Teens Talk Mental Health on BeSmartBeWell.com

Diposting oleh Rick Jhonson | 11.00

Teens Talk Mental Health on BeSmartBeWell.com

 

TK Academy Wins School of Excellence Award for Second Consecutive Year

 
 

The school on campus at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center receives highest honor among private special education

CHICAGO, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, a leading private residential treatment center for eating disorders and substance abuse, with or without trauma, a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder, has been honored with the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) School of Excellence award for its on campus school, TK Academy. TK Academy has its own separate building, teachers and classrooms, and operates as a traditional educational center rather than a tutor-based program found at most treatment facilities. The School of Excellence award is the group's highest level of recognition and is presented to private, special education schools that meet rigorous professional criteria and have demonstrated exceptional dedication, commitment and achievement in the field of special education. The academic program at TK Academy is an integral part of the life-long recovery process at Timberline Knolls and sets it apart from the other adolescent treatment programs. Very few qualified licensed private schools in Illinois were bestowed this honor for the 2011-2012 school year, making TK Academy's selection even more outstanding. "The education delivered through TK Academy is just as important to a resident's recovery as the clinical component," said Carrie Finazzo, M.Ed, C.A.S., and Principal at TK Academy. "Receiving this award two years in a row is a testament to the hard work and dedication ensuring that the highest level of academic excellence and personal well-being is available to every resident at Timberline Knolls." Through a comprehensive, integrated approach that includes primary and group therapy, Timberline Knolls addresses residents' clinical needs while continuing to ensure academic growth. Residents attend classes that encourage their success in curricula consistent with the Illinois State Department of Education. TK Academy provides students the opportunity for three hours a day of educational and therapeutic services, allowing them to receive individualized, results-oriented educational support, and allowing a continuation of classes while seeking treatment. For more information on Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, visit www.timberlineknolls.com or call us at 877.257.9611. SOURCE Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center

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The Jericho Project and HPD Open Doors to 'Fordham Village' - a New Affordable Residence for Homeless Veterans in the Bronx

Diposting oleh Rick Jhonson | 11.00

The Jericho Project and HPD Open Doors to 'Fordham Village' - a New Affordable Residence for Homeless Veterans in the Bronx

 

The Jericho Project and HPD Open Doors to 'Fordham Village' - a New Affordable Residence for Homeless Veterans in the Bronx

 
 

Yellow Ribbon-Cutting for First Veterans Residence of its Kind in New York in 17 Years

Colonel David Sutherland, Special Assistant for Warrior and Family Support, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Spoke at Ceremony

NEW YORK, May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jericho Project and The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), along with the Mayor's Office of Veterans' Affairs (MOVA), today celebrated the grand opening of "Fordham Village - A Jericho Project Veterans Community," a new six-story 56-unit affordable development for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Located at 355 East 194th Street, in the Bronx, Fordham Village is positioned at a crossroads of business, education and community in the historic Fordham-Bedford region of the Bronx and will provide supportive housing and state-of-the-art services enabling U.S. service men and women to make the transition from military to civilian life with dignity. There are currently an estimated 109,000 veterans who are homeless across America. With the goal of eliminating veterans' homelessness by 2015, The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is relying on public-private partnerships such as Jericho's Veterans Initiative to help close the gap. Colonel David Sutherland, Special Assistant for Warrior and Family Support, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke at the yellow ribbon-cutting ceremony before veterans, national and local government organizations, military leaders and community members.  A passionate advocate of veterans support, COL David Sutherland commanded the U.S. Army's 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, deployed to Diyala province, Iraq from October 2006 to December 2007. Jericho Project Executive Director Tori Lyon, who first envisioned the Jericho Project Veterans Initiative in 2006 in anticipation of the special needs of troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, said, "This generation of veterans faces extraordinary challenges in returning home: high combat stress resulting in the invisible wounds of modern war, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury; more female veterans with special needs and family responsibilities, and a difficult economy.  We are ready to help them overcome these stresses with therapeutic housing and counseling."  At Fordham Village veterans will be able to heal and plan their futures in a supportive environment designed to address their unique needs. Some of the features include a glass-walled community room and garden and computer center. Residents will also have access to Jericho Project's trained staff that will provide professional counseling to help veterans pursue goals such as employment, family reunification and mental health. With professional support available to meet the needs of veterans of all eras, Fordham Village offers critical access to programs addressing the invisible wounds of modern war, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. The six-story Fordham Village development has 56 new affordable units. Forty percent of the units will be reserved for low-income veterans from the community, with priority given to veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sixty percent of the units will be set aside for veterans who have a history of homelessness and substance abuse.  This is the first phase in Jericho's visionary Veterans Initiative that will eventually serve 200 veterans. The second veterans residence planned for opening this fall, at 2701 Kingsbridge Terrace in the Bronx, will provide housing and services for 76 veterans.  HPD provided $7.84 million though its Supportive Housing Loan Program (SHLP), and an additional $6 million through Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provided $106,000, and $118,000 in developer equity was provided by the Jericho Project.   The Fordham Village Community Room is being named "Red Tails Community Room" in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen and Tuskegee Commander and Congressional Gold Medal recipient Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr., who is also a VAC member and the Director of the Center for Urban Education Policy and University Professor at the Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York. www.jerichoproject.org SOURCE Jericho Project

