Social Workers are
Talking About...
September 11th
Crisis Response
Children
and Schools
New York Times – New
York NY 9/23/01
“Anguish for Vast Toll of Children Left Behind”
By Amy Waldman
Chicago Tribune – Chicago
IL 10/10/01
“Social Workers Help Families Cope with Terrorism Attacks
Washington Post – Washington
DC 10/4/01
“In a Changed World, Anxiety Lingers for Children”
By Jacqueline L. Salmon and Lori Fischer
Orlando Sentinel – Orlando
FL 9/13/01
“A Guide for Parents and Children
By Nancy Imperiale Wellons and Darryl E. Owens
Middletown Press – Middletown
CT 10/2/01
“Program Addresses Children’s Fear of Terrorism”
By Tanja Moriarty
News Gazette – Champaign,
IL 9/13/01
“Students Learn from Attacks: Social worker tells kids their job is to
be kind, keep learning”
J. Phillip Bloomer
Muncie Star Press – Muncie,
IN 9/14/01
“Honesty, Affection Help Children Handle Crises”
By Melia Ross
South Bend Tribune – South
Bend, IN 9/13/01
“Terrorists Equated to School Bullies”
By Carole Draeger
Grand Rapids Press – Grand
Rapids, MI 9/12/01
“Experts Offer Ways to Help Children Cope”
By Terri Finch Hamilton
Heritage Sunday – Southgate,
MI 9/17/01
“Parents, Educators Deal with Children’s Fears”
By Jim Kasuba and Barbara Ziemba
Norwich Bulletin – Norwich
CT 9/12/01
“Counselors Say Honesty with Kids is Best Course”
Concord Monitor – Concord,
NH 9/12/01
“Counselors Reach Out, Offer Advice”
By Kristin Proulx
Asbury Park Press – Neptune
NJ 9/12/01
“Parents Need to Discuss Terrorist Attacks with Kids”
By Patti Martin
Daily Hampshire Gazette – North
Hampton MA 9/12/01
“For Parents, Time to Turn Off TV, Talk to Kids”
By Steve Pfarrer
Home News Tribune – East
Brunswick, NJ 9/13/01
“Children Need Parents’ Talk, Counsel to Handle Fears”
By Michelle Sahn
Louisville Courier Journal – Louisville
KY 9/17/01
“Parents Urged to Let Children Ask, Be Measured in Response”
News & Record – Greensboro
NC 9/12/01
“America Reacts”
Gainesville Sun – Gainesville,
FL 9/12/01
“In the Aftermath: Tips on How to Talk To Your Children”
By Julie Garrett
New York Times – New
York NY 9/23/01
“Anguish for Vast Toll of Children Left Behind”
By Amy Waldman
The number of children left behind from the World Trade Center and
Pentagon attacks is staggering. And the number of bereft youngsters
will likely reach into the thousands, experts say. “We’ve
never been faced with anything of this magnitude simultaneously,” said
Ruth Kreitzman, a clinical social worker who counsels bereaved children
for the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, one
of the country’s largest mental health agencies. “Even
people who have dealt with bereaved kids a lot are struggling to
understand how this will be interpreted by children.”
Already some families are refiguring their caretaking responsibilities,
and in some cases undertaking delicate custody negotiations. The
task is complicated by postwar social trends including high divorce
rates to single motherhood says Kreitzman. It is also colored by
the relatively young demographics of those lost – many in their
20’s, 30’s and 40’s with young children. The counseling
of bereft children usually focuses on normalizing lives, restoring
routines. For the thousands of children left behind, the real question
is what’s next for them.
Chicago Tribune – Chicago
IL 10/10/01
“Social Workers Help Families Cope with Terrorism Attacks”
www.chicagotribune.com
Four social workers from Debbie Gross & Associates in Arlington Heights
led a discussion last week at Meridian Middle School in Buffalo Grove to help
parents understand what their children may be feeling about the Sept.11 attacks.
The social workers have been volunteering at area school districts since the
attacks.
