“Gifts from the Heart -Bringing the Heart of the Community into a Hospital-Based Perinatal Bereavement Program” 
When community volunteers participate in a hospital-based bereavement program, everyone benefits.  Our comprehensive program encompasses a wide variety of community members who donate time and service to provide comfort and support to bereaved families.  Community volunteers, our Community Advisory Committee, and staff collaborate to fully develop our bereavement program, which provides such personal items as handwritten care notes, baby clothes, blankets, photos and plaster casts, to help let families know they are not alone.

Behavioral Objectives:

1. Identify the value of community involvement
2. Describe how to locate and recruit local resources
3. Discuss the options for using community resources in your program

Content Outline:

1. Value of Community Involvement
1. Expands the options we are able to offer families
2. Allows the opportunity for bereaved families to reach out to those coming behind
3. Enhances the connection between the hospital and the community

2. How we locate and recruit local resources
1. Monthly newsletter sent to bereaved families
2. Previous support group participants
3. Church women’s groups
4. Local sewing guild

3. How the community is involved in our program
1. Community Advisory Committee

                                                              i.      A group of bereaved parents meets quarterly to provide input and guidance to our program.                                                             ii.      This group initiated a program for providing an individual, handwritten Care Note to each perinatal loss patient.

2. A church group, a sewing guild, and individuals donate items such as handmade baby clothing and blankets, books, and bead bracelet kits. 
3. Staff education is enhanced by the participation of a local funeral director and a panel of bereaved parents who share their experiences.
4. A Memorial Garden was built with donations from physicians, employees, local businesses, and individuals.
5. Bereaved parents are invited to submit articles, poetry, and birth announcements for the monthly newsletter.
6. Hospital staff and bereaved parents alike participate in memorial events, such as our spring Butterfly Release and annual Walk to Remember.