The Sibshops Standards of Practice
A simple web search for “Sibshop” results in thousands of hits. In addition to the wonderful community-based Sibshops that are being run in almost every state and in countries from Argentina to New Zealand, Sibshops are increasingly being offered as part of state and national conferences and as an adjunct to parent support groups throughout the US and elsewhere.
While we are truly pleased that there is such interest in the model, we need to protect young sibs by making sure that when parents send their children to a Sibshop, they are sending them to a program that is true to the spirit and goals of the model.
To this end, we have worked with long-time Sibshop facilitators in drafting Standards of Practice for programs wishing to become a registered Sibshop and use the (trademarked) Sibshop name, a “sound-alike” name (e.g., “Sib Shop”) or the Sibshop logo. We are grateful to the members of the Sibshop Standards of Practice Committee for helping us with this important project.
Please download the Sibshops Standards of Practice and distribute to each adult facilitator of your Sibshop program and extra copies for any staff members who may join your program. Please review the Standards with the other Sibshop facilitators and administrators, and be sure to register your Sibshop online as discussed at the end of this document. If you have questions along the way, please do not hesitate to write or call.
Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to work through this document and thanks for understanding the need for high standards in our efforts to provide brothers and sisters with peer support and information.
One final note: As a Sibshop facilitator or administrator, you likely offer Sibshops in addition to many other responsibilities. Still, you and your colleagues find time in your busy schedules and lives because you care deeply about brothers and sisters and their concerns. Local providers like you–who are making a difference in the lives of sibs on a daily basis–are our heroes. We can’t thank you enough for what you are doing for the brothers and sisters in your community. Please let us know how we may support your important work.
All the Best,
Emily Holl, Director
Sibling Support Project
16120 NE 8th Street Bellevue, WA 98008
425-362-6421
emilyholl@siblingsupport.org