Children’s Grieving Services
Thriving Families Grief Support Group: Building Resilience
The Thriving Families Grief Support Group promotes healing by providing an opportunity for youth to express their thoughts, verbalize their feelings, and share their experience of grief.
The Thriving Families Grief Support Group serves Orange and Sullivan County residents by providing an opportunity for youth to express their thoughts, verbalize their feelings, and share their experiences of grief.
This specialized support group promotes healing by providing an opportunity for children and youth ages 6 through 13 to express their thoughts, verbalize their feelings, and share their experience of grief. The program includes art, music, books. discussions. and videos.
Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc. understands the differences in the developmental stages of children and youth, especially as they pertain to grief counseling. Special curriculums have been developed for distinct children/youth age groups to address respective developmental levels and teach coping skills.
During the Children/Youth Portion, children will be provided with structured activities with weekly themes and topics. Family involvement is important in supporting children/youth in their grief. Therefore, family involvement is highly encouraged. We do ask that only people who are registered for the program, participate in the groups.
Children/Youth-Portion groups meet 3 times on select Mondays. Each session runs for 60 minutes. Classes are currently being held virtually, and we ask that an adult be available to assist the child(ren) with starting and ending each session.
To fully serve the family, the Thriving Families Grief Support Group consists of two sessions: the main children/youth session and a separate adult session, in which guardians meet to discuss their children and learn ways to help them work through their grief. During the children/youth session, children are provided with themed, structured activities on specific topics. Family involvement is important in supporting children/youth in their grief. Only people who are registered can participate in the groups.
Parents and caretakers are invited to participate in the adult session, currently conducted on select Tuesdays via Zoom. This group offers opportunities to discuss the previous day’s children/youth session and any concerns regarding the child(ren). It also provides an outlet for adults to process their own grief. Adult group discussions cover a variety of subjects, including the emotional and physical impact that grief and loss have on both children and adults.
Thriving Families Grief Support Group Schedule
Registration:
Adults can register for Thriving Families Grief Support Group by calling the Bereavement Counselor, who will assist with registration requirements:
(845) 561-6111 ext 232
All children may participate in the Children/Youth Session. However, sessions may be specifically designed for a given developmental level.
Requirements:
- Family intake interview with clinician
- Consents to be completed:
- Telehealth consent – signed by an adult
- Thriving Families Grief Support Group – signed by adult
- Agreement to assist child(ren) in the program and compliance to Zoom Group parameters
Sessions:
Children/ Youth Sessions are Mondays from 6:00 – 7:00pm
Adult Sessions are Tuesdays from 6:00 – 7:00pm
Early Fall Series 2023:
Children/Youth Portion
- September 18
- October 02
- October 16
Adult Portion
- September 19
- October 03
- October 17
Later Fall Series 2023:
Children/Youth Portion
- November 06
- November 20
- December 04
Adult Portion
- November 07
- November 21
- December 05
Winter Series 2024:
Children/Youth Portion
- January 08
- January 22
- February 05
Adult Portion
- January 09
- January 23
- February 06
Early Spring Series 2024:
Children/Youth Portion
- February 26
- March 11
- March 25
Adult Portion
- February 27
- March 12
- March 26
Late Spring Series 2024:
Children/Youth Portion
- April 15
- April 29
- May 13
Adult Portion
- April 16
- April 30
- May 14