www.wvpubcast.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Couric and the Sesame Street Muppets Help Families Cope with the Death of a Parent

Primetime Television Special: Wednesday, April 14 at 8 pm on WV PBS and WV PBS in HD

Beckley, W.Va. – April 13, 2010 – An hour-long TV special, When Families Grieve, featuring Katie Couric and the Sesame Street Muppets, will air statewide on West Virginia PBS and WV PBS in HD on Wednesday, April 14, at 8 p.m. Additionally, West Virginia Public Broadcasting has ordered multimedia kits that will be distributed to organizations working directly with the families affected by the Upper Big Branch Creek mine disaster.

“Death and loss are a part of life, but they are very difficult for adults to discuss, much less children,” said Katie Couric. “I’m honored that Sesame Street, with its long history of tackling difficult issues with sensitivity, caring and warmth asked me to be a part of this important project. I hope that it will provide families with the tools to help them cope, begin the healing process and ultimately adjust to their ‘new normal’ in the healthiest way possible.”

Immediately following the special, Sesame Workshop will distribute close to one million free amultimedia kits to families and grief service providers nationwide. All of the materials included in the kits will also available online at sesamestreet.org/grief beginning April 15. To request a kit, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call West Virginia Public Broadcasting at 888-596-9729.

Each “When Families Grieve” kit has two versions — one designed to support the specific needs of military families and one designed for the general public. The kit includes:

• A DVD featuring the Sesame Street Muppets and documentary footage of families who have experienced the death of a parent due to a variety of situations including illness, suicide, accidents, and other sudden or natural causes.
• A printed guide for parents and caregivers with tips, strategies, and activities to help comfort and reassure children through difficult times
• A children’s storybook designed to comfort children as they cope with the death of a parent
• A facilitator’s guide with strategies for using the different components, as well as tips and activities for families with children coping with grief.

The Web site includes downloadable versions of all of the above with the DVD as streaming video and a streaming video of the When Families Grieve program.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting nurtures personal growth, promotes civic responsibility and inspires lifelong discovery through high-quality programming and services. West Virginia Public Radio, West Virginia PBS, wvpubcast.org and Ready To Learn^® are all services of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.