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Conference Information

“The Transformative Nature of Grief”

October 4, 5, & 6, 2012
Register for Conference today!

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
Dr. Peter Breggin - speaking on Saturday, Oct 6, 2011
Robert Neimeyer, Phd
Robert Whitaker - Author of: Anatomy of an Epidemic
Jeff Lacasse, PhD
Joanne Cacciatore, PhD

CONFERENCE MISSION:
To provide education, tools, and resources to help professionals, bereaved parents, bereaved family members, friends and volunteers better understand and respond to grief, loss, separation and bereavement related to the death of a child, regardless of the age or cause of death. Issues related the challenges, personal stress, and interpersonal growth by those responding to child death will also be addressed.

Conference Registration
Registration is now open
online by clicking here
.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
Continental Breakfast, lunch, & morning and afternoon break refreshments

MISS Foundation Conference Pricing:
Early Bird Registration – from April 1 – July 31, 2012

Bereaved Family Member - $70 per day = $210 all 3 days
Kids Kamp - $30/day=$90 for all 3 days
MISS Foundation Volunteer (HOPE Mentor, Facilitator, Forum Moderator and/or other MISS Volunteer) $50/day = $150 all 3 days
Professional = $140/day = $420
Student = $50/day = $150 (Must be registered in undergraduate or Graduate School)


Conference Location

Conference is being held at:

Fiesta Resort

2100 S. Priest Drive (MAP)
Tempe, Arizona 85282

$99/night room rate for single and double occupancy, includes complimentary shuttle within a 5 mile radius which includes Sky Harbor Airport.

Click here to make online hotel reservations for the MISS Conference*

*Want to share a room? Check "YES" when you register for conference and we will let you know who else wishes to share a room!


MISS Chapters, Facilitators, Mentors:

If you are long-time MISS Foundation HOPE Mentor, Facilitator, Forum Moderator and/or another MISS Foundation volunteer, you will notice some changes in the format of this year's conference. In year's past we have attempted to conduct the volunteer training on Sunday. Given the amazing growth in technology, policy and procedure that MISS has experienced, we are now providing MISS specific and required trainings every day of conference.

The first required training will cover technology including Google Apps as well new policies and procedures. This training will be offered at different times over the 3 days. The second required training will take place during lunch on Friday, October 5 and will be specific to your role. HOPE Mentors will have their specific training, Forum Moderators will have their specific training and Support Group Facilitators will have their training. We will be videotaping these training sessions for those of you who have more than one volunteer role. The last required training is the suicide training given by Dr. Cacciatore and Carla Hoffman.

On Sunday, we will host an "optional" Conference Debrief for MISS Foundation Volunteers from 10:30 am – Noon. Continental breakfast/brunch will be served.

We are also inviting each chapter to host their own table in the exhibit area to display the activities and outreach of your chapter. A prize will be given to the chapter will the most impressive and unique display. Please contact Michele.Newton@MISSFoundation.org with your ideas and for more information!


Kids in Sympathy and Support - Kid's Camp

2012 Kids Camp: Once again the MISS Foundation will host a concurrent children's event during the Parental Bereavement Conference. Ages 5 - 17. More information will be coming soon.

Not appropriate for children under age 5.


2010 Photo Gallery

Take a look at our photo galleries from the 2010 MISS Conference:

Photo Gallery 1
Photo Gallery 2
Photo Gallery 3

Read blog entries from 2010 Conference participants:

MISS Conference 2010 Day 1
MISS Conference 2010 Days 2 - 5
MISS Conference 2010: Hero's Journey Review

2012 Conference Overview and FAQs

This unique conference is an education of both the mind and the heart. It is a rare opportunity for bereaved children, teens and adults to come together with compassionate professionals in a rare learning experience.

Who Should Attend?
Anyone bereaved as a result of a child's death should attend this conference. Additionally, social workers, psychologists, nurses, physicians, first responders, funeral directors, professors, school counselors, clergy and spiritual leaders, and anyone else who may encounter families experiencing a child's death should attend.

CEUs for nurses, behavioral health/social workers, physicians, psychiatrists, and chaplains will be provided through accrediting bodies.

What can I expect to learn?
This conference is devoted to helping bereaved parents connect with one another. At the same time, we provide knowledge and support to health care professionals through creative workshops and lectures in the field of death and dying. Our objective is to inform on issues related to compassionate psychosocial care and evidence based practice, explore personal death experiences and provide an opportunity to collaborate and network with others in the field.

What about bereaved children?
This conference will feature a concurrent grieving children's experience "Kids in Sympathy and Support" camp and teen program for children ages 5 - 17. This conference is not appropriate for children under age 5.

Who are the Conference Event Planners?

We have honest to goodness event planners "in charge" of the Transformative Nature of Grief Conference – Oct 4, 5 & 6 – 2012 at the Fiesta Resort. I'm proud to introduce you to Andrea Evans and Monica McQueen. Monica will be taking the lead in the planning.

A note from Monica:
I have been planning non-profit events, corporate events, and weddings for nearly eight years, and I have a strong background in marketing and advertising from seven years in account service at a national advertising agency. My passion for helping MISS came about through working on the Evening of Kindness, but it continues because I also experienced two miscarriages.

A note from Andrea:
I became introduced to MISS through my good friend and MISS Board Member, Bettina Nava. Since becoming involved with the organization I have sadly needed to refer your services to several friends, colleagues and organizations here in the Valley. I don't know what these people would have done without the help of MISS.

Want to be on a Conference Committee?
Our Conference committee is meeting regularly now. We are still looking for conference committee volunteers….what would you like to help with? Design, Fundraising, Hospitality, Volunteer Coordinator, Conference Concierge, Touchstone Volunteers, Marketing, MISS Store, Kids Kamp, Memorial Service, Photography & Videography, Audio/Visual, Slide show presentation, CEU's, Scholarships, Registration, Print/Graphic Design, Vendors/Exhibitors, Grandparent Committee….let us know…..

If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please email Monica.

Do you live outside of AZ? Would still like to help with the conference?
Email Kathy and she'll tell you how you can help.

Need a scholarship?
We don't want the cost of the MISS Foundation Conference to be a barrier for your attendance. Therefore, we do offer a **limited **number of financial scholarships.

We do ask that you apply only if you are experiencing a serious financial hardship. You will be contacted once the scholarship committee has received your application in order to gather more information about your situation. The final decision will be made by based on individual needs and the amount of the scholarship will be determined relative to annual household income.

Annual Household Income:
$0-$14,999 $10 per day ($30 total);
$15,000-$19,999 $15 per day ($45 total);
$20,000-$29,999 $25 per day ($75 total);
$30,000-$39,999 $35 per day ($105 total);
$40,000-$49,999 $45 per day ($135 total);
$50,000- $59,999 $55 per day ($165 total);

Professionals - $75/day = ($225 total)

**Please note that despite the outlined levels above, all circumstances will be considered**


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