“No child should have to feel alone in
grief”
&
Tina MartinezVP of Program [email protected]
Brook Griese, [email protected]
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
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