Connecting, Supporting and Empowering Maryland Families
Email not displaying correctly?
View it in your browser
[link removed]
.
[link removed]
Volume 16 Issue 4
October 2020
This month we share:
Turn Your Life Experience Into a Career Helping Others
Modifying Your Child's IEP or 504 for Distance or Hybrid Learning
Workshop Addresses Impact of Parents' Substance Use on Adult Children
5 Self-Care Practices for Every Area of Your Life
Get Connected With Our Online Support Groups
Also included: upcoming trainings and events and employment opportunities.
Turn Your Life Experience into a Career Helping Others
If you're looking for a career that lets you turn a challenging life experience into an opportunity to help others, consider becoming a Family Peer Support Specialist!
MCF currently has full-time openings for Family Peer Support Specialists serving families in either Baltimore City or Anne Arundel and Prince Georges' counties. Candidates must have personal experience (not work experience) as a family member or caregiver of a loved one with substance use challenges. After training and orientation, the Family Peer Support Specialist provides emotional support, resources, coaching, and follow-up to families seeking assistance.
Sabrina Martin is a Family Peer Support Specialist in Baltimore city, who feels strongly about the importance of her work. "Being able to help caregivers navigate the system, and give them someone to talk to with the knowledge they won't be judged--that's what I find rewarding," Sabrina explains. "I give them hope and let them see that although it can be challenging, you can survive this experience."
Learn More About Becoming a Family Peer Support Specialist
[link removed]
Modifying Your Child's IEP or 504 for Distance or Hybrid Learning
With most Maryland schools beginning the school year in a virtual or hybrid learning model, many parents are concerned that their pre-pandemic IEP plans may leave their kids without vital services. Luckily, these plans aren't set in stone. If you're concerned that your child is struggling, it might be time to make additions to your child's plan to incorporate remote learning accommodations.
This article from Child Mind Institute offers guidance on how you can help your child get the support they need, whatever this school year brings.
Read the Online Article
[link removed]
Understanding, Hope and Healing: Workshop Addresses Impact of Parents' Substance Use on Adult Children
Did you grow up with a parent who struggled with alcohol or drug use? Join MCF on October 29 and 30 at 12:15 PM for Understanding, Hope and Healing, a free virtual workshop for adult children of parents who use drugs or alcohol.
This lunchtime workshop will address the experience, the data and the tools available to help adult children cope with this aspect of their personal history. Learn about the unique personality traits and coping behaviors of adult children of substance users, and how to recognize and manage these behaviors for better mental health. Self-care, acceptance, and resources for support will be addressed.
To register, go to www.MCF-AdultChildren.Eventbrite.com
[link removed]
Read the Online Article
[link removed]
Five Self-Care Practices for Every Area of Your Life
Self-care is vital for building resilience toward the stressors in your life that you can't eliminate. When you've taken steps to care for your mind and body, you are better equipped to live your best life. Unfortunately, many people view self-care as a luxury, rather than a priority. Yet, it's important to assess how you're caring for yourself in several different domains so you can ensure you're caring for your mind, body and spirit.
Read the Online Article
[link removed]
Get Connected With Our Online Support Groups
MCF now offers many online support groups
[link removed]
to provide a safe space for you to learn, share and receive compassionate help. All are facilitated by trained Family Peer Support Specialists who have dealt with similar challenges in their own families. Current groups are available for:
Parents and caregivers of children with behavioral health challenges
Young adults ages 18-26 struggling with behavioral health challenges
Anyone who cares for a person struggling with substance use (alcohol or drugs)
Parents who have lost a child to overdose
Anyone who cares for a person struggling with problem gambling
Groups are free for all participants and are held on different days of the week and different times of day. Find one or more that can work for you and join us soon!
Find a Support Group
[link removed]
Also online:
How Gratitude Can Help With Students' Anxiety
[link removed]
Could Positive Parenting Decrease the Risk for Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
[link removed]
Maryland Officials Say Increase in Fatal Opioid Overdoses is a Result of the Pandemic
[link removed]
Symptoms of Mental Illness in Children Are Often Dismissed as Going Through a Phase
[link removed]
Upcoming Trainings & Events:
Eastern Shore Family Leadership Retreat
This retreat is for parents and caregivers who have a school-age child with mental health challenges and reside in Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester or Somerset counties. Learn how to collaborate with your child's school and become empowered to promote the needs of your child and family, as well as take care of yourself.
When: November 13, 6:00–9:00 PM and November 14, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Where: Online
Deadline to register: November 4
Read More and Register
[link removed]
Resume Writing Workshop: Tips & Tricks
Learn the tricks of the trade for creating a polished and professional resume. Bring your current resume and take notes while you learn to effectively market yourself to potential employers.
When: Tuesday, October 27
Time: 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Where: Online
Read More and Register
[link removed]
Healthy Minds Drop-in Book Club
Maryland Coalition of Families invites you to join other families and loved ones who care for someone with mental health or substance use challenges. We’ll explore and discuss a thought-provoking book each month and share some relaxing time together.
When: Fourth Tuesday of Each Month
Time: 2:30– 4:00 PM
Where: Online
Read More and Register
[link removed]
For a complete list of upcoming trainings and events, visit our web site
[link removed]
.
MCF Employment Opportunities
MCF is growing, and we have employment opportunities that might be perfect for you or someone you know! We currently have job openings for:
Statewide/Central Office:
Director of Human Resources
[link removed]
Salesforce Database Administrator
[link removed]
Substance Use/Problem Gambling:
Family Peer Support Specialist, Baltimore City
[link removed]
Family Peer Support Specialist, Prince George's & Anne Arundel countie
[link removed]
s
[link removed]
[link removed]
Mental Health
Family Peer Support Specialist, Baltimore City and County
[link removed]
Early Childhood
Family Peer Support Specialist, Central Maryland
[link removed]
Family Peer Support Specialist, S
[link removed]
outhern Maryland
[link removed]
Click here for further information on employment opportunities
[link removed]
.
Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) helps families who care for someone with behavioral health needs. Using personal experience as parents, caregivers, youth and other loved ones, we connect, support and empower Maryland’s families. Our staff provide one-to-one support to parents and caregivers of young people with mental health issues and to any loved one who cares for someone with a substance use or gambling issue.
10632 Little Patuxent Pkwy Suite 234 | Columbia, MD 21044
Toll Free: (888) 607-3637 | Fax: (410) 730-8331
www.mdcoalition.org
[link removed]
| Connect on Facebook
[link removed]
, Twitter
[link removed]
or LinkedIn
[link removed]
| Join the Mailing List
[link removed]
DONATE TODAY
[link removed]
Copyright © 2020, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Maryland Coalition of Families
10632 Little Patuxent Parkway
Suite 234
Columbia, MD 21044
unsubscribe from all emails
[link removed]
update subscription preferences
[link removed]
