Many communities lack accessible, culturally responsive grief support for children and teens. This session provides a practical, step-by-step framework for developing and sustaining community-based grief programs rooted in identity development, connection, and healing.

Drawing from the Identity Program model at Erin’s House for Grieving Children, this presentation will guide organizations through the process of building programs that meet youth where they are—emotionally, socially, and geographically. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to launch or expand programs that foster self-awareness, emotional expression, and peer support while strengthening community partnerships.

Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Not available for this webinar.
Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support professionals, school professionals
Instructional Level: Intermediate – This best describes a topic or issue that the audience likely has a theoretical foundation for understanding and/or a working knowledge
Format: Live Interactive Webinar

Cost: Free for NACG Members; $60 for Guests
Registration Deadline: January 14, 2027, at 11:59am ET.

Not currently a member? Become a NACG member today! Your membership will provide access to free monthly webinars with CEs on current topics to support you in your work, discounts on educational events, access to all webinar playbacks, and more. To learn more and become a member to access this webinar for no additional cost, visit HERE →

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Define countertransference in grief counseling and explain how a counselor’s own loss history may influence the therapeutic relationship with the client.
• Identify barriers and limitations in outreach.
• Understand the dynamics in the community service landscape.
• Build strategies that Identify key community stakeholders and to build strong collaborative partnerships.
• Create a successful outreach action plan.
• Measure program impact.

Speaker Bio:

Erick T. Baker, BS, has served as the Director of Outreach for Erin’s House for Grieving Children. In this role, he has managed and overseen multiple programs with over 300 children being served yearly. Erick also represents the organization at public outreach events, presentations, and crisis situations. As a strong advocate for community engagement, Erick consistently networks with other organizations, community stakeholders, and local government.

Erick holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs from Purdue University Fort Wayne and has 18 years of experience in the fire service. He also has a military background and a volunteer service record. Erick’s commitment to Erin’s House mission and grief work also earned him the Martin Luther King Community Service award in 2023 and the first Fort Wayne Fire Department’s Community service award in 2025.

Refund/cancellation policy: If you need to cancel your registration, please contact Megan Lopez at megan.lopez@childrengrieve.org or at (432) 288-4688. Please note that no refunds will be given.

To request accessibility accommodations: The National Alliance for Children’s Grief is committed to providing universal access to all our events. Please contact Megan Lopez at megan.lopez@childrengrieve.org or at (432) 288-4688 to request disability accommodations. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

System requirements: Participants must have access to a computer, tablet, or mobile device with a reliable internet connection, speakers and microphone, and a webcam for video participation. A device with at least a dual-core processor (2 GHz or higher), 4 GB of RAM, and 64-bit capability is recommended.