Support PPAL throught
your donation today!
COMECC # 700554
Combined Federal
Campaign #11595
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Contact Us
Parent/ Professional
Advocacy League
Statewide Office-Boston
15 Court Square
Suite 660
Boston, MA 02108
Toll Free: (866) 815-8122
Fax: (617) 542-7832
Central Ma Office
(Worcester)
40 Southbridge Street
Suite 310
Worcester, MA 01608
Tel: (508) 767-9725
Fax: (508) 767-9727
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Poll Results
As a parent of a transition age youth, I have been told about or given:
Individual Transition Plan:
33.33%
Chapter 688 referral: 33.33%
2 or 4-year Community/College options: 16.67%
None of the above: 16.67%
Vocational training: 0%
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Save the Date!
Please join us on
March 29
at the Chicopee Library where we will be joined by National Education for Assistance Dog Services (
NEADS)
who will discuss the many ways in which therapeutic animals help individuals in their treatment, and meet Riley, a therapy assistance dog. The session begins at
10 am
.
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Statewide Meeting
Our next statewide meeting will take place on April 12, 2016, and will feature:
Toni M. Irsfeld, MA
Program Director
UMass Administrative Services Organization
The Massachusetts Family Resource Centers (FRCs) are a statewide provider network that is community-based. FRC's provide support and education for families whose children range in age from birth to 18 years of age. You will learn about their:
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multi-cultural parenting programs & support groups
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early childhood services
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information and referral resources
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easy access to information and assistance related to health care, safety, employment training, education and peer support.
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Locations and staffing
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1. On February 25, 2016, PPAL celebrated
Black History Month with a special event at the Grove Hall Public Library. The event featured well-known psychologist Dr. Omar Reid as the keynote speaker, who delivered an incredibly powerful message about the specific mental health needs of African Americans.
Dr. Reid is a licensed educational psychologist and mental health counselor with over 30 years of experience. He is also the founder of the Black Mental Health Alliance of Massachusetts, Inc. (BMHAM). This organization is the first of its kind, with a mission of providing education and training for culturally competent mental health services. His speech focused on the mental health effects of racism and the need for mental health professionals to be appropriately trained to address these issues. He also touched on the necessity for good nutrition, as well as the importance of job creation by and for people of color. During his talk, Dr. Reid also highlighted PPAL's work in reaching out to diverse communities and bringing more awareness about mental illness through education, collaboration and advocacy.
Read more...
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 In Honor of Benny
 2. This month, we would like to honor the memory of Benny, a long-time Youth MOVE Massachusetts member. Benny joined the HOPE youth group while living in the Central Massachusetts area, and stayed connected throughout the transitions in his life. His humor and compassion for others were undeniable. Many youth members will recall how Benny always offered helpful encouraging words, his own perspective or a laugh to help get them through tough times. He was always quick to volunteer for leadership roles at Youth MOVE Massachusetts, and was a strong voice for himself and his peers, especially LGBTQ youth and young adults. Our thoughts are with Benny and his family, friends and community as we say goodbye to this incredible young man. His spirit will always be with us, and we will honor him by continuing to connect with one another and to improve access to care and support for young people.
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PPAL Speaks at Conferences
3.
PPAL's staff were thrilled to partner with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health on the first annual "Motivating the Movement to Success-Fest," held at Mass Bay College in Wellesley, MA on March 18. The Successfest gathered youth and young adults from across the state to celebrate their accomplishments during the past year and to promote the role of peer support and parent partners. PPAL's Chandra Watts and Meri Viano kicked off the event with an inspirational and informative welcome to all. Lydia Proulx, PPAL's Youth Program Manager, delivered a terrific and very current session on the integration of LGBTQ culture into mental health service delivery. PPAL looks forward to more collaboration with DMH on these important issues!
Read More...
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Family Support Focuses on Youth Returning to School
4. In March, we saw a dramatic increase in families accessing acute care services for youth who are transitioning from hospitals back to schools. Supporting youth as they re-enter mainstream schools is incredibly important; they often feel highly anxious about going back to the building, and struggle with how to answer peer questions about where they have been. Some youth were hospitalized due to mental health needs that were not met at school, and are afraid of returning to school, where the "same bad things may happen again." Creating a plan that allows the youth to take small steps back into the school environment is critical. This could be as simple as driving to the school on day one and just sitting inside of the car, and then progressing the next day to sitting inside of the main office for a few minutes before leaving. The key is to not push youth into just resuming normal activity, as the reality is that there is nothing normal about this experience.
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What Youth Are Saying
5. Every month, PPAL hosts the voice of our youth on our blog, in our "What Youth Are Saying" series. This month, we are featuring Rachel, a young adult who has aspired to be a writer her whole life. She lives at home with her mother, father, and 6 wonderful animals. If you would like to write for our "What Youth Are Saying" series, contact Lisa.
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Juvenile Justice Update
6. On February 20, PPAL attended an event in Haverhill regarding the School to Prison Pipeline and Mass Incarceration. The featured speaker was Reverend George Walters-Sleyon, a Ph.D student at the University of Edinburg in Scotland and a graduate of Boston University. Read More...
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PPAL's 25th Anniversary Celebration Continues
7. Many thanks to Patricia and Bob Larsted for being part of our 25th Anniversary Celebration on March 15 at the Bellingham Library. You continue to inspire families and youth by sharing your journey through presentations and your books! We are thrilled that you helped PPAL mark 25 years.
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Welcome, Cheryl!
8. PPAL would like to extend a welcome to our newest staff member, Cheryl Miklasz! Cheryl is a Family Support Specialist, a title she also held at her most previous position with Riverside Emergency Services in Milford. Originally from Rhode Island, she has lived all over the country. Cheryl has lived experience with children's mental health as well, raising a son and a daughter. Throughout their childhoods and young adulthood, Cheryl worked diligently to ensure that their mental health needs were met with appropriate services and support. Her son is in college in Massachusetts, and her daughter lives in California with her one year old son. Cheryl currently lives in Massachusetts with her husband, Steve. Welcome to PPAL, Cheryl!
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