Bereavement Professional

​Hi All,

I am fairly new in directing our bereavement program, and we are in the process of creating long term goals for the next few years. Thus far we have  used quality goals, measured by client satisfaction, so we are using the EGSS instrument to get a baseline and set goals for improvement. What other goals have programs used that are SMART? We have a program that offers many types of groups, individual counseling and continuing education programs in addition to the required calls and mailings.

Thanks for your ideas!

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Susan M. Coale, LCSW-C
Director
Chesapeake Life Center at Hospice of the Chesapeake
Pasadena, MD
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I started at my agency in January as their first dedicated Bereavement Services Coordinator, and am working to improve what my agency has been able to provide in the past. My focus is on increasing education for the staff for specific populations, like veterans and LGBTQ, to improve care proved before death. I read several studies that show this is a good way to improve bereavement outcomes. I am also putting together support groups, started a bereavement newsletter (which is going out next week), and looking into ways to provide more services to the community at large. We are also working on some pre-death interventions like Dignity Therapy and other memory-making activities. I also hope to develop some web-based resources for our clients. I'm thinking about guided imagery mp3 files and maybe some videos on relevant topics, but this is still in the brainstorming phase.

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Reid Jacobs, MSW, LSW, ACHP-SW
Palliative Social Worker
The Denver Hospice & Optio Health Services
Denver, CO
Social Worker Steering Committee Member
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-07-2019 15:25
From: Susan Coale
Subject: Program Goals

​Hi All,

I am fairly new in directing our bereavement program, and we are in the process of creating long term goals for the next few years. Thus far we have  used quality goals, measured by client satisfaction, so we are using the EGSS instrument to get a baseline and set goals for improvement. What other goals have programs used that are SMART? We have a program that offers many types of groups, individual counseling and continuing education programs in addition to the required calls and mailings.

Thanks for your ideas!

------------------------------
Susan M. Coale, LCSW-C
Director
Chesapeake Life Center at Hospice of the Chesapeake
Pasadena, MD
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​I think the only thing I might add is that it is helpful to do a Needs Assessment of your community- especially as a new hospice bereavement provider- so to assess what services exist and maybe where your hospice bereavement program could fill a gap or find it's niche.

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Robin Fiorelli LCSW
Sr. Director of Bereavement and Volunteers
VITAS
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-07-2019 15:25
From: Susan Coale
Subject: Program Goals

​Hi All,

I am fairly new in directing our bereavement program, and we are in the process of creating long term goals for the next few years. Thus far we have  used quality goals, measured by client satisfaction, so we are using the EGSS instrument to get a baseline and set goals for improvement. What other goals have programs used that are SMART? We have a program that offers many types of groups, individual counseling and continuing education programs in addition to the required calls and mailings.

Thanks for your ideas!

------------------------------
Susan M. Coale, LCSW-C
Director
Chesapeake Life Center at Hospice of the Chesapeake
Pasadena, MD
------------------------------