Losing a loved one can be one of the most difficult experiences in one’s life. For some, it can be an earth-shattering experience with far-reaching implications. There are cultural, gender-based, and age-related differences, etc., in one’s grief experience and reactions. A child’s loss experience and grief reaction, for example, differs greatly from that of an adult, and professionals who work with families should be able to identify normal and abnormal childhood grief responses. Personally, we may have experienced the recent loss of a loved one from a separation, divorce, or death, bringing up a tremendous amount of emotional distress and limiting our ability to function effectively in our jobs, school and in our personal relationships. This annual conference is a great opportunity to share knowledge about loss, trauma, the grieving process and specifically, how children experience and cope with grief and loss. Learn about the importance of self-care, when is the best time to intervene, seek help and restore wholeness and hope.