Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Bilingual Hotline To Help With New Parole in Place Program
Undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens can now access a free bilingual hotline to learn about a new federal program that allows them to apply for legal residency. The Texas Immigration Law Council offers the hotline in English and Spanish at (956) 815-2827, available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CDT through August 26.
Starting August 19, applications for the Parole in Place program will be accepted, allowing eligible spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to obtain work authorization, permanent residency, and eventually, citizenship without leaving the U.S.
The Department of Homeland Security announced this new pathway on June 18, and up to 500,000 noncitizen spouses and 50,000 noncitizen children could qualify. Cases are determined individually and applicants must:
• Have been physically present in the United States for 10 years or more.
• Not been convicted of a crime.
• Not pose a national or public safety threat.
• Spouses must have been legally married to U.S. citizens as of June 17, 2024.
“We urge potential applicants to seek accredited legal professionals or call our free Texas bilingual hotline for eligibility requirements and general information about this new Parole in Place program,” said Jessica Cisneros, managing attorney for the Texas Immigration Law Council. If approved, applicants will have three years to apply for their permanent residency without having to leave the United States.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Texas Immigration Law Council are warning applicants not to make payments for the program over the phone or email and to avoid scammers and notario públicos from charging high fees because
they are not authorized to provide legal services related to immigration benefits in the United States.
“This policy from the Biden-Harris administration to keep families together is set to open for applications on Monday, and has the potential to transform the lives of tens of thousands of American families,” FWD.us President Todd Schulte said in a statement Friday. “This program uses the president’s long established legal parole authority to allow eligible individuals to adjust their status without having to uproot their lives and leave their families for years.”
FWD.us is a Washington, D.C.-based immigration and criminal justice reform advocacy organization.
WHO: Texas Immigration Law Council (TxILC)
WHAT: TxILC Parole in Place Hotline: 956-815-2827 – Free, Bilingual (English/ Spanish)
WHEN: August 12 through August 26, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Central Time)
Texas Immigration Law Council: Parole in Place Program website: www.piptexas. org
The Texas Immigration Law Council is a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization formed in 2023 to promote and protect the rights of immigrants and refugees of all nationalities in Texas. The Council promotes meaningful access to justice for immigrants and refugees by serving as a statewide immigrant legal resource center. The Council brings together constituencies across the political spectrum to advance constructive dialogue on immigrant solutions for Texas.
For more information, visit www.piptexas.org.
SEASON
RIO GRANDE VALLEY – A new season brings a new wave of energy for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women’s soccer team as they set to begin the 2024 season.
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We’re excited to invite you to National Night Out on Thursday, August 29, from 6 to 9 pm! This special evening is all about fun, community spirit, and building strong police-community partnerships, and we have an incredible lineup of live music to make it even better.
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OPINION
BY ANDRES OPPENHEIMER
Human
rights leaders demand action: Why is the ICC delaying Maduro’s arrest warrant?
A key missing piece in U.S. and Latin American pressures to get Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro to allow a transition to democracy is the International Criminal Court’s failure to issue a warrant for his arrest. Many human rights groups are publicly asking: Is the ICC protecting Maduro?
The Netherlands-based ICC, which looks into crimes against humanity and war crimes, has been investigating Maduro’s human rights abuses for several years. It opened a preliminary probe into Maduro’s crimes against humanity in 2018, at the request of six countries, and turned it into an official investigation in 2021.
By comparison, it took the ICC only one year to investigate and issue an arrest warrant last year against Russia’s dictator Vladimir Putin for crimes committed in his 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
And it took the ICC prosecutor only a seven-month investigation to announce on May 20 that he will seek arrest warrants against Yahya Sinwar, the head of the Hamas terrorist group, and Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for crimes committed in the Israel-Hamas war that unfolded after Oct. 7, 2023. The ICC has not yet formally issued its arrest warrants against Sinwar and Netanyahu.
In Venezuela’s case, the ICC prosecutor’s office has not even announced its intention to ask for Maduro’s arrest, despite United Nations and independent reports showing that thousands of people have been killed by his death squads since he took office in 2013.
