Data and Evaluation Training Series #6: Program Evaluation Basics

Data and Evaluation Training Series #6: Program Evaluation Basics

Given limited resources and stretched capacity, data collection procedures and program evaluation strategies at the individual program level often fall short in terms of identifying gaps in service, areas for growth, and program impact. Today, philanthropic giving demands quantifiable return on investment in exchange for donations and grants. Combining nearly 20 years of experience in designing bereavement-focused evaluation protocols with the power of the CBEM, with philanthropic support provided by the New York Life Foundation and in collaboration with the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG), Judi’s House/JAG Institute offers a series of free trainings to share best practices in data collection and program evaluation.

In 2024-2027, JH/JAG will continue to support the field in growing their capacity for evaluation and data analysis. In this sixth workshop on Ethical Practices in Evaluation, participants will review the purpose of evaluation, learn about ethics in evaluation practice and research, and learn to map evaluation questions to evaluation surveys and measures.

The training structure includes a welcome/introduction, and for each objective:  content, polls, and examples. The presenters will utilize polls and reflections to engage participants in activities focused on the evaluation content and to orient participants to how they can apply learnings in their organization. Time will be allocated at the end of the session to review each of the three objectives, discuss plans for application of learnings, and answer participant questions.

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: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support 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

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the goals and purpose of evaluation and ethical practice.
  • Apply ethical principles to data collection practices.
  • Use measure mapping to accurately match data collection to evaluation goals.

 

Speaker Bios:

Maria Bartini, PhD, is the Evaluation Manager at Judi’s House/JAG Institute. With a doctoral degree in Life-Span Developmental Psychology from the University of Georgia, she has over 20 years’ experience teaching research methods, statistics, and child development at the college level. In her academic career, she also conducted evaluation research in schools, colleges, and youth sports organizations with the overarching goal of improving the lives of children and adolescents. In addition to heading the organization’s Childhood Bereavement Changemaker Initiative, Maria contributes to the evaluation and research activities at Judi’s House. Her work focuses on building evaluation/data utilization capacity in the field of childhood bereavement and evaluating the impact of Judi’s House services. She can be reached at mariab@judishouse.org.

Maddy Saunders, MS, works as a Research Associate at Judi’s House/JAG Institute. In her role, she helps lead the Childhood Bereavement Changemaker expansion, collaborating with organizations across the country to support implementation of data-informed strategies in decision-making, program implementation, and evaluation. Maddy holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology with concentrations in Evaluation Research and Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She can be reached at maddyv@judishouse.org.

 

New York Life Foundation logo

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

Introduction to Grief Support Series | Create Engaging and Meaningful Activities for Individual and Group Grief Support

The development of activities that effectively address the topic of grief aids in the retainment of grief-related education. The incorporation of activities can enhance the learning, growth, and connection that grief support provides. Participants will learn how to design and implement activities that are both interactive and therapeutic, as well as see examples. In addition, they will better understand the importance of incorporating current interests of youth into the activities for further engagement. Attendees will explore the various types of activities, including physical activities, artistic expression, and mindful practices. Also, participants will learn various ways to measure the effectiveness of their activities in age-appropriate ways. The session will equip attendees with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to enhance their grief care by incorporating activities into grief support.

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:

  • Develop interactive activities for children and teenagers that facilitate productive discussion.
  • Identify relevant trends and interests of youth to incorporate into activities and maximize engagement.
  • Create activities that foster expression by incorporating various art mediums and levels of instruction.
  • Apply developmentally appropriate modifications to activities to maximize comprehension and effectiveness.
  • Utilize a variety of activity types to ensure different types of learners are engaged.

 

Speaker Bios:

Laurel Neitling joined the team in July 2023 as the Circles of Hope Program Manager. She previously graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and minor in management, and she graduated with an MBA from Western Governor’s University in 2024. She previously volunteered with New Hope as a support group facilitator. She experienced the loss of her father as a young child, and that led to a passion for helping bereaved families get the support they need. Laurel has presented at numerous Grief Sensitivity Training sessions and the 2024 NACG Grief Conference. Laurel has had the privilege of watching many of our participants grow through their grief journeys, and she is grateful to work alongside such dedicated volunteers and staff members to offer grief support services to the bereaved.

