CORNERSTONE A PUBLICATION OF RAPPAHANNOCK AREA COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD
NO. 1
COR NE R S TO N E 0 3 / 2 0 1 8
2018
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RESILIENCE COMES FROM THE LATIN WORD ‘RESALIRE,’ WHICH MEANS SPRINGING BACK. DAVIE PHILIP
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EDITOR'S NOTE Ordinary magic. A psychologist recently used the phrase to describe the recipe for resilience. This has been a hot topic among researchers lately. Botanists and sociologists have been trying to discern why some people thrive in adversity and others wilt. There is no set list of ingredients in this recipe, just features which come together to create ordinary magic. We catch a glimpse of this transcendence each spring, when the first bright green stalks of flowers shoot out of the dormant brown ground. Or when cheerful buds appear on gray branches. We often take spring’s familiar rebirth for granted. But it really is amazing to spy the first signs of stirring in a seemingly lifeless landscape. At RACSB, we see this ordinary magic everyday. Often, we are asked for success stories—and our first question is: What is success? When an individual relapses back to addiction, our substance abuse therapists don’t see that as a failure but a bump in the road to recovery. For individuals with developmental disability, magic is the moment an adult sings a stanza for the first time. Or buttons a shirt. Or gets a new job. When individuals are in the midst of a mental health crisis, success can simply be surviving for another day to continue treatment. If you search for images of “resilience” online, you will see tiny flowers blooming in cracks of cement or people finishing marathons. Both are beautiful examples of fortitude—but nowhere near as magical as a child realizing they aren’t to blame for a parent’s drug use or a person with persistent mental illness building a supportive friendship. We are all so much more than our worst experiences. At RACSB, we are honored to help individuals find healing after trauma. We also want to share these opportunities for ordinary magic with our community. It will take all of us to help our children thrive despite adversity. It will take teachers understanding that troubling behavior could be a response to trauma and childcare providers willing to look beyond a tantrum to see a hurting heart. It will take pediatricians who believe in recovery. And parents willing to heal from their own trauma. At RACSB, we are committed to building a resilient community. We have trained our staff, from the front desk clerks to administrators, to recognize and respond to the signs of trauma. We offer that training to the public. And we are partnering with other community organizations to present a town hall on how we can all help children flourish in the midst of challenges. We hope you will join us on this extraordinary journey. Just keep your eyes peeled for those fleeting moments of ordinary magic.
Cornerstone is a quarterly publication of Rappahannock Area Community Services Board. Please send any questions, comments or story ideas to aumble@rappahannockareacsb.org. If you would like copies of this magazine for your organization, waiting room, conference, etc. please email Amy Umble, aumble@rappahannockareacsb.org or call 540-940-2314.
CATCHING UP We’ve been busy the last few months. Here are a few of our highlights from the past quarter.
NON-TRIVIAL TRIVIA
Therapists from our Sunshine Lady House went to Empowerhouse to train volunteers to recognize and respond to trauma. From suicidal ideation to rapid-cycling manic phases, the topics were tough. Our crisis stabilization therapists presented the information with a Jeopardy!-style game. Volunteers will use the information gleaned during the game to help as they work with individuals healing from domestic violence.
FIT TO A T(SHIRT)
We held a design competition for a new company t-shirt. Prevention Specialist Sherry Thompson won the contest with a heartwarming illustration. Employees—and other community members—have been buying the t-shirts for a $10 donation to Rappahannock United Way.
LASTING FRIENDSHIPS Friends living in our mental health residential apartments enjoyed a holiday party. These apartments provide varying level of support for people with mental illness, helping them to remain an integral part of our community.
A MYSTERIOUS BASH
Residents of Wolfe Street Intermediate Care Facility hosted a Masquerade Jam for friends living at other intermediate care facilities or group homes. We operate three ICFs, which are specialized group homes for individuals who need extra supports for behavioral or medical concerns. This party was a magical night featuring dancing, tasty treats, and glittery masks.
A T HREE- HOUR TOUR
Each quarter, we host a tour of our facilities. Attendees board one of our vans for an expedition to explore our clinics, group homes, intermediate care facilities, administrative offices, and supervised apartments. This helps board members, new staff, and community leaders learn more about the services we provide. It’s difficult to truly understand the breadth of our programs without seeing them in action. In January, we toured our Stafford facilities, including a stop at the New Hope Estates Group Home.
