Since the 1998 publication of the groundbreaking Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente, increased research and funding has focused on mitigating experiences that place children at risk for developmental disruption. Surprisingly, the death of a parent, sibling, or other important attachment figure-often noted as one of the most disruptive and potentially traumatic experiences for a child-has received relatively little attention in these efforts. This article explores the current landscape of support for grieving children and families- including significant barriers to care and gaps in empirical knowledge. Given the complexity of the issue and the nascent state of the childhood bereavement field, it is fertile ground for social innovations that challenge current norms. In addition, the argument is made for a strengths-based, wellness approach to childhood bereavement that seizes upon opportunities to both promote adaptive adjustment and prevent further complications of unaddressed grief and trauma. (PsycINFO Database Record

Pathfinders is a 10-session program developed in a community setting to creatively address the diverse needs of bereaved children and families, prevent complications of grief and trauma, and promote healthy adaptation. It is an accessible, grief-focused and trauma-informed family systems model that is theory-driven, research-informed, and grounded in practice-based evidence. Pathfinders incorporates principles central to narrative approaches, with a focus on restorative processes for helping children and families stay on track developmentally. This article outlines the structure, process, and content of Pathfinders, including examples of creative interventions used within the program.

The death of a parent or sibling during childhood is an adverse experience that increases risk for future behavioral health, academic, and relational problems, as well as earlier mortality. Efforts to estimate childhood bereavement prevalence rates have been hampered by methodological, reporting, and data source limitations. In the absence of national tracking systems in the United States, a quantitative statistical model has been introduced with the aim of estimating the prevalence of this public health issue to aid in needs assessment and service provision. A hybrid of binomial probability and life table methods was applied to develop the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM), which utilizes U.S. vital statistics data to generate current and projected estimates of the number of youth impacted by the death of a parent or sibling. National and state CBEM estimates are reported. Notable differences among geographies and associated public health implications are discussed, contextualizing childhood bereavement among other social determinants of health and calling for a more comprehensive approach to this underresourced issue. Nationally, CBEM Projected Estimates reveal that 6.99% of children-nearly 5.0 million-have or will have experienced the death of a parent or sibling by age 18. For youth under 25, this estimate more than doubles to almost 12.9 million. The CBEM offers social service professionals a tool for raising awareness about the magnitude of childhood bereavement and assessing the need for grief services within specific localities to ultimately equip communities in developing effective preventive interventions that are inclusive and accessible. Public Policy Relevance StatementAccording to the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM), a quantitative statistical tool, one in 14 children in the United States will experience the death of a parent or sibling before the age of 18 -with estimates of the number affected more than doubling for youth up to age 25. Findings from this accessible public health resource highlight important variations in bereavement rates across the country that correspond with other disparities and social determinants of health. Given the potential for unaddressed grief and trauma to impact the developmental trajectory of youth, understanding the differential magnitude of childhood bereavement can help direct policy and service provision toward those most in need of preventive interventions and resources.

The COVID-19 pandemic devastated public welfare worldwide, bringing excess deaths connected to causes such as homicide, substance abuse, and heart disease. In the U.S., these mortality increases disproportionally impacted communities of color and contributed to a rise in bereavement among adults and children. The death of an important person is one of the most frequently reported disruptive childhood experiences. According to 2023 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) results, one in 14 U.S. children will experience the death of a parent by age 18. The current study analyzes the impact of the pandemic on childhood bereavement due to parent death by comparing CBEM results for 2021 and 2020 to the average of annual results for 2016 through 2019 for combined U.S. Census race and Hispanic origin categories. Analyses demonstrate that more than 700,000 U.S. children were newly bereaved due to a parent's death in 2020 and 2021. 2020 increases were observed for each race and Hispanic origin population, ranging from 14.9% to 72.4% compared to the 2016–2019 annual average. Hispanic Asian Pacific Islander and Hispanic Black youth experienced the largest percentage increases, while non-Hispanic white youth experienced the smallest. The results contribute to the growing evidence documenting longstanding and enduring disparities in critical U.S. health outcomes based on race and Hispanic origin. Recommendations for the scale and focus of efforts to understand and address bereavement in a way that accommodates the rising need for support in diverse populations to help all bereaved children find hope and healing are offered.