 

CBEM Key Topic Report 2025: Examining Childhood Bereavement at the County Level

The Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) developed by Judi’s House/JAG Institute in partnership with the New York Life Foundation approximates rates of U.S. children and youth who will experience the death of a parent or sibling. Each year, Judi’s House releases CBEM Standard and Key Topic reports exploring childhood bereavement across the nation, in each state, and in relation to the intersection of childhood bereavement with associated factors such as race/ethnicity, cause of death, or household income. This webinar’s focus in on the 2025 CBEM Key Topic Report examining childhood bereavement in the United States at the county level.

Geography is associated with social and health outcomes in the U.S., including patterns of bereavement. Annual CBEM estimates produced at the state level show that childhood bereavement varies substantially across states. CBEM county level findings demonstrate considerable variation within states, as within state county differences can be vast. Webinar presenters will discuss the rational for producing county level bereavement estimates, describe the data and methods used to generate the results, and summarize findings. Possible reasons for disparities in bereavement estimates across counties, and their implications for families, community organizations, advocates, and policymakers will be discussed.

 

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 →

 

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:

  • Calculate the magnitude of difference in CBEM results between the counties with the lowest and highest childhood bereavement in U.S. states.
  • Summarize the common characteristics of high- and low-bereavement counties in the U.S. by identifying demographic statistics that can help contextualize the variations.
  • Propose practical strategies for understanding and addressing childhood bereavement in their communities and consider approaches to address communities with the highest needs.

 

Speaker Bio:

Jeff Lin, PhD, is the Director of Evaluation and Research of Judi’s House/JAG Institute. He has a passion for applying research evidence to develop public policies and practices that best serve the community. With decades of experience working in partnership with public and non-profit agencies, he has seen the impact that good research can have on people’s lives.

Jeff was a sociology professor for 15 years, focusing his research and teaching on addressing pressing public issues such as criminal justice and youth services reforms. This experience deeply informs his commitment to producing data and evidence that can help bereaved children and families.

 

Michaeleen (Micki) Burns, PhD, is the Chief Executive Officer at Judi’s House/JAG Institute (JH/JAG) and adjunct faculty at the University of Colorado. JH/JAG is a comprehensive family bereavement center in Metro Denver. She serves as the vice president of the U.S.-based National Alliance for Children’s Grief board of directors and is an advisor to Speaking Grief, a public media initiative seeking to improve the grief experience. A Licensed Psychologist with more than two decades of experience providing therapeutic assessment and support to families facing adversity, Micki has witnessed the lasting impact of unaddressed grief. Her practice is focused on supporting families who have experienced the loss of a child, and she specializes in working with those grieving suicide and overdose deaths. She is dedicated to ensuring appropriate care is available for all and raising childhood bereavement to a level of critical public importance. Before becoming the CEO, Micki oversaw the direct service, research, and training departments at JH/JAG, working towards a vision where no child is alone in grief.

 

New York Life Foundation logo

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

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.

 

New York Life Foundation logo

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

Introduction to Grief Support Series | Providing Long Term Grief Support versus Crisis Intervention

This session is designed to discuss immediate grief during a crisis and long-term grief, with a particular emphasis on the transitional aspects of this process. Session attendees will learn how to collaborate effectively with local partners who are able to provide immediate support to children and families in moments of crisis. There will be discussion about the importance of facilitating engagement and ensuring that families are properly guided through the transition to long-term grief care when a crisis first occurs.

The session will explore best practices in collaborating with partner organizations who are equipped to provide immediate crisis interventions, and in turn, how to train these partners to refer to bereavement centers where children and families will receive extended support system that addresses their evolving needs over time. This includes learning about CBC’s “Self Care After Loss” workshops in order for session attendees to be prepared to assist communities after the immediate crisis and support for children, teens, and their families in the long term. The evidence based techniques discussed during the session will help attendees learn how to best guide children and families from crisis to healing, while maintaining emotional and psychological support throughout the 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: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support 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

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the key characteristics of crisis intervention versus long-term grief support.
  • Explain how to build partnerships with organizations who are able to provide immediate crisis interventions.
  • Summarize the psychological and emotional processes children and teens immediately face in crisis versus overtime in the grieving journey.
  • Name self-care activities which can be practiced with children and teens in the months after a crisis.

