The death of a loved one is devastating to a child. The impact can be overwhelming and the children and family often need support. The Highmark Caring Place can provide that support through its various programs.

The Caring Place began in Pittsburgh in 1996. Facilities are also located in Erie, Harrisburg, and Warrendale, Pennsylvania. View their programs and resources for more information.

There are four Highmark Caring Place facilities in western and central Pennsylvania. Locations can be seen here.

Exton, PA: A Haven offers free individual/family sessions and support groups for kids ages 3-18 and their caretakers, including a group for teens and groups for kids who have lost a parent or a sibling. See their list of Printable Resources, including How to Prepare a Child for an Upcoming Death, Insight into Grieving Children, Talking to Your Children about Miscarriage or Still Birth, What Not to Say Following a Death by  Overdose or Suicide, Responding to Grief in Your Community, and many more.

Nurturing children through grief, with help from Elmo and his cousin, Jesse, this Sesame Workshop video guided by psychological science helps caregivers support children as they navigate the grieving process. View the article and the video on the American Psychological Association (APA) website here. As well as other Grief Resources from the APA.

The Coalition to Support Grieving Students is a collaboration of education and school professional organizations dedicated to ensuring grieving students receive support and care. The coalition offers free professional development presentations on supporting grieving students.

• Part 1: Helps staff understand the experience of the grieving student and includes information about how children understand death and express their grief. View Part 1 here.

• Part 2: Presents practical suggestions about how school staff can initiate the conversation and offer support to the grieving student. View Part 2 here.

• Part 3: Shares practical guidance about how to coordinate resources and manage special issues while you support the grieving child. View Part 3 here.

• Combined Abbreviated Module: Combines highlights of Parts 1-3 to offer an abbreviated training opportunity. View this module here.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. Explore NAEYC's supportive article, How Early Childhood Educators Can Explain Death to Children

The Mission of Peter’s Place is to provide safe and supportive environments for grieving children and families, and to foster understanding of the effects of death and grief. See their website for Grief Support Services, events, newsletters, and more. View and share their excellent list of Grief Support Resources, including:

• Managing the Holidays While Grieving

• Tips for Parents & Care-Providers -Talking to Children About Death

• Tips for Parents & Care-Providers – Funerals, Memorial Services, Cremation, & Burials

• How to Support Your Grieving Child 

• Tips for Parents & Care-Providers – What to Tell Children About Suicide

• Tips for Parents & Care-Providers – Anticipatory Grief and Children

• Tips for Grieving Kids

• Supporting Children in the Aftermath of Violence

• Tips for Teachers – Helping a Grieving Student at School

Located in Radnor, PA - Peter's Place also offers groups and grief support for children and teens (4-17) and their caregivers.

The pain of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood is profound. View resources and support from the non-profit Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Foundation on their website: www.sudc.org