Support for children and families who are grieving | | | The 2026 Virtual Professional Seminar to focus on the fundamentals of grief education | |
Join Dougy Center’s knowledgeable staff for an opportunity to explore the fundamentals of grief education across the lifespan. Registration is now open for Dougy Center's 2026 Virtual Professional Seminar, January 26-30.
While the majority of helping professionals do not have formal grief education, Dougy Center's Virtual Professional Seminar provides the tools and information to become grief-informed. Download the flyer here.
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Learn with colleagues from around the United States and beyond who support, or plan to support, children and families who are grieving.
Learn how to:
- Identify the core principles and tenets of grief-informed practice
- Develop awareness of personal beliefs, biases, and attitudes about loss and grief
- Broaden your knowledge base about loss, grief, and developmental considerations of people who are grieving across the lifespan
- Support individuals who are grieving using grief-informed best practices and resources
- Practice and incorporate grief-informed language in personal and professional settings
In addition, you can earn 7.25 of Clinical and 1 Cultural Continuing Education Credit through the Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
Learn more about this important training opportunity and register here.
| | Register by November 19 for the free Children's Grief Awareness Day webinar | |
Teens navigating grief often respond with phrases like, "I'm fine" or "It's no big deal," leaving adults uncertain whether to inquire further. Yet, beneath the surface, many teens carry the weight of their loss in silence.
On Children's Grief Awareness Day, November 20, join Dougy Center staff for Grief in the Teenage Years: What We Miss & What They Need to explore the unique ways teens experience and express grief, dispel common myths, and offer strategies for creating safe spaces where they feel seen, heard, and supported.
This webinar is free to attend with registration, thanks to a generous grant from the New York Life Foundation. Learn more and register here.
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| Learn more about supporting people who are grieving — join these Grief Education Webinars | | |
Uncharted Territory: Supporting Children and Families Living with an Advanced Serious Illness
January 22, 2026
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., PT
presented by Rebecca Hobbs-Lawrence, M.A.
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Navigating the reality of a family member living with an advanced serious illness can be complex and overwhelming. Children and teens are deeply impacted by the ongoing presence of a serious illness in their daily lives. The uncertainty, role changes, and grief they experience can leave lasting impacts.
In this webinar, we will explore the unique challenges faced by children, teens, and families living in the shadow of serious illness. We’ll discuss the needs of children at various developmental stages, the importance of honest and age-appropriate communication, and how professionals and caregivers can provide meaningful support during these critical moments. Join us as we navigate this uncharted territory together, centering the voices and needs of the youngest family members during times of profound change.
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Becoming Grief-Informed: Foundations of Grief Education
February 19, 2026
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., PT
presented by Monique B. Mitchell, PhD, FT
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Being grief-informed sets the foundation for understanding and responding to the needs of people who are grieving the death of someone in their lives. Misassumptions lead to misunderstanding and mistreatment. Tune in for more information on this important topic, including the ten core principles of grief-informed practice.
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Webinars are $65 per person with discounted pricing when you register for two at the same time. CEUs can be added to any webinar for an additional $15. Registration closes at 10 a.m. Pacific the day prior to the webinar.
In collaboration with the Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Social Work, each of these webinars are eligible for 1.5 continuing education unit (CEU). If you are interested in earning CEUs make sure you add them to your cart at checkout.
| | Thank you to the New York Life Foundation for their continued support on topics surrounding equity, inclusion, and Dougy Center's commitment to children who are grieving. | | Grief support during the December holidays | | |
The pressures around the holidays can be even more challenging after the death of a family member. Remembering and honoring the person who died in a special way can often help. Here are a few ideas to share with families during the winter holidays.
- Light a memorial candle. Invite children and other friends/family to share memories.
- Write a card or letter to the person who died.
- Write memories on strips of paper and use them to create a paper chain.
- Buy a gift the person would have liked and donate it to a charity.
- Set a special memorial place at the table during a holiday meal.
- Share one of the person’s favorite foods or meals. Food can be a great spark for sharing memories.
Find additional tips on grieving during the winter holidays and a holiday plan worksheet here.
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Grief education is an important component of Dougy Center's mission, reaching more than 10,000 people each year from the United States and around the world. Our education and training opportunities are available to anyone supporting children and families who are grieving.
Find more here.
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