 

 

Speaker Bios:

Julissa Reynoso, LMHC, serves as the Director of Programming for the Children’s Bereavement Center (CBC). She is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor having received her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. In work with The Children’s Bereavement Center, she oversees the grief support group program and program development. Her trainings and collaboration with local community agencies has expanded grief support in communities of need.  As a licensed therapist, Julissa has worked with youth and adults providing individual, group and family counseling in areas of grief, traumatic loss, and other areas impacting individuals of diverse backgrounds.

Debra Albo-Steiger, LCSW, has 20 years of experience in education, advocacy, and social service administration and is currently the CEO of Children’s Bereavement Center located in Miami, Florida. Debra began her career in Chicago Public Schools as a School Social Worker supporting students largely impacted by gang violence in Spanish-speaking communities. While working at CPS, she implemented both School-Based Program Solving and Positive Behavior Intervention & Support (PBIS) to help students succeed in school. On a daily basis she provided counseling sessions in individual, group, and family settings. Since returning to Miami-Dade County in 2005, Debra has worked to give a voice to the most vulnerable in our community, namely children, youth, and families experiencing trauma such as the loss of a loved one and/or homelessness. Within the Miami-Dade County Public School system, Debra broadened the scope of services through Project UP-START, the Homeless Education Program. And within the community, Debra helped to create and lead the Miami-Dade County Youth Homeless Initiative, the HOMY Collective (Helping Our Miami-Dade Youth), as well as founded and co-chaired the Youth Homeless Working Group through Miami-Dade County’s Homeless Trust. Along with national partners, Debra has presented to others about the unique and complex challenges faced by homeless children, youth, and families and collaborated with many stakeholders to make systemic changes in order to better serve this population. This includes being a sponsor for the 100-Day Challenge to end youth homelessness in 2018-2019.

 

Introduction to Grief Support Series | Why Evaluation Matters

In this webinar, we will discuss why program evaluation should be considered an essential practice for all childhood bereavement support agencies. If you are new to the field, you will learn about program evaluation in general and more specific applications for the bereavement field. We will also provide examples of how you may be included in the evaluation process, regardless of your role, and describe resources that can support evaluation work.

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: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support 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

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the purpose of program evaluation.
  • Understand your role in program evaluation.
  • Understand how to continue to grow evaluation.

 

Speaker Bios:

Maria Bartini, PhD, is the Evaluation Manager at Judi’s House/JAG Institute. With a doctoral degree in Life-Span Developmental Psychology from the University of Georgia, she has over 20 years’ experience teaching research methods, statistics, and child development at the college level. In her academic career, she also conducted evaluation research in schools, colleges, and youth sports organizations with the overarching goal of improving the lives of children and adolescents. In addition to heading the organization’s Childhood Bereavement Changemaker Initiative, Maria contributes to the evaluation and research activities at Judi’s House. Her work focuses on building evaluation/data utilization capacity in the field of childhood bereavement and evaluating the impact of Judi’s House services. She can be reached at mariab@judishouse.org.

Madeline (Maddy) Saunders, MS, works as a Research Associate at Judi’s House/JAG Institute. In her role she helps lead the Childhood Bereavement Changemaker expansion, collaborating with organizations across the country to support implementation of data-informed strategies in decision-making, program implementation, and evaluation. Maddy holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology with concentrations in Evaluation Research and Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She can be reached at maddyv@judishouse.org.

The Power of Goodbye Rituals: The Importance of Involving Children in the Bereavement Process

This presentation will focus on the importance of goodbyes and the surrounding rituals that families participate in during times of bereavement. The death of a loved one is a significant life event which often occurs within the healthcare environment. Child Life Specialists support children and families in various settings during critical stress points in their lives. In the hospital setting, Child Life Specialists provide procedural preparation, support, distraction, play, education, bereavement support, legacy activities, memory making, and help promote positive coping mechanisms. Additionally, Child Life Specialists provide emotional safety during distressing situations which aids in minimizing both short- and long-term effects associated with trauma. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Policy Statement (2021) highlights that “child life services are associated with improved quality, outcomes, and patient and family experiences as well as decreased costs in pediatric care.”

“An estimated 6.3 million children in the United States will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age eighteen” (Judi’s House and JAG Institute, 2024). The death of a loved one may impact the psychosocial and emotional development of a child and can lead to anxiety, depression, behavioral related problems, poor school performance, social withdrawal, and feelings of insecurity and vulnerability. Muriel et al. explain the “profound impact” a parent’s early death has on “children and the adults they become,” (Muriel et al., 2019).

