Necessary Steps

VNA Hospice 949.263.4870

A bereavement support group for children and families.

Necessary Steps, a bereavement support group for children and families sponsored by the VNA Foundation of Orange County, provides bereavement counseling to families with with young children (5-12), adolescents, (13-17), and young adults, (18-25) who have lost a parent or significant person in their lives.

The National Hospice Organization reports that 5% of the children living in Orange County will experience or have experienced the loss of a parent through death. Researchers purport that the long-term effect of parental loss in childhood may have serious and lasting effects on emotional development. Anxiety disorders, chemical dependency, depression, teenage pregnancy and truancy have been linked to loss in childhood. One researcher asserts that there can be no question that those who experience parental loss in childhood have a substantially increased risk of both psychiatric illness and delinquency in early adulthood. It is suggested that children who receive therapeutic intervention to assist in coping with the loss will experience less symptomatology in later years.

Necessary Steps helps children and adults who are hurting emotionally because a loved one has died. It provides a setting where people can come together and express their concerns and feelings. With the guidance of therapists and the support of their peers, they are able to resolve their grief in a manner which promotes healing. The resolution of grief deepens each individual's coping skills and allows for health emotional development. These are strengths they carry with them throughout their lives.

Necessary Steps creates an atmosphere which enables families to effectively work through their grieving process. Participants meet in family groups as well as in groups with others of similar age. Depending upon the particular age group, various techniques such as art therapy, puppetry, story-telling, board games, and other activities are utilized. These activities help each individual to work through their sadness, anger and fear. Parent support groups meet concurrently with the children's groups.

Group leaders are licensed counselors skilled in bereavement counseling. They conduct groups with the assistance of trained volunteers. A group for both English and Spanish speaking parents is offered. Sessions consist of 8 - 10 weekly meetings which are offered four (4) times a year. Group evaluations are completed by each participant and parent at the end of each session. Parents have reported positive changes in their children in addition to an increase in a personal comfort level with respect to an understanding of what they are feeling. The children have expressed added comfort in knowing they are not alone in their fear and concerns. A small donation per person per week is requested. No one is ever turned away because of their inability to pay. There is no other support group exactly like Necessary Steps in Orange County.

For additional Information about Necessary Steps, please call 714.744.0644