Community Education Webinars 2026
Our Community Education programs facilitate constructive conversations in the community about loss, grief and other end-of-life issues.
For information on Community Education, please contact
Leigh Bluestein, leighb@caringmatters.org or 301-990-7927
The Grief Gap: Supporting Black Children and Teens Through Loss
October 8, 2026
Presenter: Dr. Brianne Overton, Ph.D., FT, LPC-S, NCC
Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Educator, Thanatologist
Black children and adolescents often experience repeated exposure to death, violence, systemic inequities, and other significant losses, yet their grief frequently goes unrecognized or unsupported in school settings. In some Black communities, chronic exposure to loss can lead to grief becoming normalized, making it harder for children and teens to express or process their emotions.
This culturally responsive webinar explores the grief gap—the disconnect between the grief Black youth experience and the support they receive. Participants will gain insight into culturally informed grief responses and leave with practical strategies to recognize hidden grief, respond with cultural humility, and better support Black children and teens as they heal.
This webinar is designed for counselors, social workers, educators, school-based professionals, mental health professionals, grief counselors, nonprofit and community-based practitioners, and others who support Black children and teens experiencing grief and loss. It is especially valuable for professionals seeking culturally responsive approaches to recognizing and supporting grief in the children and adolescents they serve.
About Dr. Brianne Overton
Brianne L. Overton, Ph.D., FT, LPC-S, NCC is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the states of Illinois and Missouri. Her current research explores the grief gap and its impact on BIPOC; young adults navigating terminal illness and change to their life trajectory; and supporting bereaved family members after loss by death. Dr. Overton has worked for non-profit agencies supporting grieving youth and families who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver and provides resources and advocacy so all grieving children can live a life rich with possibility. In addition to educating and supervising master’s level clinicians, she has spent 17 years in the field of thanatology providing grief education, support, counseling, death education, suicide prevention and intervention, and consultation.
Ready or Not: Reframing Denial and Finding Grace at the Bedside
August 26, 2026
Presenter: Luke Ottinger, Jr., Nurse Educator and Author
When facing the edge of hard news, it's easy to fall into the trap of denial, endless tests, and emotional isolation. But what happens when we stop fighting what we can't change and start putting our energy into simply being present? Based on the book, Ready or Not: A Bedside Companion for Your Hospice Journey, this webinar explores how caregivers and families can navigate end-of-life choices with clarity, humor, and grace.
The presentation covers the following:
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Breaking the loop of avoidance to make room for real connection.
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Redefining hope when a cure isn't on the table. Practical bedside communication strategies.
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Permitting yourself to navigate grief without a rigid blueprint.
Luke Ottinger, Jr. has a rare gift for demystifying complex medical ideas. An author, nurse educator, and consultant, he distills intimidating healthcare subjects into engaging, conversational insights. His ultimate focus is advocacy through education—empowering everyday people with the clarity and confidence they need to navigate the medical world.
Nursing is Luke’s third career, following a decade each in operations management and design. Driven by a desire to purely serve others, he went back to school in his 30's to earn his Master’s in Nursing Education.
After working frontline critical care and emergency rooms during the pandemic, Luke saw firsthand how fear and confusion isolate patients. He realized his true calling wasn't just bedside care, but breaking down barriers to health literacy so families can make informed choices.
This passion for educational advocacy inspired his book, Ready or Not: A Bedside Companion for Your Hospice Journey. Written like an honest, comforting friend, it strips away legal and medical jargon to help families understand their options and regain control during life's final chapters.