In January 2024, New Jersey became the first state in the nation to require grief and loss education within Health and Physical Education standards for students in grades 8-12. As a result, the NJ Grief Collaborative – a coalition of New Jersey’s leading family bereavement centers – was created to help schools implement this landmark mandate with confidence, compassion, and clarity as we work towards creating grief informed communities throughout NJ.
The NJ Grief Collaborative supports schools in implementing the mandate in ways that are practical, compassionate, and developmentally appropriate. This implementation:
According to the CBEM, approximately 1 out of 13 children in NJ will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the time they reach 18 years of age. By the time children in NJ turn 25, this becomes 1 out of 8. These numbers does not include other important deaths, such as that of friends, grandparents, aunts and uncles. It also does not include life altering experiences such as divorce, incarceration, illness, community violence, natural disasters and displacement, which are also losses that can bring about grief.
Grief does not stay at home.
It shows up in classrooms, hallways, attendance records, behaviors patterns, and academic performance.
When we equip students and their trusted adults with the proper knowledge, language, and tools, we strengthen not only individual resilience — but also entire school communities.
Tools and materials for schools, organizations, professionals, and community members.
ARTICLE
Support students who are grieving as they return to school after experiencing a loss by increasing your understanding and learning ways to help with the transition back to everyday school routines.
Outlines how schools can create individualized bereavement support plans to help students who are grieving transition back to school through personalized emotional, social, and academic support.
WEBPAGE
A full library of guides, tip sheets, activities, and more to help you support your child who is grieving ranging from toddler age to teenagers.
A warm, accessible guide on what students who are grieving need from their teachers, and simple ways to provide it.
Myths often make our response to death and grief ineffective, misguided, and make this difficult time of life even harder.
Schools who are grief-informed see grief as a natural response that may occur following any type of loss and create more supportive learning environments for students and the school community as a whole.
Recognizes that loss impacts learning and creates systems that support students throughout their school experience
Prepares educators with professional development to support students and colleagues coping with loss
Thoughtfully integrates grief education into the students experience and curriculum without requiring student self disclosure
Provides pathways to additional support when needed
Together, we support schools and communities in implementing grief education in ways that are developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and grounded in best practice.
Our non-profit organizations collaborate on training, materials, consultation, and community response to ensure schools, workplaces, organizations, and communities feel supported – not overwhelmed.
Hear from educators, families, and community members who have experienced the power of grief-informed support in action.
Whether you are a school leader, educator, policymaker, caregiver, workplace leader, or community member, we are here to help.
Professional development, curriculum partners, and implementation guidance.
Resources to support children and teens who are grieving.
Evidence-based insight into why grief education strengthens schools and communities at large.
