Partnering With Libraries Reaching Grieving Families Who May Never Come to Grief Support Groups A program developed by Ted E. Bear Hollow

Objectives 1. Describe the purpose and benefits of partnering with public libraries to offer support to grieving families.  Demonstrate the key elements necessary to implement the library partnership.  Illustrate evaluative tools to assess the library program.

Collaborations Omaha Public Library Director suggests creating a check out system of grief book bags Library seeks grant to pay for two book bags, one for teens and one for children at each library branch. Ted E. Bear Hollow advises librarians on book/video selection and provides information video, brochures, and teddy bears to add to bags. Ted E. Bear Hollow provides training for all librarians who will be handling grief kits and interacting with grieving families.

Replicating Collaboration Ted E. Bear Hollow seeks grants to replicate the grief kit concept in surrounding communities. “First Aid Kits for the Heart” are produced with canvas bags, books for children and adults, and TEBH information. Training is offered via conference calls. Ted E. Bear Hollow offers grief kits and training to libraries for sale.

Essential Elements Commitment of librarians Funding source Training for librarians Creation and distribution of kits Publicizing availability Follow up with libraries

Benefits Another avenue to raise community awareness regarding the needs of grieving children A tool for parents/guardians to open communication with their children and to learn about the needs. An alternative for families who are not open and/or available to attend support groups regarding their children’s grief. Great introduction to the work of the grief support center and an invitation to attend groups.

Steps to Developing Library Program 1. Engage libraries as partners. (Most are eager to add this to their resources.) 2. Determine funding sources (Some libraries may purchase but a outside grant will please them more.) 3. Produce a sturdy bag with appealing name and grief center logo. (Another way to get out the word about your center.) 4. Select books for children’s bag and a teen bag. (We get our through Centering Corp.)

Continued Steps: 5. Include brochures, videos or other material to acquaint the families with the services offered at your center. (We also include teddy bears they may keep.) 6. Provide a training orientation for librarians who will be responsible to check out these books bags. (If they are not comfortable in speaking to the families about this resource, they become part of the problem.) 7. Include a template of posters or bookmarks the library can use to promote this resource so patrons know it is available. Encourage them to publicize it on their webpages with a link to your center’s website. (Out of sight, out of mind.) 8. Check back with libraries periodically to update brochures and to answer questions. (Great chance to hear some stories.)

Measures of Success Output measures Circulation records Outcome Measures Quantitative: Brief questionnaire in bags with request to complete Number of families coming to grief center after using kits Qualitative: Visit with librarians to hear the stories

Healing Hearts Kits: Support for Grieving Children Cathy Fox, MSW Program Director

Training Topics Results of unresolved grief in children Normal grief reactions How we can help Grief kit contents Logistics Marketing Managing Evaluating

Community Responses A few stories

Questions and Answers tedebearhollow.org