Magnifying The Mind - Teens Raising Awareness about Mental Health

 In Reach's Youth Ambassadors at Parkdale High School in partnership with the Parkdale Student Government Association held an awesome mental health forum. Pictured with presenters and adult facilitators.

“1 in 5 youth aged 13–18 (21.4%) experiences a severe mental disorder at some point during their life. For children aged 8–15, the estimate is 13%.”

On April 26, 2017, IN REACH’s Youth Ambassadors (YA) at Parkdale High School and members of the Student Government Association hosted a Mental Health Forum, Magnifying the Mind, to address teen mental health. The hands-on forum highlighted the warning signs of mental illness; coping mechanisms to handle stress; where teens can seek help; brought awareness to addiction, and how to break the stigma of “mental illness.”  

The diverse panel of mental health experts included Chmaika P. Mills, PhD candidate, Clinical Psychology; Audrey Forka, CRNP a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; Pamela Little, CEO of Plate of X’pressions, LLC; Rossalyn Martinez, LCSWC and Jessica Prentice, LCSWC; Rosa Lindquist, yoga instructor; Ben Malecki, a youth advocate at Parkdale High School, and Tobacco Prevention Ambassadors from Parkdale HS.

Before beginning the program, YAs distributed a pre-forum survey to their peers, where they were asked, “How they would spot someone with a mental illness,” and “What characteristics they would possess?”  182 students responded, below are some of their responses:

• “It’s not something that you can easily spot there are some people who seem or look perfectly fine which is the outside appearance but on the inside that’s where the problem is.”
• “I don’t think there is a specific look for people with mental illness.  Some characteristics possible are physical impairments such as twisted mouths, slanted eyes, but people can look totally fine & still have mental illness.”
• “There are many different signs for all the different illnesses.  Sometimes you may not even spot things at all some could be triggered by words, or sounds while in other’s you could never know.  They look like all of us.”

During the forum, students rotated through several mental health stations, spending 10-12 minutes listening to different professionals speak on their area of expertise and the resources that they provide.  Students learned how anxiety/stress and other mental health problems can negatively impact cognition and academic performance, and the stigma associated with receiving school accommodation.  They also learned basic relaxation techniques; that using art as therapy can relieve anxiety; yoga and meditation relieve stress; and learned ways to give their brain a break when preparing for tests.  

At the end of the forum, students were surveyed and asked if their knowledge about the subject increased as a result of participating in this activity?  Of the student who responded, 32% said yes; 10% said no.

“Yes” responses included: 

• “I got to learn that those who need help have to speak out to get help because it may get worse if not treated over time.”
• “Before the health fair, I initially referred mental illness to retardation, autism, etc. But now I know it extends to other things such as depression and others, this really broadened/ opened my mindset.”
• “It has enlightened me that some people who have a mental disorder are mostly anxious or stressed; and also art and yoga helps to relieve stress.”

The Youth Ambassadors is a school-based college access with a service learning heart program. The program engages high school students in a variety of opportunities to become college and career ready lead meaningful service learning projects and build life skills through financial literacy. Learn more at www.inreachinc.org.

Keeping the Lights On Afterschool for #Families

October 18, 2016


Contact: Toni A. Smith
       301.357.8433 ext. 7001

Keeping the Lights On Afterschool for Families

Landover, MD – On Thursday, October 20, 2016, at William Paca Elementary School children, parents, businesses and community leaders will come together to celebrate Lights On Afterschool. The national celebration is being held to draw attention to the need for more afterschool programs to serve the millions of children nationwide who are unsupervised and at risk each weekday afternoon. Locally, it is being organized to demonstrate the positive and powerful outcomes of communities working together to support the Prince George’s County Public School System. Lights On Afterschool for Families at William Paca Elementary School will be one of more than 8,000 such events across the nation emphasizing the importance of keeping the lights on and the doors open after school. 

Hosted by community partner In Reach, the Lights On Afterschool for Families celebration will engage students, their families and the community in a number of hands-on and engaging activities to reinforce the importance of afterschool programs. Participants in In Reach’s College and Career Ready 21st Century Community Learning Center’s Afterschool Program and Family Academy will be in for a real treat as the 2016-2017 program kicks off with this event.

Recent data from America After 3PM, the research series on afterschool programs commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance, shows a vast unmet demand for afterschool programs nationwide. In Maryland, 150,112 children participated in an afterschool programs in 2014, only 16%, yet 280,319, or 36%, would be enrolled if a program were available. Further, 87% percent of Maryland’s parents were satisfied with their child’s afterschool program, and 64% percent agreed that afterschool programs give working parents peace of mind for that same year.  More work needs to be done to meet the demand for afterschool programs that keep Maryland’s kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families. 

