CHOOSE KINDNESS

Mifflin County Communities That Care

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Stay connected with CTC!

CTC continues to work with multiple sectors in their communities and through various digital platforms to keep their impactful work going during COVID-19. To keep the Mifflin County community engaged in youth prevention, CTC has utilized social media engagement, webinar trainings, online Zoom meetings, and community outreach to continue the work of projects that started prior to the pandemic.


A way for you to stay connected is by analyzing the 2019 Mifflin County Community Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) results, which assess youth behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge regarding anti-social behaviors. If you are interested in knowing what our kids know, think, and believe, please reach out to be a part of the CTC PAYS data team. Data discussions are currently occurring via Zoom meetings or in person, depending on the number of participants. If you are interested, you do not need to have any prior experience with PAYS. All you need to do is contact me (akammerer@tiu11.org) and I can get you connected!


Keep a look out for upcoming additions of our Choose Kindness newsletter for more senior spotlights and information regarding youth prevention. Two PAWSitive Vibe seniors are featured below.

THANK YOU SENIORS!!

Congratulations to our PAWSitive Vibes 2020 graduates. Mifflin County Communities That Care held a senior recognition night to honor graduates for their leadership and dedication! Underclassmen were also in attendance (plus six new members joined) and began to plan for 2020-2021 events. We are so thankful for all the students who were dedicated to CTC and doing their part for youth prevention by spreading kindness one good vibe at a time!!!

Senior Spotlight: COURTNEY RHODES, MCHS 2020 Graduate

When did you first become involved with CTC? When we were first invited to one of the CTC meetings, Data Day.


What is the most positive aspect of being a part of the CTC coalition? Being able to have a voice in something that directly affects us. Everyone at the meetings are always open to our ideas.


What made you want to be a part of the CTC student led group PAWSitive Vibes? The idea that what we were doing had the potential to change negative mindsets into happy smiles.


What was your most memorable moment with PAWSitive Vibes? Seeing people’s reactions to what we were doing. So many students would talk about it!


What was your favorite PAWSitive Vibes activity? My favorite activity was the Post-its. It received the most interaction with other students.


What advice would you give to future PAWSitive Vibes members? To be creative and always come up with new ideas.


What do you hope to see come of PAWSitive Vibes? I hope that more people become involved and PAWSitive Vibes is able to put on more events with more participation.


What are your future plans? Going to Dickinson College to study Pre-Law.

Senior Spotlight: ADAM CHADICK MCHS 2020 Graduate

When did you first become involved with CTC? Fall 2019.


Have you attended CTC meetings? Yes.


What is the most positive aspect of being a part of the CTC coalition? Making a difference in my school and making it a more hospitable environment.


What made you want to be a part of the CTC student led group PAWSitive Vibes? Making my school a fun place to visit.


What was your most memorable moment with PAWSitive Vibes? All of our planning and after school meetings.


What was your favorite PAWSitive Vibes activity? Planning for our end of the year carnival.


What advice would you give to future PAWSitive Vibes members? Be yourself and don't be afraid to put yourself out there.


What do you hope to see come of PAWSitive Vibes?
A legitimate school club and more widespread.


What are your future plans? Attend college and get into the FBI.


Anything else you would like to share? Thank you Aleta & Mrs. Pascoe!

UNITED WAY DAY OF CARING

United Way of Mifflin-Juniata is now accepting applications for the 23rd Annual Day of Caring. The date for the Day of Caring will be Wednesday, September 16th and applications will be accepted until Friday, August 7th. The Day of Caring provides non-profit human service agencies with an opportunity to complete projects that they otherwise could not afford to do, and to involve volunteers in first-hand experience with area charities. For more information on how to register, please visit our website at www.mjunitedway.org.

FREE SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING FOR ANYONE!

DATE: JULY 9th 2020


TIME: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) for Suicide Prevention

These three simple steps that anyone can learn can help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying "Yes" to save the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.

AS A QPR-TRAINED GATEKEEPER YOU WILL LEARN TO:

· Recognize the warning signs of suicide.

· Know how to offer hope.

· Know how to get help and save a life.


TO REGISTER:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtcOqsqDwpHtxt2g7A13wC38rEGsym-iBG

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining QPR Training. YOU MUST TURN ON YOUR WEB CAMERA IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE.

FREE WEBINARS

During the months of July and August, SHAPE THE SKY is offering free webinar replays to those who register. They are limited to 100 attendees for each one, so register quickly.