A PORTAL TO THE FUTURE
We’ve gone high tech! Our Board Members now have Chrome Books to use with our new board portal. This program allows us to post meeting agendas, supporting documents, and minutes online. Board Members can explore the electronic packets before the meeting and follow along during the discussion.
TA KING THEIR CUE
Tuesday evenings usually mean bowling for the guests of our Myers Drive Respite Home. Recently, they decided to switch it up a little and shoot pool at Hard Times Cafe instead. This past quarter, Myers Drive guests have enjoyed trips to the mall, a Capitals game, Comicon, a Paint and Sip event, and more activities. Myers Drive provides respite for adults with developmental disability. Call 540-899-4670 to learn more.
TABLE OF CONTENTS NO. 1
2018
08 YOUNG VICTIMS The statistics of opioid overdoses don’t capture the secondary victims: Children who witness drug deals, police raids, prostitution, and death. There are many ways you can help these children overcome their challenges.
In this issue, our cover picture shows Stefania, a resident of our Wolfe Street Intermediate Care Facility, and her painting which evokes a delightful feeling of spring, flowers, and renewal. The back cover features a photo of bowling, a favorite activity of guests at the Myers Drive Respite Home.
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THE ART OF RECOVERY Paintbrushes help individuals with substance use disorder and mental illness express their feelings and their hopes for recovery.
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A NIGHT TO SHINE
ONE CARING ADULT
EVERYDAY BRAVERY
A dul ts w i th d eve l o p m e n ta l di s a bi l i ty en joye d a n eve ni ng of da n ci n g a t a re c ent prom h o s te d by S a l em F i e l ds C o m m u n i ty Church .
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches adults to recognize and respond to mental health emergencies in children and adolescents.
O u r P reven t io n Tea m s n a g s a n a wa rd w h ile h el p i n g t h e c o m m u n it y d is c ove r t h e i r in n er c o u ra g e .
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RECLAIMING LIVES
SOWING COMMUNITY
Naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses, to help someone live long enough to start on the path to recovery. Medicationassisted treatment provides the tools to keep them on their journey to wellness.
Our annual Spring Plant Sale to help adults with developmental disability is blossoming, despite some adversity this year.
24 A COMMUNITY OF HEALING
Ever yo n e h a s a ro le i n h e l p i n g c h ild ren f lo u ris h d e s p i t e a d vers it y. We’ ll s h o w yo u h o w to b e a n ever yd ay h e ro fo r kid s in o u r c o m mu n i t y.
YOUNG VICTIMS
THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC HURTS THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN EACH YEAR
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he 3-year-old girl couldn’t describe her life in words. But her pretend play spoke volumes. One day, she picked up a baby doll, a purse, and a toy doctor’s kit. She handed the last item to a nearby grownup and directed her to offer a needle in exchange for play money from the purse. Another preschooler pretended to hide from the police. And a toddler made a point of not feeding a baby doll, intentionally ignoring the baby as she went about her play. In therapists’ offices, children re-enact drug deals, using pretend handcuffs and doctors’ kits. They share tips on the best methods for avoiding the police. They talk about how to find food in nearly bare cupboards. Thousands of victims of the opioid epidemic have never swallowed a pill or pierced their skin with a needle. In the wake of increased heroin and opiate use, children have fallen victim to the neglect and trauma that can come with a parent’s addiction. They have witnessed overdoses, drug deals, and prostitution. Some have gone days without eating. Some were born addicted to opiates—their first breaths accompanied by withdrawal effects. “Imagine the impact on a child when a parent overdoses at home or in a grocery store,” wrote Carol Lewis, director of the Families and Health Care Project. “Statistics can’t tally the trauma felt by a 7-year old who calls 911 to get help for an unconscious parent, or the responsibility undertaken by a 12-year old to feed and diaper a toddler sibling, or the impact of school absences and poor grades on a formerly successful high school student.” In the past fiscal year, RACSB provided substance abuse services to 2,506 individuals. But our treatment has impacted the lives of thousands of others, including children. Local departments of social services have seen rising numbers of children in foster care. Some have skyrocketed. Social workers removed many of those children from their homes because of a parent’s dependence on opiates.
Story continues on page 10
Statewide, 1,099 substance-exposed babies were born in 2015.
