Thanks to the support of our communities, Pressley Ridge has been committed to the welfare of kids and families for nearly two centuries. Your continued belief in our mission will provide families with access to life-changing mental health services.
Happy Thanksgiving!
by Dr. Melissa Davis, DNP, PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
National Adoption Day and Month were created to raise awareness of the 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system each year who are seeking adoption or other permanency. On average, a child in the custody of CYS will wait over 34 months until they find permanency. Many will age out of foster care without ever finding a “forever family.” While we celebrate those who have found permanency through adoption, let’s also remember the number who are struggling with the loss of their biological family and who are still waiting for their new “forever family.”
Adoption allows a child to have the security and stability of a safe and loving home, regardless of the circumstances which resulted in removal. Permanent, lifelong attachments and connections to others are critical for children’s emotional development, overall physical and mental health, and academic achievement. It quips children with a foundation. It shows them they belong. It teaches unconditional love. Adoption increases the probability that a child will attend college, marry, stay out of the legal system, avoid teen pregnancy, and have additional opportunities for personal prosperity. Studies continue to demonstrate significant health benefits for the adoptive parents, too!
Each child who is adopted has a different circumstance which led to the need for adoption. As such, feelings about adoption may vary widely. Some children cannot remember their biological families, while others may have lived for years with their biological family prior to separation. Regardless, there is often some level of grief and loss experienced. At times, some kids experienced extensive trauma. Some struggle with their own identity and self-esteem, anger, sadness, or their sense of belongingness to their adoptive family and within their biological family. Paradoxically, these feelings of rejection, confusion, and grief can co-exist with the love, attachment, and gratitude they have for their adoptive family.
National Adoption Month began as a one-week celebration in Massachusetts in 1976 and became nationally recognized in 1985. It has since grown to the month-long celebration each November, with one specific day identified as National Adoption Day. November 18, 2023 marks the 23rd anniversary of National Adoption Day, an initiative of the National Children’s Bureau to increase awareness of adoption needs within the foster care system. The goal of this celebration is to provide information to individuals who may be interested in adopting, encourage adoption related activities and events, and to acknowledge all individuals whose lives have been impacted by adoption. National Adoption Month is a celebration for individuals, organizations, and communities to focus on the foundational impact of forever families.
After months of hard work and dedication, Texas Family Care Network finally moves into Stage 1 of Community-Based Care on November 1. In Stage 1, TXFCN will begin to provide foster care placement services in Region 5 while continuing to develop a service network in the community. The focus in Stage 1 is improving the overall safety and well-being of children in paid foster care while keeping them closer to home and connected to their communities and families.
Congratulations to the entire TXFCN team!
The 6th annual Pressley Ridge Sporting Clays Shoot was held on Monday, October 23rd at Highlands Sporting Clays. The event raised more than $44,000 for our kids and families thanks to our sponsors and supporters, including Saul Ewing LLP, Lamar Advertising of Pittsburgh, MassMutual Pittsburgh, UPMC Health Plan, Partlow Insurance Agency, Tucker Arensberg PC, and Ideal Integrations.
The winning team was from Saul Ewing LLP with J.P. Morgan Private Bank in 2nd place. High Gun went to Dan Bender, followed by Mike Brewster. Debra Gehm was the Top Female Shooter.
Thanks to all who joined us!
We are proud to announce that Pressley Ridge has been named a 2023 Top Workplace by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette! In addition, our President & CEO Susanne Cole was honored with the Leadership Award in the Large Employer category. A big thank you to all of our employees who helped make this happen.
Several Western PA employees attended the awards event on Friday evening. As Susanne was unable to attend the event, Jesse McLean, Executive Director of PA, accepted the award on her behalf.
Colorado Department of Human Services has adopted our evidence-based Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care pre-service training curriculum as the required curriculum for the certification of all treatment and therapeutic foster care providers in the state.
Recently, four Colorado foster care certification staff became master trainers for the Pressley Ridge training curriculum making Colorado the first state to have master trainers who can train other professionals. Learn more in this article from the Colorado Department of Human Services.
In April 2023, we announced the opening of Texas Family Care Network, the Single Source Continuum Contractor for the Region 5 area of Texas. In partnership with DFPS, Texas Family Care Network is beginning the transition to a community-based child and family services system and will be working with community partners to meet the needs of children and families in Region 5.
We are pleased to introduce the leadership team of Texas Family Care Network led by Rocky Hensarling, Vice President of Community-Based Care.
Pressley Ridge has served Westmoreland County since the 1970s, starting with their Ohiopyle Wilderness Camp. Today, Pressley Ridge’s programs in the county include treatment foster care, community residential rehabilitation, autism services and community-based mental health services for individuals and families. Additionally, Pressley Ridge Day School Greensburg serves youth with emotional and behavioral problems.
Pressley Ridge was recently awarded $449,905 from The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County to expand their HELP Team model of mental health crisis response, which has successfully served Beaver County for 9 years.
The HELP Team is a mobile outreach program that responds when youth ages 8-24 and their families are in crisis. Members of the team include a team leader, two mobile crisis professionals and a recovery coach. The ultimate goals of the HELP team are to connect the youth and families to community-based resources and to reduce the number of youth being placed outside of the home, arrested, or hospitalized due to a mental health crisis.
Crisis referrals can come from provider agencies, the courts, child welfare, schools or self-referrals from families. When an inquiry is received, the Pressley Ridge HELP Team will respond by phone within one hour and with an in-person visit within 24 hours. Families can utilize the service without needing an established diagnosis or previous involvement with the behavioral health system, which are common barriers to access for many families.
As identified in a 2021-2023 needs assessment, improved mental health services are a priority health concern for residents in Westmoreland County, where the psychiatric hospitalization rate is higher than the state average.
“In a time when mental health issues are so prevalent amongst young people, we are grateful to The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County for allowing us offer these vital services to the families of Westmoreland County,” said Amy Fenn, Senior Director of Pressley Ridge.
The HELP Team will serve as a building block to a solid system of care for young people and their families in Westmoreland County. Pressley Ridge is currently hiring staff for the HELP Team and plans to begin taking referrals in Fall 2023.
The Emancipation Proclamation was signed by Abraham Lincoln on January 1st, 1863 and outlined the conditions under which slaves were to be freed throughout the confederate states. However, it was not until the conclusion of the Civil War in April 1865 that the Emancipation Proclamation was fully established across the reunified states.
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) commemorates the date in 1865 when the news of freedom reached Galveston, Texas and federal troops took control of the state and ensured that all enslaved people were freed. Juneteenth is considered the longest-running African American holiday.
Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021. President Biden said, “Juneteenth marks both a long, hard night of slavery and subjugation and the promise of a brighter morning to come. This is a day, in my view, of profound weight and profound power. A day in which we remember the moral stain, terrible toll that slavery took on the country and continues to take.”
Juneteenth celebrations vary across the country and include traditions such as festivals, picnics, family reunions, rodeos, and historical reenactments. If you are looking for ways to celebrate, The Today Show compiled a list of 19 ideas for celebrating Juneteenth as a family.
What does LGBTQIA stand for? Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (one’s sexual or gender identity), Intersex, and Asexual/Aromantic/Agender.
What is the Progress Pride flag?
Trevor Project Stories of Pride celebrates the stories of strength, resilience, and connection that shape LGBTQ young people’s sense of pride.
Gender Education Network is a unique organization focusing on children under 12, the youngest among us, and their needs as they navigate the community and their own bodies. They provide resources for care and education to families who just need a little guidance in loving and accepting their child for who they are.
How to Explain Pride Month to Your Child
GLSEN Creating a Better World for LGBTQ Students
Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth: A Guide for Foster Parents
Supporting sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in children
Trevor Project 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health
Cultivating Respect: Safe Schools for All
PFLAG Connects: Communities — Understanding How to Build Inclusive Spaces PFLAG’s vision is to create a world where difference is celebrated, and all people are valued inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
2023 International Gay Pride Events
Pittsburgh Region Pride Events
Everybody Say Love: The Power of Drag
Picture Books Featuring LGBTQ+ Families
Texas Family Care Network was awarded the Single Source Continuum Contract (SSCC) for the Deep East Region 5 area of Texas on April 1, 2023. As the state of Texas continues its transition to a Community Based Care Model, Texas Family Care Network will be responsible for transforming and managing the child welfare system of care for children and families to help them reach their full potential. Texas Family Care Network in partnership with DFPS is beginning the transition to a community-based child and family services system and will be working with community partners to meet the needs of children and families in Region 5. Click here learn more about Community Based Care in Texas.
Foster care has always been on the heart of Cami Teacoach. When she learned about the often sad condition of the spaces where biological parents meet with their children who are being cared for by a foster parent, she decided to do something about it.
As the founder of VolunTOTs, Cami spends her days coordinating volunteer opportunities for parents and their children. So, she knew there would be an army of helpers ready when the time came. She enlisted the expertise of Kara from Happy Lark Home Organizing and local realtor Melanie Marsh to spearhead the project, which became known as the Bridge to Home initiative.
For their first major project, Bridge to Home partnered with Pressley Ridge Allegheny County Treatment Foster Care to renovate the foster care visitation center on Pittsburgh’s North Side. After months of planning and soliciting thousands of dollars in donations, the team got to work. Dozens of volunteers came together to create an environment where biological parents can bond and have a stress-free visit with their children. Five rooms were completely renovated with fresh paint and new furniture and decor. The beautifully decorated rooms, which are named after one of Pittsburgh’s bridges, are each geared toward a particular age group and feature age-appropriate toys, activities, trauma-sensitive books and more.
For kids in foster care, visiting with their biological parents should be a time to bond and connect, and the space and atmosphere where that happens makes all the difference. Now, Pressley Ridge children and families have the perfect space to spend their time together.
On the morning of February 3, 2023, the Bridge to Home team and volunteers came together with Pressley Ridge staff and friends to cut the ribbon and officially open the renovated Pressley Ridge Bridge to Home visitation center. The space will also be available to families in other Pressley Ridge programs, as well as the community.
The Geiter family adopted both of their sons through Pressley Ridge’s foster-to-adopt program in Lancaster and subsequently participated in post-permanency services. Their oldest son Branden was working towards earning his Eagle Scout Award, and the final assignment was to plan, organize and lead a community service project. He knew immediately that he wanted to help kids in the foster care system, and Branden wanted to give back to the agency that had connected him with his forever family.
The Geiters were very supportive of Branden’s ambition and provided just enough guidance to get their son’s wheels turning. He wanted kids who walked through the doors of Pressley Ridge to have a little joy during a potentially dark and confusing time. The final result was updates to the group room at the Lancaster office, including a new bookshelf with many age-appropriate books and a sensory table for play that includes animals, Legos, beads and sand.
Happiest of holidays to you and yours from everyone at Pressley Ridge!
The Pressley Ridge Organizational Performance Department recently published an article on suicidality among at-risk youth receiving behavioral and mental health services in the community. Using Pressley Ridge data collected from the C-SSRS (suicidality screener) and CATS (trauma screener), the Organizational Performance Department collaborated with a team of international researchers to investigate prevalence and risk factors for suicidality among at-risk youth.
“Correlates for Suicidality Among At-risk Youth Receiving Community-Based Mental Health Services” was published in the Community Mental Health Journal and found that sexual abuse was a significant predictor of suicidality. Impulsivity was a significant predictor of suicide attempt only. Other notable findings include that the prevalence of suicidal ideation is double that of the general adolescent population, and the prevalence of suicide attempt is triple that of the general adolescent population.
Pressley Ridge was a proud sponsor of the Family Focused Treatment Association Conference held in New Orleans last week. Mike Kaelin and Jen Benner (External Training), and Bri Hancovsky, Kimberly Lohrfink and Amy Strickler (Organizational Performance) shared research and exciting updates on our Treatment Foster Care Pre-Service Training Curriculum.
Pouring rain didn’t stop 1,500 people from coming out to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium this past Sunday for the much-anticipated return of Ice Cream Fundae. Under the shelter of umbrellas and hoods, kids and adults alike enjoyed 12 flavors of Graeter’s Ice Cream dished out by our generous sponsors, including Huntington Bank, Henderson Brothers, Highmark, UPMC Health Plan, Lamar Advertising and many more. Highmark’s Community Campfire S’mores took home the People’s Choice Award for favorite flavor.
We want to thank everyone who volunteered at, purchased tickets for or spread the word about Ice Cream Fundae. You helped us to raise $103,000 for our kids and families!
Students at the Pressley Ridge School for Autism and the School for the Deaf are excited to provide the Wake up Pressley Coffee Shop. The concept began as a rolling cart several years ago, and when the new school was built, a dedicated space for the shop was included in the design.
There was a long hiatus due to the pandemic, which started just a few months after the new school opened. Recently, the shop has been able to safely re-open to serve pre-packaged snacks and single-serving beverages.
Students of all educational abilities can participate in the shop. In addition to working on vocational skills, the experience is particularly beneficial to students who use devices and/or use sign language to communicate. Some students are working on social skills and can practice those skills as a greeter or as a customer associate. Others use their strengths to accurately fill orders and keep the stocked shelves in order.
Donations from staff are used to keep the shop well-stocked. While no money is exchanged, purchases are counted by using a punch card marked in increments of twenty-five, which helps students learn real life counting skills.
If you’d like to support the Wake Up Pressley Coffee Shop, donate here. (Donation Designation: Other; Note: Coffee Shop)
We are thrilled to announce that we have received a $10 million unrestricted gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This is the single largest donation Pressley Ridge has received in our 190-year history.
“We are grateful for and humbled by Ms. Scott’s investment in Pressley Ridge’s mission,” said Susanne Cole, President and CEO. “This gift will enhance our ability to serve the increasing complex needs of youth and families in our communities. It will also accelerate our work as it relates to racial equity and bolster our commitment to leadership development in this field to advance clinical outcomes and best practices.”