“In Reach has enjoyed an enriching partnership with the William Paca family for over four years and I am extremely delighted to be able to host this year’s Lights On Afterschool event with such a dynamic principal, Ms. Dorothy Clowers, a cadre of dedicated educators and amazing families. We are all very proud of our afterschool students and families,” said Toni Smith, executive director. There's no reason that learning should stop at 3 p.m., particularly if the alternative is unsupervised time in front of a television set, or any of the dangerous or unhealthy behaviors that can ensnare children in the afternoons. Like so many other afterschool programs around the nation, ours is supported by funding from the Maryland State Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative. Since its creation, it has provided funding to allow hundreds of children to attend afterschool. We need to grow this funding stream for afterschool and summer learning programs.

~

In Reach’s College and Career Ready 21st Century Community Learning Center opened its doors to William Paca Elementary School students and families in 2015 with a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant from the Maryland State Department of Education. The College and Career Ready 21st CCLC serves almost 200 children, providing homework assistance, tutoring, and classes and clubs in sports, reading, and mathematics, and dozens of other subjects at three Prince George’s County Public Schools. For more information about In Reach, visit www.inreachinc.org.

Lights On Afterschool is organized by the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children have access to quality afterschool programs. Lights On Afterschool has been celebrated annually since 2000. More information on the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool and America After 3PM is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.

To Be Beautiful Means to Be Yourself - Children's #MentalHealth Matters!

May 1 – 7, 2016, marks the annual celebration of Children’s Mental Health Matters! Campaign Week. In Reach, Inc., has joined the Children’s Mental Health Matters! Campaign - a collaboration of the Mental Health Association of Maryland (MHAMD) and the Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) with support from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Behavioral Health Administration - to celebrate!

The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health. According to Harvard University’s Center of the Developing Child, the foundation for positive mental health begins taking shape in the earliest years. Experiences in the first 3 years of life, from relationships with parents, caregivers, and teachers can significantly impact a child’s developing brain. Negative experiences during critical developmental years can have lifelong implications such as hindering a child’s capacity for learning and ability to relate to others. Many costly problems, ranging from the failure to complete high school to incarceration, could be dramatically reduced if attention were paid to improving children’s environments of relationships and experiences early in life.

Each year, the network of nearly 250 partners and schools throughout the state celebrates Children’s Mental Health Matters! with over a week of events, workshops, media, outreach and other awareness raising activities. National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week is geared toward raising awareness to the issues and causes integral to the children's mental health field in each of the communities across the country. 

To raise awareness and create dialogue about emotions and mental wellness among students, families, and educators, In Reach will host a family movie night at partner William Paca Elementary School in Landover, Maryland where it will screen the Disney film Inside Out. Students in In Reach's program at Kenmoor Middle School will view the movie and complete the Walk in My Shoes activity for the 4th Annual Anti-Stigma Art Project.  

For more information and resources for addressing children’s mental health, visit http://www.ChildrensMentalHealthMatters.org

#heartofafterschool

In Reach, Inc. 

Celebrates the Heart of Afterschool Programs During the First Ever

“AFTERSCHOOL PROFESSIONALS APPRECIATION WEEK”

April 25-29, 2016

Prince George’s County, MD, April 25, 2016 – In Reach, Inc., is joining with the National AfterSchool Association (NAA) to celebrate the professionals that are at the heart of afterschool programs during the first ever “Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week” April 25-29, 2016.

“We believe Afterschool professionals make a difference in the life of a child,” said Executive Director Toni Smith “We encourage everyone to join us this week in thanking the afterschool professionals in their lives.”

Why is it important to recognize Afterschool Professionals?

An estimated 10.2 million children participate in afterschool programs each year. Today, afterschool programs are viewed as much more than just childcare. They are widely credited as the way to enhance education in STEM, literacy, the arts, social and emotional learning, health and wellness, and more. With that demand comes increased responsibility on the estimated 850,000 of professionals who are making a difference in the lives of our children.

What is Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week?

Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week is a joint effort of community partners, afterschool programs, youth and child care workers, and individuals who have committed to dedicating time to recognize and appreciate those who work with youth during out-of-school hours. The week is marked by celebrations and public relations efforts to encourage people to thank afterschool professionals serving children in programs and organizations across the nation.

Who is an Afterschool Professional?

An Afterschool Professional is someone who works with children and youth in diverse school and community-based settings to provide a wide variety of extended learning opportunities and care during out-of-school hours. Currently, there is an estimated 850,000 afterschool professionals in the US.

