What is the C.A.P.E. Program?

The Children and Parents Empowered (C.A.P.E.) Program provides free services from a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) to educate and support caregivers while promoting children’s well-being, healthy development, and positive coping during family transitions related to separation, divorce, and court involvement.

Who Can Participate?

Free services are available for:

• Parents who are expecting a baby
• Parents with a child age 1 year or younger
• Parents of a child who is neurodivergent or has medical complexities
• Children who are neurodivergent or have medical complexities

How the Child Life Specialist Supports Parents

The CCLS provides caregivers with education and practical strategies on:

• Infant cues and developmental milestones
• Creating consistent routines across households
• Supporting emotional regulation
• Healthy coping during family transitions
• Understanding the developmental and emotional needs of neurodivergent children and children with medical complexities
• Reducing stress throughout Court proceedings
• Building a safe, supportive environment where children can thrive

How the Child Life Specialist Supports Children

Children may receive:

• Developmentally appropriate play and therapeutic activities
• Opportunities for emotional expression
• Support in understanding family changes
• Individualized support for neurodivergent children and children with medical complexities
• Strategies to reduce stress during transitions

What is a Certified Child Life Specialist?

A CCLS is a healthcare professional with specialized training in child development who helps children and families cope with stressful experiences through education, play, and emotional support. CCLSs work in hospitals, schools, child advocacy centers, hospice and palliative care programs, camps, military settings, courts, and other community-based programs.

Our Goal

Using a trauma-informed approach, the CCLS at Summit County Domestic Relations Court aims to:

• Promote children’s well-being, healthy development, and growth
• Educate and empower parents with evidence-based child development information
• Strengthen the parent-child relationship
• Reduce stress during family transitions
• Help families leave Court feeling confident, informed, and equipped to support their child’s long-term success