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Story continues on the next page
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By the Numbers Caroline County: 24 in foster care, 15 due to caregiver’s abuse of opioids
Fredericksburg: 40 in foster care, 18 due to caregiver’s abuse of opioids
King George County: 20 in foster care, 5 due to caregiver’s abuse of opioids
Spotsylvania County: 131 in foster care, 22 due to caregiver’s abuse of opioids
Stafford County: 30 in foster care, 4 due to caregiver’s abuse of opioids
In October 2016, Fredericksburg Department of Social Services had 11 children in foster care because of a parent’s drug use. A year later, there were 45 children in foster care, and 49 percent had been removed from the home because of a caregiver’s drug use, said Assistant Director Beth Girone. In October 2017, Caroline County Department of Social Services had 24 children in foster care, and 15 had been removed because of a caregiver’s abuse of opioids, Director Wendy Sneed said. Since then, four more children have entered foster care, three because of a mother’s opioid use. Social workers don’t become involved simply because a parent is using opioids. But when drug use leads to neglect and abuse, the department of social services intervenes. 10
Some are simple neglect cases: A parent is too focused on the next high to think about feeding, dressing or bathing their children. Or they leave kids in unsafe conditions. Some parents sell all of their children’s possessions to get more money for drugs. Some parents resort to selling their bodies, and their children witness things no child should see. Children are resilient—but these traumas leave long=lasting scars. Some of these children receive our child crisis services, which help stabilize youth who are at risk of hospitalization. “In my work I see a lot of children who feel responsible to care for the parent,” said Child and Adolescent Emergency Services Therapist Honoré Schrade. “They take on the caregiver role in the home and carry
Source: Caroline County DSS
guilt for their parents’ drug use and often feel responsible for their parents’ decisions.” Other children come to RACSB through our child and adolescent outpatient services. These days, more and more tykes are coming to us through our Parent Education— Infant Development program. Babies who test positive for drugs automatically qualify for early intervention services in the hopes of catching developmental delays before they become severe problems. The good news is that intervention works, whether it’s a speech therapist helping a child speak their first words or a counselor helping an adolescent process the impact of a parent’s opioid abuse. With the appropriate therapy and treatment, many children thrive. Story continues on pg. 11
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With each day that passes, more children lose their parents to addiction— physically or emotionally.
“ Carol Lewis
It’s not easy; opioid abuse takes a toll on little ones that is hard to overcome. It will take a community effort to wrap these children in the care and services they need. Fortunately, the Fredericksburg community is already coming together to learn how to help children recover from trauma. RACSB has partnered with several community organizations to spread education about childhood trauma known as Adverse Childhood Experiences. “We must start immediately,” Lewis wrote. “With each day that passes, more children lose their parents to addiction—physically or emotionally—and suffer severe mental trauma or become overwhelmed by anxiety.”
How to Help The numbers are staggering, and the facts depressing. But there are ways to help these children. First of all, connect parents with resources for recovery. We offer substance use disorder services, including Medication-Assisted Treatment, which is one of the most effective methods for helping people overcome opioid dependence. For pregnant or parenting women struggling with substance abuse, our Project LINK program provides parenting groups, case management, resources, and other help. A new parenting group will start March 27. The group will meet Thursdays through July 10, from 12:30–2 p.m. at 600 Jackson St. in Fredericksburg. Lunch will be provided. Complimentary FRED bus tokens are available for women who need help with transportation. BECOME A FOSTER PARENT Also, social service departments are struggling to find homes for children. In Caroline County, for example, there are 26 children in foster care, and five approved homes. To become a foster parent, contact your local department of social services: Caroline Department of Social Services, 804/633-5071, ext. 122 Fredericksburg Department of Social Services, 540/372-1032 King George Department of Social Services, 540/775-3544 Spotsylvania Department of Social Services, 540/507-7898 Stafford County Department of Social Services, 540/658-8720 Fredericksburg DSS will have a Foster to Adopt Resource Parent training that begins April 7 and runs for four Saturdays. This training is required to become a foster/adoptive parent through Fredericksburg DSS. To register, call Michelle Matthews at 540-372-1032, ext. 241 BECOME AN ADVOCATE When children are removed from their homes, they become part of a complex court system. The Rappahannock Area Court Appointed Special Advocates program advocates for these children. The organization needs volunteers to help children who have been abused and/or neglected. The CASA program trains volunteers to examine the children’s circumstances and make recommendations to local judges about the children’s needs and whether they can safely live with their parents. If you’d like to make a positive difference in the life of a child, please contact CASA at rappcasa@gmail.com or 540/710-6199. Volunteers must be at least 21, have good interpersonal and communication skills, and be able to pass background checks and make at least a one-year commitment to helping a child. LEARN ABOUT BUILDING A RESILIENT COMMUNITY An upcoming town hall will teach the public about how children respond to trauma, and how everyone could do their part to help. This will take place April 18, 6–8:30 p.m. at the Fick Center on the campus of Mary Washington Hospital. Learn more about this initiative on page 24.
