Did someone forward this monthly publication to you?
Click here
to subscribe and be sure to get your free issue each month
from Chester County Department of MH/IDD
|
|
Local Aevidum Clubs Create
Mental Health Month Campaigns
|
|
Schools across the county sent representatives from their Aevidum clubs, pictured above, to a half-day event aimed at increasing mental health awareness. Held March 14 at the Chester County Intermediate Unit, the event gave students a forum to brainstorm and collaborate on the creation of Mental Health Month awareness campaigns to roll out next month.
After the concepts were pitched in the style presented on the ABC television series, Shark Tank, one campaign was selected as a county-wide effort.
"If You Really Knew Me"
will invite students to anonymously share personal statements on postcards as a reminder that we all have mental health challenges and we are not alone. Club members will use the statements to create artistic designs to be shared in displays throughout the county.
|
|
Look for Chester County's calendar of events
for Mental Health Month in May!
|
|
Mental Health Awareness Days
Monday, May 6th, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Capitol Rotunda, Harrisburg
and
Wednesday, May 8th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg
or call 717-564-4930
|
|
Chester County's Human Services Block Grant
Public Hearings for Public Comment
April 8th at 1 PM in Coatesville
and
April 9 at 4:30 PM in West Chester
|
|
Free Screening of the documentary
Resilience, the Biology of Stress
and the Science of Hope
Wednesday, April 24, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
at the Fusion Academy, Malvern
|
|
When parents are caring for a child with special needs, it can be hard to figure out where to start. The Chesco LIFE Family Support Specialists, pictured above, are parents, experts at helping families navigate the system, and problem-solvers with creative, "outside-the-box" approaches. They understand and consider that each family is different, and each child has his or her own distinct personality and preferences.
This team helps families navigate the system through support with organizing paperwork, applying for medical assistance, getting an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) in place, and getting services lined up. Other times they are there to simply offer a listening ear and provide validation in tough moments.
They also support families in individualized ways. One family struggled to get their son to engage safely with their family cat and were connected with a pet therapy center. Another family's teenage son is passionate about sports and is being connected to a local youth group
so he can pursue this hobby and make new friends. The Chesco LIFE team is also working on connecting another family with Big Brothers Big Sisters to provide a positive mentor in their teenager's life.
|
|
Suicide Prevention in Chester County
In 2019, Chester County's Suicide Prevention Task Force has delivered 12 QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention classes in the community and collaborated with the Chester County Intermediate unit to deliver QPR to all of the ninth graders enrolled in Octorara and Phoenixville High Schools.
Click for more info
.
|
|
Job Opening
The County of Chester is accepting applications for a Mental Health Housing Coordinator.
The Mental Health Housing Coordinator (MHHC) will serve as the primary liaison between the Department of Community Development, the Department of MH/IDD, and the Department of Human Services to develop, implement, and monitor affordable housing options according to the mental health (MH)
housing plan. The MHHC promotes system change within the publicly funded mental health services to support a philosophy of independent, permanent housing through program monitoring and oversight, and the identification, development, and implementation of training needs. This position will serve as project manager for the development and ongoing oversight of projects, contracted housing programs, protocols, policy and procedures, communication functions, and community relations as they relate to the MH housing plan and MH Supportive Housing projects.
|
|
Strengthening Families in Coatesville
The free seven-week Strengthening Families program is being held at the Gordon Early Literacy Center in Coatesville beginning April 16. Held once a week, the classes help parents/caregivers and youth build on a family's strengths, help reduce stress, develop decision making skills and have fun. Dinner and childcare for younger siblings is provided.
Click for class details
.
|
|
Check out our calendar of monthly meetings and support groups
here
.
|
|
More Resources, Events & Classes
|
|
There are several other county departments that send out community newsletters and announcements just like this one. If you're interested, sign up with
this link!
The Brandywine Health Foundation and the Coatesville Area School District are hosting national speaker and advocate
Kevin Hines
on April 10.
Parenting Group
from the West Chester University's Community Mental Health Services.
Charting a Lifecourse
-
What's your vision of a good life? Learn about the Lifecourse tools, offered at no cost.
|
|
|
|
Chester County Department of Mental Health / Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA
Chester County Commissioners
Administrator: Linda Cox
Deputy Administrator: Candy Craig
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
