1. Bereavement Camps for Kids: Benefits and Challenges – February 1, 1:00-2:30pm ET
2. Bereaved Children & Adolescents: Lessons from Research – April 14, 1:00-2:30pm ET
3. Grieving Children & Adolescents: The Role of Internet Support – June 15, 1:00-2:30pm ET

The series will be hosted by nationally-known expert Kenneth Doka, Senior Bereavement Consultant to HFA.  The webinars will look at lessons learned, emerging trends, and how to use bereavement camps and other strategies to best serve grieving children in their communities.

For more information about topics, speakers, fees, and registration, please visit the HFA website page for Helping Children & Adolescents Cope with Grief & Loss Webinars.

We are also very proud to announce that the Hospice Foundation of America will be featuring artwork from The Children’s Room in their companion book and program for their 2010 National Bereavement Teleconference – Living with Grief: Cancer and End-of-Life Care.  To see the program cover, you can visit the HFA Teleconference page.

The Hospice Foundation of America provides education and information to help people cope with terminal illness, death, and the process of grief.  They offer resources for both professionals and individuals including brochures, books, dvds, webinars, and courses.

The Children’s Room Parents Council, a group of program alumni who are dedicated to our mission and to the support of peers, is offering a Sunday Night Discussion Series to create a forum for these conversations.  These discussions are open to the public, and there is no fee to attend.  We just ask that you RSVP.

All discussion groups will meet from 6:30-8:00 at our house in Arlington.  The next 2 topics in the series are:

Getting Through the Holidays After the Loss of a Loved One: November 8th
Holding on to traditions or letting go? How about creating “new” traditions? Come hear how others have found ways to get through some of the most difficult days and situations.

Dating and/or Remarriage After the Loss of a Spouse: January 10th
Listen to and discuss with others the complex issues around this decision — from finding the time to date, to bringing the children into the new relationship, to merging households.

Upcoming Discussions:
Helping Your Teenagers Through the Loss of  a Loved One: March 7
Your Changing Relationship to Your In-Laws After the Loss of Your Spouse: May 2

Please visit our calendar for a complete schedule.
For more information or to RSVP for a Discussion, please send email to info@childrensroom.org.

Christian’s Angels is a non-profit organization providing financial assistance to families in need after the death of a child.  Funds raised will also benefit the on-going water safety program of the CEF Foundation.

Friday, Februrary 13, 2009
6 pm to 11 pm
Location: Anthony’s of Malden
105 Canal Street, Malden, MA
Adults: $35 and children under 12 years: $20 (under 6 years of age, free)

The CEF foundation was created after the 2007 drowning death of 4 year old Christian. The CEF Foundation provides life jackets and flotation devices to all children at camps, lakes, beaches and town-run pools across Massachusetts. For more information and to learn more about the family’s efforts and advocacy around water safety, visit the CEF website at CEFfoundation.org.

The Annual State House Day sponsored by the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention takes place at the Massachusetts State House.

There will be networking and refreshments from 9am-10am and the program recognizing individuals and organizations that have had impact in suicide prevention begins at 10am in the Great Hall.  There has never been a more important time to remind legislative representatives of the importance of supporting suicide prevention. Your attendance will help deliver this important message.

For more information on local suicide prevention programs in Massachusetts, visit the Samaritans website.

Approximately15% of the children who attend The Children’s Room programs have experienced the suicide death of someone in their family.