Rituals provide personal connections between the bereaved child and dying family member. Incorporating legacy building and memory making into bereavement interventions may enhance a child’s ability to cope with death and loss. In addition, these activities provide the opportunity for children to take an active role in the process of saying goodbye to their loved one. Goodbye rituals, done with or apart from the dying loved one, help children recognize, grieve, and honor special relationships in their lives.

 

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: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support 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

 

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Summarize the necessity of providing goodbye opportunities for children and adolescents.
  • Restate the importance of respecting families’ unique values, spiritual beliefs, and traditions.
  • Identify 2-3 legacy building and memory methods.

 

Speaker Bio:

Olivia Buzminsky, holds a MS in Child Life, Administration, and Family Collaboration with Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in Family Professional Collaboration and Autism Studies from Towson University and a BA in Psychology from Mount Saint Mary College. She currently works as a Child Life Specialist at Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital in the pediatric emergency department and University of Maryland Medical Center in the pediatric emergency department, PICU, and proton radiation unit. Olivia is newly married, lives in Northern Baltimore with her husband and has a passion for animals especially dogs.

Cami Frickman received her BFA with a Certificate in Art Therapy from School of Visual Arts in New York. Cami is a Certified Child Life Specialist, Certified Grief Support Specialist and completed her Certification in Thanatology from Hood College. Over the past twenty-five years, Cami has worked in various hospital and school settings with children and families. She currently works as Child Life Specialist for Adult Services at Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital/Inova Fairfax Medical Campus supporting children of adult patients and teens hospitalized on adult units. Cami lives with her husband, 5 children, and one pup in the Northern Virginia suburbs.

Alicia Field received her BS in Family Child Development from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Alicia has close to 30 years as a Child Life Specialist. She began her career at Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC and transitioned to Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital/Inova Fairfax Medical Campus supporting children of adult patients, teens hospitalized on adult units. Her most prized award was from The EVAN Foundation, where she was honored for her dedication and service to children with cancer in 2020. She lives in Northern VA with her husband and 3 children and their lovable dog Cooper.

 

New York Life Foundation logo

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

 

Continuing Education (CE) Provider Information →

Centering Compassion Series | Supporting Staff and Volunteers in Challenging Times

Join us for a meaningful session in our Centering Compassion Series, focused on Supporting Staff and Volunteers in Challenging Times. Executive Directors from four childhood bereavement organizations across the country will come together to share how they lead with compassion, transparency, and adaptability. Whether you’re supervising staff, coordinating volunteers, or shaping organizational culture, this panel offers honest reflection and practical ideas for supporting your team with empathy and intention—sustaining those who make the mission possible every day.

 

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 →

 

Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support 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

Centering Compassion Series:

 

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Tina Barrett is the Executive Director and Co-founder of Tamarack Grief Resource Center in Montana. A licensed counselor, Barrett’s commitment to excellence in grief and trauma care is matched by her profound commitment to healthy organizations and setting teams up for success. Weaving stories from over 30 years of experiences as an Executive Director, Board Member, staff member, supervisor, supervisee, and volunteer, she is committed to strengths-oriented care and healthy, effective workplaces. Dr. Barrett’s workshops pull from her work in schools, hospitals, private practice, group homes, treatment centers, and nonprofits and the clients and colleagues she’s had the honor of working alongside. She serves on the Leadership Team for Project Tomorrow Montana, the Presidents’ Circle for the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG), and the Advisory Board for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Barrett received the Community Educator Award from the Association for Death Educators and Counselors (ADEC) in 2019. She is delighted and honored to be a part of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief.

Deirdra Flavin, MSc, CFRE, (moderator) is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the needs of children who are grieving and providing education and resources to those who support them. With over twenty years of experience in nonprofit leadership, marketing, and development, Deirdra’s career has centered on advancing social impact and fostering meaningful connections within communities. Deirdra joined the NACG in 2019 as the National Marketing and Development Director, and her work is focused on driving organizational growth, enhancing organizational recognition, and fostering collaboration, which has resulted in increased resources and support for the organization’s programs and initiatives. Before transitioning to the nonprofit sector, Deirdra held senior roles in marketing and sales, where she gained extensive experience in strategic planning, relationship management, and achieving measurable results. Her ability to translate corporate strategies into mission-driven successes has defined her work in the nonprofit world, where she blends business acumen with a deep commitment to creating meaningful change. A native of Cork, Ireland, Deirdra holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters Degree in Marketing Management from University College Cork. In 2021, she earned her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential. Deirdra resides in Virginia with her husband and three children.