How can I thank an Afterschool Professional?

--Declare on social media: “I believe Afterschool professionals make a difference in the life of a child. #heartofafterschool”

--Give a hand-written card from you and/or your child to the afterschool professional in your life.

--Send an email to an afterschool professional’s supervisor describing why that person is appreciated.

--Make treats for the staff at your afterschool program.

When was Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week introduced?

Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week was announced during the NAA Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida, on March 20, 2016, by NAA President & CEO Gina Warner.

For more information about Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week visit: http://www.heartofafterschool.com. For more information about In Reach visit www.inreachinc.org or call 301.357.8433.

#Money, Money, Money!

April is National Financial Literacy Month, the perfect time for a financial health checkup. For parents, especially, I am certain there are times where it feels like there is simply not enough money to go around. Between buying food, paying bills, and having enough funds for transportation, the money doesn’t seem last too long. Now is a great time to make a change. No matter what your finances look like today, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Here are five tips to get you started on your journey to better financial health:

1. $ave whatever you can, just get started. If you have $10 and can only save $1, then save $1. The important thing is that you begin to form a habit of saving, the more you do it the more you will want to do it and will begin to think about doing it.

2. Educate yourself on financial matters. The more you know, the better you will be able to plan. There is a lot to learn— everything from investing to retirement—so take your time. Look for free classes at your local library and through community organizations including your place of worship.

3. Think twice, purchase once. Do you really need whatever you are about to purchase? Really? 

4. Include everyone in your household. There is strength in numbers. When you work together as a team, everyone moving in the same direction, you are more likely to be successful. This includes the children too. 

5. Don’t compare yourself to others. We must all run our own race. Don’t let what others are doing with their money determine your course. Stay focused on your plan. 

For a full checkup, visit www.mymoney.gov to learn more about the five building blocks for managing and growing your money.

Pick Up a Book and #Read with a Child

Each year on March 2, we celebrate National Read Across America Day (Dr. Seuss’ birthday) with the goal of encouraging children to read for enjoyment and providing parents and families with the tools to help them do so.

Reading is at the core of learning and children who do more of it tend to be more successful in school. According to the International Reading Association, seven out of eight students with reading problems in first grade continue to struggle with reading in 9^th grade. They get better but never catch up. Students reading on grade level read twice as much outside of school (thirty minutes a day), and students reading two grade levels above, read for a full hour a day outside of school on average.¹

Parents play an extremely important role in encouraging and supporting their child in learning to read and continuously helping him/her strengthen his/her skills. Here are some tips supporting your child in becoming an awesome reader:

1.  Stay engaged with your child's teachers to keep up with what’s going on in their classrooms. Ask teachers how you can make your child’s learning skills stronger.

2.  Use the Library - your local public library is a wonderful place to start and continue your families reading journey. There are so many amazing resources onsite and online for parents/family members to sign up for, free, as well computers available at each location to use for job search, typing resumes and much more. Don’t have a library card? Now is an excellent time to get one for everyone in the household.

3.  Subscribe to a Reading Rockets Growing Readers Newsletter for ongoing information and monthly tip sheets (available in English and Spanish) on raising strong readers and writers,  http://www.readingrockets.org/newsletters/extras.

^1. The Future of Children (2012). Literacy Challenges for the Twenty-First Century, VOLUME 22, NUMBER 2, FALL 2012. 

Special #Education Day - Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Today is Special Education Day. This day, in 1975, marks when United States President Gerald Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, known today as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) into law.

Special Education Day, first celebrated in 2005, marks the anniversary of that very first special education law. The landmark law guarantees, “A free and appropriate public education to children with disabilities.” The law provides equal opportunities and access for more than 6 million students with disabilities and special needs. Since the law’s enactment, several programs have been implemented to help students with disabilities due to Special Education Day.

The Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services has programs and services related to infants and youth with disabilities and their families. These programs range from early intervention, preschool special education, access to nonpublic schools, Medical Assistance for school-health related services, autism programs and other mental health initiatives.

Find out more about programs and support available for children with disabilities in Prince George’s County, Maryland at http://www1.pgcps.org/specialeducation/ and nationally, https://ccrs.osepideasthatwork.org/, and http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html.

Turn the Lights On Afterschool!

On October 22, more than a million people in thousands of schools and communities across the United States will turn their lights on for afterschool by joining the only national rally for afterschool programs.

According to the Afterschool Alliance, more than 8,000 afterschool programs are expected to participate in the 16th annual Lights On Afterschool. The day will take shape in various community service events, museums, parks and recreation facilities, state capitols, malls, and other settings.

