Helping Students Cope with Trauma, Illness & Grief

Children are affected more than we might assume by major and minor losses. Traumatic events and serious illnesses or deaths of family members and friends as well as members of their school family can have a profound impact on these young lives. Even tragic community events, not directly experienced by a child, can leave an indelible mark.

Children often turn to trusted teachers for support and help to understand sad events in their lives. School is a primary resource for children offering continuity, safety, information, and support for their growth and success. To some, it is truly their second family. School personnel, especially teachers, are often a front-line resource for children experiencing trauma, illness, death and loss -- both at times of immediate crisis and in subsequent years, as children continue to adapt and mature.

In recognition of that reality, the Greece Central School District has made a commitment to providing needed support for those who have experienced a trauma, illness, or death.  In partnership with the Monroe County Office of Mental Health, dozens of staff members have received extensive training to assist them in responding to the emotional needs of children, teachers and other school personnel which arise from trauma, violence, illness, grief and loss. 

These trained individuals share their time and talent as a member of their School Building TIG (Trauma, Illness and Grief) Team or the District TIG Team. TIG teams offer support and resources to help impacted children and staff cope in the school setting. TIG teams follow a standardized protocol for intervention throughout the District which ensures response equity across all buildings and highlights sensitivity to the family’s wishes in all settings.

CLICK HERE to go to Monroe County’s TIG website.  It contains resources related to trauma, illness & grief for educational professional, parents and students.