“Prosecutor Karim Khan’s silence in the face of the crisis in Venezuela is alarming,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas, advocacy director with the Amnesty International human rights group, in a statement. “The present increase in the scale and gravity of acts being committed against Venezuelans demands immediate action from the
Prosecutor.”
Separately, a group of more than a dozen former heads of Latin American regional human rights institutions issued a statement Aug. 12 calling on the ICC to take immediate actions against Maduro.
Santiago Cantón, the Geneva-based secretary general of the International Commission of Jurists and former head of the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, who is one of the letter’s signatories, told me that “there’s an excess of patience, or naiveté, on the part of the ICC prosecutor’s office.”
Cantón added, “It’s time for the prosecutor to act: there are deaths and disappearances in Venezuela. There are times when you can’t look the other way.”
ICC’s chief prosecutor Khan said Monday that his office is “actively monitoring” the situation in Venezuela. His office did not respond to my email asking for further elaboration, but sources close to it tell me that Khan believes that, under ICC rules, he must first allow Venezuelan courts to take the first crack at prosecuting crimes against humanity.
It’s hard to understand why the ICC prosecutor is still giving Maduro’s government-controlled courts the benefit of the doubt. Maduro’s human rights violations rank among the world’s worst.
In 2019, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights office reported that Maduro regime death squads were responsible for more than 7,000 extrajudicial deaths of street protesters in the previous 18 months.
Since the July 28 elections, at least 23 people, including a 15-year-old, have been killed by government gunmen for participating in protests, according to the Victims Monitor rights group. The Venezuelan regime has said that more than 2,200 have been arrested since the elections.
Former ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo says that Khan’s latest statement that he is “actively monitoring” what’s happening in Venezuela is a sign that the prosecutor may soon issue an arrest warrant against Maduro.
Khan issued similar warnings against Putin and Netanyahu shortly before ordering their arrests, and there’s a “high chance” that the prosecutor will do the same with Maduro, Moreno Ocampo told CNN en Español.
However, ICC critics say the ICC’s decisions are often biased and erratic. The ICC’s prosecutor’s recent announcement of his pending arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Hamas’ Sinwar was described by President Biden as “outrageous.” There is no equivalence between Israel and the terrorist group that attacked it on Oct. 7 last year, Biden said.
The ICC, created in 2002, has 124 member countries, including Venezuela. The United States, Russia, China and Israel have not joined it.
If Khan issues an international arrest warrant against Maduro in coming days or weeks, as his predecessor Moreno Ocampo believes, it will be a formidable tool to help press the Venezuelan dictator to accept a negotiated transition to democracy, perhaps in exchange for some form of amnesty.
But if Khan continues sitting on the case, it will be a scandalous omission and a new stain on the ICC’s image.
Health Director Reappointed to TDLR’s Registered Sanitarian Advisory Committee
Steven Kotsatos, City of Mission Health Director, has been reappointed to serve as the presiding officer of the Registered Sanitarian Advisory Committee of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Mr. Kotsatos will serve on this committee until February 1, 2029.
Kotsatos expressed his enthusiasm about the recent news, stating, “I am honored to accept this important leadership board appointment position with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and excited about the opportunity to contribute to environmental public health and the Professional Registered Sanitarian profession in the State of Texas.”
This council provides technical knowledge and industry expertise to TDLR about the Registered Sanitarian program, which
registers and regulates sanitarians in Texas. Registered sanitarians are public health professionals qualified by specific education, specialized training, and field experience to protect the public’s health, safety, and general welfare from adverse environmental determinants.
City Manager Mike Perez stated, “We are proud of Steven Kotsatos for his continued dedication to public health. His reappointment as the presiding officer of the Registered Sanitarian Advisory Committee is a testament to his expertise and commitment to our community’s well-being.”
Mr. Kotsatos joined the City of Mission in March 2023, bringing over 20 years of government experience. His background includes 11 years in environmental health services at both the municipal and state levels.
Shaine Casas Day Declared
Commissioner Pepe Cabeza de Vaca proclaimed July 3, 2024, as: “Shaine Casas Day”. The honor was presented to Shaine’s mother.
