By Melissa McWilliams, AGSS Program Manager

Last month, I had the privilege of attending the Lost Sparrows Healing Childhood Trauma Conference in Warsaw, IN. What a great experience! This conference is packed full of authenticity, transparency, and a wealth of knowledge and resources.  I highly recommend this conference to anyone in the foster care and adoption realm, or those who know or support someone who is.  Here are a few resources I discovered at this conference that I wanted to share. I hope you find them helpful!

Dustin’s Place: Children’s Grief | Dustin’s Place | Plymouth

• From their website: “We provide grief support for children ages 4 through 18 years of age as well as adults at NO COST. Our mission is to support those who are grieving, educate our community, inspire hope.  We believe no one should grieve alone.”
• Grief Support Services Offered: Grief Support | Www Dustinsplace Org
  • Peer Grief Support Group Night:
  • School Groups:
  • Crisis/Acute Grief Support
  • Community Education
  • Teen Writing Workshop
  • Summer Grief Camp

L.Y.G.H.T.™: A Dougy Center Program: LYGHT: Grief Support for Foster Care Youth | Dougy Center

• From their website: “Listening and Led by Youth in Foster Care: Grief, Hope, and Transitions (L.Y.G.H.T.)™ is an evidence-based peer grief support program influenced by and developed for youth in foster care.”
• Y.G.H.T.™ Resources for Youth in Foster Care: LYGHT Resources for Youth in Foster Care | Dougy Center

Lost Sparrows:  https://www.lostsparrows.org/

• Their mission statement: Advocating for the worth and potential of every child, Lost Sparrows works to empower and equip families, caregivers and communities to love, nurture, and protect vulnerable children.
• Tools:
  • The Center for Healing Childhood Trauma, Online Trauma Education: parentingchildrenwithtrauma.org
  • Monthly support group meetings in Warsaw, IN (calendar is here: Events | Lost Sparrows)
  • Lost Sparrows Healing Childhood Trauma Conference: Conference | Lost Sparrows
  • Podcast list: Resources | Lost Sparrows
  • Suggested Reading List: Resources | Lost Sparrows

Village to Village Intl.: Home – Village to Village

• From their website: “Because They Matter. We equip vulnerable children, youth and their caregivers with proven tools and resources that bring profound levels of hope and healing.”
• Services Offered:
  • TBRI Foundational Training: TBRI Foundational Training – Village to Village
  • TBRI in the Classroom: TBRI in the Classroom – Village to Village
  • HALO Program: HALO Program – Village to Village
  • Simulcasts/Conferences: Simulcasts/Conferences – Village to Village
  • Parent Coaching: TBRI Foundational Training – Village to Village

Wrapped in Love: Wrapped In Love Safe In His Arms, INC. | Facebook

• “A ministry serving those local to Marshall County touched by foster care.”
• Resources Provided:
  • Support our local DCS office
  • Clothing
  • Shoes
  • Baby ear
  • Diapers & Wipes
  • Welcome Kit
  • Support to First Families
• Contact: Melissa Bachtel at 574-281-2499