Grief Goes to School: Fostering Safe and Inclusive Spaces for Major Life Changes (1.0 CE)

Course Description: Grief is a universal experience, yet we often feel ill-equipped to care for students when they, or we, are grieving. Grief is not solely related to death; any major life change (divorce, placement in foster care, deployment, incarceration, etc.) can result in feelings of grief. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of applicable grief theories and trauma-informed approaches that can be utilized to assist students in coping with their experiences of grief. Additionally, the presenter will discuss the impact of grief on school social workers and provide suggestions for self-care. This workshop serves to provide school social workers with the necessary knowledge and tools to create safe and inclusive school environments, supporting students through life’s changes and challenges.

Learning Objectives:

     1. Participants will be able to describe how the use of trauma-informed practices supports members of the school community dealing with grief and loss. 

2. Participants will be able to articulate current and relevant theories of grief.

3. Participants will be able to identify strategies to support students and staff dealing with grief and loss.

Speaker:

Dr. Kelly Zinn, DSW, LMSW is a licensed Social Worker and certified School Social Worker in NY and NJ. Dr. Zinn earned her DSW from Rutgers University, and her MSW from Stony Brook University, and was employed as a school social worker for 14 years. Currently, Kelly is a full-time professor of social work, a consultant for school districts, and a therapist. 

Content level: Beginning

Target Audience: School Social Workers

Refund policy: No refunds will be given.

School Social Work Association of America, 1789, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. School Social Work Association of America maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 7/27/2023-7/27/2026. 

Note: Many state licensing boards impose specific limitations on course content, distance education, or other elements of continuing education, even when courses are taken from approved providers. It is your sole responsibility to ensure that the courses taken will meet the requirements for your license.