Casas represented the City of McAllen and Team USA on an international stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics as he swam for gold in the men’s 200 IM.
His achievements have brought pride and joy to the city as every resident rooted for him every step of the way.
Shaine, your talent and perseverance is truly inspiring. You’re destined for greatness and will always be our hometown champion!
STC and UTRGV join forces to produce topquality health professionals A New Outdoor Classroom in the Works
SouthTexas College and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley recently celebrated a significant milestone in their long-standing partnership by organizing an advanced training session that brought together UTRGV Physician Assistant students and faculty from STC’s Emergency Medical Services program.
More than 80 UTRGV graduate students gathered at STC’s Nursing and Allied Health campus for an Advanced Airway Workshop, where they engaged in hands-on training with the college’s state-of-the-art simulation equipment.
“At STC, we are committed to providing our students with everything they need to succeed. That’s why we continuously advance and update our resources, staying current with technology,” said STC Emergency Medical Services Program Chair Carlos Tello. “These resources include a comprehensive range of disposable supplies and various types of simulation equipment, including full-body and partial medical manikins. Specifically, for this advanced training, UTRGV students had the opportunity to use our state-of-the-art camera intubation devices.”
Guided by STC instructors and South
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Texas Health System Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Specialist Dr. Michael Menowsky, the UTRGV graduate students had the opportunity to apply their airway management knowledge on both adult and pediatric high-fidelity medical manikins, preparing them for real-world scenarios.
“There are situations where a patient needs to be intubated, and the equipment required can vary in size depending on whether you’re dealing with a child, male or female. It’s a highly skilled task that must be completed within a 30-second time frame, so a systematic approach is essential,” explained UTRGV Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Nathalie Chacon. “Practice is key, and we’re very grateful to STC for allowing us to use their equipment. While we have manikins at our school, none can move and react like those at STC. They always have the best of the best.”
For Jacqueline Flores, a second-year student in the UTRGV Physician Assistant program, this experience has significantly boosted her confidence as she prepares for her clinical rotation next month.
“We’ve just finished learning about airway management, and it’s amazing that we could come here and put it into practice,” she said. “We have technology and labs, but what we experienced here is on a whole different level. Especially for pediatrics, we don’t have as much variety as they do. Intubating an adult is very different from intubating a child, so this practice was incredibly valuable.”
Flores shared her excitement about returning to STC after completing prerequisite classes years ago, which helped her enter the Physician Assistant program.
“I completed my undergraduate studies out of town and didn’t want to move away
again, so I’m grateful that STC allowed me to complete my prerequisites at home and transfer,” she said. “Seeing all the resources available here, I’m thankful they shared them with us and provided valuable practice. I believe this will make us better providers.”
This event underscores the achievements of a 15-year partnership between the two health programs, in which, for many of those years, STC’s Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic students have been welcomed at UTRGV’s cadaver lab, providing them with an in-depth understanding of human body functions and a hands-on resource to explore anatomical structures.
“While we provide the theoretical knowledge, seeing everything in real time with such clarity helps our students connect the dots of the structures we study,” said Tello. “This partnership has opened doors that were previously closed, allowing us to expose them to essential resources. Health care is crucial, and we want to ensure people are aware of all available resources, encouraging more individuals to enter the medical field.”
Chacon shared her enthusiasm for continuing the ongoing partnership through the Pre-Physician Assistant Society at UTRGV, where students often pursue STC’s programs as a pathway to gaining admission to the physician assistant program in the future.
“We’re proud to work with STC for the future of our community,” said Chacon. “Ultimately, we are all part of South Texas. While we each have our own resources, coming together enhances the future of health care.”
For more information on STC’s Emergency Medical Services or other Nursing and Allied Health programs, visit nah.southtexascollege.edu or call 956-872-3100.
The McAllen Nature Center is abuzz with excitement as we embark on a new project aimed at enriching the learning experiences of our visitors. We’re thrilled to announce the construction of a brand-new outdoor classroom, a space specifically designed to enhance educational opportunities for school trips and provide a welcoming environment for volunteer gatherings.