Here in Prince George’s County, we are honored and excited to take part in our third Lights On Afterschool event in collaboration with our partner school, Carrollton Elementary, at their Fall Harvest Festival on October 23, with crafts, relay races and workshops that celebrate afterschool programs as they keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families.

Lights On Afterschool is organized by the Afterschool Alliance to bring attention to the need to invest in afterschool programs, which provide homework help, healthy snacks, mentoring, physical fitness, robotics, computer programming, community service opportunities, art and music, college readiness, and countless opportunities for hands-on learning.

“Quality afterschool programs help students hone their skills and discover their passions, preparing them to succeed in school and in life,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “Lights On Afterschool events give children and youth the chance to showcase the talents they develop at their afterschool programs, which offer hands-on, engaging activities that are both educational and fun. But too many afterschool programs are without the resources they need to serve all the children in their communities who need them and families, schools, communities and the country suffer as a result.”

During the 2015 celebration, In Reach is looking forward to raising awareness about the value and necessity of afterschool programs in Prince George’s County, MD. In Reach's Executive Director, Toni Smith shared, "Afterschool programs are an extremely valuable extension of the school day that all children should have access to."

Help us protect afterschool funding. Sign the petition! For more information visit: www.afterschoolalliance.org

What does public lands, partnerships and service have in common?

MEDIA ALERT

September 15, 2015

Contact: Arielle Reynoso, Partner Engagement Specialist

Areynoso@inreachinc.org

The LEAPing Frogs Community Garden

The Value of Public Lands, Partnerships and Community Service

On Saturday, September 19^th Students, family members, teachers and volunteers “LEAP” (Learning. Environmental Engagement. Awareness. Productivity.) into a day of active volunteerism and ownership in beautifying school grounds prior to and in honor of National Public Lands Day.

In Reach and Carrollton Elementary School have planned a day of activities to raise environmental awareness, encourage an active lifestyle and build community in the New Carrollton city of Prince George’s County, MD. A collaborative event, funded by a grant from the Maryland's Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism, will take place on September 19^th from 9am to 11am.

The day will consist of a general clean-up of the garden area, removal of invasive plants, planting of tulips and preparing the garden for the winter. Additionally, volunteers will take part in pre-planting stretching and light exercising inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move Outside” children’s health initiative as it aligns directly with the vision and goal in our growing partnership with Prince George’s County schools and in this event. In a report provided by Alliance of a Healthier Generation, Maryland is the 21^st most obese state in the U.S. for children at a shocking 32% while the physical inactivity rate is at a solid 25%. Our event will help decrease screen and couch time and get the children of the Carrollton Elementary community on their feet and outdoors to take part in a meaningful day which will bring the community together and create something beautiful to bloom.

Although National Public Lands Day is formally taking place on September 26^th, it is the nation’s largest volunteer event acknowledging public lands. According to the National Environment Education Foundation in 2014, about 175,000 volunteers took part in this event at various sites across the nation! National Public Lands Day is a fantastic opportunity to get off the couch and out into the beautiful outdoors. Volunteers can participate as a family, with a school, community or other national organizations and non-profits. All volunteers will undoubtedly get the satisfaction that comes from preserving and protecting public lands, along with physical exercise and family and community togetherness in a day full of, planting, enhancing and beautifying.

For more information about National Public Lands Day and if you want to learn more about how to get involved at site near you visit their website at publiclandsday.org. To learn more about In Reach visit our website.

In Reach is a nonprofit organization with the mission of preparing students for college, work and life. It organizes on-going events with its students, their families, partner schools, and other community members and entities to raise awareness, educate and build relationships to reduce the issues that challenge its mission specifically those associated with poverty. 

Children's #MentalHealthMatters

MEDIA ALERT

May 8, 2015

Contact: Samantha Trotter In Reach, Inc.

240.334.6167

The Day May Have Passed but the Work Continues 

In Reach, Inc. and Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

What is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day?

In 2006, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services launched an annual national initiative called “National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day.” Awareness Day is designated as a day in May of each year to coincide with May Is Mental Health Month. This day presents an opportunity for children’s mental health initiatives within SAMHSA to promote positive youth development, resilience, recovery and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families.

The theme of Awareness Day is “Thriving in the Community.” Children’s mental health initiatives will hold similar events and other activities throughout the country to build awareness that children’s mental health needs are real and that progress is being made toward developing effective strategies for achieving the vision of a life in the community for everyone.

Why does In Reach participate in Awareness Day?

