February 2025 February 2025
PPAL PATHFINDER PPAL PATHFINDER
PARENT/PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY LEAGUE, INC.
PARENT/PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY LEAGUE, INC.
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Friends,
How are you holding up? I mean that sincerely. How are you? We are going through some really challenging times. So much is changing every day. Sometimes I feel a sense of true powerlessness. What about you?
Recently at a staff meeting, we had an open and emotional conversation about the state of our state/nation; our concern for our marginalized families, friends, and communities; and how we could lend support during this time. At the start and the end of the discussion, each staff person gave (and received) a hug from another staff person. Real hugs. 20 second hugs.
Why did we do this? Now more than ever we need to truly support one another. To show our support for our families, friends and communities, we committed to standing beside (or in front of) them if targeted; to being with them if they need to cry; and to give hugs. Real hugs. 20 second hugs.
Why 20 second hugs? Because they heal. 20 second (real) hugs help us feel less stressed, happier, and more balanced. Real hugs help us feel like we belong, are safe, and are loved. We could all use a little of that now, couldn’t we? And remember, if you need a hug, just stop in. We love to hug!
Be well, my friends. Que le vaya bien, mis amigos.
Pam Sager
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS CONNECT WITH US!
CLICK ON A TITLE FOR MORE INFO!
or visit http://ppal.net/events/
Moving To Young Adult Life: Transition Planning And Post Secondary Options
Tuesday 2/25 6-8pm
Fundamentos Básicos de la Salud Mental
Tuesday 2/26 6-8
What to Know, What to Expect: Juvenile Justice 102
Wednesday 2/26 6-730
Qué Saber, Qué Esperar: Justicia Juvenil 102
Thursday 2/27 6-730
Juvenile Justice Basics: Juvenile Justice 101
Tuesday 3/4 12-130
Conceptos Básicos de Justicia Juvenil: Justicia
Juvenil 101
Thursday 3/13 12-130
CONNECT WITH US!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
CLICK ON A TITLE FOR MORE INFO!
or visit http://ppal.net/events/
Qué Saber, Qué Esperar: Justicia Juvenil 102
Thursday 3/27 12-130
Family Partner Community Healthcare Worker Panel
Tuesday 3/4 12-1:30
Uncomplicating the Complicated: Chaos to Calm
Thursday 3/6 12-2
Monthly Statewide: Bullying and Social Media w/ MARC
Tuesday 3/11 10-1130
Moving Forward Together: Building a Foundation of Support
Thursday 3/13 6pm-8pm
Moving To Young Adult Life: Transition Planning And Post Secondary Options
Friday 3/21 12-2pm
PPAL's Question of the Month December 2024 Results
Blame and Shame When Parenting: What are families saying? December 2024
Feeling blamed or shamed by others in connection with
93% of parents/caregivers responded YES to feeling blamed/shamed.
69% felt blame/shame coming from 2 or more connections. Only 18% felt empowered to respond & advocate for themselves every time.
What does this mean for families?
Families of children with mental health challenges need a village. Many of them already blame themselves. Blaming and shaming making an already complicated situation worse. Families need support, care, information, and help. PPAL will continue advocating vigorously for support and understanding of family mental health.
Families felt blamed/shamed by
Family / Extended Family
Child’s School
Coach, Extracurricular Teacher, Others
Mental Health Providers Empowered to respond/advocate their child’s behaviors is nearly universal for families.
PPAL's Question of the Month January 2025 Results
School Advocacy?
What families are saying...
January 2025
2 out of 3 families experienced negative consequences at school when advocating for their child (68%)
2 out of 3 children experienced negative consequences at school when their family advocated (63%)
2 out of 3 families were uncomfortable advocating for their child at school (64%)
Families Experiencing Negative Consequences of Advocacy
Yes, to a great extent Somewhat Very little/not at all
What does this mean for families?
SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE! Schools need to collaborate with families. PPAL will continue its crusade to educate schools about the crucial role family collaboration plays in successful outcomes for children and educators!
Don’t miss PPAL’s April 8th town hall meeting with DESE (Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education).
PPAL
Parent/Caregiver Support
For More information go to PPAL NET
MONDAY
Are you navigating the mental or behavioral health systems for a child, teen, or young adult?
