Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Grief Support Children topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Billy’s Place outlines grief‑support programs for children and school partnerships
Summary
Billy's Place presented Feb. 11 to the Veterans Disability and Human Services Commission on no‑cost peer‑support groups, grief‑informed school training, and large remembrance events. The nonprofit said it offers 11 monthly support groups and provides school curricula and webinars to train educators.
Billy’s Place told the Veterans Disability and Human Services Commission on Feb. 11 that its peer‑support model offers no‑cost grief services for children, young adults and families and that the organization is expanding school partnerships and webinar training for educators.
"Our vision is a community where our kids and families feel safe expressing grief without judgment," said Chris Friedman, a Billy’s Place representative. He said the nonprofit provides in‑person peer groups, virtual groups and specialized programming for losses such as homicide, suicide and overdose, and that the organization operates at no cost to participating families through grants and donations.
Kayleen Ashbridge, a retired principal who helps lead the group’s school initiative, described a grief‑informed schools program that includes a six‑hour training for school staff and a bite‑sized webinar series for educators who cannot attend full trainings. "We do a 6 hour training... and provide them the curriculum where they can run their own groups," she said, adding the group now offers monthly webinars to reach teachers across the country.
Billy’s Place said it conducts 11 support groups a month and partners with schools across the West Valley, including Dysart and other area districts. The presenters cited outcome data and national research to explain the "cost of inaction," telling commissioners that bereavement is common and can affect learning: speakers cited a trend that about 1 in 10 children have lost a parent or sibling by age 18 in recent reports and discussed rising referrals from schools.
Commissioners asked about military or veteran‑family programming and accessibility for children with disabilities; presenters said the organization serves all families regardless of cause of loss and is working to expand services for military families and to adapt activities for children with differing needs. The group invited commissioners and staff to tour its new, larger space and to promote Hike for Hope and remembrance events.
Billy’s Place representatives said they welcome school and community referrals and offered outreach materials and sponsor information for the commission to distribute on the city’s resource pages.