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A demon. A monster. A gloomy sky. A group of molecules. A handful of pills. For individuals participating in Medication-Assisted Treatment, addiction takes several shapes. When asked to paint their addictions, some went for the literal—sketching pills or the molecules of the compound behind their dependence; others used metaphor. Such projects help participants express what words often cannot: How it feels to be in the grips of a drug that won’t let go. For participants of Project LINK, their art projects help them visualize recovery. The therapist asks the mothers struggling with substance use disorder to draw trees of hope and to paint their visions of recovery. At the Sunshine Lady House for Mental Wellness and Recovery, guests use art therapy to help them cope with psychiatric crises. Mental illness and addiction can be difficult to talk about. Even for those experiencing crises, the feelings are hard to describe. Painting, drawing, and sculpting can provide new ways to express an overwhelming situation. This leads to healing. That’s why many of our therapists use art to aid in recovery from substance use disorder or mental illness. Each year, we celebrate the important role creation plays in wellness by presenting the Art of Recovery, an exhibit of paintings, sculptures, sketches, and more that were produced by adults with mental illness. “Art is a method of journaling,” said John Butler, coordinator of crisis stabilization services. “It provides a safe haven for expressions of feelings, hopes, and dreams. Although art can be judged, art doesn’t judge.” This year’s exhibit will be on display from May 4 through May 27 at PONSHOP Studio and Gallery, 712 Caroline Street in Fredericksburg. An opening reception will be held at the
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A Ni We are all of us stars and we deserve to twinkle. -Marilyn Monroe
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ight to Shine
Residents of our group homes felt like movie stars at the Night to Shine prom for individuals with disability. They dressed up in shiny tuxedos and shimmery dresses and were whisked away in a limo. And they entered the event walking—or rolling—down a red carpet. Salem Fields Community Church hosted the event, and church members went all out to make sure the party-goers had a wonderful time. We truly appreciate their eorts to provide a magical evening.
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Reclaiming Lives For the second year in a row, American life expectancy has dropped—a phenomenon which hasn’t been seen in more than 50 years. Researchers blame the opioid epidemic, which has led to soaring rates of drug overdose deaths, especially among younger adults. More than 63,000 Americans lost their lives in an overdose in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 1,400 people died from drug overdoses last year in Virginia. In the past few years, more people died from drug overdoses than car accidents. Rappahannock Area Community Services Board aims to reverse this trend by providing medication-assisted treatment. Opioids change the brain in unique ways, making it difficult to use one-size-fits-all substance abuse treatment. Opiates release a surge of endorphins, which attach to receptors in the brain. Synthetic opiates flood the brain with these endorphins, creating an unusually intense rush—and, often, a crippling addiction with a lengthy, painful withdrawal. Because of the brain changes, people addicted to heroin experience a 90 percent relapse rate. Medication-assisted treatment mitigates withdrawal symptoms, diminishes cravings for
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opiates and helps the brain return to normal. Studies show that this is one of the most effective methods for treating opioid use disorder. RACSB started offering MAT with help from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, which provided grants to fight the opioid epidemic. RACSB received money for prevention efforts and for providing suboxone and intensive therapy services to individuals with opioid use disorder. Suboxone combines a chemical that blocks opiate receptors with naloxone, which reverses the effects of opiates. RACSB provides this medication in combination with intensive treatment and monitoring. This includes group and individual counseling, drug screens and medication counts. “We’ve already seen many success stories,” said Pat Bischoff, coordinator of substance abuse services. “Individuals who have struggled for years are reclaiming their lives and working toward recovery.” RACSB also offers REVIVE! training to teach the public to use naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses. To learn more about MAT services, call 540-3733223. To register for the upcoming REVIVE! training, call 540-374-3337 x102.