SHAPE THE SKY is a "network of concerned parents, educators, clinicians and media who have come together for a common cause: to enrich the online experience for our children through better education and more effective communication. We can’t learn if we don’t talk. It’s time to start the conversation.When you use the Web, you become part of it. You are responsible for helping it be a positive and healthy experience for every child, everywhere.

But for children at-risk, the Web can be a far different place. A critical role our community plays is helping to identify these at-risk children and give them the guidance they need, when they need it". Ryan Klingensmith, MA, LPC, NCC

How Do Kids Learn About Mental Health?

Tuesday, July 7th, 10am

This is an online event.

In the world of smartphones and social media, kids have so many ways to learn about life...and mental health. What information can they find? How are our children learning about mental health? Is what they are learning about mental health on social media accurate? This introductory webinar will explore mental health on popular social media such as Instagram and what information or misinformation is out there for our kids.

Click Here to Register

When Should I Give My Child A Phone?

Tuesday, July 14th, 10am

This is an online event.

When should I give my child a phone? This is by far one of the most asked questions Ryan hears. In this webinar Ryan will dive deeper into this question and help you make an educated decision for your family around youth and smartphones.

Click Here to Register

How Do I Manage My Kids Using Technology?

Tuesday, July 21st, 10am

This is an online event.

Do your kids use technology? Sure they do. Especially now with virtual learning, your kids must be engaged in the digital world. How do you structure the rules for technology? In this webinar, Ryan's wife, Sherri, will discuss their rules for technology in the Klingensmith home. Some of the topics will be:
-Who are our kids "Digital Role Models"?
-How Did You Introduce Technology To Your Kids?
-What Are The Requirements to Use Technology?
-How Do You Handle Passwords?
-What About Messaging People?
Sherri will also address virtual learning, how “use” has changed, how can kids use technology to stay connected and still learn about responsibility.
Don't miss this opportunity to hear about what has worked with Sherri, Ryan and their kids!!

Click Here to Register

Parenting in a Digital World: Youth Perspective

Tuesday, July 28th, 10am

This is an online event.

Ryan is super excited to announce this webinar and introduce youth perspective to the concept of growing up in a digital world. Ryan will have a discussion with Giovanna, a high school junior, about what it's like growing up surrounded by technology. Giovanna will give parents insights, tips and suggestions for how to effectively be a parent of a digital youth! She will discuss concepts such as when to introduce technology to kids and how to handle the desire to have social media at a young age. She will discuss observations as a high school student about the culture of youth, technology and social media.

Click Here to Register

Youth Perspective: Removing the Stigma Around Mental Health

Tuesday, Aug. 4th, 10am

This is an online event.

I was recently lucky to attend a talk by Bekah Gerace. She spoke so clearly on a subject that is very important to me. She flawlessly presented (to a room of 500 professionals) about taking care of those struggling with mental health issues with as much importance as we do those struggling with health issues. This kid amazed me at her ability to engage the room and refocus us on the stark differences in school between a student returning from a concussion protocol vs. a student returning from a psychiatric inpatient hospitalization. She has a wonderful message. I will talk with Bekah about her experience with overcoming both physical health and mental health illness. This is a must-see webinar that will inspire you and motivate you to look at mental health differently. ~Ryan

Click Here to Register

Parenting in a Digital World: Monitoring Programs

Tuesday, Aug. 11th, 10am

This is an online event.

I'm often asked two questions about monitoring kids online. "Should I get a monitoring program to track my kids?" and "Which one should I use?" In this webinar I will discuss how to monitor kids online and my thoughts on monitoring programs. I am not a spokesperson for any company and will not be recommending any particular product or service in this webinar. I will be discussing the concept of monitoring programs so you can make the best choice for your family. ~Ryan

Click Here to Register

Youth Perspective: Student Assistance Program

Tuesday, Aug. 18th, 10am

This is an online event.

Student Assistance Programs (SAP) are mandated in PA public schools. SAP allows for teachers, parents and students to get connected to additional services and individuals to help them along their road to success. This program is designed to identify barriers to learning and provide assistance in removing those barriers. In this webinar, Ryan will talk with Rebecca about her views on the importance of SAP and how adults can effectively connect with students in schools. Rebecca is a recent high school graduate who will be heading to college to major in English.

Click Here to Register

MIFFLIN COUNTY COMMUNITIES THAT CARE

MISSION: To promote the healthy development of the children of Mifflin County and to prevent juvenile delinquency, violence by and among children, teen pregnancy, truancy, school dropouts, substance abuse and undesirable actions and attitudes that may be harmful to youth.


VISION: Because of community-wide collaboration, Mifflin County will have safe, caring and drug-free neighborhoods for all children.