Across the world, bereaved parents—especially those who have experienced the sudden unexpected death of an infant or child—turn to peer support to find empathy, understanding, and community. However, the format and the focus of each group is independently developed, with each organization taking a different approach to what constitutes the necessary knowledge and skills to lead these groups, and each providing a different level of supervision and training.  To address this gap, Boston Children’s Hospital will host a 3-day virtual training designed to build foundational skills, knowledge, and confidence among bereavement peer support leaders.  

This online training will take place November 17-19, 2025. The tentative times of the offering will be 7AM-12PM (US Eastern time) each day. First and last sessions will be pre-recorded and available for viewing at a more convenient time, for those in challenging time zones. The course will provide basic training for bereavement support leaders to promote and develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes required for optimal bereavement support. The course includes lectures, large group interactive teaching, small group learning and breakout groups to develop skills and explore attitudes, and partnered skill drills. Days will be organized around the general themes of basic building blocks for peer facilitators and their organizations (day 1), recruiting and running groups (day 2), and more complex challenges when facilitating peer support groups (day 3). Translation will be provided as requested.

Upon completion of the course, participants will:

1. describe and analyze current knowledge about bereavement; grief severity; the differences between grief, depression and traumatic stress; lifecycle considerations; and the science of grief intervention. 

2. demonstrate effective communication skills when dealing with bereaved families, including those from culturally diverse backgrounds. 

3. evaluate the strengths and challenges of peer support relying on the common, lived experiences of their facilitators.

4. identify bereaved parents who require more intense, personalized support. 

5. practice empathic, inclusive, and emotionally attuned group facilitation skills.

6. formulate an educational plan for a series of support group sessions.

This course was successfully piloted at the 2023 ISPID Florence meeting and is now ready for larger numbers of participants!

Applications will open on July 15, 2025. The course will be provided at a minimal fee, to be determined.  Please check back to this webpage for course updates. To gain more information or answer any questions, please email robertsprogram@childrens.harvard.edu and put “Peer support training course” in the subject line.

We are excited to welcome bereavement peer support leaders and help elevate the support we offer bereaved families!

This course was developed through the philanthropic support of the C.J. Foundation for SIDS.