Recognized for developing the nation’s first treatment foster care curriculum in the early 1980s, Pressley Ridge has continued to evolve and expand its services. Each year, thousands of children and families are strengthened through community-based mental health services, foster care, adoption, specialized education, and supportive services for transition-age youth.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in increased mental health issues that have challenged society in ways that could not be imagined. This grant will allow us to increase organizational capacity and address these critical mental and behavioral health needs in the communities we serve throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware.
The announcement of this transformative gift comes just after we completed our new three-year strategic plan that includes a primary focus on racial equity. This plan tackles workforce development, ensuring effective and efficient clinical interventions and exploring program expansion and collaborations where there may be gaps in services within communities.
“Pressley Ridge has a long history of producing positive outcomes for kids and families who have experienced a variety of challenges in their lives,” said Tisha Germany, Board Chair. “This gift validates the tremendous work of the staff and leadership and presents an opportunity to have a greater impact on diverse communities throughout the region and beyond.”
On March 15, donors and community stakeholders joined President & CEO Susanne Cole and newly appointed Board Chair Tisha Germany for the Spring 2022 Insider Series. During this 30 minute web conversation, Susanne and Tisha discussed Pressley Ridge’s 2022-2024 Strategic Plan. You can view the event recording above and contact info@pressleyridge.org if you have any questions or would like more information.
Three themes emerged which helped shape the plan: prioritization, consistency of approach to services, and centralized direction. The end product is a strategic plan that is data-informed, future-focused, and actionable.
The following strategic priorities will be the focus of Pressley Ridge (FY2022 – 2024):
Racial equity is just one part of racial justice, and thus we will work to address the root causes of inequities, not just their manifestation. This includes the elimination of policies, practices, attitudes, and cultural messages that reinforce differential outcomes by race or fail to eliminate them. We will continue to advance data-driven strategies, employ racial equity principles, and hold true to our commitment to continual evaluation, assessment, and transformation throughout our organization.
We must ensure that our organization can continue to meet our present workforce needs, as well as grow to meet future demands, with a highly skilled, diverse and culturally competent workforce to handle the complexity of clients we serve. We must also create an internal pipeline of job-ready candidates to assume supervisory and leadership roles within Pressley Ridge as opportunities present.
We will ensure our services and practitioners can meet the increasing complexity exhibited by the children and families we serve with the most effective and consistent clinical interventions. We will also ensure that we have the highest quality of clinical supervision for the continued advancement of skill and knowledge, while being responsive to the ever-evolving community and programmatic needs.
Pressley Ridge will meet our obligations, withstand temporary financial challenges, and plan for our growth and future needs by maintaining a strong cash position, generating consistent surpluses from operations, maintaining acceptable debt ratios, deriving revenue from a diverse pool of sources, and providing for capital project funding.
We will strategically position ourselves for growth by evaluating mission-aligned expansion and acquisition opportunities which return the highest margins, while most efficiently delivering impactful outcomes where there may be gaps in services in communities. We will also actively seek opportunities for coordinating care model expansion in states looking for managed care solutions, and mergers and acquisitions with complementary organizations or in desirable geographic locations.
If you are interested in learning more, you can view the full Strategic Plan here.
There is nothing better than when a career path leads a person exactly where they are meant to be, doing exactly what they are meant to do. That is the case for Jim Natural. Jim has spent his entire career helping kids. He began working with children as a public-school teacher in New England where environmental education was mandated as part of the region’s curriculum. Jim worked for one of the outdoor education programs designed to help children learn more about the environment, while engaging in outdoor educational experiences. He found working in a group setting with a new group of children each week exciting. Inspired by this work, Jim researched Pressley Ridge and the innovative Ohiopyle Wilderness program, a therapeutic wilderness camp located in the woods of Fayette County, Pennsylvania.
In 1981, he began working at the Pressley Ridge Ohiopyle Wilderness School. The camp provided intensive mental and behavioral treatment, for boys in a wilderness setting, offering juveniles a place to learn discipline and hands on skills who might not thrive in traditional placement centers.
Little did Jim know when he joined Pressley Ridge as a front-line teacher/counselor, it would be a decision that would change the trajectory of his career and his life. During his tenure, Jim became an integral part of the growth of the Ohiopyle Wilderness program. Working with many others, the goal was to get the Ohiopyle Education program accredited by the Middle States Association.
Jim worked at the Ohiopyle Wilderness program for 28 years until the day it closed in 2008. “I would have never left there had it stayed open. Being a part of that program and working with the kids was very fulfilling to me,” said Jim.
When the wilderness program closed, Jim transitioned to the Pressley Ridge training team and became a Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) trainer. LSCI is a brain-based, trauma-informed, relationship-building verbal strategy that helps turn a crisis situation into a learning opportunity for young people who exhibit challenging behaviors.
“These are children who don’t trust adults because the adults in their lives have hurt them in some way. The training helps as you work to build that trust and show them that you care. A child’s behavior is not always their choice. Many times, they are acting out because of something that happened to them,” said Jim.
Now, 40 years later, Jim is retiring from Pressley Ridge. Over these past four decades, Jim has experienced firsthand how Pressley Ridge has expanded and added to their host of programs that effectively improve the lives of children and families. This success would not be possible without the deep-seeded passion and dedication of people like Jim Natural.
Jim will never forget the children who have touched his life over the years and is comforted to know that the work of Pressley Ridge continues. Jim’s new journey will lead him to the water as a full-time fisherman.
Upon his retirement, Pressley Ridge is thankful for all that Jim has done to help so many kids feel safe and learn how to trust adults again. As careers go, Jim Natural was led to exactly the right place to do exactly what he was meant to do, and for that so many people are grateful.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to bring awareness to the warning signs and ways to prevent suicide. As everyone’s mental health has been affected by the events of the past year, it is now more important than ever to be there to support our loved ones and friends. If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, there are many ways to get help.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line
Text “HELLO” to 741741
Find out more about the warning signs of suicide by downloading this flyer.
Pressley Ridge offers comprehensive outpatient treatment and counseling for a variety of emotional, behavioral and mental health issues. Find a location near you.
More Resources:
Pressley Ridge has achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA). Pressley Ridge was first accredited in 2001 and has since achieved reaccreditation every cycle (4 years) since that time. This designation demonstrates the implementation of best practice standards in the field of human services. In a process that took nearly a year of preparation and the input of many staff members across the organization, COA evaluated all aspects of Pressley Ridge’s programs, services, management, and administration.
COA accreditation is an objective, independent, and reliable validation of an agency’s performance. The COA accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration, management, and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce. COA accreditation demonstrates accountability in the management of resources, sets standardized best practice thresholds for service and administration, and increases organizational capacity and accountability by creating a framework for ongoing quality improvement.
To achieve COA accreditation, Pressley Ridge first provided written evidence of compliance with the COA standards. Thereafter, a group of specially trained volunteer Peer Reviewers confirmed adherence to these standards during a series of on-site interviews with the board of directors, staff and clients.
Based on their findings, COA’s volunteer-based Accreditation Commission voted that Pressley Ridge had successfully met the criteria for accreditation.
Pressley Ridge President and CEO Susanne Cole said, “Pressley Ridge is proud to once again receive COA accreditation. This achievement proves that our programs and services meet the highest standards in human services, and our kids and families can rest assured that they are being cared for in the best possible way.”
An endorsement of COA and the value of its accreditation process is reflected in it being named by the U.S. State Department as the sole national independent accrediting body under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption to accredit intercountry adoption service providers. In addition, COA is the only national accreditor designated by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop accreditation standards and processes for human service programs provided to military personnel and their families.
About Council on Accreditation
Founded in 1977, COA is an independent, not-for-profit accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada. Over 2,000 organizations — voluntary, public, and proprietary; local and statewide; large and small — have either successfully achieved COA accreditation or are currently engaged in the process. Presently, COA has a total of 47 service standards that are applicable to over 125 different types of programs. To learn more about COA, please visit www.coanet.org.
Prior to the 1980’s, teens with complex challenges were typically placed in residential treatment because no one thought foster care would be successful for this age group. Pressley Ridge leadership believed differently, and in 1981, the research and planning for Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care for teens began.
Since no other such program existed in the country, Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care was developed so it could be replicated. Every step was annotated and data was collected to determine what methods worked best. Foster parents were carefully selected to complete a six-week training course, which included 25 hours of role play and skills practice, as well as a commitment to never give up on the youth in their care.
In the first year, 20 teens were successfully placed into treatment foster homes. Including the home of Shawn and Dwayne Adams, who were among the first group of certified treatment foster parents.
Shawn and Dwayne were a young married couple with no children. While attending graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh, Dwayne saw a sign posted by Pressley Ridge on a bulletin board that read ‘Help our Children’. He approached Shawn with the prospect of becoming foster parents. Though she had grown up in a home where her parents had fostered over the years, Shawn felt unqualified because they did not have children of their own.
Reluctantly, she agreed to try fostering, and the couple began pre-service training with Pressley Ridge. Little did they know then that this would be the beginning of a journey that would positively impact more than 200 children over the next four decades of their lives.
From the first training session, Pressley Ridge supported Shawn and Dwayne with education, skills, and guidance to navigate the foster care process. The program taught them how a youth’s behavior can change and how to teach youth the skills necessary for daily living. They learned effective behavior management techniques to help the children in their care deal with behavioral and emotional challenges, and they applied these same techniques in raising their own biological children.
“It was a wonderful learning experience,” said Shawn. “Over the past 40 years, it is incredible how we have implemented our training and techniques in every aspect of our family life”.
Though Shawn grew up around brothers and primarily male foster youth in her parents’ home, she and Dwayne felt most connected to teenage girls in fostering. Using the methods learned through Pressey Ridge, the Adamses were able to gain the trust of the girls in their home. The dining room table was not only a place to gather for meals, but it was a place to sit and talk through what was on the minds of the young ladies staying with them. It was not uncommon for the conversations to last long into the night. For some of these girls, it was the first time someone was listening.
Two of the first children they fostered were young sisters who spent five years with their family. It pained Shawn and Dwayne to hear the struggles they had already faced at such a young age. The girls did not have typical childhood experiences. No Easter baskets, Christmas gifts, or birthday parties—the things most children take for granted. Shawn and Dwayne were determined to change that for the girls. With the money received from fostering, they made certain that holidays were special with celebrations, treats, and gifts. For the Adams family, it became their joy to give joy.
Shawn and Dwayne have seen and experienced many changes over their four decades of fostering. Though the generational differences of behavior and respect were apparent over the years, all in all, the needs of the girls they fostered always remained the same. They needed a safe home to live in, and they needed to be respected and cared for.
After 40 years and more than 200 children living with the Adams family, the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in their decision to retire from fostering. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but it was time.
Shawn and Dwayne feel blessed to have experienced the journey with all the children they have fostered.
“I feel like over the years, it’s the children who have taught us much more than we could have ever taught them. God put us on this path, and we put our trust in Him. Pressley Ridge taught us how to do the best we could to help the young people who came to live with us.”
Today, they are grateful for the lessons learned and experiences lived, and most importantly, the long-term connections they still enjoy with some of the young ladies whose lives they touched.
Watch a video and read more about Shawn and Dwayne Adams here.
As we celebrate 40 years of Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care, we are grateful to our foster families, like the Adamses, who have contributed to not only the success of the program, but more importantly, to the success of thousands of young boys and girls.
Photos by Rebecca Kiger
Pandemic, Social Distancing, New Normal, Masks, Zoom – words that became all too familiar in our vocabulary this past year. Yes, this past year… I don’t believe any of us thought or could have predicted we would have a year like we just did. We will all remember the day we “temporarily” went to remote work or work-from-home status. The two-week mandate of business closures, no school, no traffic on the roads, when our favorite restaurants and places of business closed. That uncomfortable feeling of the unknown but hope that it would only be 2-3 weeks, then a couple of months, then 6 months, 9 months and now a year…
Many things changed over the past year, yet some stayed the same or even surprised us in a good way. I know what you are thinking: what stayed the same and what was good about this past year? Well – here is your answer:
While everyone was dealing in their own ways with the pandemic, many people who were already facing challenges in their lives encountered even more strife. Loneliness, anxiety, job loss, and isolation impacted those who already struggled with mental health, discord, conflict, substance abuse, lack of support and more. We could feel the stress increasing at alarming levels, but in true Pressley Ridge fashion, our staff stepped up and found creative ways to continue reaching those we serve. As they dealt with their own uncertainty and family situations, they remained committed to our kids and families. No one would be left behind.
We immediately shifted our services to telehealth. Therapists stayed connected virtually to ensure continuity of care. In-person visits for our most vulnerable populations continued while following safety protocols. Teachers and school staff connected with students virtually for 
educational purposes, as well as for story time, and organized drive-by graduation and birthday celebrations. Food was delivered to families who needed additional support, and foster parents continued to reassure the children in their care that everything would be ok. Residential staff became teachers and counselors in the purest forms of these words providing encouragement and consistency in a time of turmoil.
We also learned a lot. We learned about flexibility, patience, grace, and creativity. We have a saying that in crisis there is opportunity. Well, there were and still are many opportunities ahead. We realized that we can reach more people who need assistance through technology. We learned that the opportunity to serve others is a gift. We recognize now that we are stronger than we think. We understand the importance of taking the time to stop and be thankful for things we perhaps take for granted like human connection, hugs, handshakes, family, friends and, of course, our community of health care providers, social workers, teachers and businesses. We have learned not to take things for granted and to celebrate life’s blessings no matter how big or small. So, even though this year has been extremely challenging, it teaches us the lesson that there is always an opportunity to grow, to learn, to find a bright spot, and to hope.
This year highlights the best of what Pressley Ridge does day in and day out every day of the year:
Susanne Cole
President & CEO
Each year, March is recognized as Social Work Month. This year’s theme, as determined by the National Association of Social Workers, is Social Workers are Essential.
According to the International Federation of Social Workers, the definition of social work is “a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work.”
