Dear COPE Families and Friends.
During these uncertain and volatile times, COPE has never been more commited to our mission and our shared vision - ensuring that no parent or family grieving the loss of a child has to make their journey alone. This core value helps guide our day-to-day decisions nimbly and with a laser focus on the health, safety and connectedness of COPE families and of all our stakeholders.
COPE is taking all proactive and necessary steps to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 between the families we serve, our staff and volunteers and all our community partners.
Yesterday evening we made the difficult decision to
suspend support groups during the week of March 16th
as our team works to prepare to offer telehealth support to COPE support group participants. (Click
here
to learn more about what telehealth is.)
We will resume our support groups
starting Monday March 23rd
and – until further notice -
all groups will occur on safe, secure telephone conference lines
. In the coming days and weeks some groups may also occur through safe, secure video conferences. All of this is in an effort to avoid exposure to COVID-19 while staying connected to each other.
Our support group facilitators will be in contact with current group family members to coordinate each support meeting. An important note – for everyone’s protection, support group family members will need to sign and return a short consent form before participating in our telehealth support groups. Facilitators will coordinate with family members to sign and return the form. Once you return a signed consent form, your group faciliator will provide you with the phone number and pass code you will use to access the group.
As always, all new, first-time attendees must first contact COPE Clinical Director, Michelle Graff, LCSW by phone at 516-274-0540 or by email at:
michelle@copefoundation.org
.
We will continue to offer parents and families our COPE Line – a free resource for grieving individuals with an immediate need for support. Our COPE Line Volunteers are trained to respond to each caller personally by providing resources, referrals and information or simply offering emotional support. The COPE Line details are:
COPE Line – (516) 364-COPE (2673)
Monday – Friday, 9am-9pm
Saturday – Sunday, 10am-3pm
Thanks to our Board of Directors and our COVID-19 Task Force for their steady leadership and guidance; to our staff, volunteers and donors for their unwavering support; and most of all to the parents, siblings and families that continue to count on, connect with and trust COPE.
The resilience and determination you bring to your lives and grief journeys inspires us all to re-commit each day to ensure a safe and empathetic community space with a gentle reminder to stay connected – you are not alone.
Thank you again to our COPE community for your ongoing support of the grieving parents and families that rely on us. If you have any questions or concerns - or want to connect in any way – please reach us directy at our contact information below.
Sincerely,
Adam Rabinovitch
Executive Director
P: 914.282.9429
Michelle Graff, LCSW
Clinical Director
P: 516-274-0540