Request 1:1 peer support!
We have NO waitlist!
Virtual: Grupo de Apoyo Hispanol
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual: Parents Raising LGBTQIA+ Children
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Hybrid: Parenting Young Adults - Looking to the Future
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
WEDNESDAY
Virtual: Soul Sessions
9:00 - 9:30 AM
Virtual: Relax & Connect 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Virtual: Parenting Young AdultsLooking to the Future
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
THURSDAY
Virtual: Grandparents Lunch and Learn 2nd Thursday 12:00 - 2:00 PM
Virtual: Soul Sessions 5:00 - 5:30 PM
Virtual: Grandparents Connections 4th Thursday 6:30 - 8:30 PM
FREEServices. Noinsurance required.
TUESDAY
Hybrid: Caregiver Connections
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Virtual: Soul Sessions 12:00 - 12:30 PM
Do you need help navigating and advocating in the school system for a loved one with mental or behavioral health needs? Book an Ask The Advocate Appointment parentsupportgroup@ppal net
Virtual: Parent Support Group 6:00 - 8:00 PM
FRIDAY
Virtual: Parenting Power UP 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Building Quality Connections with Our Kids
by Robin Richardson
It’s not always easy to spend quality time with our kids Between school, after-school activities or care, and our own schedules (whether we work outside the home or not), it can be hard to find time. It’s even harder when our children have mental or behavioral health struggles - enter more appointments and commitments, not to mention the fact that our children might not always be in a place where they can connect with us. And when our kids become tweens and teens, it can be harder still - I don’t know about you, but my teen generally wants to do his own thing when we’ve scheduled time to hang out, and then wants a heart-to-heart talk during the busiest part of my work day I guess I’ll feel grateful for the fact that he wants to talk at all! Add in the fact that some of my time with my kids needs to be about homework, getting chores done, or maybe a reminder not to fight with each other, and the fraction of our time together that we spend doing something positive or fun shrinks even further.
Yet we know that quality time is important. It helps build and strengthen our relationship with our kids. It helps us all smile. It’s like depositing positive feelings in a bank, so that when we do need to correct or discipline our children, we’ve got something to draw from: they already know how much we love and admire them, so they can receive direction or correction without undermining their confidence or our connection.
So how do we fit positive time into our relationship with our children? You don’t need to do something time-consuming or extravagant to build connection with your kids A hike or a trip to the trampoline park would be great, but so would making dinner together, chatting during the car ride to a doctor’s appointment, or tossing a ball around outside Be sure to set aside time for positive interactions Of course we need to teach and discipline our children, but we also need time just to enjoy each other Try setting aside time when you won’t criticize or confront, and when you listen to your child at least as much as you talk to them.
Below, we offer ideas for spending positive time with our kids by seizing on everyday moments that fit into our busy schedules.
Conversation starters.
Google “conversation starters for families” to find list after list of great questions to ask your kids, ranging from their favorite family memory, to their greatest challenge, to whether they’d rather spend the night in a haunted house or eat a worm. Sometimes I just pull up a list when I have a moment; other times I print them out, cut them into slips of paper, and have my kids take turns drawing questions out of a bowl You can also buy decks of “conversation cards” with questions and conversation starters ready to go At dinner, on a car ride, or while waiting at the grocery check out, you can pull out a few questions and turn your wait time into quality interaction
Invite your child into your everyday life.
Bring them along on errands, teach them to help you with the cooking, or do a task like folding laundry together. Remember to praise them for their help. If children are reluctant to join in on chores, tell them how much their help (or mere company) would mean to you.
Mini "Unplugged" Time.
Dedicate 10–15 minutes a day where everyone unplugs from screens Use this time for activities like drawing, playing a quick board game, or simply chatting
Morning Routine Together.
Story Time at Bedtime.
Turn bedtime into quality time by reading together. Or make up a story together! Even a short story can help wind down the day and foster a connection. Older kids might enjoy reading to you!
Instead of rushing through the morning, take a few extra minutes to help your kids get ready, chat about their day ahead, or even share a quick breakfast together
Walk or Bike Rides After Dinner.
After dinner, go for a family walk or bike ride It’s a great way to enjoy fresh air, engage in conversation, and unwind after a busy day.
