ACRPkids
November Newsletter
ACRP Expanding Outpatient Therapy in Bedford County
Each year, nearly 44 million Americans experience a mental disorder (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002). In many communities in the United States, services for mental health problems are not readily available, are unaffordable or inadequate. Rural areas are particularly at risk at for quality service delivery.
However, in Bedford County, the Alternative Community Resource Program has been able to expand outpatient therapy at their South Thomas Street office which will enhance the quality and range of treatment, rehabilitation, and support services for those people experiencing mental health issues in that community.
Mental illness causes more disability than any other health issue. ACRP’s Bedford Outpatient facility is being geared to respond to the increasing number of mental, emotional and behavioral issues by increasing the number of professional therapists and offering more consumer conscious treatment. David Haschak, Clinical Director of the Outpatient Department says, “We have new clients entering services each week, and experienced therapists with proven success rate are ready to assist the people of Bedford County.” He continues, “We have appointments available within 1 to 3 days of initial calls coming into the office”.
ACRP’s Bedford Outpatient office offers treatment for children, teens, and families. A team of professionals are available for individuals, families, and couples, along with specially designed play therapy treatment for children. The Outpatient office accepts health insurance plans funded that include Gateway, Best Health, Med Plus, Penn Highlands, UPMC, and other insurance commonly know as Access or Medicaid (medical assistance); patients may also obtain services through direct pay.
For more information about services or to make an appointment please call the Bedford office (220 S. Thomas Street, Bedford, PA 15522) at 814-623-1212 Monday through Friday from 7 am until 4 pm. Morning, afternoon and evening therapy appointments are available.
Starbucks Coffee Company Provides More Support For Accountability Enhancement
The local Starbucks Coffee Company located in Richland Township has once again supported the ACRP Accountability Enhancement Program, this time with a check in the amount of $1,000. For several years The Starbucks Coffee Company has supported this program with financial support and manpower for projects. Most recently Starbucks employees assisted Accountability Enhancement crews with projects at the new ACRP Recreation Area. The funds provided by Starbucks will be used to expand our Neighborhood Garden Projects, and for the purchase of tools and safety equipment.
Creative pultrusions
Mrs. Shawna Holler from Creative Pultrusions generously donated miscellaneous office supplies to the Bedford office. These supplies were divided among three programs, Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services, Outpatient Counseling and Family Based Services. We are especially grateful to those individuals and businesses who help support us in our mission of providing services to children and their families.
Waste management
ACRP would like to thank Waste Management for donating the use of (2) dumpsters during our clean-up and renovation of the ACRP Recreation Park (formerly St. Stephen’s Picnic Grove) in the Tanneryville section of Johnstown. The park will be initially utilized for summer soccer leagues and Summer Treatment Programming. ACRP hopes to revitalize and refurbish the grounds 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 efforts to make this happen. Thanks again Waste Management for helping to make this happen for the “kids” and families in our community!!
Northwest savings bank
ACRP would like to thank Northwest Savings Bank for their generous donation of $3,000 for ACRP’s Innovative Education Program through the Educational Tax Credit Program.
Gifts to ACRP’s Innovative Education Program are an investment in the future, ensuring students have the appropriate technology and resources available. Together, we can create a brighter future for this region we call home.
A Note From the Executive Director
I would like to remind everyone that as the holidays approach, please keep in mind those less fortunate. Your contributions to ACRP or any other worthy charitable organization are both appreciated and needed. Many of the children and families that we service need the basics and may not receive “anything” for the holidays without your donation and support. Please help those in need this holiday season. Donations are tax deductible and can be sent to ACRP, 131 Market Street, Johnstown, PA 15901.
ACRP wishes you & your family a Happy Thanksgiving!!
Learning is Fun at ACRP Children’s Partial Hospitalization Program
Mrs. Dunbar’s art class learned about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors this week. As a class, they worked together to make a primary color wheel using vanilla wafers, frosting, and food coloring. Each student started out with blue, red, and yellow frosting. They mixed the colors to create secondary and tertiary colors. It was amazing to see how the students responded to the “hands on” activity. They enjoyed art class, learned about colors, and had a delicious snack!
Johnstown Christmas Parade and ACRP Treat Bag Giveaway
For the 5th consecutive year, the Alternative Community Resource Program, Inc. (ACRP) will be making 500 treat bags to hand out to the first 500 children in line to see Santa after the Johnstown Christmas Parade and Light-Up Night on November 16th in Central Park. This is one of the many ways that ACRP and other businesses can give back to our community. On November 15th, volunteers, students, and ACRP staff will be helping to pack the treat bags. A special thanks to the following businesses who have donated items for the treat bags:
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alloween Costume Assists with Child’s Therapy
Kristen Janidlo, a Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS) who works out of ACRP’s Johnstown Office, is shown bottom right, with Samuel, who participates in one of our programs. Samuel has been fascinated with receiving mail at home and going to the mailbox with his mother to check for mail since he was a small boy. Kristen, along with some of her family members, were able to construct a mailbox and make the ‘mailman costume’ for Samuel, which allowed him to connect and engage with others as well as motivate him to participate in play with others meeting his treatment needs.
The mailbox will also be used as a reward for Samuel by his mother in their home to reinforce and encourage positive behaviors. Samuel will also be able to learn his home address and family members addresses by the letters that have been enclosed in the mailbox. The mailbox will also be used to help him with his fine motor skills by finding the key and carefully placing the key in the lock to retrieve all of his mail. As shown above this experience has helped Samuel to improve his interactions with family members and has enabled him to experience the joy that comes through shared feelings and understanding through pretend play.
This shows the dedication ACRP staff have to go “over and beyond” to help their clients.
Abundant Harvest !
The ACRP Accountability Enhancement program spend many hours this spring planting crops and making improvements to the ACRP Kernville Community Garden. The work is beginning to pay off. Here staff and clients are shown with an early harvest of zucchini, cucumbers, onions and peppers. Other crops, beans, tomatoes and blueberries were recently picked. So far this year, nearly 50 pounds of crops have been donated to the meal programs at The Salvation Army.
Accountability Enhancement Kept Busy Helping Other Organizations
Below are a variety of photos that demonstrate the type of work done by the ACRP Accountability Enhancement and Cambria County Juvenile Court clients. These scenes are from various work sites in the spring and summer of 2007 and include work at Stackhouse Park, Prince Gallitzin State park, The Point Stadium, Johnstown Central park, The Salvation Army and The ACRP Community Garden. Other work sites this summer have included, Sandyvale Cemetery, Urban Greenway Trails, ACRP Adopt-A-Highway site and the YWCA.