MAT program participants painted representations of their addiction during a recent group therapy session.
Saving Lives REVIVE! training helps individuals learn how to recognize an opioid overdose and how to use naloxone to reverse an overdose. Anyone who has a friend or relative using opioids should attend this free training. Each attendee will receive a free REVIVE! kit provided by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The kit includes the supplies needed to administer naloxone. The Rappahannock Area Health District will offer free naloxone to individuals who complete one of these 90-minute training sessions.
The next sessions will be: April 28, 10:30 a.m. to noon at Salem Church Library in Spotsylvania County. May 26, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Ladysmith Library in Ruther Glen. To learn more about REVIVE! or to register for a class, contact Sherry Norton-Williams at 540/374-3337, ext. 102 or snorton@ rappahannockareacsb.org.
Food. Flowers. Fun.
Please join us April 19, 5:30 p.m. 750 Kings Highway Fredericksburg, VA 22405 Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling 540-373-7643 or by going online to bit.ly/raaigarden. All proceeds benefit adults with developmental disability. Thanks to a generous donation from community members, two of our group homes in Stafford County were able to do a little sprucing up—with new kitchenware and lamps. Residents were excited about using the new home goods!
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One Caring Adult In a recent poll, one in six Fredericksburg-area students said they had considered suicide in the previous year; one in 10 had attempted to suicide. More than a quarter reported feeling sad or hopeless for more than two weeks during the previous year. One in five teenagers has a mental health condition. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 24. These statistics sound scary. And they are. But there is hope. When adults are trained to recognize the signs of mental health concerns and to respond appropriately, they can connect adolescents to life-saving treatment. Hormones, growth spurts, and the challenges of middle school can lead to emotional angst that isn’t mental illness. This often hides the first signs of trouble. It’s one reason why more than 40% of American children with depression do not receive treatment.
WANT TO BE THAT CARING ADULT? WE CAN SHOW YOU HOW. We offer an eight-hour training to help adults who interact regularly with adolescents ages 12-18. The Youth Mental Health First Aid curriculum is appropriate for parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, youth group leaders, and coaches. The next training will be offered on May 9. It will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rappahannock United Way, 3310 Shannon Park Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408. Through role-playing and simulations, participants gain skills to offer assistance in a mental health crisis. Participants will learn the common mental health challenges faced by youth, typical adolescent development and five-step action plans to help. Topics will include anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
This is especially troubling because half of all mental illness starts to manifest before the age of 14. And 75% show signs before an individual turns 24.
The $25 registration fee includes a workbook, a 3-year training certificate and lunch.
This makes the adolescent years crucial for people who have mental illness. Studies show that early treatment of mental illness helps outcomes.
To register for the training, contact Jennifer Bateman, Prevention Specialist, at 540/374-3337, ext. 100 or jbateman@rappahannockareacsb.org.
Be Here Tomorrow.
Please join us on May 21, 7:30 p.m. at Regal Cinemas in Fredericksburg to watch a powerful film about preventing suicide and finding emotional wellness. At age 19, Kevin Hines jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge—and lived. Since then, he has dedicated his life to advocating for mental health and spreading a message of hope and recovery. On May 21, the Fredericksburg area will host a screening of Hines’ new documentary, “The Ripple Effect.” This powerful film chronicles his personal journey and the ripple effect it has on those who have been impacted by his suicide attempt and his subsequent prevention work. The local screening is brought to the community by Mental Health America of Fredericksburg, RACSB, The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region, and Trinity Yoga and Healing. To purchase your tickets and reserve your spot – go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1906492263014638/ To learn more about Kevin Hines: http://www.kevinhinesstory.com/ To see the documentary trailer: https://vimeo.com/247262698
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Everyday Bravery
Our Prevention Services Team won Best Exhibit for their table display at the annual Youth First Conference at the Expo Center. This year’s theme was ‘Everyday Bravery,’ and the team used that as an opportunity to remind conference attendees that everyone can be courageous. The exhibit featured a cardboard box with the words “Come and See Who is Brave.” When the passersby open the doors to the box, they saw a mirror. The display also featured colorful and trendy buttons with the phrase “Be Brave.”