Social workers can be found working in hospitals, schools, senior centers, and mental health facilities, as well as in the corporate and nonprofit worlds, private practice and in all levels of government. It is one of the fastest growing careers in the United States according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics with more than 700,000 professional social workers in the U.S. As our nation continues to experience the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, and societal issues such as substance abuse, systemic racism, and poverty, the demand for social workers will be even greater in years to come.
At Pressley Ridge, social workers are essential to the kids and families we serve, impacting their lives in various ways across all service lines—from in-home, outpatient and community-based mental health services to foster care, residential treatment and specialized education.
Amy Fenn, Senior Program Director, recognizes their importance to our services by saying,
Here you will meet three longtime employees who are making a difference every day through social work.
Wendy O’Brien, Certified Mental Health Worker for Family-Based Mental Health Services, has worked at Pressley Ridge for 15 years. Volunteering to spend time with residents at a nursing home inspired Wendy to want to help others when they may be down and feeling hopeless, which led to a career in social work after graduating from the University of Maine School of Social Work.
Wendy builds relationships with clients by helping them determine their needs and then developing a plan to work towards the goals set for themselves and their family. She teaches families who are at risk of having their children removed from their home, communication and life skills through modeling and role play, and advocates for them until they can learn to use these skills for themselves. Wendy finds reward in lifting up the youth and families, offering hope and showing up for them when things are most difficult.
The most rewarding experience of Wendy’s career thus far was working with a mother who feared her own difficult nature would affect her ability to communicate in court. Wendy helped the mother create a list and used role play to effectively share her concerns and fears regarding the safety and well-being of her child. When her day in court came, the judge listened to the mother as she read her list of concerns. In the end, the judge praised her preparation for court and ordered her daughter back to her care with strict guidelines for the child.
After so many years of experience in the field, Wendy encourages those seeking a career in social work to recognize and embrace the strengths of the individuals they are serving to help them make the changes at their pace, cheer them on, and most of all, believe in them.
Jennifer Thompson, another Pressley Ridge social worker, offers more personal advice for prospective social workers: “Love what you do but don’t take things personally and practice self-care. Being a helper is so rewarding, but you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others.”
Jennifer grew up in rural West Virginia, where she saw firsthand how poverty was affecting the families in her small town. Though she didn’t enter college with the intention of becoming a social worker, her mind was made up when she became aware of the way poverty impacted the entire state. Jennifer recalled,
As Program Director for Treatment Foster Care in West Virginia, Jennifer spends her days matching children in need with available foster homes, assessing applications for potential foster parents, reviewing cases with clinical supervisors, and maintaining relationships with community stakeholders, among other responsibilities.
The pandemic has made Jennifer and her colleague’s fast-paced work environment even faster with the implementation of virtual meetings with foster families, children, and their family of origin. Initially, the new communication methods were very stressful for the children and families due to limited face-to-face interaction, but eventually, families were able to meet in person with safety precautions. Though Jennifer was no longer driving across the state to the offices of the three regions she oversees, the frequency of virtual meetings increased as the teams shared updates on the efforts to keep children, families, and staff safe.
After 15 years with Pressley Ridge, the greatest reward for Jennifer is seeing children reunified with their families of origin or being adopted. She also appreciates the opportunity to lead and witness the growth of the social workers on her team who are passionate about their jobs and live Pressley Ridge’s mission to do whatever it takes to create success for children and families each and every day.
For 31 years, Melanie St. Clair has dedicated herself to the mission of Pressley Ridge, starting out in foster care and then wraparound services. Currently, Melanie is Admission Coordinator for the Residential and Safe at Home programs in West Virginia. In this position, she uses her vast social work experience to review referrals for youth who are experiencing difficulties and then recommend the programs that best fit each individual’s needs. Melanie works both internally with Pressley Ridge and with outside agencies to help develop programs to better identify and meet the needs of youth and families in West Virginia.
Melanie always knew she wanted to help people and families in need. Just like Jennifer, her career choice was motivated by the despair she felt in seeing her classmates from underprivileged families suffer from food insecurity and other issues related to poverty. All of these years later, the pandemic has brought to light similar needs of families within the state, such as lack of food and inadequate access to technology and internet for virtual schooling and telehealth. Melanie is proud to play a part in helping to alleviate these issues for the families receiving services from Pressley Ridge.
In more than three decades with Pressley Ridge, Melanie has touched the lives of countless individuals, and she appreciates hearing from former youth and families about how she impacted their lives. “It makes it all worth it,” she said. “Knowing that something I said 20 years ago had an impact on a life is very humbling.”
Melanie offers this advice for those considering a career in social work,
Social workers are an invaluable part of the Pressley Ridge team, and we could not provide hope and support for nearly 9,000 individuals each year without them. With more than 1,100 employees and programs and services in six states, we are always in need of talented and compassionate social workers to join our team. Review our current career opportunities here.
ASL students can join us to practice using visual gestural skills, facial expressions, and ASL skills through virtual games like charades and ASL handshapes games. You can also learn about job opportunities at the school, including full- and part-time Direct Support Professionals.
Tuesday, March 16th
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 20th
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 25th
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
As challenging as the past year has been, the Healthcare Mentorship Maryland program has flourished during the pandemic due to the demand for front line medical professionals. The program is offered at our Career Development Center in Towson, Maryland and provides healthcare career training and job placement for young adults ages 18-24. Currently, students can train to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) and Geriatric Nursing Assistants (GNA).
Despite personal upheavals, the determined future CNA/GNAs proved that they were able to withstand the pressures of a global pandemic, personal challenges, and academic pressures to succeed.
Danielle always dreamed of working in healthcare but believed her aspirations were out of reach due to financial hardship. When Danielle first enrolled in Healthcare Mentorship Maryland, she worked part-time in food service and was barely able to make rent. After successfully graduating from the program, Danielle obtained her CNA/GNA license and immediately accepted a job offer from Keswick Multicare, where she now works as a full-time nursing assistant. Danielle is grateful that her education and employment have allowed her to become more self-reliant. She hopes to continue her education and become a patient care technician after gaining more experience as a GNA.
Regine is a 20-year-old single mother who was experiencing homelessness when she enrolled in Healthcare Mentorship Maryland. The case manager
developed a plan that helped Regine acquire affordable housing and stable employment to support her through the training. Despite her obstacles, Regine graduated with her nursing assistant certification on time with 100% attendance and a glowing recommendation from her clinical instructor. Regine is now using her new skills to seek advanced employment opportunities in a hospital setting, where she will receive increased wages and enhanced medical benefits.
Our workforce development programs are designed to develop the skills and increase the employment possibilities for young adults transitioning out of foster care, juvenile justice or other state programs. These youth are full of untapped potential and big dreams but face even bigger challenges with fewer opportunities. Pressley Ridge offers the support they need to achieve their goals and change the way they view life and their own potential.
For more information about our career development and other support programs for transition-age youth, visit our website.
Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
The holiday season often brings unwelcome guests — stress and depression. And it’s no wonder. The holidays often present a dizzying array of demands — cooking meals, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, to name just a few. And if coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading in your community, you may be feeling additional stress, or you may be worrying about your and your loved ones’ health. You may also feel stressed, sad or anxious because your holiday plans may look different during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would.
When stress is at its peak, it’s hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.
Volunteering your time or doing something to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships. For example, consider dropping off a meal and dessert at a friend’s home during the holidays.
Don’t let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.
Content courtesy of the Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544
Rachel and Dave Meredith and Hannah and Jesús Origel have been foster parents with Pressley Ridge for several years, and on November 21st, National Adoption Day, they each welcomed a new child into their family.
While all adoptions are special, these adoptions are extra special because Rachel and Hannah are biological sisters! Not only did they each adopt a child, they also gained a niece and nephew and made their already big extended family even bigger.
Helping at-risk youth and giving back to the community is something that was instilled in these sisters from very early on. More than 20 years ago, Rachel and Hannah’s parents founded Pine Valley Camp, a nonprofit camp that serves 120 at-risk youth each week throughout the summer. The camp is located on the family’s property in Ellwood City, PA, and Rachel, Hannah and their three siblings volunteered at the camp and were a big part of the daily operations. Nearly all of the siblings are involved in foster care and adoption.
Hannah’s desire to help others came at a very young age, but her foster care journey began six years ago. In 2014, during the border crisis, she and her husband knew they wanted to help. Hannah’s husband, Jesús, is bilingual. When they became certified foster parents, they wanted to serve all children in need, especially unaccompanied immigrant minors who needed a bilingual family. The Origel family went on to foster a Hispanic youth from Guatemala and more than 15 other children over the last six years.
After fostering Shania for a time, the Origels officially welcomed her to the family on November 21st. Shania joins the seven other children in their home – three biological, one adopted, and three foster youth, including Shania’s infant brother whom the Origels took in without hesitation upon his birth.
Rachel also knew from a very young age that she wanted to help others, especially children in need. She and Dave have fostered several children over the past three years and currently have one biological child and two foster youth. Amontae, their newly adopted son, was the Meredith’s first foster placement at just two months old. Just like the Origels, they value the importance of keeping siblings together and readily agreed to foster his sister when she was born one year ago.
While their adoption days didn’t include the typical courtroom ceremony, the Origel’s and Meredith’s extended families were able to join in both of the virtual adoption proceedings, and it was a happy occasion for all.
These families are an inspiration and have played a significant role in referring other families to Pressley Ridge, creating more homes for kids in need. The sisters feel faith, family and the support of Pressley Ridge has guided them through the process of fostering and has allowed them to help so many children.
Join us for virtual conversation with other parents and meet Jessica Lampert, Education Liaison for the Hearing Center at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, to learn more about her role and the services she offers to families.
Monday, December 7th
6:00–7:00 p.m.
Zoom
To join the Zoom meeting at the time of the event, visit: https://zoom.us/j/97974275353?pwd=cS9IbkxrSjQ1d0krLzhLUk9NYVdEZz09.
In 2018, Sara and Joshua Glover became foster parents to a 13-day-old medically fragile infant. Special medical needs, doctor’s appointments and specialized care became part of their routine. Thankfully, the Glovers are trained foster parents through the Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care Program. The program helps to provide a stable family life for infants and children up to age 21 who have been affected by trauma, and as a result, may have behavioral or emotional needs. Treatment foster parents are specially trained to support a child’s emotional and developmental needs and are continually supported by Pressley Ridge professionals who provide a caring network of support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As with any foster care situation, the ultimate goal of Treatment Foster Care is to eventually place the child back with their biological family. The Glovers nurtured and cared for the baby while staying in touch with his family through Pressley Ridge. Early on, it was undetermined whether he would eventually return to his biological family, but Sara and Joshua conveyed that the baby could stay with them as long as he wanted. Forever, if need be. After two years of living with the Glovers, the decision was made for the child to become a permanent part of the Glover family through adoption.
The adoption was to take place in early 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic closed everything down. Though there was a slight delay in the timing to adopt their precious little boy, the process moved on as planned with some interesting restrictions. The adoption proceedings would be virtual, with all meetings and hearings taking place via video conferencing. In the end, the Glover family was thrilled for their son to officially join their family.
Now, the Glovers are a beautiful family with three children – two are biological, a boy and a girl, and their newest addition. “We knew we wanted to have him as part of our family, but we also knew that the first goal was to try to help him go home,” said Sara. “The Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care training helped prepare us for both, and kept us informed through the process. We are a multicultural family living in a wonderful Pittsburgh neighborhood reflecting our diversity, and we feel very blessed”, said Sara Glover.
St. Frances Academy is located in one of Baltimore City’s toughest neighborhoods. Yet, their football program is one of the top in the country. The 2019 St. Frances Academy Panthers football team, including Alonzo “Ace” Colvin, are featured in the new four-part docuseries produced by Michael Strahan called The Cost of Winning.
Alonzo has grown up in the foster care system and came to live with Benjamin and Hope Jackson in 2018. The Jacksons have been foster parents with Pressley Ridge since 2013.
A recent Baltimore Sun article quoted Alonzo on his decision to leave his former high school, where he was the football star: “I wanted more for myself and I had to make the decision on my own. So I had to look at the bigger picture and I see how they care about their players and their students and everything. That’s why I came here. It wasn’t just a football decision for me to come to St. Frances at all.”
Following the championship football season, Alonzo graduated from St. Frances Academy in 2020 with a 3.0 GPA.
Michael Strahan promoted The Cost of Winning today during Good Morning America and also presented Alonzo and his former teammate Kobe Page with $25,000 college scholarships courtesy of Gillette. Alonzo plans to attend ASA College in Hialeah, Florida next school year.
You can check out the official trailer for the series below and catch the premier of the first two episodes on HBO on November 10th at 9:00 p.m.
The Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care Aftercare Program is designed to help strengthen families as youth exit treatment foster care. The goal of the program is to provide the resources necessary for parents to care for their child, including skill-building, while connecting the youth and family to needed community services such as medical, educational, vocational, and basic needs. The aftercare services enhancement is made possible through the BluePrints for the Community grant funding provided by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.
“We are honored to receive this BluePrints for the Community grant,” said Coni Grant, Pressley Ridge Executive Director of MD and DE. “The funding will help to develop sustaining support systems for youth and their families as they transition out of foster homes and back to their families. The positive impact on these families will last for many years to come,” said Grant.
“Strengthening the familial connection and supporting those we serve through capacity building and resilience development are core to this program,” said Cha-Tanya Lankford, Director of Delaware Programs for Pressley Ridge. “Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware’s investment sets the groundwork for a future of positive outcomes for these families.”
Through this grant, Pressley Ridge will monitor and support the foster youth and family for a 90-day period, with a focus on activities that promote successful integration into the family, school, and community. The ultimate goal is for youth to remain healthy, continue to develop and progress, and avoid future out-of-home placements.
BluePrints for the Community awarded more than $1.1 million in funding to nine Delaware nonprofits in this grant cycle announced in September. Established as a donor-advised fund at the Delaware Community Foundation, BluePrints for the Community has contributed more than $16 million to the community since its inception in 2007. The fund supports projects that focus on social determinants of health, increasing access to health care, decreasing health disparities, early childhood health and health care workforce development.
