What Are best groups?
BEST Groups began in 2011 in Putnam County, Tennessee, through a partnership with Putnam County Schools and Heart of the Cumberland, Inc. Since that time, hundreds of students participate annually in BEST Groups where they find a safe place to explore feelings related to:
Death of a parent, sibling, or close family member
Divorce
Foster care
Absence of a biological parent due to substance abuse, incarceration, abandonment, deployment, or deportation
Each peer support group is designed to be facilitated with a small group of participants, encouraging them to Be Each other’s Support Team. The peer group format fosters empathy and helps children/youth identify, understand, and express emotions in healthy ways.
The core of BEST Groups centers around 11 Heart Messages. The Heart Messages are supported by journaling, object lessons, and interactive group activities. The extensive facilitator guide includes supply lists and implementation strategies.
Current BEST Groups curricula
Exploring My Feelings for students 2nd-4th grade
Navigating This Maze of Emotions for students 5th grade and up.
Both Exploring My Feelings and Navigating This Maze of Emotions were developed specifically for schools and contain content that supports Building Strong Brains Tennessee and aligns with the following:
Tennessee State Board of Education School Counseling Model and Standards Policy.
Tennessee Department of Education K-12 Social and Personal Competencies.
American School Counselor Association Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success
In Tennessee, over 35 counties have either attended training and/or are currently using BEST Groups curricula.
Who can use BEST GRoups curricula?
School counselors, coordinated school health directors, and teachers
Mental health professionals, house parents, and juvenile court prevention programs
Boys and Girls Club administrators, child advocacy groups, and grief camps
“BEST Groups have directly impacted our student body. Each child that I had a group with last year still smiles and waves so confidently when I see them in the hallways. I had two children tell me how much they trusted our group and that they finally had a safe place at school. It’s heartwarming to know that they know they always have a supporter in their corner no matter what. I have a child in my class this year who was in my first group last year, and he has had a smooth year compared to last.”
-Brandi Guidish, Third Grade Teacher, BEST GROUPS Facilitator, Clinton City Schools
Curriculum For Children
“Exploring My Feelings” (2nd-4th grades)
The Exploring My Feelings curriculum is designed to help grieving children learn what feelings are common to those who have experienced loss and how to express those emotions in healthy ways. Exploring My Feelings provides opportunities for children to receive the support they need to experience hope and healing in a peer support setting. The 95-page facilitator's guide includes step-by-step instructions on how to conduct a BEST Group, a list of materials needed, and the objectives of each lesson.
Each Exploring My Feelings Art Journal includes activity pages for participants to reinforce what they are learning through practical expression. Participants will explore feelings of loneliness, worry, anxiety, and anger. They will learn the importance of forgiveness, making healthy choices, and goal setting. The curriculum concludes with lessons on encouragement, hope, and courage. Exploring My Feelings is designed to be facilitated with a small group of children in 2nd - 4th grades. Groups typically meet for 11 weeks (an introduction week followed by 10 lessons). Sessions are designed to be held within a 60-minute time frame, although adaptations can easily be made for groups with less time.
BEST Groups recognizes that grief and loss can be experienced due to a variety of circumstances: death, divorce, foster care placement, deportation, deployment, caregiver addictions, incarceration, abandonment, terminal illness, living with grandparents, and so much more.
Curriculum For youth
“Navigating This Maze of Emotions” (5th grade & Up)
The Navigating This Maze of Emotions curriculum provides opportunities for youth to receive the support they need to experience hope and healing in a peer support group setting. As students attend group meetings and work through the Navigating This Maze of Emotions Journal, they will begin to explore the feelings that are common to those who have experienced a loss and how to express those feelings in healthy ways. The 127-page facilitator's guide includes step-by-step instructions on how to conduct a BEST Group, a list of materials needed, and the objectives of each lesson.
Each Navigating this Maze of Emotions Journal includes activity pages for participants to reinforce what they are learning. Participants will explore feelings of loneliness, worry, anxiety, and anger. They will learn the importance of forgiveness, making healthy choices, and goal setting. The program concludes with lessons on encouragement, hope, and courage. Navigating this Maze of Emotions is designed to be facilitated with a small group of students 5th grade and up. Groups typically meet for 11 weeks (an introduction week followed by 10 lessons). Sessions are designed to be held within a 60-minute time frame, although adaptations can easily be made for groups with less time.
BEST Groups recognizes that grief and loss can be experienced due to a variety of circumstances: death, divorce, foster care placement, deportation, deployment, caregiver addictions, incarceration, abandonment, terminal illness, living with grandparents, and so much more.
Current Customers
Testimonials
“BEST Groups were very helpful for children facing challenges in foster homes, with depression/suicide, and behavioral issues. They became a close-knit group in both locations and continue to share ‘rainbows’ and ‘raindrops‘ with me.”
-Sheryl Chesnutt, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Clubs of Rutherford County
“BEST Groups create a feeling of belonging - that there is someone who cares.”
John Wright, School Counselor, Burks Elementary School
Hear what The Putnam County School System has to say about BEST Groups!
Contact us
MaKayla Ramsey
BEST Groups Program Manager
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Training Events
Details
Come join us for the next Cookeville, TN BEST Groups Facilitator Training Event! Explore the curriculum lesson by lesson, gain valuable insights from seasoned facilitators, and move forward with the resources you need to start your first groups.
ONLINE TRAINING AVAILABLE:
BEST Groups Facilitator Training Events are now available online! Do you have at least four people interested in training on the same curriculum? BEST Groups can come to you via Zoom training. Contact us to schedule a Zoom training at 931-559-2378.
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