Jean Cooper, LMSW
TLC Certified Trainer
Jean Cooper has worked with children and families for the past 14 years, first as a childlife specialist and most recently as a social worker. Her background includes working as a childlife specialist in pediatric hospice, helping create and run the first open-ended grief support program for children and families in Southeastern Michigan, SandCastles, Camp Director for a childhood and adolescent grief summer camp, working with families and individuals affected by cancer at Gilda's Club in Metro Detroit, and most recently as a school social for Rochester Community Schools in Michigan. As a school social worker, Jean worked on the District Crisis Team, and supported students (pre-school through high school) with special needs and their families. Jean co-authored her first book, Supporting Students with Special Needs Following a Death or Trauma, in 2004. She has been working closely with TLC since 2003 as a guest lecturer and has provided trainings around the country. Jean has a passion for teaching others how to best and most effectively work with children and families that are experiencing grief.
Jean presents the following courses:
Supporting Students with Special Needs
Description to come
Grief
Participants will leave this training with an understanding of the grief journey for children. They will also leave with a "tool box" of easy, hand-on activities to use with individual children and groups. Anticipatory grief will be discussed and participants will learn how they can support and guide the healing process before death occurs. The three tasks of grief will be explored along with specific activities to support each task. Participants will have the opportunity to self reflect and look at how our own personal, professional and educational experiences are reflected in our work with children who are grieving. The various factors that influence childhood grief will be examined as well as the developmental aspects of childhood grief. Lecture, discussions, hands on activities and group work are all included in the day.