From the Office for Children’s Neighborhood School Readiness Teams- They are currently having some small group virtual meetings on topics of interest (e.g., mental health support, needs of preschool directors) and will continue to have these periodic meetings. If there are topics any of you want to suggest for small group, virtual meetings or you want to participate in the groups, please let Elaine know- p.elaine.barker@fairfaxcounty.gov
Read MoreOn November 5th, Governor Northam signed the Marcus-David Peters Act, a new law requiring the implementation of new co-responder models to mental health crisis across Virginia. The law, named for Marcus-David Peters, a black man who was shot and killed by Richmond police in 2017 while suffering a mental health crisis, will create a system where mental health clinicians work alongside law enforcement to address mental health crisis calls. This system aims to de-escalate situations involving an individual with a mental health concern without the use of force. We commend Governor Northam for signing this into law.
Read MoreMany Native/Indigenous tribes have a worldview that centers around connectedness, strong family bonds, adaptability, connection to nature, wisdom of elders, meaningful traditions, and strong spirit, all of which could serve as protective factors for mental health.* Despite these protective factors, Native/Indigenous people in the U.S. report 2.5 times more serious psychological distress in a month than the general population. In addition, poverty rates among Native/Indigenous people are almost twice that of the general population, making access to treatment difficult.
Read MoreYouth MOVE VA is piloting a new program aimed at promoting resiliency in young adults. They are looking for youth and young adults to take part in this 6-hour workshop on December 14, 15 and 16th from 6-8pm. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, register here by November 29th at 11:59pm.
Read MoreIn this week's Healthy Minds podcast. Dr. Ronne Lancaster shares important information on actions families can take to help their students cope with the ongoing pandemic. Action strategies relating to managing screen time, building personal resilience, and the importance of recognizing one another’s positive strengths and seizing times to turn current challenges into positive opportunities to move forward. Listen to the podcast.
Read MoreThe Fairfax County Youth Survey is a comprehensive, anonymous and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 that examines behaviors, experiences and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. Results from the 2019-2020 school year are now available; read 5 things you need to know about the results, or check out the full report. Read coverage from the Tysons Reporter, or listen to the FCPS Healthy Minds Podcast about the survey.
Read MoreIn November, our wellness activities focus on living a tobacco-free lifestyle, including resources to quit vaping. Join CSB’s Wellness, Health Promotion & Prevention team by taking part in individual and community-wide actions that you can take – virtually and from a safe distance – that promote resiliency, provide support to loved ones and stay connected. Get the calendar.
Read MoreNov. 16: REVIVE! virtual class – Overdoses can happen in unexpected situations – a social gathering, a school event, with a friend or family member, or other community event. CSB’s Wellness, Health Promotion & Prevention team is offering free online REVIVE! opioid overdose reversal classes that will provide you with the knowledge and confidence you need to potentially save a life during an opioid overdose emergency.
Read MoreBraveTV was developed to bring stories of hope to the homes of our audience during the COVID-19 pandemic. This episode focuses on the stories of Veterans as they share their stories around mental health.
Read MoreIn this week's podcast, learn about Healthy Minds’ short-term behavioral health resources and peer support partners (available at low or no cost) that can help struggling children and teens across Fairfax County.
Read MoreHello 7th-12th Grade Families,
I hope you all are doing well and staying safe.
I want to highlight a few upcoming events happening at the church this week.
This Monday, November 9th, 12 - 2 PM, is our outdoor homeroom. This is a chance for 7th-12th grade students to get outside, be in the parking lot surrounded by friends and nature, and get homework done. It’s going to be a beautiful day to be outside! Plus, today we are going to be visited by a therapy dog set up by our amazing Abiding Fellow Laurel. Masks will be worn at all times and social distancing will be enforced. If you have never tried outdoor homeroom before, today is a great day to do so!
This Tuesday, November 10th, 4 -5 PM, our 9th and 10th graders have the chance to meet with Mr. Jon and Mr. Andrew for small groups. In small groups we explore how our lives and faith intersect and interact. It is a time and place to ask profound questions and think about them with the group. This is a time for everyone, no matter where they find themselves in their faith journey. We have had a great group of students joining us each week and we’d love to welcome a few more of our 9th and 10th graders to the conversation.
This Thursday, November 12th, 3 - 5 PM, I am back to doing driveway visits. If you want a chance to chat with Mr. Jon one on one in the comfort of your front driveway, please reach out (jon@abidingpresence.net) to set up a time.
This Friday, November 13th, 7 - 8:15 PM is Friday Night Lights. Please sign up in advance here at abidingpresence.net/youth. Parents, please sign up to volunteer as well as these events take a lot of parent support.
Our Abiding Fellows (11th & 12th grade) will be meeting two times this week, in person on Monday 1:30 -2:30 PM, and online on Wednesday from 7:30 - 8:30 PM.
We will continue to follow our safety protocol and ask everyone to wear a mask at all in-person events.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas as we head into fall, please do not hesitate to be in touch.
Blessings,
Mr. Jon
Sleep quality can make the difference in maintaining a daily routine, promoting academic learning, and supporting general health. However, with the many changes… children may have more difficulty recognizing and following a set schedule which includes time for sleep.
When youth do not get enough sleep, they may experience problems with emotional regulation, mood, behavior, and academic performance. Important cognitive abilities for learning are more likely to be impaired, such as attention, memory, and planning.
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) recommends these six research-based strategies to help improve the quality of your children's sleep.
Read MoreThis conversation from ACEs Connection’s ‘A Better Normal’ series centers around the need for equity to be at the forefront of the ACEs, trauma-informed, and resilience-building movement. It serves as a call-to-action for those in the worldwide ACEs movement to addressing systemic racism and historical and racial trauma and to prioritize anti-racist practices and policies.
Read MoreRacial Truth and Reconciliation Virginia (RTRVA) is an intentional evolution of the Campaign for a Trauma-Informed Virginia that further concentrates efforts on the intersection of trauma and equity.
Read MoreWhat might be the possibilities of moving away from locating distress almost exclusively inside of people and instead begin interrogating neoliberal systems that put pressure on who people believe they are allowed to be? If people in relative positions of power routinely engaged in this practice, might this move us towards a model of community care where people don’t have to self-care their way out of social inequities? Travis Heath discusses the use of narrative therapy and the ways in which it pursues these very goals.
Read MoreRespite to Recharge Program for formed families – Are you a relative serving in a parenting role? Could you use a break or support during virtual learning? The Respite to Recharge program gives 10 hours a week of free respite child care to grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents and others who are parenting children of relatives. The program is supported by Healthy Minds Fairfax and implemented by Formed Families Forward. In order to take full advantage of this program families will need to apply now. Get detailed information in English and Spanish.
Read MoreLearning to see warning signs using Kognito online training – A recent Washington Post Education column discusses how local school systems are using Kognito’s research-proven, evidence-based role-play simulations to teach staff how to recognize when a young person is showing signs of psychological distress, how to talk with them about it, and how to connect them to the appropriate support. Find out about this suite of ten, free online simulations or take a class now.
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