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5 Ways to Prevent Misdiagnosis in Premenopausal and Menopausal Women

Diposting oleh Rick Jhonson | 11.00

5 Ways to Prevent Misdiagnosis in Premenopausal and Menopausal Women

 

/R E P E A T -- The Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada to launch the @Random online documentary project/

 
To view the Social Media Release, click here: http://smr.newswire.ca/en/the-tourette-syndrome-foundation-of-canada/launch-the-random-online-documentary-project TORONTO, May 18 /PRNewswire/ - The Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada (TSFC) is pleased to introduce @Random, an online documentary project about Tourette Syndrome. Tourette Syndrome is an inherited neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics, that touches over a million lives in North American directly or indirectly. It affects no two people in the same way. To generate greater awareness of the disorder, the TSFC worked with their advertising partner Saatchi & Saatchi Canada and dozens of filmmakers to create an online documentary that changes every time your see it, just like Tourette Syndrome itself. To read the full press release click here. Find us on Facebook & twitter. /NOTE TO EDITORS: Media Assets accompanying this story are available as follows: Video: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/mmnr/smr/TSFC_Documentary_Video.flv SOURCE The Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada

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Amscot Financial Contributes Mini-Grants to 25 Non-Profit Service Organizations

Diposting oleh Rick Jhonson | 11.00

Amscot Financial Contributes Mini-Grants to 25 Non-Profit Service Organizations

 

Amscot Financial Contributes Mini-Grants to 25 Non-Profit Service Organizations

 

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TAMPA, Fla., May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, has made mini-grants of $100 to $1,000 to 25 non-profit service organizations in its 15-county service area. The grants went to:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060316/FLAMSCOTLOGO )

  • Lealman and Asian Family Neighborhood Center, St. Petersburg. This neighborhood community center in northwest St. Petersburg offers before- and after-school care for children; English classes for speakers of other languages; a neighborhood food pantry and a computer lab. For more information, please visit http://lanfc.homestead.com/index.html

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, Largo. The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast is to inspire and enable all young people living in Pinellas County to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The organization has five core program areas: Character and Leadership Development; Education and Career Development; Health and Life Skills; the Arts and Sports/Fitness/Recreation. For more information, please visit: www.bgcsun.org.

  • Big Sis, Inc., Winter Garden. B.I.G. S.I.S., Inc. is an acronym that stands for "Becoming Independent, Goal-Oriented & Self-Sufficient In Society. The group's mission is to create opportunities for positive change in the lives of women and young girls. BIG SIS offers self-esteem-building and mentoring programs for teen girls and teenage mothers as well as reintegration, empowerment and self-sufficiency programs for adult women. For more information, please visit: www.bigsis.org.

  • March of Dimes, Tampa. The March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The group carries out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives.  For more information visit the website at www.marchofdimes.com.

  • Latino Leadership, Orlando. On Aug. 12, the non-profit Latino Leadership organization will hold the third annual Southeast Regional Latino Family Conference at the University of Central Florida. Together with scholars, community, and business leaders, the organization will tackle the important issues affecting Latino families. For more information, please visit: http://www.latino-leadership.org.

  • Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., St. Petersburg chapter, St. Petersburg. Top Ladies of Distinction is a national service organization with a major goal of developing teens through social and community service activities. The organization sponsors Top Teens of America, a program that mentors young women in good citizenship, public speaking and leadership. For more information, please visit www.tlodinc.org.

  • National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Tampa. This organization provides mentoring for girls and awards scholarships to high school seniors entering college. For more information, please visit: nc100bwtampabay.org.

