DONATE TODAY NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2014 VOLUME4: ISSUE5
WHAT’S INSIDE CFGC Partners with Kids and Teens Medical Group
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Medication Side Effect - When to Call a Doctor
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Joelle Hunnewell Retires
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Suicide Prevention Training at CFGC Donor Spotlight Donor List
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5 6-7 MENTAL HEALTH FACT
We envision children and families flourishing in vibrant communities. Like us on Facebook
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1 in 4 adults approximately
61.5 million Americans experience
mental illness in a given year
www.childguidance.org
CREDITS Brandon Smith Editor Michele Johnsen Copywriter Arlet Avanossian Graphic Designer
CONTRIBUTORS Susana Gomora, MSW Staff Social Worker Caroline Nersessian, LCSW Clinical Director, Northpoint School Alpa Patel, MD Director of Psychiatric Services Christina Solanet, LMFT CFC Division Manager
EXECUTIVE STAFF Roy Marshall, M.P.A. President/CEO Jeff Adler, Ph.D. Director of Operations Duc Tu Director of Finance Kathleen Welch-Torres, Ph.D. Director of Programs
CFGC PROVIDES ON-SITE MENTAL HEALTHCARE AT KIDS AND TEENS MEDICAL IN VAN NUYS
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he era of paired mental and physical healthcare is here, and CFGC is leading our community’s efforts to help patients achieve overall wellbeing through integrated care. We have formed a partnership with Kids and Teens Medical Group -- a San Fernando Valley-based fullservice medical care clinic for children and young adults. Starting in June, CFGC Staff Social Worker Susana Gomora, MSW began working on-site at the Kids and Teens medical office in Van Nuys. Our partnership allows doctors who recognize mental health issues in their young patients to immediately make referrals for mental health care. This, ultimately, increases parent’s ability to access mental health services for their children and increases the probability of the family showing up for appointments consistently, which leads to better outcomes. Some of the mental health issues and conditions that can be addressed at Kids and Teens (as well as at other CFGC locations) are: • high-risk behavior • abuse or neglect • decline in academic performance • conditions such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. “CFGC’s collaboration with Kids and Teens is a great step toward ‘holistic healthcare’ -- combining mental and physical health,” said Susana. “Integrating medical care serves to reduce stigma about mental health conditions. This is an exciting partnership with great potential to create better lives for children and young adults in our community.”
Susana Gomora, MSW CFGC Staff Social Worker
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Newsletter | Summer 2014
For more information about accessing CFGC services please call 818.739.5250 | 661.265.8627 or visit our website at www.childguidance.org.
MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS IN CHILDREN – WHEN TO CALL A DOCTOR
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lmost every medication causes some type of side effect. Most are very mild and transient. But, some medications can cause significant side effects that should be addressed by a doctor. For parents of children who take medication, it can often be hard to identify when medication side effects are serious. Here are a few tips to help you to know when to contact your child’s doctor.
#CFGCtips Twitter AUGUST IS #KNOWYOURDIGITS MONTH! HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AWARENESS MONTH : Read more
ANTI BULLYING FACTS: Read more
1. To determine whether your child’s medication is the cause
of an apparent side effect, consider whether the symptoms arose after he or she began taking medication, or if it is something that has always been there and is now more noticeable due to your concern over side effects.
PRESCHOOL DEPRESSION MAY CONTINUE FOR A DECADE: Read more
2. If your child has recently had the flu, a cold or seasonal
allergies, remember that an apparent side effect (such as fatigue) could also be a symptom of the illness.
3. Medications can cause a variety of side effects. When in
doubt about whether your child is experiencing adverse effects from medication, don’t hesitate to call his or her doctor.
Alpa Patel, MD Director of Psychiatric Services For more information about CFGC’s psychiatric services, please call 818.739.5250 | 661.265.8627 or visit our website at childguidance.org.
NEW DIGITAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE DIRECTORIES AVAILABLE
To view or order a resource directory, please visit: www.childguidance.org/resources.
