Healing at the Center\u2122 is committed to making grief care accessible to everyone-regardless of ability to pay. Through partnerships with community organizations and grant-funded programming, we provide free grief education, support groups, and professional training across Putnam County, Montgomery County, and beyond.<\/p>\n
This program addresses a critical gap in bereavement care training among first responders and allied professionals who frequently encounter drug-related overdose and death. As overdose rates rise, so does the demand for grief-informed support; however, many front-line providers lack the knowledge and skills to respond effectively. The program offers targeted education on substance-related loss, acute grief reactions, and the importance of psychosocial follow-up, while also emphasizing self-care and resilience for professionals. Designed for both community members and service providers, it includes general education to increase grief literacy and reduce stigma, alongside specialized training that equips first responders and allied professionals with foundational grief care and coaching strategies.<\/p>\n
This program component expands community capacity to respond to grief associated with substance use and suicide through a multi-tiered approach. Community-focused education promotes grief literacy and stigma reduction by addressing traumatic loss, including overdose and suicide, and offering practical coping strategies. Specialized training for first responders, healthcare providers, and community leaders builds competency in recognizing grief and trauma, applying basic coaching skills, and implementing postvention practices to support and refer individuals effectively. In addition, an accessible, sliding-scale care model provides individualized and group-based support for survivors, integrating evidence-based approaches, peer support, and practical coping resources.<\/p>\n
This initiative responds to a critical gap in mental health, substance use, and bereavement services in Montgomery County, Indiana, where existing providers are at capacity and access to care is often delayed. The recent closure of the area’s only other dedicated grief support organization has further limited available resources, positioning Healing at the Center\u2122 as the sole provider of specialized bereavement care. In response, this project incorporates a “train-the-trainer” model aimed at expanding community capacity by equipping individuals with foundational grief support skills, fostering broader community awareness, and strengthening informal networks of care.<\/p>\n
One of the ways we fulfill our mission is through collaboration with others. We are proud to serve as members of and leaders in the following organizations.<\/p>\n
I have a significant track record of successful grant applications – more than $1 million in funded programming secured for partner agencies. If your organization is interested in bringing grief care, education, or training to your community through grant-funded programming, I can help. Healing at the Center \u2122 partners with agencies to identify funding opportunities, can help develop grant applications, and deliver grief care programming on behalf of funded projects. We can help you secure grief care, education, and training through shared, grant-funded work.<\/p>\n