CONFERENCE SCHEDULE*
9:00 am: Check In (Light Breakfast)
9:30 am: Welcome
9:45 am: Morning Session
12:30 pm: Lunch
1:30 pm: Afternoon Session
2:15 pm: Keynote Speaker: Dr. David Schonfeld (1 CE - pending approval)
3:30 pm: Panel Discussion: Bridging the Gap: Perspectives from Grieving Families and Schools (1 CE - pending approval)
4:30 pm: Conference Closing (cocktail reception to follow)
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (please see below for full description)*
- From Heart to Hand: Creative Pathways for Grieving Youth (1.5 CEs - pending approval)
- Trauma-Informed Approaches to Grief Support (1.75 CEs - pending approval)
*The content in this conference will be at the beginner level. The target audience is counselors, social workers, psychologists, educators, mental health professionals, and community organization staff
Space is limited. To avoid being closed out please register early. Registration deadline is March 6, 2025.
ABOUT GOOD GRIEF
Good Grief's mission is to build resilience in children, strengthen families, and empower communities to grow from loss and adversity.
CONTACT INFO
Mailling address: 38 Elm St. Morristown, NJ 07960
908.522.1999
www.good-grief.org
Read Dr. Schonfeld's bio here.
From Heart to Hand: Creative Pathways for Grieving Youth
Presented by: Dr. Christina Liparini, Ph.D. LPC, & Annette Mendez, BA, DMAI Cert.
Click here to view presenter bios.
Description/Summary:
This session explores how creative expression can serve as a powerful tool for helping grieving youth process their emotions, build resilience, and foster connection. Participants will learn how art, music, writing, and other creative activities can provide safe outlets for children and adolescents to express their grief. Through hands-on exercises, discussion, and evidence-based strategies, attendees will gain practical tools to incorporate creative approaches into their work with grieving youth in schools, community organizations, and mental health settings.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Understand the role of creative expression in supporting emotional processing and resilience in grieving youth.
- Identify age-appropriate creative activities that encourage self-expression and healing for children and adolescents.
- Apply practical tools and techniques for incorporating creative pathways into grief support programs.
Trauma-Informed Approaches to Grief Support
Presented by: Gina Kornfeind, MSW, M. Ed & Evelynn Moon, M.A.
Click here to view presenter bios
Description/Summary:
This interactive session focuses on the intersection of trauma and grief, providing participants with evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches to support individuals of all ages (children, adolescents, and adults) through loss. Participants will explore the psychological and behavioral impacts of trauma on the grieving process and gain practical tools to create safe, supportive environments. The session emphasizes how trauma-informed practices can be effectively implemented across various settings, including schools, community organizations, and mental health contexts. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to foster resilience, minimize grief triggers, and support long-term adjustment in grieving individuals.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Define the intersection of trauma and grief and understand how they uniquely affect children, adolescents, and adults.
- Recognize common trauma-related grief behaviors and identify strategies to address them effectively.
- Apply trauma-informed techniques, including grounding exercises, mindfulness practices, and resilience-building strategies, to support grieving individuals across multiple settings.
Panel Discussion: Bridging the Gap: Perspectives from Grieving Families and Schools
Co-Moderated by: Dora P. Kontogiannis, Ed.D. and Evelynn Moon, M.A.
Click here to read moderator bios.
Description/ Summary:
This panel discussion explores the intersection of grief support in schools and within families receiving care at Good Grief centers. Featuring caregivers of school-aged children, the session provides firsthand accounts of navigating grief in educational settings, emphasizing what worked, what didn't, and the additional support they wished they had received. Panelists will also highlight the transformative impact of Good Grief's services. This session aims to equip volunteer facilitators, educators, clinicians, and community members with actionable insights to better support grieving children and their families.
Learning Objectives:
By participating in this session, attendees will be able to:
- Identify common challenges grieving families face in educational settings and discuss how schools can address these gaps.
- Analyze caregiver perspectives on grief triggers and accommodations within school environments.
- Evaluate the role of community organizations, like Good Grief, in complementing school-based grief support.
- Develop strategies for integrating family
FEES, REFUNDS, & CANCELLATIONS
Refund Policy
Refunds and cancellations will be processed for those who request in advance of the date of their workshop, after which refunds will no longer be granted.
Participant Complaints and Disputes: Any complaints or grievances may be submitted in writing Good Grief at: 38 Elm Street, Morristown, NJ 07960.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Good Grief is committed to ensuring that all participants can fully engage in the March 15th Spring Institute. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to facilitate their participation in the event.
If you require specific accommodations, please submit your request as early as possible to allow adequate time for arrangements to be made. Requests can be submitted through the registration form or by contacting us directly.
To request accommodations, please email [email protected] or call 908.522.1999 by March 1, 2025. We will do our best to accommodate all requests.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Good Grief is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment for all participants of the March 15th Spring Institute. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
All attendees, speakers, facilitators, volunteers, and staff are expected to contribute to an atmosphere of mutual respect and professionalism. Harassment, discrimination, or any form of inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.
If you experience or witness any behavior that violates this policy, please report it immediately to a Good Grief staff member on site or call 908.594.2010 so that we can address the issue promptly and appropriately.
Good Grief is dedicated to ensuring a safe, accessible, and equitable learning environment where all individuals feel valued and supported.
CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY
Good Grief is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all participants in the March 15th Spring Institute. Any personal information collected during the registration process, including contact details and professional credentials, will be used solely for event-related purposes, including communication, attendance tracking, and the administration of Continuing Education (CE) credits.
In compliance with CE provider requirements, we will securely retain registration records, attendance verification, and other necessary documentation for the required retention period. After this period, all records will be securely disposed of in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.
We do not share participant information with third parties unless required by accrediting bodies for CE verification purposes. If you have any concerns about the confidentiality of your information or wish to request access to your records, please contact us at [email protected]
By registering for this event, you acknowledge and consent to the collection and retention of your information for the purposes outlined above.