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The Christi Center has been providing grief support services in local schools for over 20 years. Recognizing we were not meeting the demand with our current resources, we created the School Grief Support Network as a unique, cost effective answer to serving more grieving children. In just one semester, we have provided grief support to an additional 36 students and engaged over 20 retired school counselors with a meaningful volunteer experience. Participants will receive the tools to create their own innovative school program in their community.
Erin Spalding, LCSW, is the Program Director of The Christi Center, a local non-profit grief support center. She facilitates the teen and young adult support groups, provides clinical oversight and provides extensive community trainings throughout Central Texas. She is also an adjunct professor at St. Edward's University and UT School of Social Work. Her clinical expertise is providing services for kids, teens, and young adults, particularly in the areas of peer support, grief and loss.
Tammy Cochran, M.Ed., LPC is excited to return to her hometown of Austin and coordinate the new School Grief Support Network Initiative between The Christi Center and Austin ISD. Tammy received a Bachelors in Education from Texas A&M University and a Masters in Counseling from the University of Houston. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and have experience as a classroom teacher and school counselor in several districts around the state of Texas. Her first introduction to the power of grief counseling and peer support groups was through volunteering as a group facilitator at Bo’s Place, a children’s bereavement center in Houston. Tammy was most recently the Outreach Coordinator at the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas where she built partnerships in the San Antonio area through education, training, and reaching out to those in need of grief support and services. She is dedicated to helping others understand grief and providing children with the net of support needed to adjust to their “new normal” after a death and go on to lead healthy, happy, productive lives. Outside of work, She is busy with my wonderful husband and two sons along with volunteering in their schools and other community organizations.
