Hospice of Santa Barbara to present bilingual support groups for parents, children starting in Feburary

SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara will present free support groups, in both English and Spanish, for adults and caregivers of bereaved children and teens every Wednesday from Feb. 19 through April 9, the organization reported Tuesday in a media release.

The groups will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Hospice of Santa Barbara, 2050 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite 100, Santa Barbara.

Facilitated by the Hospice of Santa Barbara Clinical Team, each evening will start with a family style dinner and then participants will break out into separate groups: one for parents and guardians in both English and Spanish and up to three children’s groups by age (4-17 years).

Educational topics include grief and grieving, how children grieve, importance of family time, difficult feelings, challenges with children, saying good-bye and moving forward. The support group provides an opportunity for participants to share with others who are facing, or have faced, similar situations. Co-facilitators, licensed professional counselors and peer counselors, strive to make each group a safe, supportive and healing place.

Pre-registration is required. To register, call 805-563-8820 ext. 110. For more information, visit www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org.