Annette R. March-Grier, RN., C.F.S.P., is a native Baltimorean, and Vice President of a family business; March Funeral Homes located in Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia. She is a registered nurse, a mortician and the visionary of Roberta’s House Inc., a non-profit Family Grief Support Center founded in 2007, by the March family in honor of their matriarch, Julia Roberta March. Annette is the President, and has lead the way for grief education and support for grieving children and families in Baltimore for more than 38 years. A teacher, counselor, trainer and leader, with her compassionate staff, provides a safe place for children and adults to heal and recover from the death of someone close. Roberta’s House provides trauma informed care and addresses grief as a public health service through education and over 15 peer support programs. Children, adults, and families suffering the loss or death of a loved one receive support and a safe place to heal and recover. To date Roberta’s House has provided support services to more than 10,000 children and adults and trained over 800 community volunteers that support their programs. Roberta’s House conducts grief support programs for individuals of all ages and types of death losses as well as professional workshops for the community. It is the first bereavement center to be founded by African Americans in the U.S. to address the inequities for people of color with grief and mental health resources. In January of 2021, March-Grier fundraised and successfully completed the construction of the first bereavement center in Baltimore Maryland to serve children and families. The center is located on the same landmark that her parents operated the funeral home from 1957-1980. The 22,000 square foot facility is a state of the art bereavement center that is one of a kind in the US to provide bereavement care and counseling for the underserved and people of color.

Annette is a recipient of numerous awards and achievements. She received the National Caring Award in October, 2016 which includes her induction into the Caring Hall of Fame located in the Frederick Douglas Museum on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. In addition, she was selected by CNN, the world leader in news, as one of the top ten CNN heroes, 2014 for changing the world.

Debbie Meyer, MNM, has an extensive background in leading nonprofits as the present executive director of Erin’s House for Grieving Children for the past 17 years. Debbie is a proud board member and current board president for the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG).

Debbie is an adjunct lecturer in nonprofit courses for Huntington University, Purdue University, and Arizona State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in nonprofit administration from the University of Central Florida. In her spare time, she loves to read, travel, shop, and cheer on Notre Dame football with her family.

Fun facts:

  • Erin’s House and Debbie are a featured chapter in American Spirit by Taya Kyle and Jim DeFelice, 2019 – Pages 164-172.
  • Debbie was also the marketing director for a winning Indianapolis 500 race car driver, Eddie Cheever.
  • Erin’s House was recently featured in the Peacock documentary “Here Come the Irish” with Coach Marcus Freeman, in August 2024.

Brennan Wood has served as the Executive Director of Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children & Families based in Portland, Oregon since 2015, where she has been on staff in various roles since 2004. Brennan’s professional background and expertise are grounded in fundraising, strategic planning, organizational development, and capacity building. She is the author of, A Kids Book About Grief and is a member of the National Advisory Council for the COVID Collaborative as well as the Advisory Council for Hidden Pain. She was the 2020 Light-a-Fire Award Extraordinary Executive Director and a 2022 Women of Influence Award recipient. Brennan is passionate about Dougy Center’s mission to provide grief support, resources, training, and community response to children, teens, young adults, and their families who are grieving before and after a death, and those who support them. Brennan walked through the doors of Dougy Center for the first time in 1987 when her mother, Doris, died three days after she had turned 12-years-old. Her experience in a peer support group at Dougy Center shaped her life and she has strived to provide the same opportunity that she had to other children and families who are grieving in her community, across the country, and around the world ever since. Under Brennan’s leadership, Oregon Business named Dougy Center as a “Best Nonprofit to Work For” for the past six years, and local CEOs voted Dougy Center as a “Most Admired Company” for the past four. Since becoming Executive Director, Brennan has championed Dougy Center’s commitment to equity and inclusion and has brought innovative partnerships, programs, and resources to the field of childhood bereavement. Brennan is committed to making the world a more grief-informed place where we all can acknowledge grief as a natural and normal response to loss that is interwoven into a sociocultural context.