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Sowing Community The Spring Plant Sale helps gardens flourish and adults with developmental disability blossom to their fullest potential first decade, horticulture therapy began. The program started with the premise that gardening was more than digging in the dirt—it was an opportunity to develop patience and nurturing skills. For more than 30 years, day support participants have enjoyed taking care of plants while watching them grow from seed to seedling to plant. These days, the sale includes more than 100 varieties of flowers, vegetables, and herbs.
Whether it’s a jaunt to the local coffee shop or an expedition to the State Fair, each day holds the promise of new activities for the individuals who attend Rappahannock Adult Activities’ day support program. A game of bowling or a museum tour aren’t merely ways to pass the day. They help adults with developmental disability thrive in our community. Each experience provides rich opportunity for growth. Planning treks for 150 adults with varying levels of disability isn’t easy. Day support staff scour community calendars, newspapers, and local magazines to find new outing opportunities. Each year, the Spring Plant Sale provides the seed money for those adventures. 20
The plant sale’s roots run deep, and the annual event has been the community’s harbinger of spring for more than three decades. The horticulture program was one of RAAI’s first sprouts of RAAI. The day support program took root when community leaders noticed that adults with developmental disability often sat at home during the day. Parents knew that their adult children were capable of so much more. Given the right environment, these adults would bloom. So they came together to create RAAI in 1976. The program has helped adults with developmental disability grow friendships and hobbies ever since. Within the program’s
WHAT: SPRING PLANT SALE WHEN: APRIL 20-MAY 5 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M. MON.–SAT. NOON TO 4 P.M. SUNDAY WHERE: 750 KINGS HIGHWAY WHY: PROCEEDS HELP ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY This year’s plant sale will run April 20 through May 5. Plants will be available for purchase Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. They will be available at 750 Kings Highway in Stafford County. A garden party will kick off the plant sale on April 19 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $35 and include food, beer, and the chance to buy plants before the general public. Get tickets online at http://bit.ly/RAAIGarden or by calling 540-373-7643.
Planting Seeds While most people are decorating Christmas trees, RAAI’s Horticulture Committee is gearing up for the spring plant sale. Planning and planting start early, to ensure beautiful blooms by mid-April. This year, however, the committee had a hurdle to overcome. At the time, RAAI had just hired its new horticulture program manager. The program was in transition, but the seeds couldn’t wait. The Master Gardener Association of Central Rappahannock Area dug in to help. Master Gardeners volunteer with the sale each year, because it’s a huge undertaking. But this year, they went above and beyond their usual generosity. We would not have had a plant sale without their kind hearts and dedicated hands.
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An ounce of prevention
By Michelle Wagaman, Prevention Services Coordinator
I shouldn’t be surprised by this after nearly 12 years of working at the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) but it still happens. I am often in a situation or with a group of people discussing a human condition or need for support. And more often than not, I would’ve just learned more about a program or service offered by RACSB. Or, I would have just taken a training on that topic. Right place, right time. This professional proximity has been especially important to my extended family over the last two months as we learned a loved one was battling opiate addiction. Gratefully he is now 47 days clean, actively engaged in an intensive outpatient therapy program, and participating in his local recovery community.
previous year. However, the number of fatalities has decreased due to the availability of Narcan which temporarily reverses an overdose. As a community, there are numerous things we can do to help prevent overdose and deaths related to opiates and heroin. And, most of the items listed below are easy and don’t require much time or effort on your part.
Safely dispose of medications.
What does that mean? It means not keeping old, expired, or unused medications in your home. It also means not flushing or throwing out in the trash.
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Safely store medications.
Perhaps you are currently taking a prescription for pain medicine. Keep it safe and away from others to whom it is not prescribed by using a medication lock box. Or, limit access to your medicine cabinet.
Have the conversation.
Talk with your prescribing physicians so you understand what you are taking and why. Discuss pain management and alternatives to opioids.
Historically, CSB Prevention Services have focused on preventing youth from using and abusing substances. We talk about making healthy choices for your body with pre-schoolers. We talk about the negative consequences of risky behavior with teenagers. We provide merchant education to alcohol and tobacco retailers to remind them of the importance of carding and not selling to minors.
Did you know there were 72 fatal overdoses attributed to opiates in Planning District 16 in 2016? We don’t have the final numbers for 2017 yet but I’m sure they will be higher. The number of overdoses alone have doubled in one county compared to the
Utilize a Medication Disposal Kit, available at the Rappahannock Health District offices and at RACSB clinics. You can also find them in various locations throughout Virginia.