  • Kids House of Seminole, Sanford. Founded in 2000, this non-profit service provider serves as the single point of contact for child abuse investigations in Florida. Every year, more that 2,500 children rely on the organization's child-friendly facility to provide forensic interviewing and medical examinations, crisis intervention, advocacy and referral services as well as mental health therapy. For more information, please visit www.kidshouse.org.

  • The National Marrow Donor Program – Be the Match, St. Petersburg. The National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating an opportunity for all patients to receive the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant they need, when they need it. The first step to becoming a bone marrow donor is to join the Be The Match Registry®. Doctors search the Be The Match Registry to find donors who match their patients. For more information, please visit www.BeTheMatch.org.

  • Maternal Child Health Coalition, d.b.a. Bright Beginnings, Tampa. Bright Beginnings, formerly known as the Maternal Child Health Coalition, began providing services in 1989. Prevention of low birth weight, infant mortality and health promotion, through the first year of life, formed the cornerstone of its services and advocacy in Hillsborough County. Since 1998, Bright Beginnings has expanded its reach to help both children and their families.  Today, through dynamic community partnerships, Bright Beginnings offers: home visitation programs for pregnant and parenting women, including teens; self-sufficiency programs targeting school success for children, as well as job development and financial literacy courses for adults and Family Support and Resource Centers, located in Brandon and North Tampa, that provide developmental play groups for children, school readiness and success programs, and workshops for financial literacy and employability. For more information, please visit: http://www.brightbeginningshills.org

  • Easter Seals, Tampa: Easter Seals Florida's mission is to provide exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. Easter Seals provides programs and services within a collaborative community-based framework and is committed to providing program and services of the highest quality. For more information, please visit fl.easterseals.com.

  • Melrose Elementary Center for Journalism and Multimedia Studies, St. Petersburg. A three-week journalism summer camp engages students in the photo and print journalism of their community, the south side of St. Petersburg. Their efforts are published in the school newspaper and posted in art centers around St. Petersburg.

  • Mental Health Care, Inc., Tampa. More than 200 children and their families are served at any given time under four programs operated by this group. Many of these families have no transportation with which to bring their children to scheduled psychiatric appointments. The organization is raising funds to pay for a dedicated means of transportation. For more information, please visit www.mhcinc.org.

  • The Rope Center, Hudson. Founder Jim Campbell and his wife were inspired to create a place to give people a leg up and not a hand out. They provide a transitional living center to help homeless people get back on their feet.  The center offers resources that help clients find jobs, food stamps, clothes and other aid. For more information, visit the website at www.theropecenter.com  

  • God's Hands Agency, Orlando. This non-profit group works to connect the hearing to the deaf community. It assists deaf youth in becoming self-advocates and helps them develop a sense of independence. For more information, please visit godshandsorlando.com.

  • Arthritis Foundation, Tampa. The Arthritis Walk at Al Lopez Park is an event for families living with juvenile arthritis to come together for support and to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation. Funds raised from the event will go toward the organization's mission to improve lives through research into the prevention and cure of arthritis. For more information, please visit: www.arthritis.org.

  • Heather's Hope Foundation, Lakeland. This group advocates against domestic violence in Polk and Hillsborough counties. It holds one major fundraiser each year, a Purple Ribbon 5K Run. Monies raised go toward programs in high schools focused on teen bullying.  For more information, please visit www.heathershope.net.

  • READ Pinellas, Inc., Oldsmar. READ Pinellas is a Pinellas County literacy coalition organized to coordinate resources, increase awareness and involve the community in increasing adult literacy. Among its many activities, the group provides student scholarships for GED examination fees. In 2010, it provided assistance to 147 individuals who otherwise would not have been able to obtain a GED diploma.

  • Operation 10-24, Largo. Operation 10-24 is an organization at Pinellas Park High School's Criminal Justice Academy. The freshman class is trying to change the Florida law that bans new specialty license plates until 2014. The group is seeking a new specialty license plate that would raise money for the families of fallen law enforcement officers.

  • Redland Christian Migrant Association, Plant City., RCMA creates and fosters opportunities for the children of migrant and other low-income rural families to maximize the choices in their lives by: providing quality child care; providing children and their families with support services; providing educational opportunities and improving the health and general welfare of children and their families and increasing public awareness of the lifestyle of migrant and seasonal farm workers. For more information, please visit rcma.org.

