Your school can partner with The Community Hospice to provide grief support services. The Community Hospice's Wave Riders program is for children and teens that have experienced a death-related loss. Through art and dialogue, Wave Riders support groups provide a safe, supportive environment to help children and teens learn they are not alone; their feelings are perfectly normal, and how to express those feelings in safe and healthy ways.

A Grief Counselor from The Community Hospice will work together with your school’s Social Worker or Guidance Counselor.

We typically meet 30-45 minutes for 4-6 weeks and need at least FOUR students with completed paperwork. We need a private space free from interruptions as well as a school staff member to be present. 

REQUIRED PAPERWORK FOR WAVE RIDERS COMPLETED BY THE LEGAL GUARDIAN:

•Grief Services Application (one per family)

•Statement of understanding/SOU (one per family)

•Authorization/Release for us to speak to your school (one per child)

•Telehealth agreement (in case needed)

•If we have not previously run a group at your school, please have your principal complete the Wave Riders Agreement

•We recommend our Dear Parent letter to introduce the program.

For more information including the required paperwork

 contact the Pediatric Bereavement Facilitator

Julia Soto -  jsoto@communityhospice.org 

or call 518-285-8100 or 518-724-0200.

All documents can be submitted online or mailed to:

 Pediatric Bereavement Services

 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205