Centering Compassion Series | Holding Space for Ourselves: Cultivating Self-Compassion in Grief Support Work

Professionals and volunteers who support grieving children and families often show up with deep empathy and open hearts—yet may find it difficult to extend the same care inward. This webinar explores the transformative power of self-compassion as a protective resource for those doing emotionally demanding work in the field of childhood bereavement.

Grounded in the research-based Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program developed by Drs. Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, this session will offer practical tools for responding to personal distress with kindness, reducing caregiver fatigue, and fostering emotional resilience. Participants will learn how self-compassion can strengthen their ability to stay present with grief—both their own and others’—without becoming overwhelmed or burned out.

Through a blend of guided practices, reflective exercises, and discussion, this webinar invites participants to explore how cultivating compassion for ourselves enhances our capacity to hold space for others. Whether you’re a counselor, social worker, educator, or volunteer, this session will support your ongoing journey of sustainable, heart-centered service.

 

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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 →

 

Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support 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

Centering Compassion Series:

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Recognize the role of self-compassion in grief work and emotional resilience
  • Identify common barriers to self-kindness among helping professionals
  • Practice core self-compassion techniques applicable in daily life and work
  • Understand how mindful awareness supports healthy emotional boundaries

 

Speaker Bio:

Vira Salzburn, MS, MSc, is a certified teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) with extensive experience delivering evidence-based compassion training to individuals, educators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. With a professional background in trauma-informed care, public health, and behavioral science, Vira integrates MSC practices into resilience-building programs that promote emotional wellbeing, reduce burnout, and strengthen communities.

Vira holds a Master of Science in Management and Organizational Leadership from Troy University and a Graduate Certificate in Human Behavior from Harvard University Extension School. In addition to her role as Executive Director at Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council, she serves as a trusted trainer and speaker on topics related to self-compassion, mindfulness, and resilience. Her teaching is known for being practical, heartfelt, and deeply human—offering participants tools to meet life’s challenges with kindness, courage, and clarity.

Supporting Schools in the Aftermath of Crisis

Children’s bereavement centers/programs/providers can play an important role in supporting a school after a major crisis event due to school or community violence.  The following topics will be covered: how you and your center/program can prepare for consultation in this context; practical advice and support that can be provided to staff, students, and families;  clarifying the distinction between trauma and grief; the potential goals of grief support in schools; providing training and professional development to educators on how to support grieving students using freely available resources; considerations related to commemoration and memorialization; and promoting staff support and professional self-care for educators.  Guidance on when and how to seek additional support, including partnering with the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, during short- and long-term recovery will be discussed.  The session will also address how to advise schools and caregivers on how to talk to children who are only indirectly impacted by violence through the news or social media.  Ample time will be provided for questions and discussion.

 


Continuing Education (CE) credits are not available for webinar playbacks.
Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support 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

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 →

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Describe your program’s goal and strategy for consultation to schools after a crisis involving school or community violence.
  • Outline practical advice and support that can be provided to staff, grieving students, and their families in this context.
  • List 2-3 appropriate goals for training of educators to support grieving students and freely available training materials.
  • Describe when and how to partner with the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement or similar resource to support short- and long-term recovery within the school.
  • Advise schools and caregivers on how to talk to children indirectly impacted by violence through news or social media.

 

Speaker Bio:

David J Schonfeld, MD, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, founded the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement (www.schoolcrisiscenter.org) at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The NCSCB coordinates the Coalition to Support Grieving Students which is comprised of over 140 professional organizations representing educators, medical professionals, and other interested groups.  For 35 years, he’s supported schools/communities after crises and loss, including the COVID-19 pandemic, shootings/stabbings in Winder, GA, Parkland, FL, Santa Clarita, CA, Newtown, CT, Las Vegas, NV, Aurora, CO, & Osaka, Japan; hurricanes Helene (TN), Maria (San Juan), Sandy (NYC/NJ), Katrina (New Orleans), & Ike (Galveston); tornadoes in Joplin, MO & Alabama; wildfires in Maui, HI, Butte & Sonoma Counties, CA, Sevierville, TN; & Sichuan, China earthquake.  His school-based research (e.g., funded by NICHD, NIMH, NIDA, MCHB, WT Grant) involves children’s understanding of and adjustment to serious illness and death and school-based interventions to promote adjustment and risk prevention.  He is Chair of National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters and a member of the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Children and Disasters, and former Commissioner for the National Commission on Children and Disasters and Sandy Hook Advisory Commission.

 

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

 

Continuing Education (CE) Provider Information →