The ArtReach Foundation

To introduce the ArtReach program to benefit children in Haiti by using the ArtReach Model to educate and train through via a structured and existing workshop.

LOCATION: Build relationships for advancing our position as a local and international leader in assisting the growth and development of children affected by trauma. Reconnect with current domestic partners to share our vision/mission, secure at least 3 new strategic community partners with the goal of helping ArtReach build capacity, credibility, and obtain access to funding & programmatic opportunities, secure at least 3 strategic corporate partners to help generate market awareness and capital, establish process and rules for identifying locations suitable for programs, establish rules of engagement for identified location/s, establish process for Board review and approval for new program decisions, ensure the opportunity meets objectives and capacity/load balancing across initiatives.
RESEARCH: Document The ArtReach Model through outcomes research as it relates to the efficacy of blended creative arts therapies, identify strategic partnerships with key research institutions and university partners, identify and target financial stakeholders specifically interested in funding our research, design, create rigorous investigative studies using The ArtReach Model, collect, review, and analyze efficacy data, communicate results of efficacy and validity data to stakeholders, expand investigation across various populations and settings. TRAINING: Develop or partner with national and internationally recognized certificate training curriculum which blends creative expressive arts therapies into a unified model, become a valid provider of CEU/CME credits, either through self-development or partnership with recognized organizations that lead in art therapy (such as drama, music, dance, art, and mental-health professions), develop alliances with established credentialing/degree programs to validate our approach, in turn providing them with operational capabilities and international contacts, expand opportunities to existing CAT therapists who can leverage the ArtReach training program to practice their craft, thereby becoming a feeder/distribution model for other organizations, establish a process for Board review and approval of training program expansions, build a global network of resources trained in The ArtReach Model (train the trainer), ensure that training events have defined, specific objectives that fit our financial goals.

The ArtReach Model draws upon the creative expressive arts conducted within a “safe space” as a means to mitigate traumatic anxiety, express grief, and facilitate the healing process. ArtReach can enter a region when several criteria are met: (1) primary relief agencies have been active in the region; (2) other relief organizations have been working effectively in the region for a specified period of time; (3) an infrastructure has been reestablished and security and rule of law is securely in place; and (4) a partnership has been established with an organization that has identified the need for the ArtReach program and a site for delivery. ArtReach is proficient in these tasks. The Core Leadership Group (CLG) is responsible for creating culturally sensitive programs and for selecting the team members. The criteria for serving on the CLG are the following: (1) academic credentials and professional licensure or certification; (2) experience in one or more of the following: clinical psychology, developmental psychology, trauma, public health, creative expressive arts, group process, adult training and supervision, education and research. A “team” includes, but are not be limited to, university interns, volunteers, logisticians, research assistants, documentarians and videographers. Each team includes at least one member of the CLG who will serve as the Team Leader. Entering a region, and working with Key Community Leaders and Stakeholders to create a curriculum reflective of the culture. Subsequently, they can then teach an intensive orientation for team members. Throughout an onsite program, the team meets daily to process, assess and adjust the content as needed. Through workshops ArtReach teaches communities, health care providers, educators, social workers, families, caregivers, and individuals to integrate creative expressive therapeutic arts and group therapy processes into their work with children. An ArtReach team identifies potential regional trainers. The ArtReach team later observes these candidates in their classroom or work settings, using The ArtReach Model, as quality assurance. The trainer candidates selected then invite to participate in the ArtReach Train-the-Trainers program. ArtReach continues provides ongoing, onsite supervision and mentoring for these trainers until they are able to continue the work on their own.

Over the next five years, ArtReach will continue to further prove The ArtReach Model. ArtReach will seek strategic partnerships with key research institutions and university partners to create rigorous investigative studies using The ArtReach Model. Over time we will expand investigation across various populations and settings (e.g., change the variables and demonstrate adaptability). ArtReach believes documenting the efficacy of our model will be a significant asset in future grant, foundation, and corporate funding as ArtReach grows.