“We are pleased to support Pressley Ridge and their expansion of services for youth leaving the foster care system in order to provide sufficient support for them and their families,” said Nick Moriello, president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware. “Re-entry to home is exciting but challenging and it is imperative Delaware families get the help they need to transition children home safely and holistically.”
The BluePrints for Community Grant will provide funding for enhanced aftercare services for up to 25 youth and families in 2021.
We’re excited to announce that we now have VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES! We are so grateful to all our dedicated volunteers and wanted to make sure that they could continue their efforts from a distance. From recordings to social media challenges, there are ways for everyone to get involved.
Digital Advocate
Help Pressley Ridge increase our reach by being a digital advocate. Simply share our message across your social media platforms!
Complete online surveys to help us better understand our audience base. Topics from volunteer interests to social media audits and can all be completed online.
12 Days of Living Re-Education
All Pressley Ridge services are guided by a common treatment philosophy called Re-Education (Re-ED), which focuses on the entire ecology of the child and family with the goal of building on existing strengths to bring about positive change. Give back to yourself, your community, and those you love through the Re-ED challenge. Each day focuses on a different Re-ED principle that you can apply in your daily life.
Digital Fundraiser
Host a digital fundraiser on your social media platform(s) to help raise funds for essential programs while also increasing Pressley
Ridge’s online reach. Set up a Facebook fundraiser or contact Kaitlyn Wolfe for more information.
Read to Students
Share your favorite books and stories from the comfort of your own home. Simply record yourself reading aloud for students to enjoy in class or at home. Contact Kaitlyn Wolfe for more information.
Do you have a career that you love? Share your enthusiasm with our students through pre-recorded career presentations and/or
demonstrations. You can also help our students by providing resume feedback or answering career specific questions.
Personal/Skill Development
Help create a digital catalogue of things students can learn at home by recording your favorite hobbies. Whether it’s your favorite sport or best cooking tips, you can always inspire something new in a student.
Career Forum Answerer
Help Pressley Ridge students prepare to enter the workforce by providing honest feedback and answers to students’ most pressing questions.
To apply for these opportunities, please complete the Volunteer Application Form or contact Kaitlyn Wolfe for more information.
According to StopBullying.gov, bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems. There are three types of bullying: verbal, social and physical. For more information on what constitutes bullying, visit StopBullying.gov.
As the use of computers, tablets and other devices has increased for kids and teens over the past several months in addition to the prevalence of social media, cyberbullying may be a big concern for parents. ConnectSafely recommends that take the time to really listen to your child if they come to you for help with cyberbullying. Also, take the time to understand the whole situation from multiple perspectives. You can read their full Tips to Stop Cyberbullying here.
Teaching children about kindness and acceptance from an early age is very important to the prevention of bullying. You can read books with your child about empathy and positive ways to stand up to bullying or watch movies that teach about the importance of kindness.
PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center offers resources for individuals, schools and communities to show their support and help stop bullying.
STOMP Out Bullying™ is the leading national nonprofit dedicated to changing the culture for all students. It works to reduce and prevent bullying, cyberbullying and other digital abuse, educates against homophobia, LGBTQ+ discrimination, racism and hatred, and deters violence in schools, online and in communities across the country.
Nyle Dimarco, Disability Advocate, on International Day of Sign Languages
World Federation of the Deaf: International Week of the Deaf
National Association of the Deaf: International Week of the Deaf
Content provided by Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Like all schools, we spent many months preparing to reopen our school buildings, focusing on the health and safety of both our staff and students. The buildings have been sanitized from top to bottom, installed Plexiglas panels, equipped the buildings with air purifiers and hand sanitizing stations, and purchased masks and face shields for both staff and students.
Many of our students have unique needs that require additional problem solving to ensure their health and safety. At the Pressley Ridge School for the Deaf, we are offering clear face masks for both students and teachers so that facial expressions are visible when communicating. At the Pressley Ridge School for Autism, in addition to traditional masks and face shields, we are also offering face shields that clip onto the brim of a baseball cap for those students unable to tolerate anything on their faces. Disposable hospital gowns and latex gloves are available for staff who need to assist students with feeding, toileting, or other physical tasks that they are unable to complete on their own.
We are so happy to have our staff and students back on campus. Although this school year is much different than other years, one thing hasn’t changed – our teachers and staff remain dedicated to providing our students with the best education possible.
Adoptive parents may be feeling particularly isolated without the support systems you once relied on. During a time when it’s needed the most, Pressley Ridge continues to offer Post-Adoption/Permanency Services to help you and your children grow stronger, including:
Telehealth services are convenient and safe, and virtual support groups and discussions allow you to stay connected. Post-Adoption/Permanency services are available for any family with a legally adopted child under the age of 18, including kinship placement.
For more information on post-adoption/permanency services in Central PA, download the CPA Post-Adoption Flyer or contact Nicole Commero at (717) 947-3713 or ncommero@pressleyridge.org.
In response to the increasing need for support for families affected by opioid and other substance abuse, Pressley Ridge implemented the HOMEBUILDERS® model to provide intensive, in-home crisis intervention, counseling and life-skills education for families who have children at imminent risk of placement in state-funded care. In 2017, the program launched in Western Maryland through a grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (MCHRC).
Building upon the successful outcomes demonstrated over the past three years, Pressley Ridge recently expanded the program to serve families in Central Maryland. This expansion is made possible through a grant of $420,000 from MCHRC and another grant of $110,000 from UnitedHealthcare as part of their Empowering Health Grant initiative, which is aimed at expanding access to care in Maryland and addressing the social determinants of health for uninsured individuals and underserved communities.
“This unprecedented environment has compounded challenges faced by Maryland’s most vulnerable residents and created further barriers to accessing the health care and services they need,” said Kathlyn Wee, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Maryland. “Our support of these organizations in Maryland through this UnitedHealthcare Empowering Health commitment will help provide critical aid and resources to the communities in Maryland that need it the most.”
Now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a significant need for this type of in-home treatment. Families eligible for services are those whose children are at an imminent risk of placement or those who are in placement and cannot return home without these vital in-home services. Risks for placement include children who are victims of abuse and/or neglect and those who have been exposed to risk factors such as substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health and/or other disabling conditions of the parents.
“The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission is thrilled to support the HOMEBUILDERS® program and Pressley Ridge,” commented Mark Luckner, CHRC Executive Director. “This program provides critical services for at-risk families impacted by the opioid crisis, and these services are more important now as our state navigates the impact of COVID.”
“Quarantine, job loss, distance learning and other pandemic-related factors have compounded the struggles of high-risk families. The HOMEBUILDERS® program allows us to go directly into the home to help families learn new skills and make better choices,” said Coni Grant, Pressley Ridge Executive Director of Maryland and Delaware. “I have seen first-hand the evidence-based results this program has garnered over the past three years in Western Maryland, and we are grateful for the support of our community partners to extend our reach to Central Maryland to meet a crucial need.”
The goal is to prevent children from being unnecessarily placed out of their homes by providing intensive, on-site intervention, in addition to teaching families new problem-solving skills to prevent future crises. The HOMEBUILDERS® program removes the risk of harm to the child instead of removing the child from their home environment. The HOMEBUILDERS® model will bring services directly into the home of identified families, making services accessible and consistent and outcomes more achievable.
I wanted to send this message sooner, but I sat at my computer for many days staring at a blank screen trying to think of the words I wanted to convey in light of the George Floyd tragedy. I am heartbroken, frustrated and angry to name only a few. I look at the screen, get up, leave the computer, come back and try again. And then I finally realize I truly have no words. But that is not acceptable. For us to combat racism, we all need to have words, to speak up, to act and to listen – really listen – to our African American colleagues, community members, kids and families. We have to do better than we have – it is not an option to stay silent.
Sending this message, there are lots of things I could repeat that others have said that are extremely meaningful and also comforting. I could write those words, acknowledge whoever said them and we could just move on… But, the fact of the matter is we can’t move on until there is tremendous change in our systems and communities. The fact of the matter is it’s not just George Floyd. Its Ahmaud Arbery. Its Trayvon Martin, Alton Sterling, and the list goes on…
We all want to ignore painful things in our life. It’s easier to turn our heads or to avoid things that make us extremely uncomfortable. We work with uncomfortable situations every day at Pressley Ridge, and what makes us a great organization is that we don’t run away from them, we run to them. It will be no different in this situation. We are not going to run away from racism or pretend it doesn’t exist—that is not who we are. We have to do more. We must take action, be part of the change and move our communities forward to stop racism.
As part of our current strategic plan, Pressley Ridge is dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion and, ultimately, impacting systems change. We are focused on institutional and structural racism, as well as unconscious bias, and how these affect our service delivery, program design, policies and hiring practices. Within the past year, hundreds of our employees—including everyone from executive and senior-level management to direct care staff—have participated in racial equity workshops with Dr. Joyce James helping us to lay the groundwork for a multi-year process. It is our hope that, in the end, the work we are doing will leave a lasting impact on those we serve, each other and our communities, as well as the social service systems of which we are a part.
We cannot move forward until all of us work to bring about the necessary changes needed to address racism, and we aren’t going to sit back and just think about it. We have a responsibility to the kids and families we serve, as well as with our foster parents, staff and communities, to let them know we stand with them against racism and we are doing our part to take action.
Susanne Cole
President & CEO, Pressley Ridge
Pressley Ridge, a leading social impact organization serving children and families with complex needs, announced today that its Treatment Foster Care Pre-Service Training Curriculum recently received designation as evidence-based through the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare. With more than 150 foster care agencies trained in this competency-based curriculum built on decades of research and experience, Pressley Ridge now has formal affirmation on the transformative impact that this treatment parent training has on the youth within their care.
“We are extremely proud that our training curriculum is now recognized by the California Clearinghouse as evidence-based,” said Susanne Cole, Pressley Ridge President and CEO. “Pressley Ridge has always taken its role seriously as a partner in the community, with a responsibility to make improvements in the field when necessary and share our knowledge to better support children and families through best practices. Our expertise in Treatment Foster Care, combined with the knowledge of what it takes to be a foster parent to support children who have experienced trauma, as well as other challenges, is what led us to develop this curriculum and share it with others.”
Pressley Ridge’s Treatment Parent Training is rooted in an understanding of how to change behavior, the importance of a strong relationship between the treatment parents and youth in their home (“working alliance”), and trauma-informed care. Treatment Foster Parents with Pressley Ridge serve as change agents for youth in their homes. Utilizing these competencies, Treatment Foster Parents are taught that youth’s behavior can change and the youth can learn skills necessary for effective living. The Pressley Ridge Parent Pre-Service training is now the only evidence-based Pre-Service developed specifically for treatment parents.
The goals of the Pre-Service Curriculum are to:
• Increase knowledge, empathy, and insight regarding treatment foster care, child development, trauma-informed care, and effective behavior management techniques
• Improve parenting skills for working with youth with behavioral and emotional issues
• Improve ability and commitment to succeed in their professional role as a treatment foster care parent
In 2010, Pressley Ridge began a collaborative research project with Easter Seals, collecting impact data on training effectiveness. A few years later, a similar study was completed with organizations in Michigan. Based on these and additional internal research projects, Pressley Ridge published numerous research articles, journals and studies that were submitted to the California Clearinghouse for review.
The mission of the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse is to advance the effective implementation of evidenced-based practices for children and families involved with the child welfare system. Due to increasing pressure from states and funding entities to use evidenced-based practices for treatment foster care – where few actually exist, this designation affirms Pressley Ridge’s commitment, capability, and depth of sound research to deliver services that produce positive outcomes for youth and families.
“We are thrilled to offer other organizations access to a quality, evidenced-based training that best prepares people to take this journey of becoming foster parents, while giving them the tools to improve the lives of children until they can return home or become adopted,” said Cole.
Visit these links for more information on Pressley Ridge’s Treatment Foster Care Pre-Service Curriculum or the California Clearinghouse rating.
Pressley Ridge Delaware recently received a generous donation from the Redd Heart Foundation. The staff were able to deliver boxes of food to all 47 treatment foster families as a small gesture of gratitude for their dedication to our children during this challenging time.
Teachers and staff from Pressley Ridge School for Autism celebrated student Tony’s birthday with a drive-by parade. Seeing so many familiar faces brought joy to Tony and his family and to the staff members, as well. PRSA is looking forward to creatively celebrating more birthdays, graduation and the last day of school throughout the next month.
We are proud of the many employee heroes going above and beyond their regular duties to take care of the needs of our kids and families. In addition to virtually delivering the vital services families count on, staff are personally delivering food (generously donated by Bayer) to families in need. School staff are not only ensuring students get the individualized education they rely on, they’re also doing live book readings, hosting virtual game and movie nights and delivering care packages to families.
Join us in celebrating all of the heroes making a difference every day.
By Jeanni-Marie Williams
This article appears in the May 2020 issue of Child Guide Magazine.
An unplanned pregnancy would throw life off track for anyone, but a teenage mother would be even more vulnerable, especially those without a strong support network. Pressley Ridge, a non-profit who has provided foster care services in the mid-Atlantic for almost two centuries, offers a program to help young moms and their children up to age four. The Pressley Ridge Parent Child Foster Care (PCFC) program matches pregnant teenagers and young parents between the ages of 12-21 with nurturing and supportive foster parents who have received specialized training. The foster parents equip the young mothers with skills to learn how to be great parents and ultimately transition successfully to independent living with their children. Pressley Ridge oversees the program and provides assessments, clinical services, in-home support, and crisis intervention, as well as training and resources for the foster parents. Parenting lessons are conducted within the foster home, and fathers are welcome to participate in the training.