  • Family Support and Resource Centers, Tampa. The Family Support & Resource Centers are regionally located throughout Hillsborough County (Brandon, Central Tampa, North Tampa, South County and Town 'N Country) to meet the needs of families from all walks of life. All programs and services are at no cost to any family or individual. The philosophy of family support is part of a national movement which seeks to strengthen and empower families and communities so they can foster the best possible development of children, youth and adults. Broad community partnerships are at the heart of service and program delivery with an emphasis on child development, self sufficiency, and health and safety. The centers are a fun, inviting place for families to come on a day-to-day basis. In particular, individuals who have recently moved to the area have enjoyed the opportunity to meet new friends and gain support in re-establishing their families in Hillsborough County. For more information, please visit: http://www.familysupporthc.org.

  • Intervention Before Crisis, Gibsonton. This non-profit group serves at-risk youth and their parents through GED preparation, computer classes, counseling services as well as educational field trips.

  • KIDZKARE, Sanford.  This Seminole County organization provides childcare, tutoring, dance and sports classes.

  • Touched by an Angel Ministries, Pinellas Park: This non-profit, interdenominational ministry operates a former motel in Pinellas County and offers shelter to homeless families, typically on an emergency or transitional basis.

  • Kids With A Call, Inc., Tampa. Kids With A Call, Inc. is an artistically driven, year-round afterschool program that engages children and youth aged 5 to 15 in the Tampa Bay area, in enrichment activities in music, chorus, art, readers' theater and martial arts. Curriculum lessons are designed to promote literacy and critical thinking skills, teach discipline, promote teamwork, camaraderie, responsibility, and patriotism , enhance racial and cultural understanding, and promote physical and spiritual strength. Planned field trips will promote careerism and performing before an audience will help to create a sense of value. For more information, please visit: http://kidswithacall.com.

About Amscot Financial

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Amscot Financial is a leading provider of income tax preparation and electronic filing services, refund anticipation loans, prepaid debit cards, check cashing services, cash advance services, bill payment services, money transfer services and money orders through its wholly owned division, Amscot International Money Order Company.  Amscot also offers the Amscot Card, a pre-paid debit card that allows owners to make purchases from any location that accepts MasterCard™. Amscot Financial currently operates 174 tax preparation offices and 174 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 2,000 people. Amscot Financial has been recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of Tampa Bay's Best Places to Work for four consecutive years. For additional information, please visit the company's Web site at www.amscot.com.

SOURCE Amscot Financial

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May is Foster Care Awareness Month; KidsPeace Hosts Open House Event

Diposting oleh Rick Jhonson | 11.00

May is Foster Care Awareness Month; KidsPeace Hosts Open House Event

 

May is Foster Care Awareness Month; KidsPeace Hosts Open House Event

 
COLUMBIA, Md., May 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- May is the national observance for Foster Care Awareness and KidsPeace Foster Care and Community Programs (FCCP), a community-based therapeutic foster care program in Columbia, MD, will host an open house to showcase ways in which the public may support foster youth.  The event will take place May 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the FCCP offices, 5575 Sterrett Pl, Suite 200, Columbia. For local children who have lost their homes, being without a caring family for even a short time can seem like an eternity. Half of the 500,000 children in the foster care system nationwide are 12 or older and need homes, help, and love just as much as younger kids – maybe more, because they've been waiting so much longer.   "The needs of our local foster youth are immense," says Sandy Rappeport, Maryland Program Manager.  "Foster youth who age out of the system are faced with staggering realities: only 46 percent complete high school, 40-50 percent are homeless within 18 months, and 25 percent are incarcerated within 24 months."   "We are excited to welcome our community and give them with an opportunity to hear about the myriad of services we are providing to local foster youth, and describe ways in which they can help support ongoing efforts," said Rappeport. In addition to placing foster youth with families, KidsPeace FCCP provides various services to foster youth.  "There are many ways the public can support our youth -- providing homes, becoming a mentor, or by contributing financially to support our programs," says Rappeport.  One activity is a mentoring program for children and adolescents in foster care, providing support through group activities and one-on-one relationships.  "We are working to build our volunteer mentor program because it effectively helps youth develop a strong sense of self worth and strengthen their ability to interact with others in positive ways," says Gina Seyfried, Volunteer Coordinator. Those interested in more information, may call 1-866-4-KIDSPEACE or visit www.fostercare.com. About KidsPeace KidsPeace is a private charity dedicated to serving the behavioral and mental health needs of children, preadolescents and teens. Founded in 1882, KidsPeace provides a unique psychiatric hospital, a comprehensive range of specialized, intensive and therapeutic residential treatment programs, accredited educational services and a variety of community-based treatment programs, foster care and family services to give hope, help and healing to kids facing crisis. Learn more at www.kidspeace.org.  KidsPeace offers services in Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Contact: Sharon McCarthy (610) 799-7797 or
Gina Seyfried (410) 964-9329 SOURCE KidsPeace

