School-Based Grief Support

In addition to regular weekly programming held at our local branches, Ele’s Place offers a variety of ways to engage with our local school districts in supporting grieving children throughout the state of Michigan: 

  • Weekly in-school support groups
  • Educational events for faculty, staff, and families 
  • Reference literature and professional guidance/referrals are available from our branches. 

Contact your local Ele's Place for information on how we can support your school in the following ways:

Ele's Group

Because not every family can commit to programming in an Ele's Place facility each week, and because sometimes schools are affected more broadly across the student population by the death of a fellow student or teacher, Ele’s Place works in partnership with school counselors to provide 8-week support groups in many area schools.  For more information, school administrators please contact our Ele's Group coordinators listed here. Parents interested in a group at their child's school should reach out to the school administration. 

  • Capital Region area school counselors interested in partnering with Ele's Place in their school should contact Chloe Silm, LMSW, at [email protected].
  • Ann Arbor and surrounding southeast Michigan area school counselors interested in partnering with Ele's Place in their school should contact KaDerrick Robinson, LMSW, at [email protected]. 
  • West Michigan area schools interested in partnering with Ele's Place in their school should contact Karen Ketterer, LMSW, at [email protected].
  • Greater Flint and Genessee County area schools interested in partnering with Ele's Place in their school should contact Tracy Payton-Lester, LMSW, at [email protected]. 

School Staff Support

  • Presentations for teachers, counselors and administrators are provided at school meetings, in-services and workshops. Presentations can be customized to the situational needs of staff.  (We recommend at least an hour presentation. Presentations are based on staff availability.)
  • Consultations regarding the needs of a grieving student, class, or school

Resource and Referral

  • Guidance and written materials for parents and teachers working with a grieving child
  • Professional referrals to social workers and psychologists in the community