Files
Abstract
This study examines the effectiveness of professional development training for public school staff on the topics of death, loss, and grief through a mixed-methods approach. The purpose of this pilot study was to gain a baseline understanding of school staff knowledge, evaluate the effectiveness of the professional development training intervention, and gather feedback for future iterations of this program. Forty-two research participants from a public school in the Northeastern United States participated in professional development on this topic. The research participants completed pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys to assess knowledge and gather feedback. The training included the New York Life Foundation Grief Sensitive Schools framework. The training was accompanied by a panel discussion featuring local experts, including mental health providers from the school district (one school counselor and one school social worker). Knowledge was measured using Sawyer's (2022) twelve statements on myths and beliefs related to grief. A statistically significant improvement was noted in overall knowledge as a result of the intervention, and participants provided recommendations for improving future iterations of this training. Mental health professionals demonstrated less improvement in knowledge, as their baseline knowledge was more advanced than that of other school staff, indicating an opportunity for differentiated instruction in future training. Overall, school staff reported that this was a good use for professional development and that the training met their expectations. Most individual research participants identified ways to incorporate the learning into their personal and professional lives. With one in twelve school-age children experiencing the death of a parent or sibling before the age of eighteen, having knowledgeable school staff interacting with grieving children will better support them through their academic journey (Eftoda, 2021; Judi’s House/JAG Institute, 2024). School social workers, as part of the multidisciplinary team, have an opportunity to lead training and advocate for grieving families.