This innovative outdoor classroom will serve as a dynamic space where students can immerse themselves in nature while learning about the local ecosystem. It’s our goal to create an engaging and interactive environment that complements the natural beauty of the center, making every educational visit an unforgettable experience.
But the benefits of this new classroom extend beyond just school trips. We’re also opening this space to the entire community, encouraging local organizations and individuals to use it for their own educational activities. Whether you’re hosting a workshop, a nature seminar, or any other outdoor learning event, this classroom is designed to be a versatile resource for everyone.
As we continue to develop this project, we invite you to stay tuned for updates. We’ll be sharing more details about the classroom’s features, its opening date, and how you can get involved. The McAllen Nature Center is committed to fostering a deeper connection with nature for all who visit, and we can’t wait to see how this new space will inspire and educate our community.
Stay connected with us for the latest news on this exciting addition, and get ready to explore, learn, and grow at McAllen Nature Center’s outdoor classroom!
SEASON PREVIEW: WOMEN’S SOCCER
RIO GRANDE VALLEY – A new season brings a new wave of energy for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women’s soccer team as they set to begin the 2024 season.
UTRGV Head Coach Mark Foster is going into his third season and is finally settling into the role and the Rio Grande Valley and that brings a different kind of excitement this season.
“The start of every season is the most exciting time of the year,” UTRGV Head Coach Mark Foster said. “But since my time here at UTRGV, there has been a lot of transition getting used to the area, getting used to the school, the environment and then trying to recruit players. It has been a lot going on but it’s the most I have felt at home since I got here. We have a good group that is ready for a new season. Normally, it’s an exciting time of the year but this year feels a little more special for me. I feel like we have a really good group.”
The team first came together two weeks ago and worked on their team chemistry from the get-go. It’s been a point of emphasis, and the Vaqueros have spent time bowling and watching U.S soccer matches together.
The team comradery has not only been noticed by the coaching staff but also by
those that have interacted with the team in the past few weeks.
“The group is really coming together,” Foster said. “We have administrators that come out to practices, and we do events with supporters and different things like that and that is the most common thing that I have heard that this group looks together and enjoying each other. That’s what my hunch has been but it’s good to hear it from other people. The girls look excited and look together. It’s good those around campus and in the community are seeing that too. We have a good group, and we are building something here.”
The Vaqueros bring back 14 returners from last season led by captains Linnea Eld, Abbie Bailey, Rosie Train, and Libby Beilfuss.
While there will be plenty of experience from the returners, the team remains quite young with just seven upperclassmen. Coach Foster doesn’t want to use the youthfulness as an excuse but hopes they can learn to believe in their ability.
“I want them to believe in themselves,” Foster said. “We only have a few seniors who are good girls and good leaders, but the reality is that the core of the group is going to be freshmen and sophomores. Sometimes you can use that as an excuse. Yeah, they are young, but they are talented. I want them to
believe in themselves. I don’t want them to wait until they are a junior or senior to feel like they can play. I want them to know that they can play now, we need them to know they can play now. I want it to sink in that they will only get to do this four times so a lot of our messages to the team is that this is their time.”
UTRGV has a group of newcomers that is a mixture of freshmen and transfers that Coach Foster and his staff hope will build on to the program’s foundation. Just has he hopes that the returners find their confidence, he hopes the same for his new group.
The newcomers will be looking to make their impact this season and if they can find their confidence then this group could help make the Vaqueros even better.
“As a coach, you can look at your roster and say we are really young,” Foster said. “That was one of the reasons why we brought in a couple of transfers in to try and balance that a bit. That was part of the planning. Whether it’s the whole group or the newcomers, it’s hitting home that message that this is our time to make the most of our opportunity.”
Over the last couple of weeks, the Vaqueros have shown Coach Foster and his staff some good stuff on the pitch, including a strong performance against the University of Houston on Saturday.
The thing that has really stood out for Coach Foster has been the team’s unity, both on and off the pitch. He knows how important the team’s togetherness is and how it can take this team a long way.