“The reason we thought this was important is because we don’t
know what is going to happen,” said Debbie Gross, who helped
organize the program. Throughout the discussion, Gross and her associates
talked about signs of post-traumatic stress and how children might
be dealing with it. “Acting things out is a common way for
children to express their feelings. Stress shows in children through
complaints such as headaches or stomachaches. A lot depends on how
it was presented to them, and how you confronted them. Listen, watch – you
know your child the best,” social worker Sandy Levy said.
Washington Post – Washington
DC 10/4/01
“In a Changed World, Anxiety Lingers for Children”
By Jacqueline L. Salmon and Lori Fischer
Rita Siebenaler, a social worker for the Arlington VA County school
system, said parents need to prepare themselves for ongoing questions
regarding the terrorist attacks and war in Afghanistan. Don’t
overconfidently promise your children “100 percent guaranteed” that
the world is safe, Siebenaler said. Instead “keep reminding
the child that the world is basically good, and people are basically
good. Tell them our leaders seem to be doing the right things, and
that you have a lot of confidence that things will work out.”
Orlando Sentinel – Orlando,
FL 9/13/01
“A Guide for Parents, Children”
By Nancy Imperiale Wellons and Darryl E. Owens
A page created for the Sentinel’s youngest readers was prepared
by Lilibet Colon, supervisor of pediatric social workers, Arnold
Palmer Hospital for Children & Women with a pediatric psychologist
a pediatric chaplain from Nemours Children’s Clinic, and the
program director for the New Hope Center for Grieving Children.
The article, reprinted children’s drawings following the Sept
11 attacks, included a glossary of terms, recommended books for young
readers, and provided straight forward answers to such questions
as:
-
How should I feel about the people who did this?
-
Why do they hate us?
-
My friend is Muslim. What should I say to him?
-
Why did the police officers and firefighters die? What happens
to their families now?
-
What should I do if I feel sad?
-
What would happen to me if my mom or dad got killed?
-
What can I do to help?
Middleton Press – Middletown
CT 10/2/01
“Program Addresses Children’s Fear of Terrorism”
By Tanja Moriarty
Marcy Baratt, a licensed social worker co-hoseted a children dealing with
stress seminar at the Children’s Garden Preschool. “When parents
go through a stressful event, they shouldn’t hide it from the kids. They
should show their own reactions, then model coping skills to them,” Baratt
said. She practices in the Tylerville section of Haddam, where she regularly
counsels couples and individuals who are interested in improving their parenting
skills.
News Gazette – Champaign,
IL 9/13/01
“Students Learn from Attacks: Social worker tells kids their job is to
be kind, keep learning”
By J. Philip Bloomer
Molly Jones, a school social worker, led a discussion among 8, 9 and 10 year
oLDF at the Leal School in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. She asked
them what they might do to make the country a safer and better place. She also
told the children, “Part of what we have to do is to be kind and caring
and go on learning.” Jones led them in an exercise called Zip-Zap that
demonstrates how information gets mis-communicated and misunderstood. “That’s
why we need to be careful about what we say and about believing everything
we hear. We in America don’t believe in destroying other people for a
belief. We have to respect other people’s beliefs,” she told the
children.
Muncie Star Press – Muncie,
IN 9/14/01
“Honesty, Affection Help Children Handle Crises”
By Melia Ross
The repetitive images of violence can be harmful to children say experts at
Comprehensive Mental Health Services in Indiana. Social workers there say that
while parents need to be honest about what happened, they need to convey something
equally important. “Here are the words they understand,” said clinical
social worker Bill Frederick. “Give them a hug and tell them that they’re
O.K. now.” Adds clinical social worker Barbara Sells, “They need
to know that the adults are in charge and they’re going to handle this.”
South Bend Tribune – South
Bend, IN 9/13/01
“Terrorists Equated to School Bullies”
By Carole Draeger
Dave Replogle, a social worker at Elkhart Community Schools, likened the Sept
11 attack on America as an extreme example of bullying on the world stage. “The
simplistic view is that America got roughed up by a bully. Replogle, who has
a small private practice in Elkhart, said that although the attack was horrific
and the devastation unimaginable, it is a teachable moment for parents. “Parents
need to reassure their children that they are safe. On a positive note, when
something happens, there is an opportunity to teach kids about hatred and how
we should show respect for one another and resolve problems with peace, ” he
said.