I recently had the honor of speaking with Jewel Clark who has served passionately as a dedicated foster mom with Pressley Ridge for over 20 years. While Jewel originally began her service fostering teenagers, she has switched to participating in the PCFC program. Not one to shy away from teenagers, Jewel was quick to say how she feels the young moms are the easiest group to foster, and she would like to dispel the myth that teenagers are difficult to assist. Jewel says when they are approached with love and sincerity and realize they are in a safe environment with consistent rules, the young mothers open up with trust and become family. In Jewel’s case, she mentions that it also helps that she has a strong, supportive family of her own. Jewel’s daughter and grandchildren have welcomed the young mothers into the family and even enjoy their company on large family annual vacations.
From someone who has walked in the shoes of a single-parent herself, Jewel has a lot of empathy for the young mothers and recognizes their struggles. Jewel prepares them to have skills in all areas of life. She has helped some finish high school and graduate, while others she has taught how to drive. Basic parenting skills are key to the program, but independent life skills are also critical. Jewel mentioned that sometimes it feels like cramming for a test because there are numerous teachable moments while the teens are in her care. Teenagers with no experience budgeting, grocery shopping, laundry, housekeeping, and meal preparation are taught all of these skills within Jewel’s home. Once they have learned the skills, she assigns them regular chores, and she mentions that even though she helps them, they are helping her too. In addition to coaching and supporting the young moms, Jewel also fills in with babysitting so the young moms can attend classes to finish their educations. Lastly, Jewel sets a great example as an adult the teenagers can look up to. She is honest and shares life experiences with them to help shape them into strong adults with good reasoning and decision-making skills. Jewel mentions she never sets a rule or tells the young moms “no” about something without having a discussion about why and the consequences of bad life choices.
For Jewel, the biggest indicator of success, as well as the biggest blessing, is to see the young moms stop living in fear and learn how to be great, independent parents. When they arrive at her home, the young moms worry and cry a lot. They are wary and uncertain. But Jewel establishes ground rules and respect up front, and then she just keeps offering love until they feel safe and at home.
There is a need for foster homes for the PCFC program in Western Maryland. Jewel said she would encourage anyone considering fostering to not hesitate and just go for it. She finds the work incredibly rewarding, and as a bonus, she said she has even more grandkids than her biological ones. Becoming like a second mom to the young mothers, Jewel has created long-term family ties with moms who have transitioned out of the program. Even living independently, they still come to Jewel for love and advice, and she affectionately reminds them, “I will always be your mama.” The rewards of seeing the young mothers have success in life is greater than anything else Jewel could imagine. She mentioned there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing her hard work with them turn into their building and maintaining strong families. The young moms are also very appreciative of the work Jewel has done. They leave her house grateful for her nurturing and the accomplishments she has helped them achieve. Jewel recommends putting yourself in the shoes of a scared teenager who has a weak support system. If you can maintain that empathy, as well as compassion and patience, the fostering of young mothers is incredibly successful. As Jewel said at the end of our interview, “I love what I do. Life is better when you love what you do.”
In 2017, Pressley Ridge’s Social Research and Innovation Center (SRIC) with the support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation began analyzing trusting relationships between providers and clients through a series of research studies. The initial results identify the five essential skills that youth and family workers use to develop and maintain trust with those they serve.
Child welfare and behavioral healthcare services are inherently relationship-based fields, and perhaps the most critical challenge that service providers face is developing healthy relationships with the people they serve. A sense of mutual trust between providers and youth/families may be the most significant component of a strong working relationship. Providers who can establish trust often provide higher quality care and may achieve more desirable service outcomes than those who struggle to develop mutual trust. However, engaging difficult or traditionally hard-to-reach youth/families is one of the most pressing challenges in the field of child welfare, as many individuals in care report a lack of trust between themselves and their service providers.
In one study, the researchers asked a diverse group of service providers from various states and services (residential treatment, special education, community-based, outpatient, foster care, etc.) to identify how they build trust with youth and families.
Researchers used group concept mapping – an approach that uses advanced statistics to analyze comments –to tabulate responses and categorize them into five overarching themes. Within each theme is a menu of practical skills, attitudes, and techniques that provers use to develop trust. These themes constitute a core model for building trust with youth and families usable by anyone, anywhere, anytime.
The study is the first of its kind to assess how staff from across the service array actively build trust. Previously, many believed that the ability to create trust is an innate ability, something that is difficult to teach. Results from this study suggest that providers can learn how to build trust, and that program managers and supervisors can support staff to create healthier relationships built upon trust.
“This study identifies practical and important skills that staff use to build trusting relationships with youth. By building these skills with our staff, we will better position them to engage and partner with our youth and families,” said Michael Valenti, Senior Research Coordinator, Organizational Performance.
“Our organization has a long and distinguished history of measuring the impact on the people we serve, and the working alliance is such an important piece of knowing how well we connect with people to ensure we are having a positive impact on our communities, kids, and families,” stated Susanne Cole, President and CEO
The project also included an official field test of Pressley Ridge’s Alliance Building: Learning to Engage (ABLE), a new model for developing and tracking supportive relationships, or “working alliances.” ABLE combines working alliance theory with practical feedback tools that reinforce that our relationships (with individuals, groups, teams, etc.) are at the center of everything we do. ABLE was developed specifically to increase communication and collaboration across a wide variety of people, services, and systems.
Pressley Ridge is currently sharing the results with staff and examining how the ABLE intervention might support trust-building efforts. The organization will continue to explore how employees create and maintain trust with youth and families. For more information about this work, please contact Michael Valenti, Senior Research Coordinator (mvalenti@pressleyridge.org).
For additional support, Pressley Ridge families can contact staff. If you or your child could benefit from any of the programs or services offered by Pressley Ridge, please email us at info@pressleyridge.org.
In the autism world, we always say that there are no two cases of autism that are alike, and recently I’ve come to find that there are no two days of social distancing that are alike either.
My son Jordan is on the more severe end of the autism spectrum. He is completely non-verbal and requires help with all daily living skills. He has attended many Pressley Ridge Programs over the years and formally “graduated” in 2017. Now that he is an adult, he attends an adult day program four days per week and has several Direct Support Workers (DSW) who work with him throughout the week. At least that used to be the case prior to Covid-19. His program was closed on March 16th, and now we have only one DSW providing a few hours a week.
I also have a 20-year-old daughter, Nicole, who attends the University of Kentucky and is now attending college via on-line classes at home. Nicole has dealt with depression and anxiety over the years, and more recently has been experiencing misophonia, or severe sensitivity to noises, chewing, tapping of one’s feet, etc. So, I have some experience with mental health systems in addition to the disability systems. She has been doing great thanks to medications and supplements, but this new quarantined world is taking a toll on her.
Working from home is not new to me. Because of Jordan’s needs, I have often had to work from home if he was sick or his school or day program was closed. I have to say, though, these last few weeks have been a challenge. It reminds me a lot of the days of uncertainty when Jordan “graduated” from the Pressley Ridge School for Autism and then completed his very last Extended School Year program. He hadn’t yet been accepted by his day program because there weren’t any available spaces and we didn’t have the proper waiver funding. I had limited help through a few Direct Care Workers, and I found myself working early morning or late evening hours to complete work uninterrupted. The waiting and the unknown were really challenging then, just as it is now. Days seem to blend together in this new normal. I work really hard to try to stay in the now and not think about how long this could actually go on. Some days seem to drag on forever. Some days go by in the blink of an eye, and I’m left feeling like I haven’t accomplished anything.
For the most part, Jordan is happy now that he gets a lot more time on his iPad while I’m trying to work or get things done around the house (somehow our laundry has quadrupled). He actually uses a desktop computer and an iPad (with headphones) simultaneously a lot of the time. He almost always has at least one copy of his “Rosa Book” with him at all times. (His Rosa Book is a laminated photo book of pictures from his adult prom, A Night to Remember. Rosa has been Jordan’s crush for many years even though he hasn’t actually physically seen her for a long time.) Sometimes the Rosa Book helps to calm him. Sometimes he wants to lean it a certain way against the iPad or desktop monitor and his OCD tendencies rear their ugly head. Sometimes this happens during the day and the sounds (nonverbal does NOT equal silent) and the pounding on the desk are annoying but tolerable. It gets a little more complicated when it’s 3 or 4 a.m. and I’m trying to keep him from waking up Nicole.
Jordan wants to eat constantly, so the refrigerator and pantry doors must be kept locked. He seems to have an increased urgency to get his needs met and a more intense frustration than I’ve seen in a long time. During these fits, he sometimes gets physical with me but is more prone to be self-injurious and will often bite himself or hold his ears and scream. I’ve thought about decreasing his meds and trying a more natural route of supplements and CBD, but now seems like a terrible time to do that. I’ve come to rely on the calming effect of the medication.
Jordan’s sleep patterns are so far off that I wonder how we will ever get back to a normal schedule. Some nights, he is awake for a good portion of the night and then crashes in the afternoon or early evening. While it would seem logical to keep him awake to ensure that he will sleep through the night, it doesn’t always work that way. Our new normal is this crazy cycle of going to sleep too early and waking up too early. I’m often able to catch some sleep on the couch so that I’m able to function. When I read information about how important sleep is it always makes me laugh. Not all nights are bad. Sometimes the meds and the CBD and the melatonin all work together, and we get a glorious night of sleep. Sometimes Jordan stays with his Dad and we get a little break.
Nicole is a great sister to Jordan. We spend a lot of time laughing, dancing and trying to get Jordan to smile. She seems to sense when I’m about to lose it and comes in to rescue me. We even managed to make a TikTok video one night. It was a huge adjustment for Nicole when she realized that she wouldn’t be going back after spring break and would have to continue her classes online. (For the record, she hates online classes. She is a social and visual person and greatly misses being on campus.) Last week was particularly challenging as Jordan was waking her up a lot or making a lot of noise when she was trying to study. This week she seems to be doing much better. Nicole struggled with social distancing for the first two weeks but now is using FaceTime to connect with her local friends. Her Dad is immunocompromised, and it took her a little while to realize how serious it could be for him. As a leader in her sorority, she has a lot of Zoom meetings to plan what they hope is normal recruitment next August, and the interaction with her sisters has helped tremendously.
I can’t even try to explain or rationalize this new existence as I’m struggling with it myself.
Fortunately, there are resources available to make this time a little easier for kids with special needs and their parents.
Resources for families in Pennsylvania:
In addition, there are a variety of support groups available online and through social media. And as always, current Pressley Ridge families can contact their workers for support during this time. If you or your child could benefit from any of the programs or services offered by Pressley Ridge, please email us at info@pressleyridge.org.
These are just a few ways to pass the days and help your kids get through this difficult time. If you or your child needs professional mental health support, you can be sure that Pressley Ridge continues to offer our families the same level of care as always. Please contact your local office, call (888) 777-0820 or email info@PressleyRidge.org.
In addition to providing the latest and most reliable information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following tips for managing stress and anxiety during this time.
Stress and Coping
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations.
How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.
People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include:
People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. Additional information can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSAexternal icon) website.
Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger.
Things you can do to support yourself
Reduce stress in yourself and others
Sharing the facts about COVID-19 and understanding the actual risk to yourself and people you care about can make an outbreak less stressful..
When you share accurate information about COVID-19 you can help make people feel less stressed and allow you to connect with them.
Learn more about taking care of your emotional health.
For parents
Children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. When parents and caregivers deal with the COVID-19 calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children. Parents can be more reassuring to others around them, especially children, if they are better prepared.
Not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way. Some common changes to watch for include:
There are many things you can do to support your child
For responders
Responding to COVID-19 can take an emotional toll on you. There are things you can do to reduce secondary traumatic stress (STS) reactions:
Learn more tips for taking care of yourself during emergency response.
For people who have been released from quarantine
Being separated from others if a healthcare provider thinks you may have been exposed to COVID-19 can be stressful, even if you do not get sick. Everyone feels differently after coming out of quarantine. Some feelings include:
Several days each week, students from the Pressley Ridge School for Autism spend time volunteering at local businesses. Our wonderful community partners help the students learn valuable life and vocational skills. At Alioto’s Restaurant & Sportsbar, they help to clean menus, pre-portion foods and even make meatballs and the occasional pizza.
25+ companies and numerous individuals in our communities helped to make the holidays a little brighter for more than 1,200 children. Our sincerest thanks to the following companies for granting the wishes for our children this year.
Henderson Brothers Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP Amcom Office Systems Michael Baker International American_Eagle Saints John & Paul Parish Treesdale Golf & Country Club MetLife Eat’n Park Cloud Adoption Solutions The Waters of Wexford Mike‘s Carwash ProLink Staffing Target Willow Med Spa and Salon Book Mark’et & Antique Mezzanine Fox’s Pizza Den in Oakland, MD St. Mary’s Orthodox Church Morgantown, WV Stevens Engineers & Constructors Gamma Mu Nu Chapter Lion’s Pride Restaurant Red Lion Controls OWL Chiropractic C.S. Davidson, Inc. Syncreon MKT Duct GGS, Inc. Stonybrook Family Restaurant Kiwanis Club of Greater York
We are grateful for those who have trusted us to help build stable, healthy families and for the communities who have invested in our mission. We wish you all a happy Thanksgiving!
Dion Inge, Treatment Coordinator in Delaware, has been selected as the 2019 Fay Mosle Generosity Award honoree. After having spent 13 years in foster care, Dion became a social worker to make a difference in the lives of kids in similar situations. In the past year as a Treatment Coordinator, he has made a tremendous impact on the youth, families and staff with whom he works.
Dion was chosen as the honoree of this inaugural award for his natural ability to relate to the youth he serves and the generosity he demonstrates. In addition, Dion is the co-founder of OurBoys,OurMen, a nonprofit mentoring organization to support young minority males from 10-24 years of age with the goal of defeating stigma and stereotypes through educational and social skill groups and experiences.
The Fay Mosle Generosity Award was established by Fay Mosle’s family to commemorate her 20 years of dedication and commitment to the Pressley Ridge Board of Directors and will be presented annually to a Pressley Ridge direct care staff member.
Dion recently shared his story of growing up in foster care at the Storytelling Event in Baltimore. You can listen to the audio recording here.
