Parents learn about how to help children cope with illness and loss at Parent Resource Center

On Thursday, February 13, the Mount Vernon City School District Parent Liaison Team hosted a parent and guardian workshop entitled Chronic Illness, Loss, and the Impact on Your Child. Their guest presenter was Ms. Jennifer Ricca, MS, CCLS, Children, Teens, and Family Manager for the Cancer Support Community Greater NY & CT.

The Cancer Support Community Greater NY & CT provides free social and emotional support to adults, teens and children affected by cancer.
Since parents in attendance had older children, Ms. Ricca discussed common reactions of middle and high school students to illness and loss, helping their children understand, and when to seek outside support.

Parents in attendance were given the opportunity to share how they and their families are being affected by chronic illness and the death of loved ones in a safe, supportive environment and received personalized suggestions about how they can help their children understand and manage their emotions and behavior. They left with information about free services that the Cancer Support Community makes available to families affected by cancer.

The Parent Liaisons helped facilitate the conversation in English and Spanish by providing in-person translation and through the use of translation technology.

Parents, guardians and other adult family members across the Mount Vernon City School District are invited to attend all events held at the Parent Resource Center. We offer workshops and support groups that focus on mental wellness, financial literacy, health education, coping with social/behavioral issues, how to navigate the world of special education, and much more! A new event calendar is released each month on the district website, social media, and in our schools. Please watch for the release of the March event calendar after the mid-winter recess.

Please join us for the Job Search Essentials workshop on February 25, at 11 am at the Parent Resource Center at the MV STEAM Academy, Room G5, 350 Gramatan Ave. Click here to register or register via phone (914-308-4220) or email (mgutierrez1@mtvernoncsd.org).