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School Support Group Services

“Support groups provide a warm, sheltered environment in which bereaved children and teens can mourn. Feelings understood by their peers and effective adult leaders bring down barriers between the bereaved child and the world outside. Support groups foster the experience of trusting and being trusted and have the potential of doing wonders in meeting the needs of bereaved children.”  

  Alan Wolfelt, PhD, Healing the Bereaved Child  

 

The Center for Loss and Bereavement is committed to strengthening resilience for students, families, and school personnel impacted by loss. In PA, 1 in 11 youth will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the age of 18. For those of school age, it can affect academic progress, social and emotional development, and produce behavioral responses which may interrupt the ability to fully function successfully within a school environment.   

In addition to on-site counseling and group services, the Center strives to expand support to our community by bringing off-site programming to the school environment. Whether a single event or a weekly support group, our staff brings specialized knowledge and experience of working with grieving youth to offer a program of support, tailored to meet the needs of this specific population.  

How often do groups take place?
  • 6-session meeting structure of 40-60 minutes each, individually tailored for 1x/wk, every other week, or 1x/month, held at the school or campus 
  • Group dates and time slots, reviewed and confirmed with your organization’s calendars (special attention to half-days, professional in-service days, holidays, conferences, etc.)
  • Group dates and times confirmed with the Center
How much does an in-school group cost?
Who facilitates the group?
Facilitated by staff of the Center for Loss and Bereavement who specialize in grief and children’s bereavement support   
What can be expected in a group?
  • Up to 10 students per group, based on age 
  • All materials provided by the Center 
  • Discussion and hands-on activities, customized to the needs and interests expressed by each unique group, explore experiences, feelings, coping strategies, memories, and continuing bonds in a semi-structured format 
  • Grief support resources and information for caregivers for continued services, if applicable 

 

What does my school need to provide?

          • A designated school liaison who serves as planning coordinator and appoints school counselor for students follow up as needed 
          • Screening of students who meet group participation criteria and caregiver permission 
          • Arrange private meeting space appropriate to the confidential nature of grief topics 
          • Signed Agreement for Services provided by the Center 
          • Offer feedback following the conclusion of the group 

Links to Review

Agreement Form– Provides detail of terms for what the Center will provide and what is expected to be provided by the school. Please review before requesting to schedule a group. After a group/event is scheduled, this form will be sent for electronic signatures indicating agreement by both parties. 
Caregiver Email for School Groups (1) – A sample example of a letter/email that can accompany the Registration/Permission form sent to parent/guardian. 
Group Participant Screening Suggestions – Helpful suggestions to use when recruiting potential students for a grief support group 
Registration/Permission Form – A copy of the Center’s Permission Form which will need to be completed by parent/guardian through link or attachment sent by designated school staff. 
School Group Flyer – For use in publicizing to potential students  

Next Steps

Yes, Our School Would Like to Have a Support Group

Please complete this form to provide contact information and approximate dates and times available for a group. You will be contacted upon submitting. 
Interest / Availability Form

Maybe, Our School Would Like More Information Before We Decide

If you are undecided about scheduling a group, please complete this form and a staff member will reach out to you.

Request for Information Form

What Others Have Said…

“The format made learning about grief and its components move from scary to comfortable. It was so helpful to learn about what grievers need from us. I feel more comfortable in bringing up grief with those I work with”. School Training Participant

“I cannot thank the team at the Center enough for…  providing desperately needed support for our students who have lost a loved one and continue to have exposure to trauma regularly. The students in the group were able to make connections with other students that have experienced loss and were able to learn how to express and cope with their grief. The students truly gained so much from the group that would not have been otherwise possible for them.”
School Counselor

Additional Information

School Services Brochure

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Ph: 610-222-4110
Fax: 610-222-4116

3847 Skippack Pike
P.O. Box 1299
Skippack, PA 19474

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