November is National Family Caregivers Month

November is National Family Caregivers Month – a time to celebrate the contributions of caregivers, provide them with tools that they need, and continue to advocate for individuals with mental illness. Mental Health Amercia provides these tools and supports for family members that provide round-the-clock care to their loved ones In Montgomery County, these providers offer support and resources for Caregivers

Free Weekend Camp for grieving children, ages 6-17.

CaringMatters, Inc is delighted to announce Camp Erin, a free, weekend-long experience, Friday, May 3 – Sunday, May 5, 2019, that combines traditional camp activities with grief education and emotional support for children and teens ages 6-17. Led by grief professionals and trained volunteers, Camp Erin provides a unique opportunity for youth facing similar life circumstances to increase levels of hope, enhance self-esteem, and learn they are not alone.

Bar-T Mountainside, 2914 Roderick Rd, Frederick, MD 21704. ​Round-trip transportation is provided to and from the CaringMatters Cottage in Gaithersburg, MD.

For registration or information, on Camp Erin Montgomery 2019, please contact Tammy Schmidt at tammys@caringmatters.org or 301-869-4673 ext. 109

MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING TOOLS

Have you been infected by stigma? . In Montgomery County residents with Mental Health and/or Substance Abuse diagnoses can receive the help they need through these and other programs:

Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior

Behavior is a powerful form of communication and is one of the primary ways for people with dementia to communicate their needs and feelings as the ability to use language is lost. Join Lindsey Vajpeyi, Programs & Services Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association’s National Capital Area Chapter and Penny Gladhill, Director of the Volunteer Helping Hands program at Hospice Caring, for this workshop to learn to decode behavioral messages, identify common behavior triggers, and learn strategies to help intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Wednesday, October 11, 2017 from 7 to 8:30 pm  Hospice Caring, Inc. | 518 South Frederick Avenue | Gaithersburg, MD 20877 Space is limited! Registration is required.  

November is National Family Caregivers Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

According to statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health, 20% of youth ages 13-18 live a with mental health condition, and 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14 and 75% begin by age 24. In Montgomery County residents with Mental Health and/or Substance Abuse diagnoses can receive the help they need through these and other programs:

Disaster Safety for People with Disabilities: What to Do When Emergency Weather Strikes

With the biggest storm of the season set to hit Montgomery County, this article from the Redfin Corporation  is a good reminder to stay alert and informed. Stay tuned to the Montgomery County Winter Storm Information Portal to find out information on plowing roads, or to submit a service request, or call Montgomery County’s Customer Service center at 311, or 240-777-0311. If you have a generator, check to be sure it’s in good working condition so it will be ready the moment you need it. It’s a good idea to keep backup equipment batteries as part of your emergency supply kit, but if you have the safe opportunity to buy more when a blizzard is on the way, do so. Blizzards You’ll also want to check in with your doctor. Request any medication refills you might need, taking into consideration that roads may be blocked and businesses closed for several days at a time. Ask if there are any aspects to your condition that could be exacerbated by the freezing temperatures and what you can do to prevent problems. There may even be some specific non-perishable foods your physician can recommend that will be especially nutritious for you to focus on until grocery shopping is possible. Be over-prepared when it comes to protecting yourself from the cold, even if you’re not especially susceptible to problems from it. Insulate your home as much as possible — hanging dark curtains over a window with direct sun can make an important difference — and bundle up. Be especially mindful of warming your fingers, toes, ears, nose, and cheeks, as these areas can be quite prone to frostnip and frostbite. And don’t forget to have some extra blankets set aside for your service animal if you have one.

A Guide to Disability Rights Laws

Know your rights: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the comprehensive, wide-ranging civil rights law enacted in 1990, protects people with disabilities from discrimination in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. The ADA defines someone with a disability as a person with a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more life activities, a person with a history of such impairments, or a person that is perceived by others to have such an impairment. A full guide to the ADA and other Disability Rights Laws is available here.

The Abilities Network provides customized services to children, adults, and families with differing abilities. Contact 1.800.492.2523 for more information about their programs and services.

Persons with Disabilities

Disability Benefits

There are a variety of types of disabilities for which someone may apply for benefits.  These include both physical and psychological/emotional/mental conditions. The application process can be complex but it can be helpful to understand the different types of disability income benefits, and which may be appropriate to a particular situation. Visit the 211  Disability Information page for information on TDAP, SSI and SSDI  

May is Behavioral Health Awareness Month

Persons with behavioral health issues may need assistance in dealing with and overcoming mental health and/or substance abuse. It is the aim of behavioral health support agencies to aid and assist those facing substance use disorders, mental illness/emotional disabilities, homelessness, and persons in at-risk circumstances, so that they may maintain their physical and mental well-being. Services offered for this population are programs such as mental health evaluation and treatment, adult and adolescent intensive outpatient programs for chemical dependency, and counseling. These services are available to Montgomery County residents with Mental Health and/or Substance Abuse diagnoses. Contact these agencies for further assistance

24-hour Crisis Center at 240-777-4000

Mental Health Association of Montgomery County at 301-424-0656 or info@mhamc.org

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program at 240-777-1450

Mental Health/Substance Abuse Screening and Referral/Access program at 240-777-1770

FYI – Programs in our Community TRACKS: A new program from Family Services, Inc, the Transition to Adulthood Program TRACKS is a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program for transitional aged youth (TAY) who require assistance to help facilitate the transition to adult life Individuals with Special Needs Jewish Social Service Agency’s team of specially trained clinicians and other professionals provide a wide range of mental health, care management, and employment and support services for all those in our community with special needs. Individuals with Special Needs: Unlocking Development Potential and Maximizing Opportunity
Brought to you by
Collaboration Council
Montgomery County, MD