ACRPkids
July Newsletter
ACRP Services Reach Tokyo, Japan
The internet allows the world to communicate faster and easier than ever before, and for a family in Tokyo Japan, it provided a way to reach the Alternative Community Resource Program here in the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Watanabe are a young Japanese couple in Tokyo who searched the ACRP website in an effort to locate information about ADHD Summer Treatment Programs for their seven year old son Ray who suffers from ADHD.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition that is related to brain chemistry and reveals itself in patterns of impulsivity and inattention. ADHD is often first noticed in childhood but can continue into adulthood. Although the cause of ADHD is not entirely known, treatment can be found in medicine and techniques that address managing behavior. Continued...
ACRP Community Garden Improved with Assistance from Starbuck Coffee and Conemaugh Health System
Starbucks Coffee employees joined the Accountability Enhancement staff and clients on Saturday May 5th to make improvements to the ACRP Kernville Community Garden. New garden beds were constructed, new top soil added and new landscaping done. Plots are being used this year by four Kernville families, an ACRP Outpatient group and the Accountability Enhancement program. Fruits and vegetables grown by the ACRP Accountability Enhancement clients will be donated to the Salvation Army evening meal program. The financial support received from Starbucks and Conemaugh Health System enable this garden to operate.
Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner’s Office and ACRPoffer Smoke Detector Program
More people die each year in this country from fires than all other natural disasters combined. In an effort to reduce fire related fatalities, the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner’s office recently supplied ACRP with several cases of high quality smoke detectors for distribution to and installation in homes of area residents. This smoke detector installation program is the latest effort by ACRP to aid in the reduction of fire related deaths.
ACRP staff members have been assisting client families in checking smoke detectors to ensure proper operation and ensuring an adequate number of detectors are in each home. Smoke detectors are available free of charge to any resident in the region and this includes installation. Anyone may request a smoke detector for themselves or for another family. Contact Jim Buday 814-534-0745 or
jbuday@acrpkids.org. A limited number of these detectors are available, so please call soon.
A Note From the Executive Director
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ACRP is looking forward to a number of new ventures in the upcoming fiscal year:
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Providing Family Based Mental Health Services
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Expanding Peer Support services in Bedford and Somerset Counties
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School Based Behavioral Health Grant—Bullying Program; Incredible Years/Self Esteem Program
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Outpatient Therapy in a number of local schools and districts
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Education Mentoring
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Fitness America ProgramAdditional Recreational and Community Activities
ACRP School psychologist speaks on Seizure disorders
Michele Custer,
On Saturday, May 12, 2007 over 70 participants gathered at the Holiday Inn in Johnstown to broaden their understanding of treatment, interventions, and advocacy related to seizure disorders. This event, sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central PA, reached out to individuals who have epilepsy and the families who support them, to promote the unified theme . . . Epilepsy. It’s what we have, not who we are. Michele Custer, ACRP School Psychologist, spoke on this topic in her presentation, Social Relationships in the School Setting: Building Resiliency.
One in every 100 children has epilepsy, which is a general term for more then 20 different types of seizure disorders. Given this statistic, it is highly probably that every school in our area services at least one student who has unique needs related to this medical condition. Within the school environment, these needs may range from perceived behavioral difficulties that are actually resulting from seizure activity (things like inattention, picking or pinching at things, talking nonsensically, mood fluctuations, drowsiness and fatigue, etc) to more intensive needs, like in the event of a generalized seizure where the child may convulse or jerk and may experience breathing difficulties, soiling of the clothes, or vomiting.
While first aid training is usually first on the list of “musts” for school staff, training in the psycho-social aspects of this disorder usually trails far behind, if making the list at all. Ms. Custer’s presentation highlighted strategies for coping with the diagnosis while focusing on activities that foster positive self-esteem and build resiliency in their children. Parents were given practical tips for: offering encouragement and praise, teaching decision making skills, building effective communication, fostering friendships, and promoting self-advocacy.
Collaboration between the home, school, and specialized providers is essential in providing a quality education to all students with exceptional needs. Teacher handouts, charts, and tracking logs were provided to help collect data and to keep the lines of communication open between parents and teachers.
The Epilepsy Foundation offers a free presentation to schools through Project School Alert. Interested parents, educators, or school officials may contact Mary Grattan, local coordinator, at 814-
ACRP is Proud to Sponsor a Hometown AAABA Team “ACRP Renegades”
ACRP has agreed to sponsor the “ACRP Renegades” in the Johnstown Junior League. ACRP has assisted with the purchase of baseball bats and baseballs for the ACRP Renegades to enable them to successfully complete their inaugural season. The managers and coaches have absorbed the majority of the team costs up until this point.
The ACRP Board of Directors and Executive Director have decided to utilize ACRP’s advertising budget to support a local group “in need”. ACRP feels that this is the best advertising that we could ever do!!!
The ACRP Renegades will do separate fundraisers and ticket sales, and the managers and coaches will work with ACRP and contact local businesses to fund their continued sponsorship through ACRP.
Renegades Schedule
Jul. 9 Roxbury Park 5:30 pm (double header)
Jul. 10 Roxbury Park 5:30 pm
Jul. 11 Roxbury Park 8:00 pm
Jul. 12 UPJ 6:00 pm
Jul. 13 Point Stadium 5:30 pm
Jul. 17 Point Stadium 8:00 pm
Jul. 18 Point Stadium 5:30 pm
Jul. 19 Point Stadium 8:00 pm
The AAABA Tournament begins on August 6th
Education Mentoring Volunteer Reflects on Past Year
Courtney Matisko was referred to Mary Snyder at ACRP by Mike Dunlap of Community Outreach to do some volunteer work tutoring and mentoring younger students. Courtney, a 2007 graduate of North Star High School reported her experience with her student and ACRP to be very rewarding. She said that even though she mentored one day a week, she felt she had a part in doing something to help encourage this student in school and in life.
