FAQ

• What does the Caring Place do?
• How can I refer someone to the Caring Place?
• How long after the death has occurred can a family still attend your groups?
• Who can attend the Caring Place support group programs?
• What kind of counseling and therapy does the Caring Place provide?
• When and where do the support groups take place?
• How much does your program cost? How do you pay for the services you provide?
• Do I have to have Highmark insurance to benefit from the services of the Highmark Caring Place?
• Do you deal with grief and loss based on divorce or incarceration?
• Do I have to have mental health experience to volunteer?
• How old do you have to be to volunteer?
• How are your volunteers trained?
• How can I make a donation?

Q: What does the Caring Place do?

A: We provide child-focused, family-based peer support programming for children and their adult caregivers who have experienced the death of a close family member. We provide volunteer opportunities to those interested in supporting our program. We consult with the larger community about the needs of grieving children and equip those who work with children to support them after the death of a family member.

Q: How can I refer someone to the Caring Place?

A: We rely on community partners to refer families to the Caring Place. The parent or primary caregiver of the grieving child can call one of our toll-free numbers:

Q: How long after the death has occurred can a family still attend your groups?

A: We let the family decide when they feel ready and able to call us for support. Typically, families begin our program 6–18 months after a death. Families will call at different times depending on their needs. We have had families call us when a family member is terminally ill; we have also had families call us eight or more years after a death.

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Q: Who can attend the Caring Place support group programs?

A: The Caring Place support groups are focused on serving children; however it is a family program. Therefore, children from infancy up to high school graduation who have had a family member die can attend when accompanied by an adult family member (typically their guardian) who is also grieving.

Q: What kind of counseling and therapy does the Caring Place provide?

A: The Caring Place does not offer counseling or therapy. Our program is a peer support program for children, teens, and adults to be with others their age who have had a family member die. In their groups, the children and teens are invited to participate in a variety of activities and discussions that help them explore the impact that the death has had in their lives.

Q: When and where do the support groups take place?

A: Caring Place support groups run at varying times throughout the year. All groups are held from 6–8 p.m. Please contact the Caring Place nearest you for group session dates:

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Q: How much does your program cost? How do you pay for the services you provide?

A: The program is offered at no cost to families. We generously receive major funding from Highmark, Inc. We also receive donations from the community which are matched by Highmark.

Q: Do I have to have Highmark insurance to benefit from the services of the Highmark Caring Place?

A: The Caring Place is a community service offered at no cost to all families. Everyone in the community is eligible to contact us regardless of their insurance status.

Q: Do you deal with grief and loss based on divorce or incarceration?

A: We work with children who have experienced a loss due to death only.

Q: Do I have to have mental health experience to volunteer?

A: No specific experience is necessary to volunteer at the Caring Place. We are looking for dedicated, dependable people who can truly listen to grieving children and families. We will train and equip people to volunteer at the Caring Place.

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Q: How old do you have to be to volunteer?

A: Volunteers in our peer support group sessions must be 21 or older.

Q: How are your volunteers trained?

A: Volunteers go through a three phase process: an orientation, an interview and training.

At the orientation, those who are interested in becoming a volunteer learn what the Caring Place is about, what the roles of the volunteers are, and how they might be able to help.

The interview is a chance for more specific questions to be answered.

The training is more in-depth, totaling 26 hours held over six meetings. Training sessions are held in the fall (September) and winter (January/February). All volunteers are also asked to complete Act 33 and 34 clearance checks (Pennsylvania child abuse and criminal background checks). If you are interested in volunteering, please contact:

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Q: How can I make a donation?

A: Make out a check to the Highmark Caring Foundation or Highmark Caring Place, and mail to the facility of your choice:

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