SAVVYkids | November 2021

HANDLE WITH CARE CELEBRATING NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH.

ATHLETICS AT PCSSD The Pulaski County Special School District boasts many dedicated educators and administrators from 27 schools across central Arkansas, which now includes the DRIVEN Virtual Academy. These educators have dedicated their careers to investing in young people, and athletic coaches are no different.

In addition to duties in the classroom, PCSSD coaches dedicate their time to our student athletes after school, during practice, and at games. Our schools offer a variety of athletic opportunities for our secondary students: baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling. Some schools even offer archery, bowling, diving, esports, swimming, and tennis.

integrity in every student athlete. Since the 2015-2016 school year, student athletes at PCSSD high schools have been awarded 45 athletic college scholarships.

“Studies have shown that students who participate in extracurricular activities in high school have higher graduation rates, lower discipline issues, better attendance, and higher grades than students who do not participate,” said Robinson Athletic Director Todd Eskola. “Athletics and other extracurricular activities are essential to a well rounded educational experience for our high school students.

“Great numbers in sports at Maumelle have yielded a ‘team’ atmosphere,” said Maumelle Athletic Director Kirk Horton. “Our student athletes support each other

We want our students, schools, and communities to

creating a positive environment within the school and at

take pride in the local athletic programs and are proud

athletic events. Our coaches work with administrators

of the work our athletes put in, with many going on to

and teachers to ensure that student-athletes advance in

participate in athletics at the college level. Furthermore,

their studies. The growth mindset is the staple concept

some PCSSD student athletes go beyond the collegiate level

that motivates our progression as one. Go Hornets!”

and have made it to the pros in their respective sports.

The PCSSD athletic program aims to instill loyalty, teamwork, and leadership while maintaining honesty and

You may have even seen a few former PCSSD student athletes represent Team USA in the Olympic games!

ABOUT PCSSD Pulaski County Special School District spans more than 600 square miles in central Arkansas and requires highly skilled and passionate personnel to adapt educational policies and personalization to 25 schools. Every school is accredited by the Arkansas State Board of Education. PCSSD has served schools across Pulaski County since July 1927.

PCSSD is committed to creating a nationally recognized school district that assures that all students achieve at their

501.234.2000

maximum potential through collaborative, supportive and continuous efforts of all stakeholders.

NOVEMBER

ACTIVITIES & FUN

Nov. 6

GET PUMPED FOR SCIENCE: AN EXPLORATION OF THE HEART! 1 – 4 p.m.

Is there a doctor in the house? MOD is calling all future doctors to come imagine a real beating heart, see its inner workings and compare the hearts of different animals. Not for the faint of heart, dissections will also be presented by trained professionals. The ArkanSONO team will be bringing real medical tools and equipment for this deep dive into cardiology.

Get more information at facebook.com/MuseumofDiscovery

SAVVY kids PUBLISHER BROOKE WALLACE | brooke@arktimes.com EDITOR KATHERINE WYRICK | katherinewyrick@ arktimes.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE LESA THOMAS ART DIRECTOR KATIE HASSELL

FIND MORE AT SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Nov. 4-20

GLOWILD! LARGER THAN LIFE LIGHT SHOW See the Little Rock Zoo in a whole new light as you enjoy this ginormous light festival featuring thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns aglow. It’s the first themed lantern light event of its kind at the Zoo grounds and offers an immersive, enchanting experience like no other. (Free parking, on-site s’mores station, hot chocolate, cider, adult beverages and handmade artisan crafts.) This is going to be lit! Get more information at littlerockzoo.com $17 Zoo members, $20 general public, kids under 3 free

HANDLE WITH CARE CELEBRATING NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH.

BY KATHERINE WYRICK

F

ormer first lady and lifelong activist Rosalynn Carter once said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.” (This, in stark contrast to that other first lady who infamously wore a jacket to a migrant shelter that read, “I really don’t care, do u?”)

We’re reminded of Carter’s words each November during National Family Caregivers Month, a time set aside to recognize and honor caregivers across the country. The special month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about caregiving issues and increase support for caregivers. According to AARP, there are nearly 500,000 unpaid family caregivers in Arkansas alone — a “silent army that performs Herculean tasks for their loved ones.” Many of them are trying to balance those duties with full-time jobs and other family responsibilities.

It’s a tough job that often goes unseen, unappreciated and unpaid.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Arkansas is one of four states with the highest prevalence of unpaid caregivers.

In the United States about one in five adults is providing unpaid health or supportive care to someone they love — an aging parent, a family member or child with a disability, or a spouse, partner or friend with an illness.

It’s worth noting that over half of family caregivers are women.

Children, however, do it, too. Over a million American young people, ages 8 to 18, care for adult relatives on a daily basis.

Caretaking takes many forms. Whatever your role, Central Arkansas has many resources.

PRIORITIZING MENTAL HEALTH

If you or someone you care for is struggling with mental health issues, support is close at hand.

