Flagship program
The Beads of Courage Flagship Program
What is the Beads of Courage Program?
Beads of Courage® is our flagship program and is a resilience-based intervention designed to support and strengthen children and teens coping with serious illness and their families. It is the standard of care in more than 300 children’s hospitals worldwide. Through the program children tell their story using colorful beads that serve as meaningful symbols honoring their courage displayed along their unique treatment path.
How Does it Work?
Upon enrollment each child is given the Beads of Courage bead color guide we call the Beads of Courage Bead Prescription (available from Beads of Courage, Inc). Their Beads of Courage experience begins when each child is first given a length of string and beads that spell out their first name. Then, colorful beads, each representing courage during their treatment experiences are given to the child by their professional health care provider as determined by the Beads of Courage Bead Prescription. As beads are added to their Beads of Courage collection, children and teens can RECORD, TELL, and OWN their stories of courage.
The Beads of Courage Program is available for the following:
- Cancer and Blood Disorders
- Cardiac Conditions
- Burn Injury Recovery
- Neonatal Intensive Care
- Chronic Illness
- Rehabilitation Care
- Trauma Recovery
- Pediatric Intensive Care
- Palliative and Supportive Care
All Program Bead Prescriptions were developed in collaboration with experts in the field (nurses, doctors, child life specialists and social workers) so that each bead guide would reflect meaningful acknowledgment of a child’s courage displayed during their treatment experiences.
Major Benefits
Ongoing evaluation of the Beads of Courage program indicates that the program helps to decrease illness-related distress, increase the use of positive coping strategies, helps children find meaning in illness, and restore sense of self in children coping with serious illness. The program also provides something tangible the child can use to tell about their courage displayed during treatment and after.
Starting a New BOC Partnership or Program
We have a summary of considerations and the steps to start a new partnership or flagship program with Beads of Courage. We are excited to hear from you and our Program Director, Krista Burgbacher, is looking forward to supporting any questions you might have and beginning the process with you.
Tools, Training, and Support
Beads of Courage, Inc. provides all hospitals the necessary program materials accompanied by education, training and support to implement the Beads of Courage Program. This includes:
- On-site training to educate the clinical team about program implementation and the science that guided the development of this evidence-based program
- Procedure and alphabet bead collections
- Handmade one-of-a-kind treatment milestone beads
- Program literature (training manuals, the Beads of Courage® Bead Prescription, posters, and more)
- The Beads of Courage Ambassador Workshop for Reflection and Renewal
- Opportunity for continuing education credits
- Ongoing support for the staff during the longevity of the program
Sponsorship
Beads of Courage, Inc. believes strongly in collaborating with local non-profits, local businesses and private donors to provide the Beads of Courage Program at their community hospital. The Program Sponsor or Donor supports the program financially. Beads of Courage will seek sponsorship of your program if desired. Please contact us at info@beadsofcourage.org if you have any questions.
