A key part of the VNA’s hospice service is its robust bereavement program, which ensures patients and families have access to grief support throughout and after their hospice journey. VNA Hospice offers patients and families grief support through bereavement counselors, non-denominational chaplains and bereavement support groups. The VNA also offers unique bereavement services for children. These services have recently expanded and are being spearheaded by a new VNA Pediatric Bereavement Counselor, Katie Fesenmaier.
Katie, who is a certified child specialist (CCLS), participated in her first Camp Chrysalis, VNA’s bereavement camp for children, which is fully funded by a grant from Quail Valley Charities, in June. Prior to camp, she reached out to the families that were registered for it to learn more about their special person who died. Her objective was to gain a better understanding of their child’s relationship to the deceased and asked if there were any changes in their child’s behavior. “The phone call was a way for me to assess how the child was coping prior to coming to camp as each child grieves differently,” says Katie.
Katie facilitated various activities that helped the children begin working through their grief, and at the end of the day, she gave each child a book, “When Someone Dies – A Children’s Mindful How-to Guide on Grief and Loss.”
“The book is more than just learning about bereavement,” Katie explains. “It’s cultivating mindfulness, creating physical and emotional awareness, and practicing mindful language. The reason I chose this book was that it shared bereavement concepts with children in a concrete way, allowed processing of feelings, prompted important open-ended conversations, built social-emotional skills and strengthened family connections.”
In addition to Camp Chrysalis, Katie has also helped facilitate new bereavement activities for children, which she calls “Kid Connections.” To date, these have included an afternoon of painting pottery at the Painted Frog studio in Vero Beach, an event that was made possible thanks to generous funding by Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach. “I think the kids enjoyed it,” says Katie. “I get the most feedback from the parents/caregivers about my services supporting their child, grandchild etcetera. I feel I am making a difference helping families navigate their grief journey.”
This month, Katie is spearheading three back-to-school events, including one at Vero Beach High School where she’ll set up a table with resources for teachers, grief materials for children, and her contact information. She notes how all her referrals from the schools are through school counselors.
The second back-to-school event will be at Dodgertown with the VNA Marketing team. “These events are a way for me to get my name out there, so the community is aware of my services, and the best part is it is free to see me,” says Katie with a big smile.
The final event this month will take place August 27 and features a fun evening at the Skate Factory in Vero Beach. It is free for any child or teen with whom Katie has worked. And beginning in September, Katie will be hosting a monthly children’s support group at the main library in Vero Beach for first through fifth graders. The first support group will be held on Thursday, September 11, from 6-7 p.m. (additional dates: 10/9, 11/13, 12/11).
There will be more to come from Katie, who is such an asset to VNA’s bereavement services for children and who brings more than a decade of experience as a certified child life specialist in a variety of settings, including children’s hospitals throughout the country. For more information about the many happenings in VNA’s bereavement services, please visit Grief Support for Children – Visiting Nurse Association.
This information is for educational purposes. Please consult your physician regarding any medical issues. The Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast (VNA) is committed to bringing trusted and quality home health, private care and hospice to Indian River County patients. For more information about VNA services, call 772-567-5551 or visit www.vnatc.com.
