Sesame Street Expands Study of Parentally Bereaved Children

Through the Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, Sesame Street is undertaking a research project as part of its "When Families Grieve" initiative.

From its website:

The research project is designed to: 1) understand the impact of parental death on children in military and civilian families, and 2) evaluate the usefulness of a new Sesame Workshop produced DVD program and associated materials entitled “When Families Grieve” designed to help children deal with such losses. The study is funded by Sesame Workshop (creators of the Sesame Street television show) and is being conducted by the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University (USU), located in Bethesda, MD.

In addition to the National Alliance for Grieving Children, partners include the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and five nationally recognized family grief support centers and NAGC members :the Dougy Center, Willow House, The Center for Grieving Children, the Mourning Star Center, and Ele’s Place.

Who can participate?
Any caregivers of parentally bereaved children.  Note: the research is in both English and Spanish.

How does someone participate?
Visit the research website to read more about the project and to sign up.

How can bereavement programs help?
Pass on the website information.  Families do not need to be participating in a bereavement program to be part of the research.