Friendship Confidence Program FAQs
What is the Friendship Confidence™ Program and how does it help build social skills and confidence?
The Friendship Confidence™ Program is a structured and supportive program that helps children, teens, and adults strengthen their social skills, build genuine friendships, and boost confidence through guided activities, games, and discussions.
Each session provides a safe, encouraging space to practice real-life social interaction skills that help participants thrive at school, home, and in the community.
Who is the Friendship Confidence™ Program designed for?
This program is perfect for students who:
➡️ Want to make new friends but find it challenging
➡️ Feel shy, anxious, or socially awkward
➡️ Want to improve communication and self-confidence
➡️ Have or don’t have diagnosed disabilities — everyone is welcome!
Our groups are inclusive and designed to support all students in a positive, judgment-free environment.
What age groups can join the Friendship Confidence™ Program?
We currently offer Friendship Confidence™ groups for:
➡️ Grades 6–8
➡️ Teens (Grades 9–12)
➡️ Adults (ages 18–30)
We’re also working on creating a group for ages 30+!
What outcomes can my child expect from joining the Friendship Confidence™ Program?
Participants can expect to see significant improvements in their social skills, including better communication and interaction with peers. Our Friendship Confidence groups are designed to help individuals build meaningful friendships, which can be incredibly rewarding for those who struggle to connect with others.
Many of our participants also experience a boost in self-esteem and confidence, leading to a greater sense of belonging and happiness. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where every child feels valued and empowered to succeed socially.
How do you determine which Friendship Confidence™ group is the best fit for my child?
We determine group placements based on age, social skill level, and individual needs. This process involves an initial assessment to ensure each participant is placed in a group where they can thrive and benefit the most.
What happens during a typical Friendship Confidence™ session?
Each 90-minute session includes a mix of:
➡️ Guided social skill-building activities
➡️ Interactive games and group discussions
➡️ Real-world social practice in a supportive setting
Sessions are designed to help participants strengthen communication, teamwork, empathy, and problem-solving—all while having fun and connecting with peers.
How many participants are in each Friendship Confidence™ group?
Each Friendship Confidence group is limited to a small number of participants to ensure personalized attention and effective interaction. The exact number varies by group but typically ranges from 4 to 8 students, with most groups having around 6 students.
What qualifications do your Friendship Confidence™ instructors have?
Our Friendship Confidence™ instructors are highly qualified professionals with backgrounds in education, special education, and social skills training. Many hold advanced degrees and have extensive experience working various types of learners, including with individuals with disabilities.
What happens when my child ages out of their current Friendship Confidence™ group?
When a participant ages out of their current group, we provide options for transitioning to the next appropriate age group. We work closely with families to ensure a smooth and supportive transition.
When are Friendship Confidence™ sessions held?
Friendship Confidence™ sessions take place weekly, year-round (excluding holidays). Specific days and times vary by group.
Where does the Friendship Confidence™ Program take place?
Our Friendship Confidence group sessions are held at our main location, 3836 Richmond Ave, lower level, 10312, Staten Island, N.Y. We also offer virtual options for those who prefer or require remote participation.
How long does the Friendship Confidence™ Program run for?
Our sessions are held weekly, excluding holidays. We meet year-round. Specific days and times vary by group.
How much does the Friendship Confidence™ Program cost per month?
We charge a flat monthly fee of $459 for our Friendship Confidence groups. This fee typically covers 4-5 sessions per month, ensuring a predictable and consistent cost for parents and guardians.
The flat fee structure not only simplifies budgeting but also provides your child with a valuable, consistent social learning experience without any unexpected changes in cost.
Can I use Self-Direction (SD) funds for the Friendship Confidence™ Program?
Yes, we can accept Self-Direction (SD) funds if your agency approves social skills classes for reimbursement. Please check with your Financial Intermediary (FI) for more information. If they approve it, we can either accept SD directly or complete any necessary paperwork for you to receive reimbursement.
If you wish to register for a Friendship Confidence group but do not yet have approval or reimbursement set up through your agency, you will need to pay out of pocket initially. Once you have reimbursement set up, we can provide any documentation your agency needs to reimburse you for the sessions you have already paid for.
What if my child misses a Friendship Confidence™ session—do we still pay the full monthly rate?
Yes, the flat-rate plan accounts for the occasional missed sessions. This helps us maintain a stable group environment and keeps your child’s spot secure.
Please note: We do not offer refunds for missed or canceled sessions.
How can I register my child for the Friendship Confidence™ Program?
Registering for a Friendship Confidence™ group involves a few simple steps:
➡️Complete Our Intake Form: Start by filling out our interest form. Our team will carefully review the information you submitted to determine if we have a current group that could be a good fit based on age and social goals.
➡️ Initial Contact: A team member will reach out to inform you if your child qualifies for a trial session.
➡️ Trial Session: If we find a potential match, we’ll schedule a free trial session to observe how the participant engages with the group and assess their comfort level.
Within 24 hours after the trial session, we will notify you via email to let you know if the group is a good fit for your participant. Should you decide to move forward, we will send a registration form to be completed along with an invoice, which needs to be paid in full to secure your spot. If the group isn’t the right match, we’ll add your participant to our priority waitlist and notify you when a better-fitting group becomes available.
What happens if my child misses a Friendship Confidence™ session?
If your child misses a session due to illness, vacation, or any other reason, don't worry. You will still receive an email overview of what was covered during the session to keep you informed. We will ensure your child catches up in the following week.
Please note that we do not offer refunds for missed sessions. The occasional missed session is already factored into our monthly flat fee. We strongly encourage regular attendance to help your child get the most out of their time with us. Consistent attendance is crucial for their progress and the benefit of the entire group. Frequent absences may lead to removal from the group to maintain consistency for all members.
Are parents allowed to stay during Friendship Confidence™ sessions?
Parents are welcome for drop-off and pick-up but must leave once the session starts to ensure privacy and comfort for participants.
After each session, parents receive a summary email from the Friendship Confidence™ teacher and can reply with any follow-up questions.
Do students have opportunities to make friends outside of the Friendship Confidence™ sessions?
Yes, while we do not plan outings for the students, we highly encourage parents to exchange contact information with each other using our parent email thread. After a few months in the group, our social group teacher will help students create their own group chat, which they can use to plan outings and social activities.
Many of our Friendship Confidence students end up planning birthday celebrations together, outings to the movies or mall, hangouts at their houses, and other social events after getting to know each other in our groups. This helps reinforce the skills learned during sessions and allows for continued social development and friendship building. If there are any issues during hangouts outside of group sessions, they can be addressed during the next social group session.
How can I share feedback or suggestions about the Friendship Confidence™ Program?
We value your feedback and suggestions. Please feel free to share your ideas with us by completing our suggestion form here.