The team’s togetherness could be the difference in making something great happen this season. There is talent on this season’s squad and that alone brings ton of excitement this year but the team’s togetherness could make all the difference.
“Togetherness has to be one of our strengths,” Foster said. “We also have some talent. I have been coaching a while and I had played a long time. I have been around teams that have talent but if we don’t have that togetherness, teams like that never achieve their potential. Togetherness and team chemistry is massive. Seasons are long. Seasons are hard. There are a lot of two-game weekends. Sometimes what gets you over the line to win a game on Sunday is just who is together the most, who wants it the most, and who has that sort of mentality. I think when you have that combined with talent, that sets you up for a good season. Throughout my career, no matter what players we had or what systems we tried, we always try to get the off the field stuff right and chemistry right and some of our hard work is paying off. We have a good solid group that are together and bought in and we have some talent. It makes me quietly confident for the season.”
The Vaqueros open the season on Aug. 15 at home against Texas Southern, which is the first of eight non-conference matches that includes five out of the eight at home. This is the first season for the Vaqueros in the Southland Conference, with the first SLC match coming against Texas A&M-Commerce on Sept. 22 at home.
The Vaqueros are no strangers to some of the SLC foes. They know the SLC slate will be a challenge, a challenge the Vaqueros are looking forward to.
“We want to compete,” Foster said. “Southland soccer is something I have always respected. When I was in the Sun Belt, we played a lot of the Southland schools. I know it’s some top soccer. I know it’s challenging. Lamar, who won the league last year, was ranked in the top-50 up until the end of the season. We are going to play some tough teams at some tough sites. That’s what we want. We want to play against good teams and if you win a game, you want it to be against a good opponent. We are really excited to be in the Southland. We know it will be good soccer but tough soccer.”
There’s a new conference. A new group of student-athletes. A new sense of excitement. A new sense of confidence.
The 2024 season is here.
out for unity, knows how is and the difhappen season’s excitetogetherness of our some and I around have never Togetherness and Seasons are lot of what gets Sunday is wants it mentality. combined with season. what tried, we right hard solid in and quietly Aug. which matches home. Vaqueros the first A&M-Comsome of slate will Vaqueros are said. have alSun Belt, schools. know it’s league up until to play That’s against good want it to really know it soccer.” group excite-
KMB to host its thirteenth annual Arbor Day Announcing the Musical Lineup for National Night Out!
We’re excited to invite you to National Night Out on Thursday, August 29, from 6 to 9 pm! This special evening is all about fun, community spirit, and building strong police-community partnerships, and we have an incredible lineup of live music to make it even better.
LIVE MUSIC: Get ready to groove to the sounds of Grupo Alianza A5 and Grupo Manada! These talented bands will keep the energy high all night long with their vibrant performances.
But that’s not all! The event will also feature:
• Delicious Food from a variety of vendors
• Face Painting for the kids
• Kiddie Rides for nonstop fun
• School Supplies to help students start the year right
• 250 Bracelets of Encouragement to spread positivity as we kick off the new school year
National Night Out is about more than just entertainment—it’s about coming together as a community to strengthen our bonds and support each other. With activities for the whole family, it’s an event you won’t want to miss!
Mark your calendars, invite your friends and neighbors, and join us for an unforgettable evening of music, fun, and community connection.
See you there!
Celebration on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Westside Park (1000 S. Ware Rd). This fundraiser will benefit Keep McAllen Beautiful, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and will help increase awareness of the importance of planting and caring for trees in McAllen.
The Arbor Day Celebration is a run, bike, and walk event that benefits everyone interested in personal health and the environment. All events are open from amateur to professional levels, with an option for everyone. The day will begin with a 25Mi/100K Bike Ride, a 5K/10K Run, Kids Fun Run, and an ongoing Tree Workshop. This new location will feature exciting experiences for participants.
The 25-mile bike ride will be a scenic journey past several city parks into the turn-around point, at Tres Lagos Park on Ware Road. The 100k cyclists will continue through some of the Rio Grande Valley’s most beautiful and tranquil agricultural areas, past the historic Moore Air Base then on to McCook.
