Perinatal Bereavement Skills Training

Complications in Grief When a Baby Dies                      Presented by Justine Froelker, MEd, LPC, Certified Daring Way Facilitator & Stephen Mitchell, MDiv, PhD, LPC, LMFT

Parents who experience a perinatal loss are at risk of developing complicated grief and may need professional support in order to cope in healthy ways. Justine Froelker will discuss signs which indicate that higher level of care is needed as well as how to help grieving parents heal. Stephen Mitchell will examine the couple relationship after a perinatal loss and the ways care professionals can help them foster communication that will strengthen their relationship.

Honoring the Cultures of African Americans and Hispanics in Perinatal Bereavement                

Presented by Teresa Brassfield, MSN, Joyce West, MSW and Silvia Bowman, MBA     

To provide optimal care when working with families experiencing perinatal loss, providers must honor their cultural and spiritual values. Brassfield and West will explore underlying issues that affect the African American population, as well as how to deliver culturally competent care. Bowman will raise awareness about the important values and traditions of the Hispanic population and how they typically cope with loss.

Supporting Pregnancy Loss in the Emergency Department      

Presented by Patti Budnik, BSN, CPLC, Debbie Cochran, BSN, MA, CPLC and Nancy Spargo, AM, LCSW

Those who experience a pregnancy loss under 20 weeks gestation and seek care in the emergency department often receive little or no evidence-based psychological bereavement support. This session will present: Factors that can inhibit compassionate care in the ED, results of a comprehensive research study addressing care in the ED, creating policies, staff education and other considerations that impact parent’s experiences of pregnancy loss in the emergency department.

Developing a Sustainable Bereavement Care Program       

Presented by Debbie Cochran, BSN, MA, CPLC and Gayle Unverferth, RN

Starting a bereavement program requires strategic planning and intentional steps to assure a successful and sustainable program. This workshop provides concrete ideas for establishing and implementing a new bereavement program, examines the importance of a team approach and discusses the elements of a program that is sustainable in the long term.

Support Groups in Perinatal Bereavement                      Presented by:  Rose Carlson, BS and Jessica Vogler, PLPC

A peer support group can be an integral part of parents’ healing and learning to cope with the death of their baby. This workshop explores the role of the facilitator, ways to create a welcoming environment, how to encourage effective group discussions, how to handle challenges and difficult situations, and ways to keep members engaged in the group. Carlson and Vogler will also discuss pregnancy after loss support groups as well as explain the differences between open versus closed groups.

Caring for Grieving Children                                            

Presented by Lacey Prater, MSW, LCSW and Meredith Lehman, MEd., PLPC, CCLS

Research validates that surviving siblings are not only affected by the loss of their brother or sister, but also by the potential changes in the relationship with their parents. This workshop will present theories relevant to perinatal grief and children, teach skills needed when working with grieving children and ways to assess when additional support is needed

Trauma Informed Care for Perinatal Bereavement     

Presented by Nancy Spargo, AM, LCSW

The loss of a desired pregnancy can be a traumatic event for families affected. Using a trauma lens when caring for families can improve outcomes. In this session, Spargo introduces the basics of trauma: Facts about trauma, it’s impact, the tenets of traumatic grief, the impact of trauma informed care and tips for providers.