On October 23rd and 24th, Pressley Ridge brought together more than 150 national and regional mental health professionals invested in the advancement of trauma-informed care for the 2019 Building Connections and Hope for the Future Trauma Summit. Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD, renowned children’s mental health and trauma expert, served as the keynote speaker.
During the two day summit, participants shared information, explored successful strategies and engaged in a deep dialogue on sustaining hope for those who have experienced significant adversity and trauma. Day one explored innovative practices and featured a two-part keynote presentation from Dr. Perry that focused on how trauma interrupts human development and what therapists can do to help children who have experienced trauma.
Michelle McMurray, MSW also discussed her personal experiences surrounding mental health and culture and how it has led her to a compassionate pursuit of system change. She spoke of her efforts to improve access to high-quality physical and mental health care for low-income and racial and ethnic minority populations and to strengthen small, community-based nonprofits.
Dr. Perry and Ms. McMurray were featured in a panel discussion around trauma-informed care and future action, which also included Walter Smith, Jr., PhD, founder of The Western Pennsylvania Family Center and former executive director of Family Resources, a child abuse treatment and prevention organization in Pittsburgh, PA; and Dr. Dennis Daley, PhD, who most recently served as Senior Clinical Director of Substance Use Services, Behavioral Health Integration Division, UPMC Insurance Division.
On the second day, summit participants built on their collaborative vision of what trauma-infused care means and discussed ways to act on their vision.
Trauma and adversity have been shown to directly correlate with an increase in addiction, systematic racism, poverty and poor mental health. As a leader in trauma-informed care, Pressley Ridge continuously seeks to improve the services we offer to children and families impacted by adversity. The goal of this summit was to create a shared power that will advance policy and practice from trauma-informed to trauma-infused institutions.
“Our long history of serving children and families affected by trauma has led us toward infusing trauma-informed practices into everything we do. We are privileged to be able to bring together our region’s leading social service providers along with national experts to collaborate and create communities that thrive,” said Susanne Cole, President and CEO of Pressley Ridge.
Dr. Perry is highly-regarded for having developed the Neurosequential Model, which is a developmentally-informed, biologically-respectful approach to working with at-risk children and their families that has revolutionized the trauma-informed community. Pressley Ridge is in the final stages of certification as a Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics flagship site through the ChildTrauma Academy.
Students and staff at the Pressley Ridge School for Autism and School for the Deaf began their school year in the much-anticipated brand new facility. Under construction for the past year, this school was designed from the ground up with the help of Deaf and autism experts to meet the needs of these students. After more than two decades, the students and staff finally have a permanent school with the tools they need to learn effectively and reach their potential.
Pressley Ridge has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2019 honor by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, ranking 8th in the Large Companies category. The list is based solely on employee feedback through an anonymous survey that measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, connection and more.
Thanks to our dedicated and passionate employees for recognizing us with this honor!
Executive Director of Western PA, Jesse McLean, has been honored with two prestigious awards in recognition of his service to his community and his field. Bynums Marketing & Communications, Inc. and BCC Ministries named Jesse a 2019 awardee of the Ninth Annual Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Awards, recognizing him as a Pittsburgh individual that has displayed faith, courage and leadership in his field. Jesse has also been awarded the 2019 Jennie A. Carter Award from California University of Pennsylvania for exemplifying Jennie’s legacy of life-long service and dedication to education, students, and California University of Pennsylvania. Congratulations to Jesse on his well-deserved honors!
The Northern Ohio programs’ Men of Honor & Integrity Council spent time this summer constructing a ‘Free Little Library’ for the Cleveland office and living the values of Re-ED. The Group is Important in these young men’s lives. This project allowed them to gain basic carpentry Competencies that Make a Difference in their futures, as well as allowing them to serve the Community that is Important in their lives. Now, when youth and families visit the Cleveland office, they will be able to pick up and enjoy and new book.
In total, 22 students accepted their diplomas from the Pressley Ridge schools this year.
May is Mental Health Month, and we are doing our part to help increase awareness of the connection between physical and mental health.
Mental Health America offers these suggestions for:
Check back throughout the month for more mental health tips and facts.
Click here for more information on community-based and outpatient mental health services offered by Pressley Ridge.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the theme for 2019 is Strong and Thriving Families. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and Children’s Bureau have assembled some tips and recommendations for strengthening your family.
Download the fact sheet here.
Every family has strengths, and every family faces challenges. When you are under stress—the car breaks down, you or your partner lose a job, your child’s behavior is difficult, or even when the family is experiencing a positive change, such as moving into a new home—sometimes it takes a little extra help to get through the day. Protective factors are the strengths and resources that families draw on when life gets difficult. Building on these strengths is a proven way to keep the family strong and enhance child well-being. This tip sheet describes six key protective factors and some simple ways you can build these factors in your own family.
| Protective Factor and What It Means | What You Can Do |
Nurturing and Attachment:
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Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development:
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Parental Resilience:
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Social Connections:
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Concrete Supports for Parents:
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Social and Emotional Competence of Children:
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All content courtesy of Childwelfare.gov.
Construction is progressing on the new Pressley Ridge School for Autism and Deaf! You can stay up to date on the building’s progress through time-lapsed video. The facility is on track to welcome students in the 2019-20 school year.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) recently awarded grant funding to Pressley Ridge to conduct a study examining how to build trust and mutual respect to meet vulnerable patients’ health care needs. The funded study, Relationships Matter: Leveraging Healthy Alliances to Improve Services across the Continuum of Care, is among five others supported as part of RWJF’s Building Trust and Mutual Respect to Improve Health Careprogram, managed by AcademyHealth. Read more about the project and the grantees’ research on the AcademyHealth website.
Pressley Ridge recently acquired New Pathways, Inc. in Baltimore, MD to address the needs of youth transitioning out of foster care. This acquisition further strengthens Pressley Ridge’s impact in the region, allowing us to positively affect the lives of 450 youth in foster care and juvenile services each year. In addition to the already established treatment foster care, parent-child foster care and community based mental and behavioral health services, Pressley Ridge now provides independent living, career and workforce development and community outreach services for transition-age youth in Maryland. For more information on the services offered by the New Pathways program of Pressley Ridge, visit newpathways.org.
Pressley Ridge was in the spotlight when the York Revolution took on the Long Island Ducks on Friday, July 13th. Staff members Cindy Plunkert and Ron Gruca were joined by foster parent Dan McMillan in a pre-game radio interview (Check out the interview here). Then Dan and his wife, Willeas, stood by as their foster child threw out the first pitch of the game. The Revs came out on top with a 16 – 1 win!
Annie Harrison is no stranger to the idea of helping children in need. Growing up in Tennessee, her mother took in everyone who needed guidance, saying, “The children did not ask to be here, but they have to be cared for.”
It was this philosophy that led her to become a treatment foster parent with Pressley Ridge. After fostering for over a decade, she never imagined that she would end up adopting two young children.
Elizabeth, 12, and George, 9, were first placed in Ms. Harrison’s home when they were 8 and 5 years old. After staying with her for a time, the children were sent to live with a relative. When that placement was not successful, Children Services contacted Annie, who was thankful that she had the space to bring them back to her home.
During their first summer together, Annie began to notice that Elizabeth needed help with reading and George was behind on alphabet and number recognition. So, she spent the summer tutoring them. Together they made flashcards and practiced until they felt more prepared to start the new school year. George learned how to hold a pencil and write his name, and Elizabeth became a more confident reader.
The children’s adjustment in Ms. Harrison’s home wasn’t easy. George had frequent temper tantrums, and Elizabeth had the mindset that she did not have to listen to her because she was not her mother. Yet as Ms. Harrison demonstrated her love and commitment over time, they began to trust her. The children’s biological father even thanked Annie for her support and told her that he knew the children loved her.
After four years in her home, the pair became available for adoption. Annie had become very attached to the children and did not want to let them go. Though she heard from several people that she was too old to adopt, she decided to follow her heart. On June 14, 2018, Annie, Elizabeth and George became a forever family!
There are more than 2,300 children in Cuyahoga County in foster care – many due to the opioid crisis. These children need a loving and nurturing home while their families of origin strive to get healthy. Foster parents can serve as role models for the kids and provide support to birth parents. The ultimate hope is that children can be reunited with their families or make permanent connections to other loving adults in their life.
If you or someone you know may be interested in opening your heart and home to a child in need, please contact your local Pressley Ridge office. In Cleveland, contact Zina Klypchak-Guercia at (216) 763-0800 or ZKlypchak@pressleyridge.org.
Throughout the 15 years that Marlene Jackson has been a foster parent with Pressley Ridge in Cleveland, she has cared for a number of children with various backgrounds and challenges. In 2015, a young man named King was placed in Ms. Jackson’s home after being taken into protective custody. At just 12 years old, he weighed 487 pounds, could walk only short distances, and was oxygen-dependent.
Marlene was fearful for King’s life, and she was committed to helping him get well. He had the will to become healthy, and within months, King began to lose weight as he ate healthy foods and exercised with a personal trainer the YMCA. “This was a different lifestyle,” said King. “At first I thought my foster mom was mean and strict, but then I realized she was really nice.”
King was also driven to do well in school. Marlene helped him to identify his strengths, which included a talent for writing. “He went from all F’s to A’s after two semesters, and he became a member of the National Honor Society. He had the power and I had the direction.”
Once King realized his academic potential, he aspired to attend Hawken, a college preparatory school in Cleveland. Ms. Jackson did all she could to make it happen and successfully obtained a scholarship from the prestigious school. Today, King is 15 years old and a freshman at Hawken. He is a member of the debate team, which has given him the opportunity to travel to competitions throughout the U.S.
When Marlene was badly injured in a car accident that could have proven fatal, King was understandably shaken and became very protective of her. Fortunately after time, Ms. Jackson has fully recovered and is as vibrant as ever. “I believe that God had another plan for me,” she said. “That plan was King.”
Marlene and King recently celebrated the finalization of his adoption. They continue to grow together as a family and enjoy helping others through their church community. King’s next goal is to get his driver’s license and first car. Ms. Jackson plans to continue fostering to provide children with the opportunity to live a full and healthy life. She believes her primary purpose in life is plain and simple—she just wants to be a mom.
Read King and Marlene’s full story published by Cleveland.com.
Originally published in May 2018
Since this story was written in 2018, King is now a high school senior who speaks and writes passionately about racial disparities in America. He recently organized an online forum for 160 Ohio teens from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds to discuss how they are thinking, feeling and acting during this momentous time in America.
If you or someone you know may be interested in opening your heart and home to a child in need, please contact your local Pressley Ridge office. In Cleveland, contact Zina Klypchak-Guercia at (216) 763-0800 or ZKlypchak@pressleyridge.org.
The 2nd Annual Pressley Ridge Sporting Clays Shoot was held on Monday, May 14th at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Despite the stormy weather that forced shooters indoors about halfway through the course, the event was a great success with an increase of 40 shooters and $14,000 over last year. Day School Johnstown student Nate Swauger spoke to attendees during the buffet lunch, describing how his life has improved since he began attending Pressley Ridge.
The Junior and Senior Prom was held at Johnstown Day School on Thursday May 10th. GJCTC Culinary Department catered a delicious meal of stuffed chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and green beans.
Mr. Deater was the DJ for the evening as the student danced the night away. The Prom Queen and Prom King were chosen by their peers and were crowned by our very own Grandma Jo.
It was a beautiful night to make memories!
“Pressley Ridge, which operates in six states, has been able to find families for all of the opioid-affected children referred to it by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, said agency president Susanne Cole. But in Ohio and West Virginia, the opioid epidemic has dislodged so many children that it’s becoming difficult to find enough foster parents, she said. “The numbers are huge,” she said, “and it’s not going away.”
Pressley Ridge is included in Part 2 of “The Needle in the Family Tree” published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Click to read the full article here.
Pressley Ridge integrates a trauma-informed perspective into all of our services, which provides the foundation for a basic understanding of the psychological, neurological, biological, and social impact that trauma and violence has on individuals. This mindset leads our staff to ask “What happened to that child?” rather than “What’s wrong with that child?”. Learn more about Pressley Ridge’s Trauma-Informed Care practices here.
We believe that a trauma-informed perspective needs to be supported by specific trauma-informed practices. To this end, Pressley Ridge’s clinical leadership is in the process of becoming certified in The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) through the ChildTrauma Academy.
NMT is a developmentally sensitive, neurobiology informed approach to clinical problem solving. NMT is not a specific therapeutic technique or intervention. It is an approach that integrates core principles of neurodevelopment and traumatology to inform work with children, families and the communities in which they live.
The Neurosequential Approach has three key components – training/capacity building, assessment and then, the specific recommendations for the selection and sequencing of therapeutic, educational and enrichment activities that match the needs and strengths of the individual. The catalyst for this process is the creation of a “Brain Map”. This map is a metric of brain development that is complete by a skilled NMT clinician. This map is not a visual of the actual brain itself but, a heuristic tool that guides quality treatment. As a result, NMT will allow our programs to better serve those who have experienced trauma and adversity, as well as, support caregivers, the child protective system and the judicial system to make decisions are in the child and families best interest.
Pressley Ridge is excited to announce plans to build a new School for Autism and Deaf on our main campus in Pittsburgh, PA. This $12 million project, slated to break ground in the spring, has been designed through the help of autism and deaf experts to serve our unique population of students with enhanced learning experiences that include:
Thank you to our early supporters of this project, including Pressley Ridge Foundation, Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust, Massey Charitable Trust, and FedEx Ground, as well as the Pressley Ridge Board of Directors.
Follow our progress and get involved with PR2020: A Campaign For Successful Futures here.
Pressley Ridge’s ability to deliver our critical mission is dependent upon our partners who provide us not only with monetary support but also with the items and services our kids and families need. With countless individuals, companies and groups aiding 55 programs in six states, we can’t possibly mention all of the good will being done on our behalf, but we can highlight just a few of our strongest supporters.
We also want to thank the hundreds of others who have supported our kids and families in so many ways!
