Foster Care Training

Common issues for grieving children will be explored, including factors affecting grief and the grief response, how grief is expressed at various ages and stages of development, needs of grieving children, and considerations for varied religious and cultural backgrounds. A variety of creative & expressive art techniques will be presented that social workers can utilize throughout the stages of bereavement. Participants will have the opportunity to explore some of activities experientially, utilizing hands-on materials and creative techniques appropriate for use with children ages 6-17. The workshop will also provide participants with strategies for assisting parents/caregivers in talking to children about death, and resources for caregivers and social workers to assist children and families through their grief journey. Workshop content will be applicable to social workers that work with grieving youth & families in the child welfare system and/or probation system because the techniques presented in this workshop can be utilized and adapted for work in a variety of settings and with individuals, groups, and families. Children in the child welfare system may have experienced many different kinds of losses throughout their lives & a strong background in grief can support social workers & other staff to utilize a grief framework/lens in which to conceptualize cases & provide needed support through a variety of interventions.