Welcome to the Maker:Grief Studio
A creative companion for your healing journey
Grief is not something to fix- it is something to carry, reshape, and live with.
Maker:Grief is a compassionate space where your sorrow is welcome, and your creativity is seen as a powerful tool for healing. Even if you are not creative, the process can be an effective tool for integrating your grief. Whether you've lost someone to suicide, trauma, illness or another life-shaking loss, you are not alone.
Here we invite you to process your grief through hands-onmaking- simple, personal, reflective acts of creation. No art skills required. Just your story, your courage and your hands.
What is Maker:Grief?
Maker:Grief is a trauma- informed, creative model founded by Amy Zell in honor of the loss of her son to suicide in 2009. It is rooted in the belief that when words are not enough, "making" can hold what hurts.
Through guided projects like memory boxes, identity collages, or symbolic artifacts, we explore the six essential needs of mourning- not to move on, but to move with.
The Six Needs of Mourning
(as defined by Dr. Alan Wolfelt)
Grief isn't a straight line. It's a spiral or tangled thread- scribbles on a sheet of paper...
Maker:Grief follows six core needs that support healing:
1. Acknowledge the reality of the loss
2. Embrace the pain
3. Remember the person who died
4. Reimagine your self-identity
5. Search for meaning
6. Connect with continued support
Each one is paired with a creative project, reflection
prompt, and optional sharing- all held in a safe, supportive space.
Family Peer Support: Maker Empowerment Method Programs
Makers for Mental Wellness
Introduction
This 6 week program proposal outlines a hybrid model utilizing Family Peer Support (FPS), design thinking, and makerspace engagement.
Goals
1. Enhance self-agency and creative problem-solving through design thinking and makerspace activities.
2. Provide peer-driven emotional support and mentoring via Family Peer Supporters (FPS).
Core Methodologies:
Design Thinking: Empathize, Define, Ideate,
Prototype, Test
Makerspace Engagement: Hands-on problem-
solving with accessible tools and technology
Family Peer Support: Trauma-informed, strength-based certified peer support
6 Week Program Overview
1.5-2 hours per session, 2 x's per week
Week 1 – Empathy & Expression: Build trust and emotional insight through creative self- expression and FPS engagement.
Week 2 - Defining Challenges: Identify personal barriers and co-develop recovery-oriented goals.
Week 3 – Ideation & Group Solutions: Brainstorm and begin low-fidelity prototyping of personalized solutions.
Week 4 – Prototyping & Building: Create functional tools or aids in the makerspace environment.
Week 5 – Testing & Feedback: Test and refine prototypes, supported by FPS with recovery coaching.
Week 6 – Showcase & Reflection: Celebrate progress, reflect, and plan for ongoing support with FPS and care teams.
Medicaid Billing Guidance Billing under ORC 5122-29-15.1 should follow these guidelines:
- Services must be delivered by certified FPS providers.
- Must align with an approved Individual Service Plan (ISP).- Codes: H0038-HF (individual) or H0038-HF HQ (group).
- Document support provided, skills addressed, and participant engagement.
- Makerspace engagement must directly support recovery-related goals
Expected Outcomes
• Improved self-efficacy and creative problem-solving
• Increased peer support and reduced isolation
• Tangible tools to aid independent living
• Billable and sustainable integration of FPS service
Makers with Social Skills
Introduction
This proposal outlines an ongoing, twice-weekly program combining Family Peer Support (FPS), design thinking, makerspace engagement, and structured social-emotional learning. The initiative supports individuals with mental and behavioral health challenges. The program reinforces practical, emotional, and social growth while offering Medicaid-billable FPS services aligned with the Ohio Revised Code.
Goals
1. Support holistic recovery through creative expression and makerspace problem-solving.
2. Reinforce critical social-emotional skills through explicit instruction and modeling.
3. Provide Medicaid-billable Family Peer Support aligned with individualized recovery goals.
4. Build resilience, community participation, and independence through peer-supported engagement.
Core Methodologies
Design Thinking: Structured problem-solving through empathy, ideation, and iteration.
Makerspace Engagement: Hands-on creation using accessible tools and materials.
Family Peer Support: Certified, trauma-informed peers supporting recovery and skill development.
Social Skills Development: Explicit teaching of pro-social behaviors through weekly themes and peer modeling.
15 Week Schedule (Twice-Weekly Format, 1.5-2 hours/session) Each week includes two 1.5- 2 hour sessions combining makerspace activities with social skills training and FPS support.
Example month
• Week 1 and 2 –
-Skill Building Emotional Regulation
- Focused social skill (e.g., expressing feelings appropriately)
- Peer discussion and modeling by FPS
- Guided hands-on activity (e.g., creating a worry box, emotion wheel)
• Week 2 and 4–
-Problem Solving & Prototyping
- Group design challenge (e.g., building a daily task tracker or self-soothing device)
- FPS supports peer collaboration and recovery goal reflection
- Debrief using social skills strategies (e.g., listening, working with others)
Targeted Social Skills
• Following Instructions • Accepting “NO” for an Answer • Accepting Criticism or Consequences • Staying on Task • Asking for Help • Disagreeing Appropriately • Listening • Making an Apology • Accepting Compliments • Having a Conversation • Giving Compliments • Introducing Yourself • Getting the Teacher’s/AN Individual’s Attention • Asking Permission • Sharing Something • Working with Others • Waiting Your Turn • Interrupting Politely • Asking Someone to Move • Asking for Clarification • Making a Request • Thanking Others • Accepting a Decision • Respecting Others’ Opinions • Being Honest • Expressing Empathy • Accepting Differences • Being a Good Sport • Using Appropriate Voice Tone • Controlling Emotions
Medicaid Billing & ISP/Treatment Plan Integration
Family Peer Support (FPS) may be billed under Ohio Medicaid when services are provided as part of the individual’s Individual Service Plan (ISP) and support a Medicaid-covered behavioral health diagnosis. Activities must be recovery-oriented and documented appropriately.
Expected Outcomes
• Increased social and emotional regulation
• Development of practical tools that support daily living and
recovery
• Increased engagement with FPS and reduced isolation
• Higher self-confidence, collaboration, and agency in personal environment