On Friday, January 19th, seven youth and five staff from the Pressley Ridge Home Places program had the opportunity to attend Cirque Du Soleil Crystal in a beautiful suite at PPG Paints Arena thanks to Tickets for Kids. The privacy of a suite allowed youth with sensory issues or difficulty being in crowded places to enjoy an evening out.
For many years, Tickets for Kids has generously provided opportunities that spark interest and excitement in our kids and families, sending them to events that they would otherwise not have the means to attend. In just the past year, more than 300 Pressley Ridge youth and families enjoyed over 100 different events and activities.
The Pressley Ridge Social Research & Innovation Center is excited to announce the publication of a new article that discusses the results of a study examining alliances between families and residential treatment family workers. Published in the Children and Youth Services Review Journal, this article demonstrates that sharing working alliance feedback with residential treatment staff can be effective in improving working alliances with families. This study adds to our knowledge about the working alliance and helped to build the foundation for our Alliance Building: Learning to Engage (ABLE) model.
The article can be downloaded for free before March 11th, 2018 using this link.
All across our regions and programs, Pressley Ridge children, families, and staff have so much to celebrate this holiday season. Thank you for your dedication and for continuing to do whatever it take for those who depend on our services.
We wish all of you a holiday season filled with warmth, happiness, and joy.
Dec. 31 will mark one year since a Putnam County couple’s foster child was declared drug-free for the first time in his entire life.
“It’s just been a roller coaster ride,” said Chris Crytzer, a nurse and resident of Hurricane.
“We’ve got a child who we can really make a difference in his life and I think we just cling to that.”
Crytzer and his wife, Mary, a mathematics instructor at Marshall University, will find out in the coming months if they’ll be able to adopt the boy they first met at age 10 months.
Now two years old, the boy is free of the drugs he was addicted to at birth.
“He had been in the hospital for life and never got to leave until he finally came to our house,” said Crytzer.
Listen to the news story and read the full WVMetroNews article here.
A recent WOWK-TV news story featured Pressley Ridge foster family The Crytzers and highlighted the great need for foster families to care for children affected by the opioid epidemic.
Check out the story here: http://www.wowktv.com/news/local-news/pressley-ridge-center-helps-foster-families/878787202
The Pressley Ridge Homebuilders program in Western Maryland received a Maryland General Assembly Official Citation of Recognition from MD Delegate, Aruna Miller. Delegate Miller spent time visiting with staff and learning about the program and the needs of our clients.
The Homebuilders program, located in Allegany County, MD is an intensive in-home program designed to assist children at risk of out of home placement, including families affected by parental substance use. Pictured from left to right are Amy Crowley, therapist, Delegate Aruna Miller, Mary Beth DeMartino, Program Director and Wendy McKenzie, Program Supervisor.
Laura O’Hara, Clinical Liaison at the Laurel Park program has a passion for running. Luckily for the youth at Laurel Park, she is sharing her passion for this sport with them. As a Therapist, Laura often teaches self-regulation skills to the youth on her therapy caseload and for the past three months she has incorporated a twice per week Running Group with several of the young men at Laurel Park.
Over the course of twelve weeks, Laura entered the group of five young men into several races and ran right alongside them. The races included the Ritchie Regional Health Care 5K, Cooper’s Rock Stump Jump 10K and the Salem Apple Butter Festival 5K.
Laura is proud of how invested these young men were and how they continued to improve their individual race times. One young man improved his 10K time from 57:37 to 50:04, ending the season with a fourth overall finish in the Test the Watters race.
Six students from the Day School Pittsburgh shared their artwork in the community by participating in the Annual Flowering of Insight Art Exhibit held in the Department of Human Services Building, One Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh.
The Flowering of Insight Art Exhibit began more than 20 years ago. The theme for this year’s exhibit was “I can…” and showcased artworks by artists ranging in age from youth to seniors. The exhibit was on display throughout the month of September, with an artists’ reception on Saturday, September 30th.
DaySchool Art Teacher MaryAnn Fabian helped to coordinate and plan the exhibit, along with representatives from other participating agencies, including Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, PA Connecting Communities and Milestone Centers.
On Saturday, September 23, 2017 Pressley Ridge – Delaware staff supported the 3rd Annual “Delaware Walks with Leah 5K Walk/Run” at the Christiana Mall located in Newark, DE. Hundreds were in attendance which presented a great opportunity to recruit and increase “friends” of Pressley Ridge. Pictured above are Marcie Byus, Recruiter with Ms. Delaware 2017, Chelsea Bruce, Tanya Johnson, TFC Supervisor and Leah Still with mother Channing Smythe.
We are excited to announce the publication of a new article that demonstrates how Pressley Ridge’s treatment foster care pre-service training significantly changes parenting attitudes and licensing rates compared to a basic pre-service training (Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting [MAPP]). This publication brings us one step closer in the process of becoming evidence-based.
Stay tuned for updates on our evidence-based status for our pre-service training. Click here to read the full-text article.
Once again, Walsh Construction has generously supported Pressley Ridge by donating a portion of the proceeds from their annual golf outing. We are grateful for our partnership with Walsh, which also includes the Constructing Their Futures program for students at the Career Development Center and support for the Angel Tree drive during the holidays.
Maryland Community Health Resources Commission providing funds for HOMEBUILDERS® method
Allegany County, MARYLAND (August 1, 2017) – In response to the increasing need for support of families affected by opioid and other substance abuse in Allegany County, Pressley Ridge of Western Maryland has been awarded a grant in the amount of $350,000 from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (MCHRC) to provide intensive in-home services. Families eligible for services are those whose children are at an imminent risk of placement or those who are in placement and cannot return home without intensive in-home services. Risks for placement include children who are victims of abuse and/or neglect and those who have been exposed to risk factors such as substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health and/or other disabling conditions of the parents. Referrals will come from the Allegany County Department of Social Services.
Pressley Ridge will be utilizing the HOMEBUILDERS® model to deliver these services. HOMEBUILDERS® provides intensive, in-home crisis intervention, counseling and life-skills education for families who have children at imminent risk of placement in state-funded care. It is the oldest and best-documented Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS) program in the United States.
“The Commission is thrilled to support Pressley Ridge and the implementation of the HOMEBUILDERS® model in western Maryland,” said Mark Luckner, Executive Director, MCHRC. “This evidence-based program will help assist families experiencing substance use issues and will promote family preservation.” The grant to Pressley Ridge is one of 21 grant awards made by the MCHRC this year.
The goal is to prevent children from being unnecessarily placed out of their homes by providing intensive, on-site intervention in addition to teaching families new problem-solving skills to prevent future crises. The HOMEBUILDERS® program removes the risk of harm to the child instead of removing the child from their home environment. The HOMEBUILDERS® model will bring services directly into the home of identified families, making services accessible and consistent and outcomes more achievable.
“Pressley Ridge is thrilled to be able to work with our community partners to tackle the ever increasing problem of opioid addiction and the devastating impact this has on children and families,” said Mary Beth DeMartino, Director of Pressley Ridge of Western Maryland.
The United Way of Allegany County is also providing monetary and collaborative support. “We need the help of community partners, like Pressley Ridge, to address the unmet needs of individuals so that families have the necessary tools for a better path to success,” said Mary Beth Pirolozzi, Executive Director of County United Way, Inc. “We hope and expect that our partnership will result in a stronger, healthier community.”
ABOUT PRESSLEY RIDGE
For the past 185 years, Pressley Ridge has done whatever it takes to create success for children and families. Pressley Ridge’s innovative programming provides the foundation for building stronger families while constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. From helping families in the community, to providing foster care services and educating children with special needs, including autism and deafness, Pressley Ridge empowers kids and families with the ability and confidence to succeed. Pressley Ridge serves communities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. For more information visit www.pressleyridge.org.
ABOUT MARYLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH RESOURCES COMMISSION
The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) was created by the Maryland General Assembly in 2005 to expand access in underserved communities. Since its inception, the Commission has awarded 190 grants totaling $60.3 million, supporting programs in every jurisdiction of the state. CHRC-supported programs have collectively served more than 330,000 Marylanders, most of whom are low-income and have complex health and social service needs. For more information, visit www.health.maryland.gov/mchrc.
As most of you are aware based on recent events in Charlottesville, VA, our country is embroiled in a discussion about race and racism. There is a great deal of divisiveness occurring within our communities that impacts those we serve but also all of us as individuals.
At Pressley Ridge, we believe our differences are our strengths. The combined experiences and talents of our staff, volunteers and the children, adolescents, adults and families we serve strengthen and enrich us as individuals, teams, partners and communities. Grounded in our mission to do whatever it takes to create success for our clients, we foster a culture that values all people, in all our rich and myriad differences, with acceptance and respect. Just as the clients we serve change and grow, so too does our organization and our society. Pressley Ridge is committed to doing more to promote diversity and to address disparities within our organization and our communities.
To this end, Pressley Ridge will not tolerate hate or racism in any form, nor discrimination against any person based on their color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age, national origin, perceived or actual sexual orientation, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other classification protected by law with respect to any term or condition of employment.
Pressley Ridge values all of our employees, and it takes us all working together each and every day to achieve our mission. We stand strong because we stand together in our efforts to help ALL people. It is my hope that our compassion and kindness sets the example for others.
Susanne Cole
President/CEO
In collaboration with the Beaver County System of Care, Pressley Ridge is honored to be a part of the
Beaver County Youth Ambassador Program, which aims to spread awareness and reduce stigma related to mental health issues among high school students. The program began in 2016 with representatives from five school districts, and by next school year, the list will have grown to 15 with as many as 10 students participating from each school.
During two events held in early 2017, the students attended workshops and heard personal stories of mental illness, advocacy and recovery. The ambassadors also discussed ways to alert their peers
how and where to find help. Student-designed posters featuring reassuring messages and helpline
information will soon be hung throughout the halls of the partner schools. In addition, ambassadors
volunteered to speak about their own mental health experiences for a compilation video that was shared on Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on May 4.
Henrietta Thomas has been a foster parent with Pressley Ridge for 20 years, and in that
time, more than 100 children have called her house home.
Many of the kids she has fostered continue to visit – some bringing their own children to meet
Henrietta and all hoping for one of her home-cooked meals. Her current foster children agree
that she makes the best dinners and baked goods.
Ms. Henrietta is a model parent, offering guidance and support to others who are new to
fostering. She is always available in a time of need or crisis and will go above and beyond to
make sure a child has a safe and loving home.
One child said, “Ms. Henrietta does whatever she can to make sure we get along. She doesn’t
make me feel like I am in a foster home.”
We are fortunate to have hundreds of foster parents, many of whom, just like Ms. Henrietta,
have given decades of love, support and dedication to our kids and families.
An afternoon coffee break is a daily routine for many. For the staff working at Pressley Ridge’s Pittsburgh Campus – which includes the Day School Pittsburgh and the School for Autism – their coffee break is much more meaningful.
Three days each week, students from the Pressley Ridge School for Autism (PRSA) operate a coffee shop on campus. On the surface, the PRSA Coffee Shop offers a welcome service to the staff in the form of beverages and snacks, but it’s the students who run the shop who benefit much more than the customers.
The coffee shop is a therapeutic environment where the students learn valuable social and vocational skills, including appropriate work place etiquette. The are four jobs: greeter, snack stand, barista and cashier. Each job has specific expectations that vary based upon the individual student’s needs and abilities, which increases the students’ chance for success.
The use of meaningful Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in the coffee shop is encouraged. AAC includes various methods of supplementing or replacing speech to convey wants and needs. When a student uses any form of AAC, a unique vocabulary is developed for communication in the work environment, which promotes communication in settings outside of the classroom. Group conversations are led by PRSA’s Speech-Language Pathologist, and social language and the art of “small talk” become a byproduct of the work environment.
Though staff are closely monitoring, students working in the coffee shop are given the least intrusive level of prompting to promote independence. The staff are also able to identify each student’s strengths and weaknesses, which can be used to develop a work-biography to be passed on to future placements.
For our students, the PRSA Coffee Shop is an important stepping stone between a highly structured therapeutic environment and the real world, and it is just one of the many ways we prepare our students for life after Pressley Ride.
This spring, 28 students graduated from the six Pressley Ridge Schools, along with dozens
more youth from our foster care, community-based and residential programs. These
students have experienced varying degrees of adversity in their young lives, yet through hard
work and determination, they have succeeded.
Kira, who recently transitioned to independent living from Pressley Ridge foster care, is just
one of this year’s commendable stories. Throughout high school, Kira maintained straight A’s
while working part time and taking free online college courses. She graduated with honors
from Hamilton High School and will attend Miami University Hamilton in the fall, where she
was awarded nearly $100,000 in scholarships and plans to study forensic investigation.
Steve came to Pressley Ridge Day School Johnstown at the age of 12 with a diagnosis of
Selective Mutism. He struggled with academics, refused to participate in group activities,
ignored instruction and became physically aggressive. In his eight years at the school, he
made great strides and eventually began responding verbally in class, making friends and even
participating in a school-to-work program at REI, where he now hopes to secure full-time
employment. Steve’s mother proudly boasts, “Pressley Ridge has been a life saver. I now get
to see my son, whom I never expected to graduate, not only graduate, but with the highest
grades…and the opportunity to go on and further his education.
There are many more shining examples of success in the Pressley Ridge Class of 2017, and we are
proud of how far they have come. No matter where they are headed, we wish them the best of luck.
The children of Pressley Ridge are big fans of the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins – both on and off the ice. Over the past five years, the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation has supported our kids with nearly $75,000 in financial contributions that have provided art therapy and educational tools for children and young adults with autism. During the most recent NHL season, groups of Pressley Ridge kids from Pittsburgh and Johnstown, PA, Morgantown, WV and Western Maryland were treated to the unique experience of watching a game from the Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin Charity Suites. One youth said, “Thank you for giving me one of the best Christmases ever. Seeing the Penguins was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me.” One lucky group of kids not only got to experience a Peng-win, they also sat next to Christina Aguilera, who graciously took time to take photos with our kids! We are so grateful to the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation for their continued support of our kids and families.