818.993.9311 | www.childguidance.org
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#CFGCtips Facebook HOW PARENTS MISS THE POINT OF REPORT CARDS: Many parents have high expectations for how well... Read more
A NEW PARENTAL REPORT CARD: As I conversed with many parents, one looming emotion filled their questions... Read more
TOP 10 WORST PARENTING WORDS: Ever call your child a brat?... Read more
JOELLE HUNNEWELL RETIRES - CAREER DEDICATED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
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oelle Hunnewell, LCSW, CFGC’s director of Professional Development, retired in March 2014 after a long and impactful career in providing mental health services to children and families. Joelle joined CFGC in 1991 as a classroom coordinator at the Northpoint School. She left the agency after one year and returned in 1998 as director of Antelope Valley Programs -- a highly responsible position that she held for 14 years. While there, she transformed CFGC’s Antelope Valley office from a small satellite clinic into a comprehensive mental health center that meets the specific needs of the community. In February 2013, Joelle became CFGC’s director of Professional Development. In this position, Joelle strengthened our agency’s staff development and training programs – ensuring that CFGC provides excellence in mental health care to those who need it most. “The impact of Joelle’s efforts on the breadth and quality of CFGC services will endure,” said Kathy Welch-Torres, CFGC’s director of Programs. “Her talents and dedication are an important part of the success of our agency. She has our gratitude and will be greatly missed.”
Joelle Hunnewell CFGC Director of Professional Development (Retired)
JOELLE
CFGC OFFERS SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING
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uicide is the 10th leading cause of death for Americans. If more individuals knew about suicide indicators and prevention techniques, we could reduce the stigma and prevent huge numbers of deaths. At CFGC, we want to train community members to look for signs of suicidal tendencies in others and quickly connect them with resources that could save their lives. We now offer a three-hour safeTALK training that prepares anyone over the age of 15 to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first-aid resources. Our safeTALK program’s aim is to train neighbors, co-workers, classmates, etc. to become a community of alert helpers who know how to support others in need and connect them to professionals who can keep them safe. safeTALK trained individuals are better able to recognize signs of suicidal thoughts in others, ask directly “are you thinking of suicide,” and make referrals to life-saving resources.
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Newsletter | Summer 2014
CONTINUE >>
BOARD OFFICERS 2014-2015
CONT. CFGC OFFERS SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is an intensive, twoday workshop designed for caregivers who want to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. ASIST trainees learn to recognize risk, intervene and prevent suicide. This training is helpful for anyone who encounters others who are at immediate risk for suicide. ASIST is by far the most widely used, acclaimed and researched suicide intervention training workshop in the world. Caroline Nersessian, LCSW Clinical Director, Northpoint School For more information, please contact Caroline Nersessian at: cnersessian@childguidance.org.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT: DR. STEVE HOWARD – A CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN
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r. Steve Howard, was hired as Chief Psychologist for CFGC (then called the San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Clinic) in 1965. At the time, the agency was housed in a simple storefront on Ventura Boulevard near Kester in Sherman Oaks, and he supervised only three social workers. From those beginnings, Dr. Howard has watched our agency become what it is today. Dr. Howard’s list of accomplishments is extensive. They include creating a first-of-its-kind client drop-in program, where at-risk teens could stop by just to talk and receive support from CFGC staff, spear-heading an out-patient day program that served children with more severe mental health care needs, developing a program for children who had experienced sexual abuse and more. After retiring from CFGC in 1991, he joined the agency’s Board of Directors and stayed on as a volunteer until 2013, when he joined CFGC’s Emeritus Board. And, Dr. Howard, always a champion for children and families, has continued to make financial donations throughout the years. Few have made such a deep, positive impact on children and families as has Dr. Steve Howard. Our agency is proud to have a long Dr. Steve Howard and history working with such a talented and Diane Montano, CFGC prolific professional. Development Coordinator
Melissa Broadwell, Chair Matadors Community Credit Union Ken Teasdale, Vice Chair LaRue, Corrigan, McCormick & Teasdale LLP Joyce L. Barkin, Treasurer Community Advocate Deborah M. Neal, Ed. D., Secretary Community Advocate Eric M. Book Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Alexis Casillas Newman, Aaronson & Vanaman Linda Drescher Community Advocate Robert Garcia, Jr., ESQ Law Offices of Jeffrey C. McIntyre Nancy Lee Grahn ABC Television Janice Kyser Community Advocate Myles M. Mattenson, ESQ Karineh Moradian Kaiser Permanente Sari Scheer Community Advocate Bonnie Weissman Kaiser Permanente Bill Winkelmann Anheuser-Busch Inc.
