Case Study:
NOLA Family
Courthouse
A space to help some
of the neediest
The Background
Sharon McLane and Kristyn Carver of the NOLA Family
Courthouse in Covington, LA reached out to Fun and
Function to help them build a sensory room. The room
would be used to help kids remain calm and engaged
while waiting for hearings in the family courthouse.
Kristyn is a Training and Support Specialist who works
to preserve foster and adoptive families and assists with
the skills kids need to connect with caregivers and build
healthy attachments. As a foster and adoptive mother
of 3 kids from challenging backgrounds, she recognizes
the importance of trauma-informed services to helpease
the stresses of the foster system.
In the last few years, the state recognized the need for
trauma-informed services for kids, which would establish
safe settings that provide kids and families with a sense of
security. The court system wanted to be a part of this
movement as well. Several judges expressed the desire to
have a sensory-friendly space for children and teens
waiting for hearings.
The Vision
Many of the kids in the courthouse are in the foster
care system after experiencing a great deal of hurt,
loss and trauma. Court days can be especially stressful.
Sharon and Kristyn wanted to have a room where kids
would have a safe and calm place to wait. They also
hoped that this room would serve as an inspiration to
other courts of how they can create a great sensory
space with limited room and a reasonable budget.
The Challenge
The Fun and Function team had to work with a tight
timeline to meet the goal of completing the project
before National Adoption Day, when members of the
media were expected to attend and would be able to
see the finished product. They also had to strategically
make the best use of the small space, less than 150
square feet, allocated by the courthouse.
The Process
Step 1: Choosing the Sensory Tools
The goal of the room was to create a safe and calming environment, so the team focused on products that wouldn’t over-stimulate the kids.
The team chose several seating options that provide soothing
sensory input. The SensaSoft™ Vibrochair relaxes kids,
helping calm the body. Vibrations from the chair act like a
gentle massage. It is the perfect seat for kids to chill out and
unwind. When kids sit in the Cozy Canoe, they get a calming
hug of deep pressure. The Beanbag Chairs are great for
reading, playing or just relaxing. The SensaSoft™ Squeezie
Seat gently squeezes and applies pressure.
The team added soothing visual elements as well. The
Waterless LED Color Column is great for calming anxious
kids as they watch the colors change. The shatterproof
SensaSoft™ Curved Mirrors with their cushioned frames
are a great addition to the room, augmenting the visual
effects of the light tube. Kids can manipulate the strands
of the calming Fiber Optic Lights even wrap themselves in
them. Gel Floor Tiles offer visual input as kids mush and
squish the colorful tiles.
The Weighted Disc blanket provides proprioceptive input for
a grounding effect that helps kids calm and focus. It’s perfect
for shared use as it’s easy to wipe clean!
Step 2: Design & Layout
The End Result
Children visiting the courthouse are going through
a difficult time in their young lives. The sensory room
gives them a chance to take a break and destress and
can help make their visit a more positive experience.
Case Study:
NOLA Family
Courthouse
A space to help some
of the neediest
The Background
Sharon McLane and Kristyn Carver of the NOLA Family Courthouse in Covington, LA reached out to Fun and Function to help them build a sensory room. The room would be used to help kids remain calm and engaged while waiting for hearings in the family courthouse. Kristyn is a Training and Support Specialist who works to preserve foster and adoptive families and assists with the skills kids need to connect with caregivers and build healthy attachments. As a foster and adoptive mother of 3 kids from challenging backgrounds, she recognizes the importance of trauma-informed services to help ease the stresses of the foster system. In the last few years, the state recognized the need for trauma-informed services for kids, which would establish safe settings that provide kids and families with a sense of security. The court system wanted to be a part of this movement as well. Several judges expressed the desire to have a sensory-friendly space for children and teens waiting for hearings.
The Vision
Many of the kids in the courthouse are in the foster care system after experiencing a great deal of hurt, loss and trauma. Court days can be especially stressful. Sharon and Kristyn wanted to have a room where kids would have a safe and calm place to wait. They also hoped that this room would serve as an inspiration to other courts of how they can create a great sensory space with limited room and a reasonable budget.
The Challenge
The Fun and Function team had to work with a tight timeline to meet the goal of completing the project before National Adoption Day, when members of the media were expected to attend and would be able to see the finished product. They also had to strategically make the best use of the small space, less than 150 square feet, allocated by the courthouse.
The Process
Step 1: Choosing the Sensory Tools
The goal of the room was to create a safe and calming environment, so the team focused on products that wouldn’t over-stimulate the kids.
The team chose several seating options that provide soothing sensory input. The SensaSoft™ Vibrochair relaxes kids, helping calm the body. Vibrations from the chair act like a gentle massage. It is the perfect seat for kids to chill out and unwind. When kids sit in the Cozy Canoe, they get a calming hug of deep pressure. The Beanbag Chairs are great for reading, playing or just relaxing. The SensaSoft™ Squeezie Seat gently squeezes and applies pressure.
The team added soothing visual elements as well. The Waterless LED Color Column is great for calming anxious kids as they watch the colors change. The shatterproof SensaSoft™ Curved Mirrors with their cushioned frames are a great addition to the room, augmenting the visual effects of the light tube. Kids can manipulate the strands of the calming Fiber Optic Lights even wrap themselves in them. Gel Floor Tiles offer visual input as kids mush and squish the colorful tiles.
The Weighted Disc blanket provides proprioceptive input for a grounding effect that helps kids calm and focus. It’s perfect for shared use as it’s easy to wipe clean!
Step 2: Design & Layout
The End Result
Children visiting the courthouse are going through a difficult time in their young lives. The sensory room gives them a chance to take a break and destress and can help make their visit a more positive experience.