Grand Rapids Press – Grand
Rapids, MI 9/12/01
“Experts Offer Ways to Help Children Cope”
By Terri Finch Hamilton (gr.mlive.com)
In a special online interview, social worker and therapist Karen Godfrey responded
to several questions about how to help kids cope with the Sept 11 tragedy.
To start a discussion with children about the event without making them more
fearful, Godfrey encourages parents to find out what they already know about
it, then go from there. She said, “Talk to them openly about their fears
and sadness, so you can find out any misunderstandings they might have. The
most important thing is that children have a sense of safety in their own family.”
Godfrey, who owns a private practice in Wyoming, also says, “Don’t
have the TV on all the time and try to be calm. If the children sense you’re
fearful, they’ll be fearful, too. Not that you can’t show sadness
about it, but you don’t want to pass your panic on to them. We don’t
have to know all the answers. Just be the one who listens.” Godfrey adds, “Let
your kids color a picture about their feelings or write a story about it. A
lot of kids express themselves better when they are playing or drawing.”
Heritage Sunday – Southgate,
MI 9/17/01
“Parents, Educators Deal with Children’s Fears”
By Jim Kasuba and Barbara Ziemba
Beverly Baroni-Yeglic, a social worker with Southgate Community Schools, warns
parents that children under the age of 12 are not abstract thinkers. “When
children see a plane crashing on TV, they believe there are many planes crashing.
They also have no concept of distance. Baroni-Yeglic says that the best thing
to do is to assure them that adults are here to protect them. She added that
children readily pick up on feelings expressed by their parents. “If
a parent is crying or upset, it will have an effect on the children. Likewise
if an adult shows a desensitization to violence, it also teaches children a
different way of coping with these acts.” Norren Brohl, a social worker
at Allen Park Public Schools and coordinator of the Downriver Crisis Team,
also advises parents to keep it simple when communicating with youngsters.
Concord Monitor – Concord,
NH 9/12/01
“Counselors Reach Out, Offer Advice”
By Kristin Proul
Social worker Jill Johnson Bardsley offers several ways for parents to open
a dialogue with children. “Limit a young child’s exposure to news
footage, but don’t deny the truth,” she said. “Instead, validate
feelings of fear and anxiety without trying to fix them right away. Watch for
nightmares and aggressive behavior and let the child, no matter his or her
age, or stage of development, be a guide.”
“Listen to their questions before supplying them with a lot of information.” Bardsley
said. “But don’t simply minimize it and comfort them. This is too
wild and too far reaching to say nothing happened.” She assures that
with time, a child’s sadness and worry will fade. “If we just sit
with them and their pain, we see that kids are incredibly able to get over
things like this and go back to their own little worLDF,” she said.
For the rest of us, who perhaps spend the day glued to the television or radio,
there is other advice. Keeping in tune with current facts can decrease fear
and keep us from imagining the worst. But it can also force us to relive a
trauma over and over, to our detriment. Instead, alternative therapist Jill
Jones suggests people heal themselves with candlelight vigils and contact with
loved ones. Other counselors recommend connecting with churches, employee assistance
programs and guidance counselors. “People need to spend time saying to
themselves, ‘I’m okay. This isn’t happening to me.’ And
instead take this opportunity to tell people ‘I love you and I’m
glad you are safe’.”Jones said.
Like many in the city, social worker Harriet Resnicoff didn’t receive
any out of ordinary crisis calls immediately following the attacks, but her
established clients wanted—and needed—to talk about the day’s
events during their appointments. “Everyone has this feeling that even
though it’s not here in New Hampshire, that it could happen to me,” she
says. “It’s hard to get your hands around it, but this has affected
everyone.”
Norwich Bulletin – Norwich
CT 9/12/01
“Counselors Say Honesty with Kids is Best Course”
By David Pencek
A child’s age and maturity will determine much that parents discuss
and show their children. Kim Gordon, a licensed clinical social worker for
Psychotherapy Services in New London, says if a child is younger than 11, then
parents should be careful about letting them view the images on television. “You
should definitely limit their exposure as much as possible, “ Gordon
said. “I don’t think children who are in the sixth grade and under
should see it.”
