A Center for Grieving Children & Teens

1. A Center for Grieving Children & Teens Kathleen Cramer Managing Director, Ele’s Place Peggy Galimberti, LMSW, ACSW Program Director, Ele’s Place

2. Ele’s Place • Established in 1991 in honor of Ele Stover, who died in 1989 at the age of 11 months. • Ele’s mom, Betsy Stover, looking for support for Ele’s siblings. • Mission – to create awareness and support for grieving children and their families. • Provide peer support groups for families with children 3-18, and young adults. • Parent/Caregiver Groups – • Peer support- individually and regarding parenting grieving children • Psychoeducation – facilitators provide info about grief and development as needed. • www.elesplace.org

3. Ele’s Place Services in Ann Arbor We run 17 free weekly support groups for grieving children ages 3- 18 (and YA) and their parent/ caregivers. Kids groups are divided by age and developmental level; Adult groups by type of loss. Our population is any child or teen who has experienced the death of someone significant to them. (Not loss due to divorce, deployment, etc.) Support groups are on-going and are held on Monday and Tuesday evenings. (Wednesdays also starting in October).

4. Ele’s Place Services, cont. • Ele’s Group (8 week school- based sessions). • Assistance and support with crisis situations in schools and other similar settings. • Consultation/ Collaboration: • Free resource and referral assistance on the phone. • Telephone consultation to individuals, families, and professionals re- grief related issues. • Staff are available to talk to your agency’s staff about children’s grief.

5. Loss is common 1 in 20 students will experience the death of a parent by the age of 18. Before the age of 20, 9/10 people will experience the death of someone important in their lives. It is likely that you work with grieving individuals and families every day, even if you are not aware of it.

6. Basic Premises Grief is a normal reaction to any loss (people, places and things). Grief is unique to each person, and is a life-long process. Grief does not progress in an orderly or predictable manner. Every person has the capacity to heal, given an emotionally safe environment .

9. Providing support to a grieving person Be present and authentic Listen more, talk less Avoid trying to “cheer up” the person Allow emotional expression Show empathy Stop harmful or dangerous behaviors

11. Common Times People Re- experience Loss Holidays- birthday, anniversary of the death, mother’s/ father’s day. Transitions to a new grade or school. Special events- concerts, sporting events, prom, awards ceremonies, graduations. Grief triggers- songs, smells, places that remind them of their person.

12. Grief reactions of concern Continued problems at school or work Difficulty participating in regular daily activities Increased aggressiveness or ongoing angry outbursts Excessive guilt Depression Social withdrawal and isolation Self destructive behaviors Suicidal thoughts

13. Referral information Call Ele’s Place at (734) 929- 6640. Note- We are not a crisis center- our practice is to return family calls within one business day. Families seeking support will need to contact us directly. Professionals are invited to call for information/ consultation. www.elesplace.org

14. Questions?