818.993.9311 | www.childguidance.org
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WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATE OUR GENEROUS DONORS January 15, 2014 - June 30, 2014
Mr & Mrs Herbert Abrams Dr Donald Adler Dr & Mrs Jeffrey Adler Dr & Mrs Mitchell Adler Alexanders Inc. All Action Security Mike Alpert and Roberta Rosenblatt Mr Hiran Amerasinghe Anonymous Mr & Mrs Eddard Aparcio-Romero ATt&T Ms Jodi Baer-Pynes Ms Joyce Barkin Bark, Perren,Schwager & Dolan, LLP Mr John Barron Mr & Mrs Morris Bekas Mr & Mrs Andrew Benson Mrs Lucille Berkowitz Mr & Mrs Mark Berman Ms Beth R Bloom Mrs Rosanna Bogart Mr & Mrs Eric M Book Mr & Mrs Michael P Bridge Mr & Mrs Bill Broadwell Mr & Mrs Rob Broadwell Ms Cindy Busto Ms Jodi Bynder Dr & Mrs Stanton R Canter Mr & Mrs Louis Casas Ms Alexis Casillas Mr & Mrs Daniel Chernin Ms Rachelle Cohen Mr Robert Cohen Mr & Mrs Frank Collie Dr Craig Conlon & Marcia Glick Ms Cathy Cousineau Cresa Partners Mr & Mrs Jim Crosley Ms Darla K Cunningham Ms Carole Czupla Mr & Mrs Frank Damon Dr & Mrs Bernard Davidorf DaVita HealthCare 6
Newsletter | Summer 2014
Mr Andre de Fusco Dr Mark DeAntonio Ms Lisa Detanna Ms Jennifer DeVita Mr & Mrs Joseph DeVita Mrs Claire Doctrow Ms Ursula Doidic Mrs Barbara Dorfman Dunn & Associates Mrs Marilyn T Durbin Mr & Mrs James K Easton EastWest Bank Ms Susan Edelstein Mr & Mrs Bruce Elkins E-Scrip Mr & Mrs Bill Fate Mr Tony Fisch Ms Nancy Elise Gabriel Mr & Mrs James Galbraith Mr Joseph Gambrell Garai Mailing Ms Mary Beth Garber Mr & Mrs Robert Garcia Ms Linda Gilbert Jeffrey Glick & Denise Sinaga Mr & Mrs Arnold Goldstein Mrs Evelyn Goldstein David Gordon & Donna Schwarzbach Mr & Mrs Mark S Gottlieb Mr Ben Greenberg Mrs Marilyn Greenberg Mr & Mrs Robert Greene Mr Earl Greinetz Ms Irene Gutwirth Mr & Mrs Alan Halfon Hamer Toyota Ms Joan Harelik Mr Colin Hay & Cecelia Noel Mr Alvin J Hayes Mr & Mrs Charles Hayes Ms Jennifer Hayes Mr & Mrs Ron Hein Dr Diane Henschel Ms Hilda Hernandez Drs Uri & Myna Herscher
Mr & Mrs Burt Homonoff Mr Harry Horowitz Mrs Eunice Horwitz HUB International Insurance Mr Ian Hunter Ms Sheila Irani Mr & Mrs David Jackson Johnson & Pham LLP Dr & Mrs Lester Kahn Kaiser Permanente Ms Rachel Kaloian Mr & Mrs Robert F Katz Keiter Family Foundation Eddie and Davis Keller Dr Monica and Mark Kelson Dr Paul Klinger Ms Donna Kramer Ms Bette A Krushell Mrs Janice Kyser Mr Gary Lachman Mr & Mrs Randy Lapin Mr Michael LaRiche LaRue, Corrigan, McCormick & Teasdale LLP Ms Hope Lash Mrs Elaine Lax Mr & Mrs Victor LeBreton Ms Elaine Levin Mr & Mrs Michael Levine Mr & Mrs Clifford Lindeman Mrs Sandra Locks Mr & Mrs Eugene Lopez Ms Mayra Lorenzo Ms Evelyn Lowe Mrs Etiennette Lowen Ms Louise Macbeth Ms Norma Magee Ms Annie Mardoian Mrs Rhea Markenson Roy Marshall & Eileen Lopez Karla Martinez Ms Loraine S Mason Mr Myles M Mattenson Mr Joe Matza Mr & Mrs William Mayman
