Introducing from Bellis…
Stronger Together Peer Support Model™ Facilitator Training Program

Compassionate Support for People Whose Children Are Parented by Others

At Bellis, we provide grief support to women and men whose children are parented by others—primarily due to termination of parental rights, transfer of legal custody, foster care, custody disputes, parental alienation, and similar circumstances. Our programming supports these individuals who are experiencing ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief. Bellis is the only organization in the country offering this unique form of care.

Our approach reduces shame and isolation, and helps participants experience:

  • Reduced anxiety

  • Stronger identity and connection

  • A greater sense of self-worth

Our Reach and Partnerships

Bellis currently offers 6 weekly online peer support groups, reaching participants across:

  • 47 out of 50 U.S. states

  • Canada

  • The United Kingdom

We also partner with several organizations in Minnesota serving similar populations, including:

  • Northwest Indian Community Development Center

  • Hennepin County Adult Probation Services

  • Hennepin County Project CHILD

  • Minnesota Correctional Facility – Shakopee

Our weekly groups are funded by individual donations and grants as we grow our national partnerships using our proprietary Stronger Together Peer Support Model™, owned and operated by Bellis.

A Model That Works: Minnesota Correctional Facility – Shakopee

One of our longest program partnerships is at Minnesota Correctional Facility – Shakopee, where we are working to replicate our success nationwide.

With support from the University of Minnesota Medical School and a grant from the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Bellis is studying the impact of our programming on the mental health of incarcerated women.

What Participants Are Saying:

“When I’m in this group, I’m not in prison.”

Results from Shakopee Participants:

  • 100% feel supported by their peers

  • 78% report gaining tools to process grief

  • 67% say it helped them process family-related feelings

  • 100% would attend again

Lori Timlin, Parenting Coordinator at MCF-Shakopee, explains:

“Many women identify the loss of their children as a trigger for drug use and criminal involvement. They have not had an opportunity to therapeutically address the guilt and shame. Those who participated are visibly lighter, having gained a sense of hope and greater control over their futures.”

A New Opportunity for Your Organization

After four years of development, research, and implementation, we are proud to offer the Bellis Stronger Together Peer Support™ Facilitator Training Program to organizations across the country.

This new model allows organizations to train their own licensed professionals (social workers, therapists, or parent educators) to deliver Bellis Stronger Together Peer Support™ groups internally.

Training Includes:

  • A two-day facilitator training with CEUs

  • The Bellis Stronger Together Peer Support™ manual

  • Ongoing access to our online portal with videos, message boards, and updates

  • A dedicated support line for one-on-one help

  • Quarterly facilitator community meetings

  • Annual observation and support from Bellis staff

  • Access to the Annual Bellis Conference with program updates and CEU opportunities

Let’s Connect

If you believe Bellis Stronger Together Peer Support™ programming could enhance your organization’s services, we welcome you to contact us.

📞 Call: 952-207-0001
📧 Email: kellyt@mybellis.org

– Kelly Tronstad
Executive Director, Bellis