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July 15 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Cost: $5.00
presents:
Understanding and Coping with Death and Dying
via Webinar
Date & Time: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Webinar via Zoom
Cost: $5
This program is funded by a generous grant from M&T Charitable Foundation.
What to Expect
This training explores the emotional, psychological, and social aspects of death, dying, grief, and bereavement. Participants will examine how personal experiences and biases can shape perceptions of loss and learn strategies for approaching difficult conversations with empathy, active listening, and compassion. The training will review models of grief and mourning, discuss coping strategies for individuals and caregivers, and address supportive approaches in special circumstances surrounding death and loss. Participants will also explore resilience, relationship-centered care, and recognize when professional support may be beneficial during the grieving process.
Objectives
- Define and understand the basic concepts of death, grief, and bereavement.
- Recognize how personal experiences and biases may influence perceptions of death, dying, and grief.
- Apply the principles of active listening and empathy when engaging in difficult conversations related to loss and grief.
- Review and apply models and theories that help explain grief, mourning, and the grieving process.
- Identify supportive approaches and practical considerations for individuals experiencing grief in special or complex circumstances.
- Recognize when professional support or intervention may be beneficial for individuals experiencing grief and bereavement.
Facilitator
Lisa Arifer-Polcha has been a Licensed Social Worker in Pennsylvania since 2004 and earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Temple University that same year. Since receiving her degree, Lisa has worked primarily in the medical field of social work. She served as a hospice social worker for more than seven years and has worked as a medical social worker in dialysis care for over five years.
Prior to her medical social work experience, Lisa worked in both direct care and case management roles supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also volunteers with the Perry County Office of Aging APPRISE Program.
In addition to her professional and volunteer work, Lisa provides educational presentations and consultation services in the areas of aging, grief, and geriatric care management.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- Social Work: 2.0 CEUs (Pending Approval)
National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Disclosure: Upon approval, 2.0 CEs will be awarded for completion of this course. NASW has been designated as a pre-approved provider of professional continuing education for social workers (Section 47.36), Marriage and Family Therapist (Section 48.36) and Professional Counselors (Section 49.36) by the PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.
PLEASE NOTE: CEUs are an additional fee of $15 per NASW member and $25 per non-member. Participants requesting social work CEUs will be responsible for paying NASW directly, following the training.
Questions?
Contact Allison Fisher at trainings@penncares.org.
PennCares Cancellation Policy
- PennCares Support Services reserves the right to cancel an event due to low enrollment or other circumstances which would make the event non-viable.
- PennCares reserves the right to substitute course instructors as necessary.
- If PennCares cancels an event, registrants will be offered a full refund.
Postponement: Should circumstances arise that result in the postponement of an event, registrants will have the option to either receive a full refund or transfer registration to the same event at the new, future date.
Substitutions and Transfers: We understand that circumstances may occur to prevent you from attending a training. If you find that you are unable to attend one of PennCares’ trainings, you have several options:
- Send a substitute: Substitutions are accepted as long as a written request is received. Substitutions may be made without penalty provided the original registrant contacts PennCares at trainings@penncares.org to request this change.
- Transfer to another course: Transfers are accepted up to the day of the event as long as a written request is received. In the event the registrant cannot attend a scheduled course for which he or she is enrolled, registration can be transferred to another course.
- Refund of monies: Requests for refunds must be made in writing and received by the training refund deadline stated on the training registration form. (See below for cancellation policy).
Registration Cancellation by Participant
- Unless specifically stated on registration materials, the deadline to request a refund for your registration is 5 business days before the event.
- Registration cancellations requested prior to the deadline will be eligible to receive a refund less a 5% administration fee. *
- Cancellations received less than 5 business days before the event will not be eligible for a refund and will be billed for the total cost.
- Registered no-shows are not eligible for a refund and will be billed the total cost.
- Cancellations will be accepted via e-mail to trainings@penncares.org and must be received by the stated cancellation deadline.
- All refund requests must be made by the attendee/payee.
- Refund requests must include the name of the attendee, the training date, and payment method.
These above policies apply to all PennCares trainings unless otherwise noted in the corresponding event materials. Please read all individual event information thoroughly.