River Oak Center for Children: Branching Out Family Group

River Oak's Branching Out family support group gives parents and caregivers a place to feel
understood, build partnerships with other families facing similar challenges, and receive
supportive and informed suggestion on how to manage their child's behaviors.

"Branching Out" is based on the Collaborative Problem Solving model, which recognizes that
challenging behavior should be understood and handled in the same manner as other
recognized learning disabilities.

Children with behavioral difficulties lack important cognitive skills essential to handling
frustration and adapting to challenging situations. The Collaborative Problem Solving method
helps adults teach these skills and instructs caregivers and children on how to work toward
solutions to the problems causing conflict. Research has shown that Collaborative Problem
Solving is a highly effective model of treatment and results in an increase in positive behavior
management skills in children.