ROCKINGHAM — Connections Family Support and Community Collaboration Program is hosting guest speaker Pam Easterling, director of Sandhills Alternative Academy, from noon to 1:30 p.m. April 12 at the First United Methodist Church’s Bynum Building, 400 E. Washington St.
Easterling will be speaking on the topic of children and grief. She will be discussing ways the community can better help youth to communicate their feelings that may accompany a loss, and how to better cope with the grief they are experiencing from a traumatic event or situation. She will also offer resources and tools to help children better deal with grief.
Easterling is a Richmond County native and a graduate of Richmond Community College wo received her bachelor’s in sociology and masters in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She has been in the mental health field since 1993 and served on the Richmond County Board of Education for 12 years. She was also the bereavement coordinator for Richmond County Hospice and an active participant in the Children’s Grief Camp.
Easterling said she recognized the need for specialized children’s services in Richmond County and began Sandhills Alternative Academy, LLC in 2008, which offers specialized services such as day treatment, intensive in-home, substance abuse intensive outpatient program and outpatient therapy.
Family members, providers and professionals working with children and adolescents, such as teachers, social workers, case managers, therapists, counselors and court counselors are encouraged to attend.
Space is limited and organizers ask that attendees register in advance and no later than April 8. Resources and lunch will be provided at no charge.
Connections Family Support Program is funded by Sandhills Center and conducted through a contract with the National Alliance on Mental Illness in North Carolina. To learn more or to register for this workshop, contact Suzanne Maness in Anson and Richmond counties toll free at 877-211-5995 or by email at [email protected].