Erin’s House created our Classroom Companions Program to bring an intentional 6-week peer support program to our area schools. Our in-school curriculum addresses grief-related topics through thoughtful discussion and developmentally appropriate activities in areas such as emotion identification, building coping skills, sharing our special stories and memories, and changes and fears. School groups are offered for students K-12 and are facilitated by an Erin’s House staff member and volunteer or school staff person.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM
-
Opportunity for students to connect with peers who have also experienced a death; enhancing their sense of belonging at school
-
Provide a safe, nonjudgmental environment for students to express their grief
-
Explore and normalize grief reactions and experiences
-
Educate students about grief activators
-
Learn new coping skills to adapt to life after a death and manage emotions
-
Find ways to honor and memorialize that align with student’s needs
REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOLS
-
A minimum of 5 student participants are required in order to initiate group services. It is suggested that students are within 2-grade levels of each other
-
A consistent meeting time that allows for no less than 50 minutes long
-
A confidential and consistent space that can allow for uninterrupted/private group meetings
-
A Memorandum of Understanding must be agreed upon and signed by both parties prior to the start of services
-
Participation in Classroom Companions Orientation prior to the start of services
-
Participation in Classroom Companions Facilitator Training for those school staff members who are interested in co-facilitating the Erin’s House group at their school
-
A sample MOU and 6-week curriculum may be provided upon request
ENROLLMENT
We will be offering our programming to a limited number of schools each semester. Groups will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis and depending on staff/volunteer availability. Distance may impact the platform of services and schools outside of 50 miles of Erin’s House will need to coordinate for availability. You must have the required paperwork submitted and dates finalized before the enrollment period ends in order to qualify for services.
If you are interested in having a Classroom Companions program at your school, please fill out the interest form below.
GRIEF BACKPACKS
Along with activities and discussions with children and teens in our Classroom Companion programs, Erin’s House provides Grief Backpacks as a resource for schools to utilize. These new backpacks are filled with brand new books on grieving created to provide youth with additional support after a death, all at no cost to the schools or students. School counselors receive one backpack by request and are encouraged to lend its resources to students as needed.
Questions? Contact Lauren (Boles) Linnick, School Partnership Manager
at 260-423-2466 or Lauren@ErinsHouse.org
