“No child should have to feel alone in

grief”

&

Tina MartinezVP of Program Servicestinam@bgcmd.org

Brook Griese, Ph.D.Co-Founderbrook@judishouse.org

The need for grief counseling at the Boys & Girls Clubs

3 Teen Suicides Rock Area

High Schools

Denver shooting: 3 people — including 2 children — found dead in home in

possible murder-suicide

Denver teen shot, killed,

family looks for answers

Man charged in stabbing death of 14-year-old girl

Denver Headlines

Impact on YouthDepression, suicidal ideationAnger, aggressionDisengagement from school,

family, and ClubRisky behaviorsAmplifies other issues

Our Solution

Why Judi’s House?Proven ProgrammingMental Health Clinicians with

Expertise in Grief CounselingProtocols in PlaceCulturally Competent Commitment to the

Communities We Serve

Why Club Sites Work Cultural Fear of Systems

• Mental Health• Law Enforcement• Health and Human Services

• Immigration

Safe Place/Trust Relationships with staff Consistency

Judi’s HouseNonprofit, community-based bereavement

center founded in 2001 in memory of Judith Ann Griese

Vision: A community in which no child has to feel alone in grief

Mission: To help children and families who are grieving the death of a loved one find hope and healing within themselves

Provide free, comprehensive grief care to approximately 1,000 individuals annually

Comprehensive Grief Care at Judi’s House•Assessment of Individualized Needs

•Pathfinders: 10-Week Bereavement Groups

•Connections: Continuous Grief Support Groups

•Specialized Groups (Spanish-Speaking, Suicide)

•Individual and Family Counseling & Therapy

•Care Coordination and Referrals for Additional Resources and Services

•Education, Training and Outreach

Overarching GoalsPromote resilience, growth and healthy

adjustment to loss

Prevent complications of unaddressed grief and trauma associated with the death

PathfindersStructured yet flexible, parallel curriculum

with separate developmentally-appropriate groups for each family member

Psychoeducation about grief and traumaCoping skillsCaregiving skills for adultsGroup and individual activities and discussions

for exploring grief and memorializingSharing and support among peers…and FUN!

Why Offer Services in Community?We will continue to exceed capacity within the

four walls of Judi’s HouseIt is estimated that over 30,000 youth in the

Denver Metro area will experience the death of a parent or sibling before the age of 18 (Judi’s House, 2013)

As income decreases, the likelihood of parental bereavement as a child increases substantially (www.childhealthdata.org)

Why Partner with Boys & Girls Clubs?Clubs easily accessible by youth in

“neighborhoods where they are needed most”—youth at increased risk of loss, trauma, and lack of resources & support

Safe, trusted, comfortable environment—home away from home

Caring adult role models

Why Partner with Boys & Girls Clubs?Encouragement of growth and potential, and

helping youth “make the most of their lives”Positive, productive outletsAfter school and evening hoursPrograms promoting health & life skillsConsistency, routines, clear expectationsFUN! (sports, games, art, etc.)

Services Provided by Judi’s House in Partnership with BGC

Education and training of BGC Metro Denver staff on childhood grief and trauma

Community dinners/workshops at Club to raise awareness of needs of grieving youth and available services

Pathfinders groups provided onsite at Club for children, teens & caregivers

Ongoing consultation and referrals

Lessons LearnedStructure AND Flexibility are Key:Adapt program to fit within culture of Club, and co-

create a safe space and structure for sharing

For most, first experience with counseling or support group--take time to establish rapport, trust and comfort

Prepare to support youth and families who have experienced multiple traumas, losses (including deportation, incarceration), stressors, chaos and violence in their homes and community

Lessons LearnedCarefully assess experiences and needs to

ensure safe and appropriate careAssess and address red flags (e.g., suicidality)Be aware of community and gang-related issuesPromote development of coping skills that can

be applied more generally to trauma, loss, & adversity

Involve parents/caregivers as much as possibleBring FOOD…and be sure to make time for FUN!

Next Steps Evaluate challenges and rewards and refine

partnership

Explore partnering with schools in community to identify youth not yet enrolled in BGC to participate in after-school or evening groups in the Clubs

Gather more thorough intake, post- and follow-up data to evaluate and measure impact of programs

Evaluate impact of educational workshops vs. support groups for parents/caregivers of grieving youth

Thank You!