The services are unique in that the focus is on the children's grief resolution and extends to surviving adult relatives or caretakers in order to support the child's adjustment to the loss and the family's return to normal functioning.

Children 3 to 5 are grouped together. During weekly one-hour sessions, these children experience a talking circle time and play activities which allow them to express their feelings and thoughts.

Children 6 to 12 are divided into groups according to who died and how the person died. The Center has special groups for children who have experienced a suicide or violent death. Sessions last 1-1/2 hours every other week. Children experience a talking circle time plus the opportunity to express thoughts and feelings in various play activities of their choice.

Teenagers 13 to 18 are grouped together. During 1-1/2 sessions every other week, teens generally meet and talk to each other. Teens are free to choose any other activities available at the Center.

Our adult groups give parents or caregivers the opportunity to share the concerns and fears they are facing and to exchange loving support for one another. Parents are helped to understand the way children grieve and what they can do to support the children.

Our children's groups consist of talking circles and a time for unstructured play activity. This unstructured time is a very important processing time for the children, allowing them to express their grieving through the powerful language of play.

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Who Runs the Support Groups?

The Mourning Star Center has a core staff who hold advanced degrees in psychology and counseling and who are Nationally Certified Bereavement Facilitators by The American Academy of Bereavement. All of the professional staff has had previous experience in death and grieving prior to joining the Center. Volunteers receive extensive training to facilitate groups, handle crisis calls, make families feel at home, and to generally support the work of the Center.

What does it cost?

The Mourning Star Center does not charge a fee for services. However, we invite families to make any tax-deductible monthly pledge which they can afford. The pledge is entirely voluntary. No family is ever denied services because they cannot contribute. Because the Center is a nonprofit organization, we rely on contributions from families and the community to provide the funds needed to cover the costs for each child. Because we provide support groups and do not provide therapy, insurance policies do not cover our services.

How long of a wait is there to get in?

Usually within a few days from the initial call and completion of our "Telephone Intake Information Form" families are invited to attend an Orientation. Once a family has completed and returned the application forms, they are offered the opportunity to start attending either a monthly, an every-other week, or a weekly support group.

The programs are explained to the adults and children in separate groups. Questions are answered. A tour is given. Children and teens see a video about support groups for grieving children. The adults learn about how to get a child/teen into the Center and receive all the application forms. After the orientation, a family is to discuss whether or not they want to participate. Coming to an orientation does not mean the child/teen becomes a participant. We encourage the adults to allow the child/teen to make the final decision.

What happens after the Orientation?

If the family decides to join, they discuss the "Guidelines for Families" and sign several documents. These include a release form for parents which indicates the parent has read and understood the role The Mourning Star Center can offer; the issues of confidentiality. Also, if a parent or child is currently seeing a professional therapist, or has seen one in the past, he or she is asked to sign a Release of Information form which gives The Mourning Star Center permission to talk with the professional. Permission may also be requested to speak with school officials or other appropriate professionals.

How long after the death does a family need to wait before calling?

A family can call and start the process for participation as soon as they think they are ready. We believe each person and family grieves differently, and the family is the best judge of when they are ready to deal with the death in a support group.

How long is a family expected to attend groups?

We believe in the uniqueness of the intensity and duration of grief for each individual and family. Children/teens choose when to start and when to stop attending. If a family is enrolled in a group, we expect regular attendance. We ask that a family call if they must be absent. Continuity of attendance is important to build the peer group into a supportive environment for the grief work.

How do I get my Child/Teen started?

Please visit our Getting Started page.