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Innovative Partnerships Improve Services for Crime Victims

Diposting oleh Rick Jhonson | 11.00

Innovative Partnerships Improve Services for Crime Victims

 

Innovative Partnerships Improve Services for Crime Victims

 
WASHINGTON, May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This op-ed is by Joye Frost, Acting Director, Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice. On May 25th, almost 1,000 practitioners from across the country converge in Austin at the sixth National Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Training Conference. This biennial training event, sponsored by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), demonstrates how federal funding and resources, coupled with local, tribal and state innovation, are reshaping our Nation's response to victims of sexual assault. Statistics on sexual assault are staggering. A 2006 study funded by DOJ showed 18 percent of women and 3 percent of men experience some form of sexual victimization during their lifetime. Victimization rates of some populations, such as individuals with developmental disabilities and Native American women and children, are even higher. The mental health consequences of sexual victimization are sobering. While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is typically associated with combat exposure, the estimated risk of developing PTSD for rape survivors is 49 percent, while 17 percent of women who are raped attempt suicide. While the statistics are challenging, we know community responses to a sexually victimized child or adult make a difference. Over 30 years ago, women protested the abysmal treatment of sexual assault victims, established rape crisis centers, and trained nurses, typically called Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs), to provide compassionate, expert forensic medical exams. Building on successful efforts of victim advocates and SANEs, communities use the SART model, a multi-disciplinary, coordinated team response, and make victims' needs a priority, hold offenders accountable, and promote public safety. SARTs adapt easily to the needs of any community and core members typically include victim advocates, SANEs, law enforcement officers, prosecutors and forensic science personnel. Victim satisfaction is higher when SARTs are involved. SANE and SART responses enhance the quality of victim health care, improve the quality of forensic evidence, and ultimately lead to increased prosecution rates. Texas is a leader in changing the landscape for victims of sexual violence. One of the first three SANE programs in the nation began in Amarillo, Texas, in 1979. In 2004, the Austin Police Department's Sex Crimes Unit developed its motto "We Believe" as part of a national public awareness campaign to address victims' fear of not being believed or being blamed for their victimization. The Texas Association Against Sexual Assault was the first state sexual assault coalition to develop a Cultural Awareness Certification program for service providers. The Existe Ayuda (Help Exists) Toolkit, a resource for practitioners nationwide who work with Spanish-speaking sexual assault victims will premiere at the SART Conference on May 25th by Arte Sana, a Latina/o advocacy organization in Dripping Springs, Texas. As a native Texan and the Acting Director of OVC, I am proud of OVC's role in supporting organizations like these in Texas and across the Nation to ensure that crime victims of any age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or ability receive lifeline services and support. OVC administers the Crime Victims Fund, established by Congress in 1984 as a major source of funding for victim services. Since 1987, OVC has distributed over eight billion dollars directly to the states to serve over 67 million crime victims, including millions of adult and child victims of sexual violence. Not a single dollar comes from taxpayers; instead, the funds are criminal fines and penalties collected from convicted federal offenders due to the diligence of DOJ employees and federal court personnel. OVC retains some funding to support cutting-edge training and technical assistance, including the SART Conference. First held in 2001 in San Antonio, the SART Conference returns to Texas 10 years later and closes this year with a public forum on Friday, May 27th at 3 p.m.. The speakers include Lynn Rosenthal, the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, and other national, state and local leaders, including Susan B. Carbon, Director of DOJ's Office on Violence Against Women. On-line information on the public forum and the SART Conference is available at http://www.sartconference.com/Conference.php. Joye Frost is a 1972 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. She began her career serving crime victims as a Child Protective Services Worker in Hidalgo County and was designated by President Barack Obama as the Acting Director of OVC on January 20, 2009. For more information about OVC, visit www.ovc.gov. SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Justice Programs

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Professional Athlete, Aaron Hernandez, Scores Touchdown with Latino Children During Awareness Day for Improved Latino Mental Health