In Reach participates in Awareness Day to magnify one of the often forgotten entities of the well-being of our youth, which is mental health.  Keeping in line with our vision of healthy, productive and prepared young adults, it is our duty to make mental health resources readily available.

Where can I get more information about Awareness Day and Child Mental Health?

For information and materials, and to learn more about children's mental health contact the Maryland Coalition of Families for Children’s Mental Health and Children's Mental Health Matters. 

“Libraries are for making . . . communities stronger.” #TTW15

Fairmount Heights Library

On Wednesday, March 18, members of In Reach's Girls of Worth Literacy Club at William Paca Elementary (sixth grade girls) and the Quantum Project at Kenmoor Middle School (eighth graders) celebrated YALSA’s Teen Tech Week “Libraries are for Making...”at Fairmount Heights Library. Teen Tech Week is when libraries make the time to showcase all of the great digital resources and services that are available to help teens succeed in school and prepare for college and 21st century careers.

The staff at Fairmount Heights Library rock! They engaged students, each group for ninety minutes, in a session of coding and a session working in the new Dream Lab which is set up like a studio with all of the bells and whistles, and students were encouraged to check out books at end of the visit, which many of them did. From the computers that students can learn and practice coding on, to simply checking out books, whether online or in-person, there are so many wonderful options available to children, youth and families right at their neighborhood library. Options that can help make our communities stronger by increasing and supporting literacy from every angle. The Prince George’s County public library system has even made it easier for students to apply for their own library card.

One of our goals, this school year, was to engage as many students as possible in the use of their neighborhood library. The PGCMLS offers homework help electronically or via telephone and assistance with preparing resumes and much more for adults. Our libraries offer teens a space to extend their learning beyond the classroom where they can explore, create, share content and connect in meaningful ways to gain the digital literacy skills they need to be successful.

For more information about library services in Prince George’s County, MD, contact www.pgcmls.info.

YALSA - Young Adult Library Services Association, http://www.ala.org/yalsa/

What do adults and Dr. Seuss have in common?

On March 17, In Reach staff and guest readers from Kentland Palmer Park’s Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative (TNi) celebrated Read Across America day with eager elementary-aged students from the area. Each year, on Dr. Seuss' birthday, March 2, students everywhere celebrate his life and legacy by reading a good book. Inclement weather conditions may have delayed the celebration this year but not the fun of two events enjoyed in one - Dr. Seuss and St. Patrick’s Day. The Kentland Community Center’s Aftercare program services all school-aged students, while most commonly students are kindergarten to sixth grade.

After In Reach staff gave a hearty welcome, students watched Dr. Seuss on the Loose, a short film collection of three Seuss sing-a-long stories The Sneetches, The Zax and Green Eggs and Ham. Shortly afterwards, students were separated by grade level and our guest readers took over. Each guest reader read as many of their favorite childhood stories as they had time to read. With enthusiasm and the excitement of young children themselves, it was apparent, by the brightness in the children's eyes, that the adults were fully engaging each one of them and having a great time as well.

Before dismissal everyone enjoyed a delicious treat of St. Patrick’s Day themed cake and each student was able to choose one Scholastic book and a bookmark to take home. This celebration marked the official launch of In Reach’s Catch Them by Third Power of Literacy Program pilot at Kentland Community Center for second grade students designed to inspire and help them build literacy skills, ensure that they are able to continue to develop literacy skills throughout the summer, and help families foster language and literacy skill development in their young children.

Thank you to our awesome TNi guest readers: Lavinia Baxter, Ralph Moultrie, and Alexia Clark, and In Reach’s Dream Team: Katrina Robinson, program manager; Samantha Trotter, AmeriCorps VISTA partner engagement specialist and organizer of the day’s activities; Randi Coward, afterschool program facilitator; and Toni Smith, executive director.

Take Action! January is #Poverty Awareness Month

In recognition of Poverty Awareness Month, In Reach has prepared an informative calendar of useful resources for everyday of the month, and an accompanying infographic that provides a snapshot of Prince George's County's poverty indicators.

Poverty is the number one challenge to our mission - preparing students for college, work and life. So many of our students and their families are affected by poverty. It rears its ugly head in every imaginable way, all usually recognizable in an educational setting. We see its affects when we work with a student who can not read proficiently, who may be homeless, receive inadequate health care, is food insecure, and/or lacks self confidence. 

Please share the calendar and infographic with your family, friends, colleagues, political and civic leaders and others to raise awareness about this often misunderstood and polarizing epidemic and join us in becoming a part of the solution, a poverty buster, to reduce its horrible affects.