The BridgeWay helps the whole family, offering a continuum of services designed to treat children, adolescents and adults who are experiencing behavioral, emotional or addiction problems. Its team of mental health professionals includes board-certified child/ adolescent and adult psychiatrists, master’s-level clinical therapists and nurses and mental health associates.

Because mental health issues occur across a spectrum, from mild to severe, the specialists at The BridgeWay tailor their services for each

person. Their programs are based upon the concept that each person has an inherent capacity to learn and grow; they offer diagnostic and evaluation services, medication management, individual, family and group therapy, recreational therapy, dietary services, case management and discharge planning.

The serene setting is an added bonus. On 18 acres, perched atop a forested ridge overlooking the Arkansas River Valley, the campus invites reflection and promotes healing (while also affording privacy to patients and visitors).

There are few facilities like it in the region. Bruce Trimble, director of business development, told us about what he believes makes The BridgeWay different: “The BridgeWay was founded in response to a community need for quality mental health care. In 1983, two health care pioneers, Stuart Harris, M.D., and Joe Backus, M.D., recognized that Arkansans needed quality mental health care and partnered with Universal Health Services to open the first private freestanding psychiatric hospital in the state. At that time, the facility comprised 60 beds and served children, adolescents and adults of all ages through inpatient and partial hospitalization. Since then, the hospital has expanded along with the needs of Arkansans to include 127 inpatient beds, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient for people of all ages. With an empathetic approach toward providing quality patient care, The BridgeWay has been the bridge for Arkansans crossing from turbulent waterways to still waters.”

The pandemic has taken a huge toll on school-age children and young adults, and mental health issues are on the rise nationwide.

Courtney Phaup, Ph.D., director of education, offered this insight into how the pandemic has affected mental health among children: “I noticed last year how much children rely on school and how the lack of attending school in person can affect their mental health. The day after the governor announced that the school would not meet again for the remainder of the school year, we saw an increase in admissions to our acute program for children and adolescents and a residential program for adolescents. Patients in both programs attend school here as part of their treatment.”

Jeffrey Palmer, M.D., medical director of child and adolescent psychiatry for inpatient and residential treatment, added, “Most of my patients have a new appreciation for their social support system and their value on in-person interactions. While many adults and kids

were initially excited about not attending work or school personally, most are now hoping for a permanent return. And they have a deeper understanding of the benefit of face-to-face interactions and the realization there is usually better productivity outside the home.

“Also, many patients I see are setting better limits with social media and the 24/7 news cycle. I suspect this is a combination of the pandemic and recent political and civil unrest. They understand that being constantly bombarded with bad news and crises is not healthy. They want to know what’s going on. However, they are now taking ‘small sips from a cup rather than trying to drink from the fire hydrant.’ ” That’s advice we could all heed.

Methodist Family Health has a long history of helping children and families in Arkansas. Today, Methodist Family Health manages the Methodist Children’s Home, Methodist Behavioral Hospital, Methodist Counseling Clinics and Arkansas CARES (Center for Addictions Research, Education and Services).

They offer levels of care ranging from the most restrictive service level (acute psychiatric hospital care) to the least restrictive service level (outpatient counseling), as well as all intermediate residential levels of care.

Methodist Family Health provides inpatient psychiatric hospitalization for children ages 3 to 17; outpatient counseling clinics; grief counseling services; psychiatric residential treatment centers; therapeutic group homes; school-based counseling services; therapeutic day treatment programs for kindergarten through 12th grades; and Arkansas CARES for mothers struggling with both substance abuse and a mental health issue.

COMMON CHALLENGES FOR CAREGIVERS

• Time management. Caregivers often find they have less time for themselves and other family members.

• Emotional and physical stress.

• Financial strain.

• Sleep loss.

• A reluctance to ask for help.

• Depression and isolation.

• Practicing self-care.

Its goal is for clients to become proficient in social and independent living skills so they can reunite with family or move to the least restrictive residential treatment setting appropriate for them, such as a therapeutic foster home, or reenter the community as an adult.

For those in crisis, Methodist has 24-hour, confidential, no-charge assessments for children and adolescents and accepts Medicaid and most private insurance.

Founded in 1884 as an orphanage called the Children’s Aid Society, The Centers is the longest-running nonprofit in the state. For more than 130 years it has been committed to caring for vulnerable children and families. Abby Jennings of The Centers said, “Today, we are proud to meet the unique and evolving needs of individuals of all ages by providing comprehensive, integrated care that promotes physical, emotional and social wellness. We

CareLink has been caring for families in Central Arkansas since 1979. Whether you’re looking for respite, someone to care for an aging loved one, or someone to care for you, CareLink has the resources to help caregivers care for themselves. As well as the training to make sure those in need get quality assistance.

Call CareLink’s Information & Assistance Specialists today to find out if in-home care is the right choice for you or a loved one at 501.372.5300.

run the largest therapeutic foster care program in the state, which recruits foster parents to care for foster youth who are experiencing behavioral or psychological challenges. In our residential programs in Little Rock and Monticello, we care for behaviorally or emotionally challenged children and teens who need a safe place to stay while benefiting from around-theclock counseling, educational and wraparound services.”