Asbury Park Press – Neptune
NJ 9/12/01
“Parents Need to Discuss Terrorist Attacks with Kids”
By Patti Martin
It may be the most difficult conversation parents will ever have with their
children. Yet it is crucial—imperative some experts say—for parents
to discuss the terrorist attacks that destroyed New York’s World Trade
Center, killing thousands, and damaging the Pentagon in Washington.
“For younger children, that may mean saying that there are some bad
people out there who do bad things,” said Rosemarie Poverman, a clinical
social worker and family therapist with a practice in Manasquan. “Children
can understand it if you relate it to a bully who, if you do something he doesn’t
like, does something back to you,” she said. For slightly older children,
it may also mean acknowledging your own fears as a parent. “You can say
to a child, ‘I know you’re scared, because I’m scared too,’” Poverman
said. “That validates the child’s feeling and goes a long way to
helping him or her cope.”
Daily Hampshire Gazette – North
Hampton MA 9/12/01
“For Parents, Time to Turn Off TV, Talk to Kids”
By Steve Pfarrer
Barbara Weiner, a Northampton social worker who specializes in grief counseling
for children, said it was hard to conceive how parents might actually convince
their children that they’re safe, given what has happened. “This
has been an absolutely life-changing event,” she said. “Very young
children won’t understand the enormity of this, but it’s difficult
for older kids to feel safe, or for adults for that matter.”
She said she had watched a TV interview with New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani,
in which he urged New York residents to simply “go about their business” and
not fear further violence. “That’s bizarre,” she said. “You
can’t just go about your business after this.” Still, Weiner said
one way of framing the issue for children would be to say nothing like this
has ever happened before—and to be especially vigilant in coming days
of how children are responding to events. “Make sure you take your kids’ emotional
temperature,” Weiner said. “Ask them if there’s anything
they need to know, and otherwise let your kids be the guide.”
Home News Tribune – East Brunswick,
NJ 9/13/01
“Children Need Parents’ Talk, Counsel to Handle Fears”
By Michelle Sahn
Robert Boyd, a social worker and chair of the crisis team in the Woodbridge
school system, said parents should keep their children talking. “Get
them to tell you what they’re afraid of, and try to alleviate those fears
as best as you can,” he said.
Ask your child: What are you hearing? What is your worst fear? That’s
a suggestion from Ann Flower, a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social
worker from Highland Park. She also says that parents can point out that terrorists
are interested in attacking symbols of power, such as the Pentagon and World
Trade Center. “Then explain that this area isn’t home to those
sorts of symbols,” she said.
Louisville Courier Journal – Louisville
KY 9/17/01
“Parents Urged to Let Children Ask, Be Measured in Response”
“I’d concentrate on the response,” said Donna Russow, a
licensed social worker with the
Family and Children’s Counseling Centers. Russow explains that parents
can talk about the
rescue workers who are trying to help and the government’s effort to
track down the
perpetrators.
News & Record – Greensboro
NC 9/12/01
“America Reacts”
Claudia McCoy, a licensed social worker at Presbyterian Counseling in Greensboro,
warns “Don’t say every thing is OK. It’s going to be fine.
Instead reassure children that things are being done. That our government is
working to keep us safe. Don’t avoid the subject, but be realistic about
what you say.”
Gainesville Sun – Gainesville,
FL 9/12/01
“In the Aftermath: Tips on How to Talk To Your Children”
By Julie Garrett
Sheila Bilak, a licensed clinical social worker and child therapist in Gainesville,
echoed the need for parents to first get control of their own emotions if they
hope to ease the anxiety of their children. “When something like this
happens, we’re all in shock,” she said. “Kids are going to
be looking to their parents for reassurance and for cues as to how to behave,
when we’re not sure ourselves how to behave.
“Adults have to be very careful not to predict or imply that there are
other terrible things that could happen,” she says. “That’s
not what children need to worry about.” Bilak also warns that children
and adults, who have suffered past traumas, might find the suddenness and seriousness
of these events especially upsetting.
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