M Mr James McCracken Dr Eva McCraven Mr & Mrs Hugh McTier Ms Agnieszka Medina Melaleuca The Wellness Company Mr Erik Menyuk Mr Huey Merchant Mr Allan Miller Mr & Mrs Philip Miller Mr & Mrs Steve Miller Mr & Mrs Zelber Minnix Mr Ken Mintz Ms Hiroko Miyake Ms Babs Mondschein Ms Ashley Moon Mrs Harriet Moretzsky Morgan Stanley Mrs Carolyn Morris Ms Leslie Joan Nathan Mr and Mrs Delmont Neal Ms Amy Newman Northeast Valley Health Corp. Ms Karen O’Riley Ms Deedy Oberman Drs David & Laura Pair Pampered Chef Mr & Mrs Richard Pankow Park Parthenia Ltd. Dr Alpa Patel Ms France Pelis Mrs Nadine Polak Ms Maureen Powers Mr & Mrs Bob Quinn Ms Emily Rainey Mr & Mrs Jim Ramo Ms Giselle Ramos Ms Carolyn Raskin Mr & Mrs Melvyn Reznick Mr & Mrs Howard Richman Ms Karen Riesenfeld Mr Warren Riley Mr & Mrs John Robinson Mrs Madlyn Rothfield Ms Judith Rothman Mr & Mrs Herbert Rubinstein
ISSION: CFGC empowers children and families to achieve health and well-being through innovative mental health services and community programs.
Sagon Phior Ms Stephanie Ann Saliger Ms Ann Saltzman Mr & Mrs Joseph M Scheer Ms Sari Scheer & Eric Frank Mr & Mrs Robert W Scheibel Scherzer International Mr & Mrs Michael P Schmidt Mr & Mrs Paul Schneider Mr & Mrs Michael Schneir Schrillo Family Foundation Ms Brenda Schwartz Mrs Merilla Scott Mr William Sefyan Mr & Mrs Gerald Shapiro Ms Carol Siembieda Mrs Sandra Sigman Mr & Mrs Charles Silverberg Ms Cristina Solanet Dr & Mrs Gary Solnit Mr & Mrs Andrew Steinberg Mr Bill Stenton Ms Allayn Stevens Mrs Sandra Stuart Ms Susan Talesnick Mr Allan Taylor Mr & Mrs Kenneth Teasdale Ms Lisa Thompson-Boudreau Ms Sandy Tilsen Dr Judy Todd Mr & Mrs Duc Tu United Way Ms Valerie Vanaman Ms Donna Venezio Dr Jill Waterman Mr & Mrs Larry Weinberger Mr & Mrs Donald Weissman Mr & Mrs Herbert Weissman Dr Kathy Welch-Torres & Edward Torres Mr & Mrs Sheldon Welles
Mr & Mrs Alan Whitman Ms Stephanie Wilder-Taylor Ms Harriette Williams Mr & Mrs Jim Williams
Mr & Mrs Stephen Winston Ms Michelynn Woodard Mr Ryan Wunderlich Dr Maurice Zagha Mr & Mrs Fred Zeleznick Dr & Mrs Harold Zellman Mr & Mrs Martin Zohn
Thank you for your generous support!
818.993.9311 | www.childguidance.org
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