In 2019 The Centers expanded its work to care for adults through its new role as the area’s Community Mental Health Center.

It does this by offering a wide range of outpatient services for the whole family — counseling and therapy, medication management, substance abuse treatment and more.

Jennings said that one of the things that sets Centers apart is its focus on the whole family. “When our organization expanded in 2019 to serve adults,” she said, “we became one of the few service providers in our area that truly cares for the whole family’s mental and behavioral health needs. Whether your 10-year-old son or daughter or 70-yearold mother or father needs support, The Centers can help. Additionally, because we offer different levels of care, we are here for families no matter where they are in their journeys to a healthier and happier life.”

The Centers also offers a specialty treatment track for victims and survivors of human/sex trafficking. Its clinicians in the Human Trafficking Treatment Program are specially trained to aid survivors in healing from the trauma of being trafficked, and its wrap-around services enable survivors to plan for a safe, stable and happy future.

MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF AGING

CareLink is a nonprofit that has been serving homebound and active older people and their family caregivers for 40 years.

Its mission is to connect older people and their families with resources to meet the opportunities and challenges of aging. It can be tough to navigate this season of life, but CareLink can help.

Asked about meeting these challenges while in the midst of a pandemic, Meredith Hale, director of development and marketing at CareLink, said, “Like everyone else, we have had to adapt over and over to make sure we are meeting people where they are in life with the help they need. We’ve had a great community rise up around us that has made many of those adaptations possible and we

are so thankful and proud to say we have not had to stop a single service for anyone. In addition to adaptations and everything that comes with them, we have seen an influx of requests for in-home care, which means we need more caregivers than before to meet that growing need.”

Caregiving, however, is not for the faint of heart. Asked if she believes it’s a calling, Hale said, “Absolutely. It takes a lot of work, heart and emotion to care for another person.

FAMILY HEALTH RESOURCES THE BRIDGEWAY

21 Bridgeway Road, North Little Rock, AR 72113 Toll-Free (AR): 800-245-0011 thebridgeway.com

CARELINK

706 W Fourth St. North Little Rock, AR 72114 501-372-5300 info@carelink.org | carelink.org

CENTERS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES

Little Rock: 501-666-8686 Monticello: 870-460-0066 Toll-Free: 888-868-0023 centersforyouthandfamilies.net

MEDICAID

Arkansas Department of Human Services Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 501-682-8292 Client assistance: 800-482-8988 humanservices.arkansas.gov

METHODIST FAMILY HEALTH 1600 Aldersgate Road, Little Rock, AR 72205 501-661-0720 info@methodistfamily.org methodistfamily.org

SNELL PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS

625 N. University Avenue Little Rock, AR 72205 501-664-2624 snellarkansas.com More locations throughout the state.

Not everyone has that, and it’s OK. We are all called to do different things, but to be called to care for another is unlike any other.”

For those seeking help caring for a family member, Hale offered this advice: “First and foremost, ask for help. You cannot and should not care for another on your own. Know there are resources available and people waiting to connect you with them. For instance, if you call CareLink’s information and assistance specialists, they’ll listen to your story to determine what resources and services might best fit your and your loved one’s needs. They’ll then help you get those in place. But if there’s one thing you take away, it’s ask for help and give yourself grace.”

CARING THROUGH ADVOCACY

For 40 years, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families has been fighting the good fight for Arkansas children — and it’s often been an uphill battle. Its mission is to ensure that all children and their families have the resources and opportunities to lead healthy and productive lives and to realize their full potential. To that end, it provides data-driven information to lawmakers and the public through research, advocacy and training.

We asked communications director Brooke Edwards about how they’ve navigated the pandemic coupled with some off-the-rails legislative sessions.

She responded, “As much misery as the pandemic brought, it also resulted in some good public policy solutions we hope will become permanent. For example, at the federal and state levels, we’ve seen more investments in kids, from the expanded child tax credit to funding for afterschool programs and universal school meals. And there’s an increased awareness of how public policy decisions have hurt Arkansas’s communities of color. We would never want to repeat the pandemic, but we hope that what we’ve learned will help guide policy decisions toward a more equitable future.”

How can you help support kids in Arkansas through advocacy? Edwards suggested, “There are many ways people can engage in advocacy. Tell friends how public policies can shape childhood experiences and outcomes in our state. Follow our work on social media and share with your personal networks. Donate. Subscribe to our emails and action alerts. Register people to vote.

Host a house (or virtual) party to introduce us to your friends and neighbors.”

MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE Nearly one in five adults lives with a mental illness.

Employers can’t afford to ignore the financial impact mental health has on the workplace.

Absenteeism, lost productivity, decreased retention = $$$$ The BridgeWay is here to assist you.

1-800-245-0011 *National Institute of Mental Health, 2019

Monthly Mental Health Tip: Invest in a wellbeing program.

For more tips on promoting mental health at work.

Quality Care Rooted in Arkansas

TheBridgeWay.com

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