Community Difference Newsletter March 2021
CEO
C&A Officers: Joe French, CEO Jodi Santillo, COO Georgene Voros, CCO A year ago, the world in which we knew, changed. Pam Lung, CFO On March 2, 2020, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine canceled Melissa Coultas, CAO the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus. On March 12, 2020, Gov. Kim Cernansky, ACO DeWine announced schools would shut down for two weeks, which Program Development turned into the rest of the school year. Ross Fiorello, ACO Leadership Development
Joe French
Board of Directors: Patrick Mackie, President Michelle Balderson Holly Davies Jennifer Meek Eells Mike Gallina Lisa Warburton Gregory Monica Rose Gwin Ted Herncane Dr. Michael McCabe Casey McCloud Heather Pennington Stacy Remark Dominic Reolfi Joyce Salapack Dr. Linda Sklar Lindsay Smith
For the past year, C&A has worked tirelessly to make sure our clients received the best possible care by learning and adopting technology to continue to provide quality service without interruption. Last March, April and May, some clients still chose to come in-person and follow health protocols while a majority of clients - current and new - opted for counseling sessions via telehealth. C&A staff shifted gears in many ways over the last year. Staff learned new technology, coped with providing services while implementing CDC guidelines, stayed in contact with students when schools went to remote throughout Stark County and even dropped off assignments to students’ homes.
Our staff has always impressed me by their resiliency, but last year, they inspired me. As we reach this one-year milestone, let us find inspiration in our community heroes like the front-line workers at C&A. And, let us find hope and encouragement from the children and teens we continue to serve who continue to fight for a better tomorrow. Best, Joe
Inside March’s Edition
C&A’s Annual Appeal Page 2
Partner School Spotlight: Alliance City
Page 6
Quackin’ Up for C&A’s Duck Race Page 7
C&A’s Annual Appeal “Community Difference Makers” As you receive this edition of the Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health’s (C&A) monthly newsletter, you will undoubtedly be eager and hopeful for spring’s longer days and warmer temperatures. That sense of hope allows each of us to move forward and handle the needs that our lives present. It provides energy and lift. This opening reflection is a parallel story and demonstrates the impact in the lives of the over 4,400 children and adolescents that C&A serves on an annual basis. The energy and lift demonstrated each day in the eight partner schools through the 15 unique programs allow for health, hope, happiness, and opportunity for all children, youth, and families that are served. The mission of C&A is so impactful!
As a board member and former school district superintendent, I have witnessed first-hand how hope is restored, allowing those served to reconnect with their lives in such a meaningful way. Today, I ask you to consider joining C&A’s team by way of a personal contribution to this year’s Annual Appeal. Each dollar allows the mission of C&A to energize, one student and family at a time, the impact that strengthens the hope that I reference above. When hopes and dreams collide with vision and purpose, successful outcomes are realized! Your contribution of any amount from April 1 to April 30 to energizes that collision! Please consider being a partner in restoring and enriching lives! Michael R. Gallina Board Member
Campaign Kickoff: Stacy and Chris Remark C&A’s newest board member, Stacy Remark and her husband, Chris, kicked off C&A’s Annual Appeal with a generous $1,000 donation. Stacy, a retired school nurse understands the need and importance of C&A’s services in the schools. This past year alone, C&A has seen a 20 percent increase in anxiety and depression for youth. The Remark’s are helping to meet the need and are C&A Difference Makers. C&A is challenging you to be a Difference Maker too! Visit childandadolescent.org today to help C&A continue to make a difference in the lives of children and youth throughout Stark County! Be a difference maker today!
Program Spotlight Psychatric Services Program Overview: Our psychiatrists and advance practice nurses will assess your child to determine if medication may be an appropriate part of their overall treatment for conditions including: • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) • Depression and bipolar disorders • Anxiety • Trauma and stressor-related disorders • Psychotic disorders Initial appointments for psychiatry typically begin with an evaluation which can last from 60 to 90 minutes. If medication is prescribed, our prescribers will work with parents and children regarding expectations and follow-up appointments. Medication is only one facet of the recommended treatment protocol for many presenting conditions. Therapy, case management, and other adjunct services are usually included for best results.
Services:
Staff: Dr. Elizabeth Hayford Medical Director Theresa Culver Medical Scheduler Leslie Armstrong Psychiatric MH Nurse Practitioner
Caren Lennon-Ream Psychiatric MH Nurse Practitioner
Meredith Skotschir RN, CDCA, ECMHC
Our focus is on treating the whole child and improving each domain that touches their life and environment (school, family, social relationships, spirituality). Our psychiatric team consists of a board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist (medical doctor) and three psychiatric mental health advance practice registered nurses (PMH-NP’s), a registered nurse certified in psychiatric mental health nursing and a medical scheduler.
Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health (C&A) is pleased to offer psychiatric services to our clients up to age 18. up to age 18.
C&A Spotlight Program: Psychiatric Services Continued New Programming C&A recently added Just In Time scheduling. This program allows clients to schedule a follow up appointment in a timely manner, allowing for more flexible and clientfriendly access to services.
Additional Service:
Referrals
C&A also provides services to children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism spectrum and FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder).
Referrals to C&A’s psychiatric services can be made by primary care physicians, treating therapists, case managers or self-referrals by parents for their children.
Locations C&A offers psychiatric service at the Belden and Alliance offices.
What age group is served? The psychiatric services department will see youth and adolescents from ages three to 18-years-old.
Schedule of Services
Psychiatric services are offered Monday through Thursday by appointment only.
For more information, please call 330-433-6075 and speak to the medical scheduler
C&A Spotlight School: Alliance City Schools
The Alliance City Schools District has implemented the “Start with Hello” program. In 2019, the district tried a twist with this. The first day of school, all students at the high school wore a name tag all day. Students walked up in the hallway, introduced themselves, and shook hands with fellow students. The result: students were calling each other by name in the hallway all year.
Say Something System: The Say Something System is anonymous reporting system that can be used for bullying or to report when a student might be in need of help.
Alliance Middle School has an AMS Speak Up Initiative, which is a Bullying Report System
School Spotlight Con’t Alliance
Student Council at Alliance Middle School at random times will place a note with a positive message on every student’s locker
Alliance Intermediate School has implemented the program Speaks Out - this a Bullying Reporting System for intermediate students
Alliance High School recognizes Suicide Prevention Week every year
Parkway Learning & Development Center has a mental health counselor and programs in place to support the students at Success Academy every day!
Photo of courtesy of Alliance City Schools.
Pictured is owners and employees of Coastal Pets.
In 2018, Coastal Pet Products provided the funds to create “Turbo’s Retreat” which is a room at AHS where students can go when they are stressed out and need time alone or need to talk to a counselor in private. It is used frequently and has proven to be an effective tool in helping students.
What’s new at C&A? Mental Health Tips Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health is sponsoring an inaugural “C&A Duck Derby” on May 20. This year’s event will be virtual, with the 2022 Duck Race taking place in-person. Would you like to purchase a duck and watch your duck float across the finish line and win $500? Ducks are currently on sale for $10 at www.childandadolescent.org.
Is your business “quacking up” to be a sponsor of this fun-filled family event? Would you like to see your business on a sign across the stream as ducks float by racing to the finish line? Go to www.childandadolescent.org/duckderby and fill out a sponsorship form or contact Melissa Coultas at mcoultas@childandadolescent.org or call 330454-7917, ext. 117.
Mental Health Tips
Five ways to boost Mental Health
Musical Therapy for Mental Health
https://www.mhanational.org/31-tips-boost-your-mental-health https://www.statnews.com/2017/05/31/mental-health-medicine/
Be the Difference for a child: C&A’s Annual Appeal will run April 1 to April 30. There are multiple ways that you can make a donation to this year’s campaign: • Mail in the bottom half of this page. • Go to our website, www.childandadolescent.org, click on Annual Appeal • Call Melissa Coultas at 330-454-7917, ext. 117
This year’s campaign will continue to support programming at C&A. Check out the video below from Communtiy Difference Maker Mike Gallina on why you should consider being a Community Difference Maker too!
Alliance Office 1207 W. State St. Alliance, Ohio 44601 330-823-5335
Belden Office 4641 Fulton Dr. N.W. Canton, Ohio 44718 330-433-6075
Shipley Office 919 Second St. N.E. Canton, Ohio 44704 330-454-7917
Plain Office 1801 Schneider St. N.E. Door 6 Canton, Ohio 44721 330-470-4061
Yes, I want to be a Difference Maker! I know my gift will make the difference in providing health, hope and happiness for children, youth and adolescents. Recognition of thanks on our donor wall at our Shipley office $1,000 or more ______________ $500 ______ $250 _______ $100 ______ $50 ________ Automatic monthly deduction: _________________
Become a Difference Maker too!!
$Donation _________
Name: ________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________ City: ______________ State:______________ Zip: ___________ Credit card: VIsa MasterCard Discover Card Number ______________________________ Signature __________________________________
Exp: _________ CVV# __________
Donations can be made at www.childandadolescent.org Mail donations to: Melissa Coultas, Chief Advancement Officer, 919 Second St. N.E., Canton, Ohio 44704