Have you heard the campaign “Don’t be an accidental drug dealer?” Keep an inventory of your medications so you know exactly what you have on hand. You’ll also know when something is missing.
This family member also knows he has a safe place to turn for support. While I may live four hours away from my cousin, he now knows that I’m not afraid to have the conversation or to ask the hard questions. He knows there’s no judgment or stigma attached to his battle.
Today, we also talk about saving lives through the REVIVE! Opioid Overdose Reversal Training and administration of Narcan. What an extremely important conversation to have in our community.
Take advantage of Operation Medicine Cabinet which is organized locally by the Partners in Aging Coalition. It’s held twice a year to correspond with the National Drug Take Back Day sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Talk with your family members. Discuss the importance of only taking medication as prescribed and under the guidance of a physician.
Keep the conversation going.
What to learn more? Sign-up for a REVIVE! training. They’re free and last approximately 90-minutes. Thankfully, there are several options to safely dispose of medications in our community: There are four permanent medication collection bins. Just place your medications in the bin. It’s that easy. • • • •
Fredericksburg Police Department King George County Sheriff’s Office Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office Stafford County Sheriff’s Office
Upcoming trainings will be held: • April 28, 10:30 a.m. to noon at Salem Church Library in Spotsylvania • May 26, 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Ladysmith Library in Caroline To register or to learn more, contact Sherry Norton-Williams at 540/374-3337, ext. 102 or snorton@rappahannockareacsb.org.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Help is Here.
Fredericksburg: 540-373-6876 Stafford: 540-373-6876 Spotsylvania: 540-373-6876 Caroline: 804-633-4148 King George: 540-775-5064 ADMINISTRATION 600 Jackson Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-373-3223 V/TTY CONSUMER AFFAIRS ADVOCATE 540-899-4616 OUTPATIENT & CASE MANAGEMENT Fredericksburg Clinic 600 Jackson Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-373-3223 V/TTY Spotsylvania County Clinic 7424 Brock Road Spotsylvania, VA 22553 540-582-3980 V/TTY Stafford County Clinic 15 Hope Road Stafford, VA 22554 540-659-2725 V/TTY Caroline County Clinic 19254 Rogers Clark Boulevard Ruther Glen, VA 22546 804-633-9997 V/TTY King George County Clinic 8479 St. Anthony’s Road King George, VA 22485 540-775-9879 V/TTY DAY SUPPORT SERVICES Rappahannock Adult Activities (RAAI) 750 Kings Highway Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-373-7643 The Gathering Place (RAAI) 19254 Rogers Clark Boulevard Ruther Glen, VA 22546 804-633-5721 Spotsylvania County Clinic (RAAI) 7424 Brock Road Spotsylvania, VA 22553 540-582-7200
Stafford County Clinic (RAAI) 15 Hope Road Stafford, VA 22554 540-659-8527 King George County Clinic (RAAI) 8479 St. Anthony’s Road King George, VA 22485 540-775-6590 Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program Kenmore Club Barbara C. Terry Building 632 Kenmore Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-373-7737 EARLY INTERVENTION Parent Education-Infant Development Program 700 Kenmore Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-372-3561 Infant & Toddler Connection of the Rappahannock Area 540-372-3561 877-268-4169 (toll-free) PREVENTION SERVICES DARE To Be You, Media Ready/ Media Detective. Second Step & Too Good for Drugs Bowman Center 3302 Bourbon Street Fredericksburg, VA 22408 540-374-3337 Healthy Families - Rappahannock Area Bowman Center 3302 Bourbon Street Fredericksburg, VA 22408 540-374-3366 Project LINK 600 Jackson Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-891-3132 Program for Teen Parents Bowman Center 3302 Bourbon Street Fredericksburg, VA 22408 540-374-3337(Spotsylvania County Only)
Rappahannock Area Kids on the Block (RAKOB) 3302 Bourbon Street Fredericksburg, VA 22408 540-940-2325 RESIDENTIAL SERVICES Crisis Stabilization Program at the Sunshine Lady House for Mental Health Wellness & Recovery 615 Wolfe Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-374-3386 Mental Health Supportive Residential Services 401 Bridgewater Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-899-4516 Intellectual Disability Residential Services Bowman Center 3302 Bourbon Street Fredericksburg, VA 22408 540-899-4358 Sponsored Placement Program & Supported Living Bowman Center 3302 Bourbon Street Fredericksburg, VA 22408 540-899-4436 or 373-9891 RESPITE SERVICES Myers Drive Respite Group Home 10 Myers Drive Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-899-4670 SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION 460 Lendall Lane Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-899-4331
racsb
RAPPAHANNOCK AREA COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD
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A COMMUNITY OF HEALING CREATING A SAFE SPACE FOR ALL
From children shackled in a basement to teenagers curled under desks as bullets fly across their classrooms, heartbreak lies in headlines nearly every day. And childhood trauma lurks in situations that don’t make the news: incarcerated parents, poverty, sexual abuse, violence. Children exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences are more likely to suffer from depression, attempt suicide, abuse substances, and struggle with poor health. When individuals come to RACSB for help, we don’t ask, “What is wrong with you?” We ask, “What happened to you?” Our staff has been trained to recognize the signs of trauma and to respond in helpful ways. “This training helps us better understand difficult or disruptive behaviors,” Executive Director Jane Yaun said. “We can be more aware about how our interactions will impact someone’s path to recovery.” And we are thrilled to see that educators, healthcare professionals, social workers, and researchers are also paying attention to ACES. For decades, social workers have repeatedly seen children who experience trauma grow into adults who make unhealthy choices. Research is showing definitively what we’ve known instinctively.
illness or a substance use disorder. These experiences create toxic stress—a situation where a child’s brain spends too much time in a state of fight or flight during a crucial part of development. They can also prevent a child from learning or interacting well with other children and lead to long-term health problems. “But ACEs are not an individual’s destiny,” Prevention Services Coordinator Michelle Wagaman said. “Individuals can be agents of change in their own life and the lives of their children. Unfortunately, we cannot change the past but we certainly can work towards a different future.”
children greater health, safety, and happiness,” Wagaman said. “We now know that adversity becomes embedded into our biology. What is predictable is preventable.” Additionally, we have partnered with Mary Washington Healthcare, Rappahannock United Way, and Mental Health America of Fredericksburg to educate the community about trauma. On April 18, we will hold a daytime workshop for school superintendents and community leaders. In the evening, we will have a town hall for the public. “You are likely interacting every day with someone who has experienced trauma,” Yaun said. “If you want to build a healthier community, you want to understand how to create an environment of wellness and support.”
Remember: Everyone in the classroom has a story that leads to misbehavior or defiance. Nine times out of 10, the story behind that misbehavior won’t make you angry. It will break your heart.
A recent study found that nearly half of American children have experienced at least on ACE—which includes parental death, parental incarceration, witnessing violence, poverty, divorce, sexual abuse and living with someone who has a mental
—Annette Breaux
Wagaman and Kenmore Club Coordinator Amy Jindra received specialized training to understand ACEs and build healthy communities.
The town hall will feature a speaker who has experienced childhood trauma and grown to lead a successful life. Attendees will learn to recognize ACEs and will learn ways to help others.
“We know that all it takes is one caring adult to make a positive impact in the life of another person,“ Wagaman said. “We hope to build a community of caring people to be ‘noticers,’ to recognize and respond. To change the question from ‘What’s wrong with you?’ to ‘What happened to you.’”
“By empowering parents and caregivers with an understanding of ACEs, we can help give them tools to provide their
How to Get Involved Building A Resilient Community, a town hall about ACEs, will be held April 18, 6–8:30 p.m. at the Fick Conference Center on the campus of Mary Washington hospital in Fredericksburg. The event will provide an opportunity to learn from a nationally recognized expert on the subjects of trauma and building resilient communities. Want to learn more? RACSB now offers the training “Understanding ACES: Building Self-Healing Communities.” The free training can be tailored to meet specific audience needs. Options include 2-hour and 4-hour training with various activities and modules offered. A 20-minute ACE overview is also available. Contact Michelle Wagaman, Prevention Services Coordinator, for more information: mwagaman@rappahannockareacsb.org or 540-374-3337, ext. 104. 24
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THE WINDS MAY FELL THE MASSIVE OAK, BUT BAMBOO, BENT EVEN TO THE GROUND, WILL SPRING UPRIGHT AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THE STORM.
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JAPANESE PROVERB
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Rappahannock Area Community Services Board 600 Jackson Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401
NO. 1
2018