National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) ) increases awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and encourages individuals in need of treatment and recovery services to seek help. Recovery Month celebrates individuals living their lives in recovery and recognizes the dedicated workers who provide the prevention, treatment, and recovery support services that make it possible. This year's theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Invest in Health, Home, Purpose, and Community," explores how integrated care, a strong community, sense of purpose, and leadership contributes to effective treatments that sustain the recovery of persons with mental and substance use disorders. The 2018 observance also aims to increase awareness and encourages audiences to take advantage of the increased dialogue around the nation's behavioral health needs and the increased emphasis on tackling our nation's opioid crisis.

 

Just because you are a senior, does not mean you lost your zest for life and have nothing to offer. Take Lin Abbot for instance (pictured), here she is dressed as a fireman at the Wellsboro Head Start where she brings the joy of living to children three to five years old. Lin is a vivacious person who delights in being a Foster Grandparent, which gives her the opportunity to mentor children in a local classroom. Within the classroom Lin delights children with one-on-one attention, may soothe a child through a rough day, gives history lessons through personal talks of yester year, and models good citizenship.

 

We need more people like Lin, who have a zest for life and a concern for the neighborhood children. The local Foster Grandparent Program, which is sponsored by the B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, is searching for persons 55 years and over, who would like to guide children to overcome their difficulties, to motivate kids to make appropriate choices, and to inspire youngsters to develop their strengths.

 

Foster Grandparents also enjoy a small monetary reimbursement, paid holidays and paid time off. Foster Grandparents also make friends with others, who have a like interest of being a positive influence in children's lives.  

 

You could be that special school grandparent to kids in a school near you. Start by calling 1-800-982-4346 to learn more.

 

The Foster Grandparent Program is federally funded by the Corporation of National Community Service, sponsored by the B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. and funded in part by the United Way of Bradford County, United Way of Susquehanna County, and the Lycoming County United Way serving Tioga County.

 

The BSST Area Agency on Aging is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging; the United Way of Bradford County; the United Way of Susquehanna County; the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Tioga County Commissioners.

The next delivery of this program will begin on Monday,  September 17th at a Wellsboro location.  For more information or to sign up, give McKenna Christman a call at 570-723-0520 or email:  mchristman@tiogapartnership.org.