COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health Did you know that for over 10 years Plain Local Schools has hosted a monthly meet up with community organizations, area businesses and universities? These meetings are held during school months and are affectionately referred to as “Plain Partners.” The goal of the monthly Plain Partners meetings is simple, states Plain Local Schools Public Relations Director Mary Beddell, “We get together for one hour and share out what we have going on, see how we can connect and help one another.” Born out of the monthly meetings have been incredible collaboration, new ways to partner together and cross promotion of programming to help ensure our community is well informed. In each issue of Eagle Nation we hope to shine a light on one of those partnerships. Recently we caught up with Melissa Coutlas, Chief Advancement Officer for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health.
Melissa Coutlas
Founded in 1976, Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health (C&A) is a non-profit, full service, trauma informed, mental health agency specializing in the emotional and behavioral needs of children, adolescents, young adults and their families.
Our caring team of professionals is trained to provide a wide array of therapeutic services to meet the individual needs of children and youth, all within a safe environment. C&A’s diversified professional staff includes child psychiatrists, advance practice nurses, registered nurses, psychologists, licensed professional clinical counselors, licensed independent social workers, and case managers. C&A has four office locations serving Stark County including the Plain Campus, Downtown Canton, Alliance and Belden Village, as well as home-based services and school-based consultation.
Involvement with Plain Local Schools: Plain Local Schools is one of C&A’s eight partner schools. C&A provides school-based therapists at each school building and has a unique relationship with Plain by being located on the Plain Community Campus. School-based therapists are in schools to help with the emotional and behavioral needs of students, parents, teachers and the community. School-based treatment and consultation has been in existence for more than 20 years in Stark County and is a convenient option for many families. C&A also partners with the district on Stark County Schools Mental Health Awareness Week. This week brings Stark County school districts together during Mental Health Month in May to promote positive mental health to more than 50,000 students. During the week, C&A highlights GlenOak High School’s Mental Health Champions. These student champions created a unity video along with 27 other High School champions from across Stark County, and 30 self-care video tips to share with their peers and their school districts on C&A’s social media platform. Hearing a message from a peer who is facing similar circumstances and struggles is a powerful message. The singular unifying message to all Stark County students is you are not alone. The week also incorporates age-appropriate messages at each level, from posters hanging
in the schools, morning announcements and positive JPEG images for middle and high school students. The campaign focuses on peer-to-peer messaging and positive mental health tips to bring awareness and continue to break down the stigma around mental health.
What is one thing your organization is proud of that has come out of the last two years and the COVID pandemic?
What is your favorite part of your job?
C&A has worked hard to further our relationships within the community and strengthen our partnerships. This forwardthinking approach has allowed us to become creative in the middle of a national clinician shortage, diversify our services and continue to provide much needed support to the community. In addition, we have continued to provide tip sheets from our expert clinicians to parents and teachers throughout the past two years to help them with different issues that may have come up due to the pandemic.
Simply the chance it has to make such an impact on youth. These kiddos are our future. I love being able to think every day about how we might be able to make a positive difference in their lives.
What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Plain Township community? The strong relationship we have with the community and being available right on campus.
If you could share one piece of advice to Plain Local students, what would it be?
What is one thing you wish people knew about your organization or something most people don’t know?
You are not alone and there are people who are here for you and who care about you.
C&A serves more than 4,400 children and adolescents each year and has clinicians in more than 50 school buildings. This year, the need has increased for adolescents seeking services for stress and anxiety.
C&A is proud to be a partner of Plain Local Schools. We look forward to continuing to grow our relationship and look for ways to serve even more children and youth.
Final thoughts or anything else you would like to share?
At the time of this publication Melissa Coutlas has accepted a new position with the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. 16 EAGLE NATION MAGAZINE
