Hotel Information
While there are many hotels in the area to choose from, we recommend the following:
Embassy SuitesTwo Convention Center PlazaSt. Charles, MO 63303636-946-5544(click on the logo for more information)
The Embassy Suites St. Louis-St. Charles Hotel & Spa is conveniently attached to the St. Charles Convention Center and is just minutes away from Historic Main Street – St. Charles, Ameristar Casino, St. Louis Mills shopping mall and much more. Rates range between $109-$199 per evening for a standard room. Please visit their website for more information.
Country Inn & Suites1190 South Main StreetSt. Charles, MO 63301888-201-1746; 636-724-5555(click on the logo for more information)
Country Inn & Suites is located 5 minutes form the Convention Center in Historic St. Charles, amidst boutique shopping, restaurants and many other popular attractions. Rooms at the discounted rate of $89 per night are available until September 30, 2010. Be sure to mention “National Share” when making your reservation to receive the discounted rate.
Travel Information
You will need to arrange for transportation (rental car, taxi) from Lambert St. Louis International Airport to your hotel. For guests staying at the St. Charles Embassy Suites, a special fare of $17 one way is available with Yellow Cab Company 636-724-1234.
Do I receive continuing education credits for attending this workshop?
Share is approved by MONA (The Missouri Nurses Association) and NASW (National Association of Social Workers) to provide continuing education hours.
How much does it cost?
Fees include all workshop materials and lunch on Friday and Saturday.
1st registrant: $400 2nd and 3rd registrants: $300 each*Over 3 registrants: $250 each*Completed registrations must be received 2 weeks prior to the first day of workshops. Those registering after the deadline will pay $475 per person and are not eligible to receive the discounted group registration prices.
Workshop Location
St Charles Convention CenterOne Convention Center PlazaSt. Charles, MO 63303636-669-3000 (click on the logo for more information)
The workshops will be held at the St. Charles Convention Center, located in St. Charles, Missouri, which is approximately 15 minutes from Lambert St. Louis International Airport. Please visit their website for more information including maps and directions.
Sharing & Caring Training
October 15-17, 2010March 4-6, 2011October 21-23, 2011
March 4-6, 2011October 21-23, 2011While Share's primary purpose is to provide support to grieving parents at the time of and/or following the death of a baby, the secondary purpose is to provide information, education and resources on the needs and rights of bereaved parents and siblings. The objective is to aid those in the community in their supportive role. In order to meet this objective, the National Share Office holds a training workshop twice each year to aid those who work with bereaved parents. This workshop is open to anyone who wants to start their own Share Group, hospital chaplains, social workers, counselors, nurses, and bereaved parents. The Sharing and Caring workshop is a weekend- long intensive training that gives anyone who works with grieving families the tools they need to work with families effectively, run support groups, and gain the support of their hospital staff.
Who teaches the workshop?
The Sharing and Caring workshop is facilitated by Cathi Lammert, RN, Executive Director of Share. Some sessions are taught by psychologists and social workers and Share staff.
Kelly Karavousanos, LPC, CT
Heidi Pollard, BSN, MSN
Dr. Amy Frankel, PhD
Allegra Grawer, MSW
Rose Carlson, Share Program Director
Stephanie Grant, Share Development Director
* This discount is available ONLY to registrants attending the same training weekend and cannot be split between the Fall and Spring sessions.*
What topics are covered in this training session?
History of Perinatal Loss
This session is a look into the ever-changing views of perinatal loss in society and the the hospital setting over the past 30 years of care.
Open Sharing
The objectives of this session are to examine and compare protocol, current issues, etc that participants are dealing with, and to compare and contrast differences in working with bereaved parents among professionals and bereaved parents themselves.
Understanding the Grief Process when a Baby Dies
In order to support a family whose baby has died, one must first understand the grief process. This session will give you some insights into this grief journey.
Difficult Decisions
In this session, the objectives are to examine the complexities of the decision-making process for families dealing with a baby who has a prenatal diagnosis of an anomaly, or a postnatal situation (i.e. a baby coming off life support); to define ways to provide support and care for those making decisions about their baby, and to identify specific resources for families who have to make these difficult decisions.
Children and Grief
A child's concept of and reaction to the death of a sibling varies depending on how old the child is at the time. This session covers everything from explaining the developmental reactions children have at various ages to the types of grief reactions they may have. Also, ideas are given as to how to support children at the time of the death and throughout the grief process.
Parent Panel
This is a special part of the training weekend when parents who have experienced all types of losses share their stories with the participants. The goal of this session is twofold: To illustrate the experiences and needs that bereaved parents have, and to identify specific ways that caregivers are or are not helpful as parents make their way through the experience of losing a baby and the grief that follows.
Complicated Mourning
While there really is no "normal" way to grieve, this session covers all of the factors that can contribute to a complication in the grief process. Participants will also learn how to develop a plan of intervention to work with parents experiencing complicated grief.
Caring for Yourself
Working with bereaved parents is rewarding yet challenging. In this session, participants will learn about the importance of caring for their own needs so they can better serve grieving families. Objectives are to define a "comfort zone," to identify "comfort zone" traps, to describe models of coping, to demonstrate and use strengths, and to identify the elements of fear.
Orienting the Hospital Staff
Often, the methods Share advocates for being supportive of bereaved parents are not always implemented in hospitals. This session will teach you how to do things such as educate the caregivers, create a packet for bereaved parents, find ways to help the parents gather mementos and plan farewell rituals, educate the staff about the grief process and parent's rights, how to work as a team, and much more.
Cultural Differences
It is so important to realize when working with grieving families that different cultures and religions have different ideas about death, dying, and what should be done when a family is grieving. It is important when working with families to understand the differences in the ways other cultures and religions handle the death of a baby. The objectives of this session are to examine present knowledge on cultural diversity, identify ways of communicating, and to review the diversity issues that affect expressions of grief.
How to Run a Support Group Effectively
Gain valuable insight into ways to establish, maintain, and market a support group. Explore opportunities for increasing awareness and future fundraising over the life of your group.
Fundraising
In this session, you will learn ways to raise money for your support group or bereavement program.
Feedback from past participants in the workshop
"I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in this workshop. I have learned many new things and have come to appreciate other challenges and situations I personally did not have to experience."
"It helps to learn more about what is okay for you to do for yourself because as Jan discussed, we give and give and give but never give ourselves credit for what we do and for what others do. Thanks!"
"Cathi is a very compassionate speaker. I like how she just 'goes with the flow' and allows time for open discussion anywhere needed."
"This was an EXCELLENT program. I am privileged to be here. This is the first conference where I didn't watch my clock."
"This training has been wonderful. I feel I will be able to successfully establish a group over time and that I will have the support and resources I need to do so."
"Heidi was excellent. The way she interacted with everyone made it easy to follow and interesting. She is very knowledgeable and conveys the information in an easy-to-understand way."
"Very creative ways to honor the losses was presented."
For more information about the workshop, contact Rose at the National Office.
