News from Dougy Center, September 2024

Upcoming Events

Focus on Hope

October 29, 2024 Find out more

Children's Grief Awareness Day

November 21, 2024

Dougy Center Grief Education Webinars:

Navigating Grief During the Holidays

October 3, 2024

Find out more


Too Young to Grieve? A Dougy Center Children's Grief Awareness Day Webinar

November 21, 2024

FREE Registration

Save the Date More information coming soon

Back to school and grief: Resources to help students

Children and teens are back to school, and while this can be a significant experience for any student, it may be particularly difficult for those who are grieving. Children and teens may be worried, irritable, or overwhelmed. You can support this transition by talking with them about changes that are happening related to new routines, homework expectations, and after-school activities.


Here are some things to consider when going back to school:

  • Make a difficult day safety plan
  • Find ways for children and teens to check in with you or other caregivers
  • Plan drop-off and pick-up routines
  • Talk about after-school rituals
  • Address challenges with concentration, memory, and school assignments
  • Make time for recreation, play, and friends


Transitions can be difficult for anyone, but especially so for those who are grieving. We hope these ideas and suggestions, including the tip sheets and activity below, can provide a foundation for talking with children and teens about their concerns and help them feel supported and understood.

Tip Sheets

Back to School with Grief

Supporting Students After a Death: Tips for Teachers & School Personnel

Activity: What's in Your Backpack

When we're grieving, it can feel like we're carrying around a lot of different emotions and we may have different feelings at the same time. This activity helps identify the emotions we carry and know it's ok to feel a lot of different ways. Download the activity sheet here.

Focus on Hope in support of Dougy Center

Mark your calendar and join Dougy Center this October to Focus on Hope and show your support for children, teens, and families who are grieving. You can directly impact the lives of youth who are grieving when you take the Focus on Hope Challenge through the month of October, and then celebrate with us at the Focus on Hope Luncheon, Tuesday, October 29!


Focus on Hope honors the shared experiences, hope, and healing of Dougy Center youth and young adults. These events also support Dougy Center programs and resources provided free of charge to all families.

From October 1 to 31, 2024, you will have the opportunity to host an online fundraiser that honors loved ones and also educates and inspires your community to support the important work of Dougy Center. We will provide step-by-step instructions and everything you need to get started.

On Tuesday, October 29, join us for an inspiring luncheon featuring special guest, Laurel Braitman, a best-selling author, educator, and thought leader in mental health. She will be joined by Dougy Center participants to share how they are finding hope, healing, and support. The luncheon is at The Redd, 831 SE Salmon in Portland, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The luncheon offers an opportunity to learn more about Dougy Center's life-changing programs and make a donation.


Watch for more information coming in mid-September on how you can register and get involved. Learn more here.

Dougy Center announces two new online courses coming soon!

Are you an educator, mental health professional, or someone passionate about supporting people who are grieving? On September 16, 2024, Dougy Center will launch two new online courses, “Becoming Grief-Informed: Foundations of Grief Education” and “Supporting Students Who are Grieving.” These new courses, along with “An Introductory Class Series on Grief Support,” will provide learners with a deeper understanding and specific tools to help children and families who are grieving. All courses are self-paced, can be accessed anytime (24 hours a day, seven days a week), and completed in your own timeframe. 


Becoming Grief-Informed: Foundations of Grief Education

In this introductory course, Dougy Center provides essential knowledge and skills to gain understanding of the core principles of grief-informed best practices. Through engaging modules and real-world examples, learners will be provided with clear action steps to apply the principles of grief-informed best practices to their personal and professional lives.


Supporting Students Who are Grieving

Empower yourself with practical strategies to effectively identify and support students who are grieving the death of someone in their life. This course delves into the specific needs of students who are grieving in kindergarten through high school (K-12) environments and provides actionable tools for educators and school staff.


Find all of Dougy Center’s online courses here. We also offer special discounts to students, veterans, groups, and more. Email training@dougy.org for details. Special thank you to the New York Life Foundation for their ongoing support of Dougy Center's training and education programs.

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dougy.org · help@dougy.org · 503.775.5683