Introduction to Grief Support Series | When One Grieves, We All Grieve: Family Systems-Informed Strategies for Grief Support

Introduction to Grief Support Series | When One Grieves, We All Grieve: Family Systems-Informed Strategies for Grief Support

This webinar is part of an ongoing series that will provide a foundation of introductory information for anyone working with or providing support to children, teens, and families who may be grieving. This series is not progressive; sessions can be viewed in any order.

When one member of a family is grieving, the entire system feels the ripple. Family systems theory reminds us that families don’t just contain grief—they express it, shape it, and sometimes even silence it across generations. For grief professionals, recognizing these dynamics opens the door to more holistic and sustainable healing.

This interactive, intermediate-level workshop explores strategies rooted in family systems theory. Through reflection, dialogue, and experiential activities, participants will learn to recognize family patterns, support healthier communication, explore intergenerational grief, foster flexibility in disrupted roles, and build rituals that honor culture and memory. They will leave with adaptable strategies for diverse settings and a renewed lens for seeing grief as a collective journey.

members only iconThis playback is available to active NACG members only.

Members must be logged into the member portal to access the playback. 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 →

 

Continuing Education (CE) credits are not available for webinar playbacks.
Target Audience: Students, interns, individuals entering the field of childhood bereavement, new staff members, new counselors, group facilitators, volunteers, anyone who wants to invest in their practice.
Instructional Level: Basic – This best describes a topic or issue that the prospective audience is encountering for the first time in a meaningful way.
Format: Live Interactive Webinar

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify and describe common grief roles within families and their impact on the system.
  • Apply family systems–informed strategies to strengthen communication and boundaries in grieving families.
  • Facilitate rituals and practices that promote shared meaning-making across diverse cultural contexts.

 

Speaker Bios:

Annette Mendez is a certified grief educator through David Kessler and the Training & Curriculum Manager at Good Grief. Raised in Newark as a first-generation college graduate, she earned her B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies from Montclair State University and a Master’s Certification in Developmental Models for Autism Intervention. Annette is also a Certified Child Development Specialist, with experience as an educator and as Special Services/Mental Health Coordinator for Head Start programs in Morris County. She brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work with grieving families.

Ariana Locascio is the Senior Family Services Manager at Good Grief. She has experience in hospital, mental health, and nonprofit settings, including work as a Child Life Specialist and Case Manager. A former volunteer facilitator at Good Grief, she joined the staff in 2021. In her current role, she orients new families, facilitates groups, and supervises staff, serving as the first point of contact for families beginning their grief journey. Ariana’s passion is helping others and building supportive spaces where healing is possible.

 

Empowering Schools to Sustain Grief Support: A Train-the-Trainer Model for Lasting Change

In this session, we will explore how Good Grief and the Trenton School District have partnered to build sustainable grief peer support systems within schools, proving that the “train-the-trainer” model is both feasible and effective. Grief centers are often hesitant to allow schools to implement peer support programs and curriculum due to concerns about fidelity and long-term impact. However, by equipping schools with the right training, resources, and ongoing support, we have seen firsthand how this approach can become embedded in the school culture, making a lasting difference in the way grief is addressed.

This presentation will walk attendees through our partnership journey, showcasing the strategic steps we took to ensure school personnel were prepared to adapt our resources to their unique communities. We’ll highlight the importance of customizing grief support to fit the specific needs of each school, shifting the focus from external service providers to internal champions who can lead these efforts long after the initial training.

Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how the train-the-trainer model not only ensures fidelity but also empowers schools to take ownership of grief support, fostering resilience and shifting how grief is talked about within their communities. This model offers an adaptable, scalable approach to making grief support a permanent and transformative part of school culture.

members only iconThis playback is available to active NACG members only.

Members must be logged into the member portal to access the playback. 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 →

 

Continuing Education (CEs) Available: 1.5 hours
Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support professionals, school professionals
Instructional Level: Basic – This best describes a topic or issue that the prospective audience is encountering for the first time in a meaningful way
Format: Live Interactive Webinar

 

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Define the Train-the-Trainer Model.
  • Explore Strategies for Customizing Grief Support.
  • Identify Key Components for Sustainable Implementation.

 

Speaker Bio:

Evelynn Moon, MA,  has over 15 years of experience training thousands of educators and professionals on topics such as peer leadership, social emotional learning, empathy, self-care, and grief support.

At Good Grief, Evelynn works with schools and districts to enhance grief literacy through workshops, training, and curriculum. She prepares volunteers to lead peer support programs in the Family Centers, oversees virtual learning initiatives, and curates a monthly webinar series for continuing education. Evelynn is also a key organizer of the annual Good Grief Spring Symposium and contributed as a subject matter expert in developing the Good Grief Schools eLearning platform.

In addition to her role at Good Grief, Evelynn coaches clients at BetterUp, where she focuses on clients who are experiencing a transition and would benefit from non-judgmental support and accountability.

Before joining Good Grief, Evelynn worked in Social Emotional Learning, Mentorship, Peer Leadership, DEIB in Schools, and Comprehensive Sex Education with the Center for Supportive Schools.

 

Melda Grant, MA, EdS, holds a BA in Sociology from Howard University, an MA in Counseling from Rider University, and an Ed.S. Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The College of New Jersey.  She is currently employed with the Trenton BOE as the Coordinator of the Trenton School Based Youth Services Program.

Ms. Grant has developed programming, which has included youth, inmates, and communities religious congregations, and the community at-large.  She has traveled extensively serving as Master Trainer of educators and community service providers for various State Departments of Health, including the U.S. Virgin Islands.  She has also served as a Facilitator for the New Jersey Human Development Corporation’s Project Rebuild – Family to Family Program.

Ms. Grant is a Fellow of Leadership Trenton, Chartering President of the Howard University Alumni Club of Metropolitan Trenton, Member of Chi Sigma Iota, Chartering Member and Health Committee Chair of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Central New Jersey Chapter, a Member of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, and a graduate of the 5th New Jersey State Police Citizen’s Academy.  She is also certified as a teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) Instructor.

 

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Supported by the philanthropic investment
of the New York Life Foundation.