The Traumatic Loss Coalition for Youth is an interactive, statewide network that offers collaboration and support to professionals working with school-age youth. The dual mission of the Traumatic Loss Coalition is excellence in suicide prevention and trauma response assistance to schools and youth organizations following unfortunate losses due to suicide, homicide, accident, and illness or traumatic events such as community violence. This is accomplished through county, regional, and statewide conferences, training, consultation, onsite traumatic loss response, and technical assistance.
The purpose is to ensure that those working with youth from a variety of disciplines and programs have up-to-date knowledge about mental health issues, suicide prevention, traumatic grief, and resiliency enhancement.
Center For Family Services coordinates the Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth in Camden, Gloucester, and Warren Counties, including onsite traumatic loss response and consultation, staff development workshops, and monthly coalition meetings.Services
School & Youth Organization Onsite Traumatic Loss Response and Consultation
The Traumatic Loss Coalition’s Lead Response Team provides traumatic stress management and psychological first aid following critical incidents in schools (Pre-K to college) and organizations servicing youth.
The Lead Response Teams are made up of volunteer school personnel, mental health professionals, paraprofessionals, social workers, counselors, and community members trained in psychological first aid and post-traumatic stress management.
To activate the Lead Response Team or consult on a response, please contact your county coordinator.
Staff Development Workshops for Schools and Communities
The Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth offer workshops for schools and communities in suicide prevention (Question, Persuade, and Refer), traumatic grief, and trauma response.
To request a training, please contact your county coordinator.
County Coalition Meetings
The coalition meetings bring together educators, mental health providers, law enforcement, members of community-based agencies, faith-based organizations, and community members to share their ideas and experiences working with youth, families, and communities. In addition, workshops and presentations are offered to help enhance our knowledge and skills in working with youth, families, and communities.
To be notified of upcoming county coalition meetings, please join our email list.
Volunteer Lead Responders Needed
Trained volunteer responders are needed to support youth following a traumatic event.
Volunteer responder requirements include: 1) Complete a 2-day training; 2) Attend a minimum of 2 practice sessions per year; 3) Respond to a minimum of 2 responses per year, if needed.
If you would like to apply to become a trained volunteer responder as part of The Traumatic Loss Coalitions (TLC) for Youth Lead Response Teams, please download and complete the application:
Volunteer Responder Application
*Applications for volunteer responders for the Lead Response Teams are accepted on an ongoing basis. Please email your completed application to:
Email your completed application to [email protected] to apply to be a trained volunteer responder in Camden or Gloucester County.
Email your completed application to [email protected] to apply to be a trained volunteer responder in Warren County:
Upcoming Lead Responder Training
Date & Location: Please stay tuned for updates regarding the next lead responder training. Applicants will be notified when the next training is scheduled.
Camden and Gloucester County Coordinator: Barbara Maronski, MSW, LSW
Phone: 609-230-8933
Email: [email protected] or Barbara Maronski
Warren County Coordinator: Christine Miller
Phone: 908-454-5141 (Warren County Crisis Line) or call Julie Farneski, Director of Crisis Intervention Unit, at 908-303-0665
Email: [email protected]
NJ Traumatic Coalitions for Youth
If outside of Camden, Gloucester, and Warren Counties, you can find additional information here: NJ - Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth
Counseling Services - Contact Information
To inquire about individual or family counseling services, please contact Center For Family Services Access Line at 877.922.2377.
Funder
The Traumatic Loss Coalition For Youth is a statewide initiative out of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care funded by the Department of Children and Families, Division of Family and Community Partnerships, Office of School Linked Services, dedicated to providing suicide prevention and trauma response assistance to schools following unfortunate losses and traumatic events.
