BINGHAMTON, NY – As part of a Spring Seminar Series, Binghamton University’s College of Community and Public Affairs will host two grief management seminars with Kira Lallas, Wednesday, March 19, in room DC-223 at the University Downtown Center, 67 Washington Street, Binghamton.

The first seminar titled, "Understanding and Supporting Grieving Children," held from 9 a.m. to noon, and tailored for practitioners, will explore the fundamental principle of supporting children ages 5-12 who are grieving the death of a significant person. The presentation will include discussion about developmental stages, how feelings are expressed in normal and complicated grief, and steps to follow as practitioners to best facilitate integration and build emotional skills. Lallas will offer a framework by which to approach this process and suggestions for language to use and will coach caregivers with fun and creative activities.

The second seminar, "Understanding and Supporting Grieving Teens," held from 1-4 p.m., will address the challenges and opportunities specific to teens aged 13-17 who are grieving the death of a significant person. While teenagers’ understanding of death is developmentally closer to that of an adult, they are managing other natural stages of emotional and social growth that can make these years a difficult time to process death. Lallas will offer a framework by which to approach supporting grieving teens, information about developmental stages and structuring support groups for teens. Case examples will also be provided.

Lallas is a pediatric palliative care case manager for CompassionNet, supporting kids with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Previously, Lallas was the hospice and community bereavement counselor for five years at Hospicare and Palliative Care Services in Tompkins County. She provides individual counseling for children, teens and families after all types of death and facilitates the Good Grief Program of creative, fun and therapeutic programming for grieving children, provides training for professionals who support young people and provides crisis intervention after a death at schools and community agencies.

The cost to attend either seminar is $65 per person or $90 to attend both sessions. Light refreshments will be provided. Lunch is on your own. To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/pvmemsu. For questions, contact Joann Lindstrom at 607-777-9178.