For the 5k and 10k run, the location will be a dual terrain run, where runners will
have the opportunity to run on the street and then experience a trail run surrounded by wonderful natural beauty coursing through the McAllen Nature Center for a truly unique experience. The Kids Fun Run will take place around the park’s baseball field.
The Arbor Day Celebration will feature music, educational booths, and much more. Additionally, free trees will be available for the public. Last year, KMB distributed over 1,000 trees. Whether you cycle, run, or just want to enjoy a day in the park, the Arbor Day Celebration is a great event for the entire family. Entrance to the park and Arbor Day activities is free for all non-participants, and you get to take home a native tree! Join us for a good walk, run, bike ride, food, fun, and some beautiful tree giveaways! All registered event finishers will receive a medal. Registration is now open, register early because T-shirt deadline will be Sunday, October 13!
Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available as well. To register, visit our website at www.keepmcallenbeautiful. org or call 956-681-4562.
How Everyday Choices Affect Spinal Stenosis School, Stress and Your Child’s Mental Health
These Lifestyle Factors May Help Determine Your Spinal Health
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal column becomes narrowed, which puts pressure on surrounding nerve roots. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including congenital conditions, osteoarthritis and trauma.
Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
Those experiencing spinal stenosis commonly experience the following:
• Back or neck pain
• Numbness, tingling, cramping or weakness in arms or legs
• Burning or aching that may worsen with standing or movement
Although spinal stenosis is not easily predictable or ‘curable,’ many lifestyle choices can play a significant role in managing it. Here are some key factors to consider:
Weight Management
Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for reducing the stress on your spine. Extra weight, especially around the abdomen, can increase the strain on the lumbar spine, worsening pressure and painful symptoms. Incorporating a balanced diet and regular exercise can help sustain a healthy weight.
Physical Activity
As mentioned, regular physical activity is as important for spine health as it is for your overall body. Exercises that focus on strengthening the core muscles can improve everyday back support. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming and cycling are excellent choices since these activities improve flexibility and reduce the risk of further injury.
Posture and Ergonomics
Paying attention to your posture and the ergonomics of your workspace can make a bigger difference than you may think. Poor posture often exacerbates neck and back pain, so ensure that your workspace is set up to promote back support. This includes having a chair that cushions the lumbar spine and keeping your computer screen at eye level, rather than having to crane your neck upwards or downwards.
Utilizing Mobility Aids
For those experiencing significant pain or mobility issues, using mobility aids may be beneficial. Items like canes, walkers, and back braces can provide much-needed support and reduce back strain. A healthcare provider can help determine which aids might be appropriate for your situation.
Balancing Schoolwork and Extracurriculars Can Be Overwhelming
As summer vacation comes to an end, it can be difficult for your child to make the transition back to their daily school routine. Academic demands often mean a return to the stress of balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars and relationships. Challenges like these can become overwhelming and may even lead to depression and anxiety in children and teens.
Unfortunately, these conditions are all too common in this age. From 2016-2019, of those children and teens ages 3-17, nearly 6 million were diagnosed with anxiety and about 2.7 million were diagnosed with depression.
Symptoms to watch out for can include:
• Panic attacks
• Hyperactivity
• Restlessness/insomnia
• Excessive mood swings
• Extreme worry or sadness
• Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
• Irritability or “acting out” behaviors
• Poor academic performance or avoiding schoolwork
While some of these behaviors may be common in youth as they transition back to school, if they continue or become extreme,
it’s time to intervene and seek professional help.
It’s also important for your child to know you are there for them and ready to support any complicated feelings they may be experiencing. Doing the following may help:
Be Open About Feelings
Talk to your kids about how they feel and about their struggles. Discuss what you can do to alleviate anxiety, for example, practicing relaxation techniques.
Make
a Plan
Outline changes in your schedules and how you plan to manage them. Knowing what to expect can help kids who struggle with staying organized or who easily get overwhelmed.
Make
Good Health a Priority
Physical health can have a big impact on mental health. Getting enough sleep and eating healthy, balanced meals help kids prepare for the day.
Seek Professional Help When Needed
If you or your teen become overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out for support.