On Friday, May 19th Johnstown student danced the afternoon away at the Junior/Senior Prom. Students enjoyed music by our own DJ, Mr. Deater, posed for pictures with their classmates, and enjoyed light refreshments. It was a day filled with happy memories!
Dave Donate, owner of The Orchard, in Geistown recently visited the students and staff to make a $2,800.00 donation to the Day School Johnstown. The students were also entertained by a few magic tricks and all received a new water bottle and a pen. Every April for the past six years Mr. Donate has donated a percentage of patron’s dinners along with portions of his Saturday night tips in the effort to raise autism awareness. To date, he has donated over $11,500.00.
May is National Foster Care month, which was created to not only highlight the children in care and the need for foster parents, but also to celebrate the dedication of the families and the workers who support them. Staff, kids and families all across the regions celebrated National Foster Care Day by wearing blue. One of our WV foster parents commented, “This team is awesome. They do an amazing job guiding and helping foster homes. They truly do love their jobs and have hearts of gold to give these kids a loving home. Proud to belong to such an amazing company!”
As a part of our community outreach program, The Shanksville-Stonycreek School District brought their Senior boys basketball team for a little competition. The Shanksville- Stonycreek Vikings are the District V Champions, Single A Division, West PAC South Champions, and reached the Sweet 16 Playoffs in the State Playoffs with an overall 25-2 record. Two of the senior boys, Aaron Smith and Jessie Bittner played a half-court game against two of our students and our one and only Mr. Martin. The other senior boys acted as referees and the cheering section. The final score was 19 – 16, Pressley. After the game the senior boys spent time shooting hoops with all students who wanted to participate and then allotted time for autographs. It was a great morning spending time with a neighboring school.
For the 9th year in a row, the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce honored the wonderful, resourceful, and creative people that are Administrative Professionals! This year, Walter Randolph, Office Manager, Dover, DE was surprised by his selection of being recognized as one of three “BEST OF THE BEST” winners! Walter, along with the two other winners will be highlighted in the Chamber Connections newspaper, receive a prize donated by a Chamber Member as well as a prize package inclusive of a pampering package from Aurora Academy of Hair Design; a floral bouquet from Jen-Mar Florist and a Mary Kay Cosmetics Gift Basket
The Dover, DE team jumped at the opportunity to recognize and celebrate Walter who has been a member of the Pressley Ridge team for the past ten years. Walter is a man of action; he is described by his peers as loyal, dedicated and supportive. He serves as the face of the Kent Co. office; he warmly greets all visitors and always has a story about his family’s beloved Basset Hounds! Walter stays abreast of deadlines that not only impact his work, but those of staff as well and sends gentle reminders prior to expiration to keep us all in compliance. Walter is proactive and does not wait for directives to address issues. Due to this attention to detail and cooperative spirit direct service staff are able to focus and manage the stressful day to day of serving youth and families.
Pressley Ridge has a vision of “all kids thrive” and a mission that states “whatever it takes to create success for children and families.” Walter personifies these statements and presents with a“whatever it takes” attitude and can do spirit. He has a calm and relaxed demeanor and often serves as a sounding board presenting practical and a neutral positions; both qualities needed in such a fast paced and emotionally charged work environment in which we operate. Walter makes himself available 24/7; he stays abreast of staff’s community location daily for safety purposes and can be found offering a helping hand, whether its loading or unloading cars ; changing a co-workers or families tire in our parking lot or being present during emotionally charged family visitation; Walter can be depended
Walter is a consummate professional. He arrives early each day; has a unique sense of humor; is well rounded and can hold a conversation on an array of topics. Walter accommodates the many requests of staff and foster families to ensure their day moves a little more smoothly.
CONGRATULATIONS WALTER!!!! We greatly appreciate you!
Several students at the Career Development Center had the opportunity to collaborate with a team of game developers from SimCoach Games. The students were asked to play a game that is in its earliest stage of development. The game was designed to give information about careers associated with building roads and bridges and geared towards young people from ages 14-25. The team from SimCoach Games observed the students interact with the app and then followed up with a brief Q & A session. The students were very engaged and gave specific feedback about ways the game could be improved. They all enjoyed their glimpse into research and development and were motivated to see what other games are available through the company.
Ms. Fabian and her art students again supported the Empty Bowls Dinner benefiting the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Just Harvest. The students created handmade bowls to be used as part of the meager meal, served at the event, which highlights the state of hunger in our area. Day School students have been participating in this event for over a decade. Here are some of their creations that went home with lucky attendees at the event on March 20th.
The students at the Career Development Center spent some time during the month of February learning empathy first hand. The Skill Streaming class, along with the Culinary class, made soup to distribute to some of Pittsburgh’s homeless citizens.
The purpose of the activity was to encourage students to interact with diverse people and realize that life takes many unexpected turns. The students first gathered lidded bowls and utensils from local businesses, then decided which recipe they would like to prepare. They made individual portions and delivered them in person.
The students had the opportunity to listen to the stories some of the recipients had to share. They also found that some of the folks recognized the vehicle and were looking for them. Possibly the greatest lesson the students learned was when they saw some young men taking pictures and making fun of some sleeping homeless people. Our students got out of the vehicle and delivered the warming soup to those people who just moments before had been treated unkindly. They had the opportunity to lead by example and to treat fellow human beings with the dignity we all deserve.
Omar White has worked at the Penn Hills Satellite Program since 2015. In his spare time he volunteers to coach with the Steel Valley Ironmen Football Team. Omar coaches on the defense working with the students throughout the school year. This past season, the Ironmen were on fire, not losing a game in the regular season and enforcing the mercy rule in 15 out of 15 games. They were able to play the WPIAL Class 2A championship at Robert Morris University. With that win, Omar and the Ironmen went onto Hershey where they would face Southern Columbia. Omar and the Ironmen crushed Southern Columbia 49-7.
Omar continues to volunteer his time with the Ironmen, coaching and working with the students, while they condition in their offseason. While working with our students at the Penn Hills BEST program, Omar offers behavioral supports as well as educational help. Omar is a great role model for the students in our program, offering character education and building rapport with students and families.
The Johnstown families could not be more thankful to The Penguins Foundation for providing VIP seats, snacks, and a visit from Iceburgh. This once in a lifetime trip was made even better with a 5-2 Win for the Pens!
Day School Johnstown students celebrate Read Across America and Dr. Seuss week with special guest readers. Tom Chernisky, Cambria County Commissioner, brought his friend Chopper, from the Johnstown Tomahawks to read with Classroom 4. Down the hall in Classroom 8, students were quietly listening to Max Pavlovich, candidate for District Magistrate 47-1-02. It was a great week of fun filled activities!
The Day School Pittsburgh hosted our 22nd Annual Chili Cook Off on February 24th. Each classroom at Marshall Ave. and the CDC prepared their secret recipe and a panel of student and staff judges taste tested them all. The chili’s were judged on best taste, hottest and most original. There were some very creative ingredients again this year but our winners had some very old school flavor profiles. Thanks to all our judges who lent their taste buds to this event.
Students will always remember the excitement of their first dance! Love was in the air as the students at Johnstown danced the afternoon away. Our high school students in Classroom 7 helped put together the playlist and chaperone, while Mr. Deater was our DJ. The students enjoyed refreshments and a casual, fun time with their friends.
Day School Johnstown students had the opportunity to tour the Cambria County Association for the Blind. During the tour students learned about the products the program makes for mines, gas/oil companies, electric companies, solar energy, and other state facilities. Students were lucky enough to try some metal working first hand! The Association for the Blind offers school to work programs and meaningful employment for students with disabilities.
The program kicked off last year with students from Aliquippa, Big Beaver Falls Area, Freedom Area, New Brighton Area and Rochester Area school districts. High school principals or guidance counselors selected about 10 student representatives from each school to participate in the program.
The program’s organizers hope to expand it to every school district in the county, said Susan Smith, a program specialist and one of the ambassador program’s organizers.
The program reached toward that goal Thursday, Smith said. Social workers and guidance counselors from Ambridge Area, Central Valley, Hopewell Area, Riverside and Western Beaver school districts attended Thursday’s event to see how the program might fit into their school communities.
This article originally appeared in The Beaver County Times.
HAMILTON, OH – The Pressley Ridge Family Preservation Program (FPP) here in Butler County recently completed a “Family Tracer” that demonstrated what program staff and leadership might have already suspected: Pressley Ridge families greatly appreciate their partnership with our organization and the hard work that is done on their behalf.
The Family Tracer is a new endeavor at Pressley Ridge that was developed by the Organizational Performance department to assess our family engagement efforts and inform leadership of the findings, in order to better align organizational practices with our strategic initiatives. How is this done?
A Family Tracer assessment is conducted via a site visit to a program by a team of reviewers. The goal is to review and rate evidence of family engagement, based on current practices. The data collection procedures include chart reviews, review of program materials and handouts, and semi-structured interviews or focus groups with staff, individuals in services, and family members. The physical environment of the program site is also rated.
Getting back their lives
In Butler County, located outside of Cincinnati, perhaps the most telling piece of the Tracer was the focus group interview. A group of eight caretakers – biological parents, grandparents and foster parents – participated in a conversation that was scheduled to last an hour but ran over because of the enthusiasm of the participants.
The gratitude these parents and caretakers expressed for their Pressley Ridge service providers was humbling and heartwarming. They provided one example after another of Pressley clinicians providing tireless, competent support, helping families one day at time. “It’s so wonderful to have support when you find it,” said one person. Another simply said: “Pressley Ridge gave me my life back.”
More than one person said that, whenever possible, they don’t use any service provider other than Pressley Ridge. There was a consensus not only about the superiority of existing Pressley Ridge services; when asked to think about what their area needed to enhance the quality of life, the answer was unanimous: more Pressley Ridge services.
How do we know that this wasn’t a case of a few appreciative clients skewing the outcome? For one thing, the Family Tracer’s validity is dependent on data from a variety of sources, not just satisfied customers; for example, there was a chart review of randomly selected files and a review of program materials, which measured current practice, not planned or intended behavior. This data supported what the parents and caretakers said – that the program is very engaged with families.
Satisfied partners
Butler County’s Family Preservation Program used to be run in-house by Children’s Services (BCCS) but was discontinued in 2011 due to budgetary issues. When it was decided last year to bring the program back through outside providers, Pressley Ridge won the contract. The county’s response to the job Pressley Ridge is doing presents further evidence of the program’s effectiveness.
BCCS Director Bill Morrison told a local newspaper that choosing Pressley Ridge was the best decision the county could have made. Pressley “hit the ground running much quicker than any other new program I’ve ever started,” he told the paper. “It immediately started affecting our practice.” Within six months of starting work, the Pressley FPP program was credited with keeping 20 children in their homes. Many more families have been helped since then.
Program supervisor Anna Robinson says, “The staff deserves all of the credit. We didn’t start slow but full force; they’ve been working hard since day one.” She praises them for coming together as a team in a short amount of time. “It’s their dedication to the program and the clients,” said Robinson. “I can’t compliment them enough.” Says Dr. Annette Trunzo, director of Organizational Performance: “Tracers give us an opportunity as an organization to determine if we are achieving the results that we want.” Butler County FPP is the first Pressley Ridge program to complete a Family Tracer in its official rollout – several programs participated in the pilot stage last year while the process was being fine-tuned.
Trunzo looks forward to more programs completing Family Tracers this year. “It’s a good peer-to-peer process that lets us step into the shoes of the persons who use the services to see how the delivery of services is experienced from their perspective.”
Congratulations to Pressley Ridge School for the Deaf Program Director Steve Kozak, who was recently honored with the Cyril Wecht Humanitarian Award from Achieving Greatness Inc.
Pressley Ridge Day School Pittsburgh held a Holiday Celebration on December 15th for our kids and their families. Our families decorated sugar cookies and made holiday picture frames. Classrooms prepared appetizers and treats for the event. Our Career Development Center’s culinary class created delectable delights for their Holiday event as well. The highlight of the evening was the Holiday family photo studio manned by our photographers, Ms. Brayer and Mr. McDonough.
As part of our Family Engagement Initiative, more than 60 families attended a Thanksgiving celebration at the Day School Johnstown. They enjoyed a delicious family-style dinner, student art show, face painting and crafts.
Students in the Day School Johnstown’s Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Club used chalk art to promote positivity through pictures and kind words drawn on the sidewalks as you enter the school.
This new club teaches students about selflessness and giving back.
Throughout the month of November, we will be highlighting just a few of the people and things we are grateful for at Pressley Ridge.
Today, we are thankful for Humana. Employees in their Pittsburgh office recently held a food drive for our Backpack Giveback program, which provides food to our children and families in need.
Today and every day, we are thankful for all of our 1,100 employees. Recently at an event at PNC Park, we recognized 21 “Employees of the Year” who have gone above and beyond in their work on behalf of our children and families. Special thanks to Ideal Integrations for their sponsorship of the event and their continued support of our employees and our mission.
Focus on Children is led by two people with Masters degrees who are certified to teach the Transparenting materials used in the seminar. Focus on Children is not a substitute for counseling or legal services. Advice or counsel for individual situations will not be given. Case specific questions cannot be answered by Pressley Ridge staff. Certificates of participation will be provided at the end of the seminar.
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WHAT WILL I LEARN?
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Pre-registration is required by the Tuesday prior to the seminar to assure registration. Registrations are taken in the order in which they are received and you may not be able to get your first choice for seminar dates. No walk-in registrations accepted. *Registrations are not accepted at the Lancaster General Wellness Center. |
Each month, the students of Pressley Ridge Day School Johnstown give back to their community through a volunteer project.
They recently volunteered with Produce to People—one of the region’s largest food bank distribution programs that provides fresh produce to over 800 people in the Johnstown area. The students worked hard filling boxes and helping the recipients each pack 30 to 50 pounds of fresh food into their cars, and then cleaning up after all of the food was distributed.
