May 2007

Newsletter

 

ACRP Participates in Earth Day Projects

  ACRP's Accountability Enhancement Program participated in two Earth Day projects.  Staff, clients and Cambria County Juvenile Probation Officers joined others in Prince Gallitzin State Park on Saturday April 21 to remove invasive plant species from the park.Starbucks Coffee employees also joined ACRP staff, clients, juvenile probation officers, and Park Ranger Jim Pasco on Sunday April 22 in Stackhouse Park.The work included clearing debris from water drainage ditches and other chores.

 

 

21st Century ~ Summer in the City
ACRP Co-Ed Summer Soccer League –2007

Ages:  JV (5-9 years old); V (10-14 years old)

 

Fee:  $10 Registration Fee includes T-Shirt

 

Dates:  June 29th to August 3rd (Mon., Wed., Fri)

 

Times:  JV Games ~ 9:00 & 10:00 am

  V Games ~ 11:00 am & 12:00 pm

 

Place:  Johnstown Middle School Field

 

Registration

Date:    Mon., June 18 (Rain Date-June 20)

Place:    Johnstown Middle School Field

Time:  10:00 am- 1:00 pm

 

Practice Dates / Times

Friday, June 22  JV Practice:  9—10:30 am

 

Parents Support Group

ACRP offers Parents Support Groups at our 726 Franklin Street site in Johnstown every Wednesday from 11:30 am till 1:30 pm.  The program offered at these sessions is the STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) Program.  It is a six week course with a certificate presented at the end of the sessions for persons attending at least 5 out of the 6 sessions.  If a participant should miss a session due to illness, they can make up this session by calling the instructor and arranging the make up session, which is usually done just prior to the next session.  They must read the chapter that they missed and complete a brief test on what they read in order to be able to participate in the next regularly scheduled session.  Interested parties can contact Janice Smith at (536-6141 or e-mail her at jsmith@acrpkids.org to register for or answers to questions about this class.  This class is presently free to the public.

 

 

Week of the Young Child

ACRP participated in the Week of the Young Child at the Galleria on 3-31-07.  This event was free to the public and was targeted at the younger children in the area.  Agencies from throughout the area participated with fun games and learning activities for the younger age group.  ACRP and The Family Center taught the children how to plant flowers and grass.  There was a very large turnout and the children were treated to a visit with clowns, a dance team and gymnastic demonstrations, in addition to the other opportunities to meet participating agencies. 

 

ACRP Receives Grant to Help Fight Obesity in Children

  Eighteen local businesses received support from Lee Initiatives, Inc. in the form of checks for grants awarded for each business’s innovative programming plan.  ACRP was one of those organizations.  The grant submitted was written by Mary Schroyer and Frank Janakovic. Frank Janakovic accepted a $15,000 check on behalf of ACRP and announced that it would be applied to a new fitness program called “Project Fit America” for children to help fight obesity. This new program will be incorporated in some of ACRP’s summer and other grant programming, including our summer soccer league.

 

 

 

A Note From the Executive Director

ACRP is very busy planning and preparing for the transition of services, funding, and credentialing  with various Managed Care Organizations (MCO).  Effective July 1, 2007 all counties in Pennsylvania will no longer operate under a fee-for-service arrangement with the state.  The mental and behavioral health authorizations and funding will be managed by the local county and/or the following Managed Care Organizations (MCO):  Cambria County (Value Behavioral Health); Blair, Bedford, & Somerset County (Community Behavioral HealthCare Network of Pennsylvania, Inc.—CBHNP); and Clearfield/Jefferson County (Community Care).  For more information contact your local Mental Health/Mental Retardation office or your local MCO.

 

ACRP Co-Ed Winter Sports Leagues

Participants of the ACRP Sports Leagues once again had a very successful and fun year.  There were 16 teams in the League with 170 participants.  The games began on February 10, 2007 and ended on April 7, 2007.  The Champions in the Varsity Soccer Division was Dr. Gvozden’s sponsored team with second place going to Dr. Jeffrey Hooper’s sponsored team.  Junior Varsity Basketball saw Wal*Mart’s sponsored team taking first place and SR&G Construction’s sponsored team taking second.

  ACRP would like to thank the League Director, Mr. Dick Love, all of the team sponsors, coaches, volunteers, WalMart volunteers,  Mark and Bill, and

 

 

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:  July 23—August 24, 2007

Medical Assistance / Access Card required for attendance.

  The program will operate weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm and is offered at specified sites in the following

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ADHD

 

Answered by Dr. Glenn Kashurba, Child Psychiatrist

  

My grandson was diagnosed with ADHD.  What is it?

 

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition most often diagnosed in childhood.  The most noticeable symptoms of ADHD are over activity, difficulty with maintaining attention to school tasks and impulsivity (acting before thinking.)  ADHD can be treated with behavioral therapy, medications and academic help.

 

What sort of medication is available for ADHD?

 

The main classes of medicines for ADHD are the stimulants and nonstimulants.  There are many stimulant medications on the market for ADHD, such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Concerta.  The only nonstimulant ADHD medicine currently available in the United States is Strattera.  Other medications can be used in ADHD but not usually as first choice medicines. Continued.....

 

A FORUM ON MANAGED CARE

 

How WILL it impact your child with special needs if they have an Access card and receive…. Health Care, Behavioral Health Care / Wraparound Services, Any Mental Retardation (MR) Services, Mental Health Services.

 

 

“Parents United for Making Progress Together” (PUMPT) is hosting an informational meeting with

Janice Meinert from the PA Health Law Project

She will be discussing the impact this change will have on service delivery and what parents & providers need to know

 

MEETING

  Date:  May 16, 2007

  Time:  10 am—2 pm

  Place:  Ace’s Lounge (316 Chestnut St.)

 

REGISTER

 

Register early by calling The Family Center at 536-1555. 

Seating is limited!

First preference will be given to parents and guardians of children accessing services