Diposting oleh Rick Jhonson | 11.00

Professional Athlete, Aaron Hernandez, Scores Touchdown with Latino Children During Awareness Day for Improved Latino Mental Health

 

Professional Athlete, Aaron Hernandez, Scores Touchdown with Latino Children During Awareness Day for Improved Latino Mental Health

 

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BOSTON and WEST ROXBURY, Mass., May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a recent visit to Boston, New England Patriot tight-end, Aaron Hernandez, participated in two events to raise awareness of the need for more mental health providers to care for the Latino population and a unique program to train such professionals—Lucero Latino Mental Health Program at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (MSPP). (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101216/MM18901LOGO) Hernandez, who is of Puerto Rican descent, has taken up the cause because of his own childhood in an underserved community in Bristol, Connecticut and because of the growing crisis in Latino mental health nationwide.  Nearly one in eight people in the United States are Latino, but only approximately two percent of psychologists are linguistically and culturally capable of caring for them. As one of the few Latinos in the National Football League and with a great rookie campaign this year, Hernandez has a unique platform from which to speak to fans and the public. At age 20, he caught 45 passes for 563 yards and six touchdowns, breaking the team record for reception as a rookie tight-end. Success has not come easily to Hernandez.  During his Boston visit, Hernandez playfully interacted with over 120 third, fourth and fifth graders at the Gardner Pilot Academy in Allston, Massachusetts.  At the Academy, 70 percent of the children are Latino; new children arrive daily, often immigrants who live in hotels and shelters. "I feel I can be really influential to young kids because I've been through a lot," Hernandez said in an interview with the Boston Herald.  Close to his late father, Dennis, who was always his protector, Hernandez was devastated when at the age of 16, he witnessed his father's death following a simple hernia operation. Thrown by his father's premature death, Hernandez acknowledged he made poor choices in trying to cope. "Eventually I received help from psychologists, my older brother, D.J., and later, Urban Meyer, my football coach at the University of Florida," he said. Sharing his life with the elementary school kids seated around him on the school gymnasium floor, Hernandez emphasized, "I knew I always had someone I could look up to, someone I could follow.  When you have that role model in front of you, it can take you anywhere as long as you have the drive and someone to look up to." He also emphasized that its okay to make mistakes, just as he did.  "When you're young, you're going to make bad decisions, but I learned from those mistakes and that's the most important thing in life.  Everyone is going to make mistakes, it's a matter of how you bounce back from them." Prior to Hernandez' school visit, the school children excitedly prepared questions to ask their celebrity guest including how he takes care of his health, both body and mind.   There is a strong emphasis on the connection between body and mind at the Gardner Pilot Academy. According to Erica Herman, principal of the school,  "Our partnership with the neighborhood Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center, which has a satellite clinic at the school, offers both physical and mental health services.  We actively encourage our students to seek counseling help and to talk about their sadness, fears and anger.  Its important they know they can talk with someone." "Everyone up on their feet and let's do football warm-up exercises," shouted Hernandez following his question and answer session with his rapt audience.  And with much laughter and explosive energy, he led the children, and school principal, through footwork and high knee lifts along with the passing of a football to every individual.  The football, which Hernandez had just signed, was his gift to the entire school as a memento of his visit. In the evening, Hernandez attended a gala which raised funds for the Lucero Latino Mental Health Program at MSPP.  The program was created in memory of an MSPP alumna, Dr. Cynthia Lucero, who collapsed while running the 2002 Boston marathon and later died. Lucero was very committed to serving the needs of underserved populations, especially the Latino community.  The Lucero program immerses prospective psychologists in Latino culture and language during their academic training. "When professionals like Hernandez lend their celebrity to a cause like this, it raises awareness and calls attention to a significant mental health problem," said Dr. Nicholas Covino, President of MSPP.  "We' re grateful to this young man for his generosity and personal commitment." Photo of Hernandez and Latino children available upon request. Please contact:  estout2000@hotmail.com About MSPP:  Founded in 1974 and located in Boston, Massachusetts, the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology strives to be a preeminent school of psychology that integrates rigorous academic instruction with extensive field education and close attention to professional development.  We assume an ongoing social responsibility to create programs to educate specialists of many disciplines to meet the evolving mental health needs of society and to bring psychologists into nearly every facet of modern life   For more information about MSPP, go to www.mspp.edu or call 617-327-6777. SOURCE Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology

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