The Applicant will employ a Grief Support Specialist that shall provide the following services to the County. A. Grief Support Groups (Virtual): The Grief Support Specialist shall provide a minimum of two support groups each month that are open to the public and without the individual needing to be affiliated with any specific organization prior to joining. These support groups shall be via a virtual platform, of which shall be a minimum of 60 to a maximum of 120 minutes in duration. The frequency of support groups may be subject to change based on community need or at the discretion of the County. The Grief Support Specialist shall: i. Offer support that is secular in nature. ii. Provide an opportunity for participants to share their thoughts, feelings, stories, expressions of need or expressions of support. iii. Provide an environment for participants to connect and gain support from other participants related to their grief and the associated adjustments. iv. Be prepared to offer education on the following topics including, but not limited to, parts of grief, coping skills, remembrance activities and activities of new purpose. v. Ensure revolving group participation to allow participants to attend as needed. Participation in the group shall be optional for participants. vi. Schedule groups using a commonly used virtual platform that is easy to use. vii. Submit a schedule of groups to the County prior to their occurrence. viii. Submit an attendance sheet to the County after each group is conducted. B. Grief Support Groups (Regular In-Person): The Grief Support Specialist shall provide a minimum of two support groups each month that are open to the public and without the individual needing to be affiliated with any specific organization prior to joining. These support groups shall be conducted in-person, and of which shall be a minimum of 60 to a maximum of 120 minutes in duration. The frequency of support groups may be subject to change based on community need or at the discretion of the County. The Grief Support Specialist shall: i. Offer support that is secular in nature. ii. Provide an opportunity for participants to share their thoughts, feelings, stories, expressions of need or expressions of support. iii. Provide an environment for participants to connect and gain support from other participants related to their grief and the associated adjustments. iv. Be prepared to offer education on the following topics including, but not limited to, parts of grief, coping skills, remembrance activities and activities of new purpose. v. Ensure revolving group participation to allow participants to attend as needed. Participation in the group shall be optional for participants. vi. Schedule groups at easily accessible locations within Oneida County. vii. Submit a schedule of groups to the County prior to their occurrence. viii. Submit an attendance sheet to the County after each group is conducted.
