When a child loses a parent to a drug overdose, the pain can be overwhelming, often leaving them without the emotional support they need. Across Illinois, the Circle of Care program is working to change that by providing resources, education, and a network of trained helpers to support grieving children.
Teri Moore, a program planner for Circle of Care, has seen how deeply these losses affect families.
“This crisis doesn’t just impact the person struggling with substance use; it ripples through their children, their families, and their communities,” Moore said. “We want to make sure these kids aren’t left to navigate grief alone.”
Circle of Care is a statewide initiative in Illinois designed to train professionals and community members to better support children who have lost a parent or caregiver due to substance use. The program is funded through the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Block Grant under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Its goal is to help communities better understand the effects of grief, stigma, and family dynamics while providing resources for children affected by substance-related deaths.
A key part of the program is the Threads of Hope Training, which educates participants on how to support children coping with loss, navigate the stigma surrounding substance-related deaths, and equip families with tools for healing, Moore explained.
“Another initiative, Handle with Care, helps vulnerable children through partnerships between law enforcement, educators, and mental health providers, ensuring that those impacted receive immediate and ongoing support,” she said.
Circle of Care also offers an Online Grief Support Services Directory, a resource that connects families with available grief support services throughout Illinois. Additionally, an Online Resource Toolkit provides guidance tailored to different age groups and to those working directly with affected youth.
To provide immediate comfort, the program is distributing 14,400 Comfort Bags across the state. Designed for children ages 0-12 and 13-18, the bags contain carefully selected items to help them process their grief. Available in both English and Spanish, they are given to organizations that complete the Threads of Hope or Handle with Care training.
“Each item in these bags was chosen with intention,” Moore said. “Something as simple as a journal, a book, or a small stuffed animal can make a difference for a child who is struggling with loss.”
For families and communities seeking additional support, all resources, directories, and toolkits can be accessed through IllinoisFamilyResources.org. Moore hopes that by expanding awareness and training, more children affected by substance-related deaths will receive the care and understanding they deserve.
“No child should have to grieve alone,” she said. “Circle of Care is here to make sure they don’t have to.”
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