Courtney was very involved in activities at school. She was the Editor of the school’s newspaper, The Paw Print, a member and Secretary of Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Club, Secretary of National Honor Society, a member of the Quiz Team, and Vice President of the Spanish Club. Courtney was the co-captain of the school’s Speech Team where she was the IU8 Regional Champion in Persuasive Speaking. She advanced to the State level, where as a semi-finalist, she went to the National Competition in Houston, Texas where she placed in the top forty-eight speakers in the country. Courtney also was a member of the Varsity Volleyball team who won the WestPac Championship and became District 5A Champions for the third year in a row. On June 1st, she graduated and was honored to be named Salutatorian of her class. This fall, Courtney will be attending the University of Pittsburgh (Main Campus) to pursue a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree.
All in all, Courtney said she found her senior year to be very rewarding and that she was so glad to have The Alternative Community Resource Program be a part of it. She said she encourages anyone who is considering being a mentor to do it! Even if you have only a small amount of time to spare, the time will make a difference in both the life of the mentee and your own.
Anyone who might be interested in volunteering as a mentor with the Education Mentoring Program please call Mary Snyder at 814-445-1717 (Somerset County) or Ann Gibson 814-539-7339 (Cambria County).
ACRP RECREATION PARK
(formerly St. Stephen’s Picnic Grounds)
ACRP has recently purchased the former St. Stephen’s Picnic grove in Tanneryville. ACRP will utilize the picnic area for summer soccer leagues and Summer Treatment Programming. ACRP hopes to revitalize and refurbish the picnic area into a recreational area for not only ACRP clients and programs, but for the community and families. Over the next few years ACRP hopes to acquire grants and fundraising to make this happen.
ACRP Somerset Girl’s Group
Susan E. Bassler, MSW
Adolescence is a difficult time for many girls, especially the at-risk population of clients we serve. Through this common need, the staff and clients together collaborated to develop a group focusing on the needs of this special population. Staff talked to their female clients to find out what topics were important to them to explore and learn more about. Staff then put together a group of specialists from the local area who donated their time to explain and help the girls learn about these topics in a hands on way. Continued....
ACRP’s 6th Annual
Charity Golf Tournament
Monday, August 13, 2007
Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Somerset Daily American Challenge
By Bev Bender
The Somerset Daily American Challenge was held on Saturday, June 9, 2007 for the 5 K or 10K run or walk. ACRP’s team was split between 5K and 10K walkers. The weather was perfect for walking and ACRP had 18 persons registered for the walk, which included the following staff and friends and family: Bev and Alyson Bender, Mary Snyder, Tony and Candice DiPasquale, Tammy Beas, Jen Close, Stephanie Ashbrook, Joe Cassanese, Elaina Peck, Brandon Powell, Jacob Little, Mark Wassilchalk, Sandy and Kevin Gardner, Linda Castrovillo, Lynette Sottile, and Stacey Freiwald. ACRP also was one of the 2007 sponsors for the race. The 5 K walk took a little over an hour to complete, with the participants receiving refreshments upon their return to the Somerset High School Soccer Field. The money raised this year will be split between the Sam’s Van and Somerset Community Clinic.
ACRP Training and Staff Picnic
ACRP held its annual training and staff picnic at Greenhouse Park in Tire Hill on June 8th. Afternoon trainings included Play Therapy, Stress and Relaxation, Passive Restraint Overview, Cultural Diversity, and a presentation from Highmark. Everyone who attended the picnic received a ticket for the opportunity to win a door prize of either a Sheetz gas card or an ACRP T-Shirt. In spite of the evening thunderstorm, which proved to be a bit scary for all under the pavilion, everyone had a great time. ACRP provided chicken and side dishes from Our Sons Restaurant and hot wings from the Old Toll Gate Inn. In addition, staff brought covered dishes that included a variety of side dishes and desserts.
ACRP Names Employee of the Year — Sherry Faust
The Alternative Community Resource Program, Inc. (ACRP) has named Sherry Faust as employee of the year for the period May 2006 to April 2007 for her outstanding job performance and dedication to the agency. Sherry was hired by ACRP in October 2005 as a clerical support staff and was later promoted to payroll assistant. She is a dedicated employee and truly goes above and beyond her job duties. Sherry received an 8x10 engraved plaque and a gift card. Congratulations Sherry!
Does your child struggle with ADHD?
Let us help you this summer…
ACRP’s Summer Treatment Program
ACRP’s Summer Treatment Program (STP) is operated by mental health professionals & workers and other trained staff under the direction of a licensed psychologist. Clients must receive an evaluation to determine medical necessity and be “Access” eligible to be enrolled. However, children are not required to have had a previous evaluation or diagnosis to be referred. ACRP can schedule an intake to determine whether your child may be eligible. Transportation is available. Children’s STP (ages 5-12) and adolescent STP (ages 13-15).
Goals include: improving classroom, social, coping and life skills, and self-esteem in a therapeutic setting
Two Sessions This Year
Session I: June 18—July 20, 2007
Session II Begins: July 23—August 24, 2007
Medical Assistance / Access Card required for attendance.
Please call 1-888-308-6783 for more information or an application
~ Enrollment is still being accepted for the second session ~
