Rainbows
“RAINBOWS – for children in stormy times”
Support and guidance for children and teenagers after parental separation/divorce or the death of a close relative/friend.
about
RAINBOWS is a non profit organisation (since 1991 in Austria).
RAINBOWS Support Programme after parental separation/divorce:
- 14 weekly group meetings, each lasting 1 ½ hours
- Focus on relevant topics (separation/divorce; feelings; different kinds of family units; resources; looking to the future)
- Creative, age-appropriate methods
- RAINBOWS Facilitator are trained in psychosocial care and participate in regular RAINBOWS training courses
The grieving process – support when a loved one dies:
- Individual support, support within the family, RAINBOWS Support Programme following the death of a loved one
- Focus on relevant topics (life and death; memories; feelings; grieving rituals; resources; looking to the future)
Target audience:
- Children and teenagers aged 4 to 17 years
- Parents and carers of affected children and teenagers
RAINBOWS works to support children and teenagers as they deal with separation or loss, helping them to avoid the serious long-term effects which can result from the psychological strain of such experiences. RAINBOWS provides assistance for affected children and adults so that they can learn to cope with their grief and accept new family situations.
Evaluation of staff reports and the feedback we receive from parents (on feedback forms) confirm the effectiveness of the support offered by RAINBOWS.
Further support: Holiday camps, seminars for parents, courses, workshops
funding
The federal organization RAINBOWS is funded through the Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth and income earned through the sale of training.
.The country places get support from the authority of the provincial capitals, the authorities of the federal state administrations and a small amount of the Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth. The parents pay a participation contribution for the visit of the RAINBOWS group.
Government support in Austria
The Austrian government provides:
- Family Mediation
- Eltern- und Kinderbegleitung in Scheidungs- und Trennungssituationen
- Ehe-, Familien- und Scheidungsberatung bei Gericht
non Government support in Austria
Services for people experiencing divorce or family separation in Austria are usually based around supporting one or other parent concerning to legal measures, financial and psychological difficulties.
There are a number of national, regional and local organisations that provide this support and information.
Legislation in Austria
useful links
Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth
www.bmwfj.gv.at
Österreichische Plattform für Alleinerziehende
www.alleinerziehende.org
Institut für Trennung- und ScheidungsBegleitung & PräventionsBeratung
www.oeit.at
Ihr Leben allein – 2minus1
© The European Network on Shared Parenthood (2009)