Create a Family Ritual.
Develop a unique family tradition, like “Thankful Thursdays” where everyone shares something they’re grateful for It gives a sense of connection and appreciation
Family Check-In Time
.
Set aside time each day, like during dinner, to check in with each other. Ask about the best part of their day or what they're looking forward to.
Set a "Weekend Adventure" Tradition.
Once a week or once a month, plan a small family adventure It could be a visit to the park, a local museum, or even a nature hike
Use Commute Time.
If you're driving or walking your kids to school, use the commute as a bonding time You can play games, talk about their day, or even listen to music and sing along
Family Movie or Game Night.
Dedicate a night each week to watching a movie together or playing board games This is a great way to relax, have fun, and enjoy each other’s company
Spontaneous Dance Party.
Take a break from the daily routine by putting on some music and dancing around the house. It’s an unexpected way to connect and have fun together.
DIY Craft or Art Time.
Set aside some time during the week to work on creative projects. It could be anything from painting and drawing to making homemade holiday decorations
Have a little more time to share with your kid?
The suggestions below are focused towards school-aged kids, but we hope you can take inspiration from these suggestions and plan an activity your child will love!
Go on a “Tour de Playground.” If you children are young enough to enjoy playgrounds, try making a day of it Visit a playground your child has never been to before - then fuel up with snacks in the car and go to another playground (or three)! Our metrowest favorites are the playground by City Hall in Boston and Skyline in Newton, but there are creative and fun playgrounds all over the state - and any playground can be a treat if it’s new or new-ish to your child.
For teens: Atlas Obscura offers fun local and unique (and often free!) sight-seeing suggestions.
DIY Obstacle Course. Get creative with items you already have around the house (like cushions, ropes, and chairs) to create a fun and challenging obstacle course in your house or backyard. Kids can race through the course, and you can time them or even add themed elements, like pretending to be explorers crossing a jungle or astronauts navigating a space station. For teens: play a game together! Analog or digital!
Build a Mini Time Capsule. Have the kids gather small items that represent the present (like drawings, coins, favorite toys, or a letter to their future selves) Then, bury the time capsule together in the backyard or hide it in a safe place Decide on a date in the future to open it
Create a Family Storybook. Spend the afternoon making a family storybook. Each child can come up with a part of the story, and together, you can illustrate it with drawings or photos. You can turn it into a real storybook by binding it with string or creating a digital version.
Indoor Camping Adventure. If you can’t make it to a campsite, transform your living room or basement into a cozy indoor campsite Set up tents, bring sleeping bags, and tell stories by flashlight You can even make s’mores in the oven or on the stovetop Add to the adventure by playing camp-themed games or learning how to "fish" using homemade poles and plastic cups
Plant a Mini Garden. If you have outdoor space or even a small balcony, you can plant a little garden together Choose flowers, herbs, or vegetables that the kids can help grow, water, and watch over This teaches responsibility and allows them to feel proud as their plants thrive
Learn more about the proposed cuts:
Significantly cutting DMH Flex and PACT-Y services that help keep children and youth in their homes and communities and out of hospitals and group care ($15.7 M). This includes cutting Emergency Department diversion services. Closing half of the adolescent Intensive Residential Treatment Program beds in the state when the need is great but the process has been flawed.
Closing the only age 6-12 Intensive Residential Treament Program in the state. Where will these kids go?
Cutting approximately 50% of DMH caseworkers for children, youth and families. There aren’t enough already.
Closing the Pocassett Mental Health Center - the only DMH psychiatric hospital on the Cape.
What can I do?
1. Immediately send a letter to your State Senator and Representative urging them to fight for needed increases for DMH in children's mental health. If possible, include your child's or family's story.
LETTER TEMPLATE HERE
2. Send your child's or family's story to PPAL to help with our advocacy efforts: info@PPAL.net
3. Register for PPAL's February 25th meeting to discuss the budget and action around it. https://bit.ly/fy26-budget-adv
4. Sign PPAL’s petition HERE
Find your legislators HERE
Best practices for age 18 +
Initial Adult Claims
Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs)
Disabled Adult Child (DAC)
The new In-kind and Support Maintenance (ISM) rules that came into effect 9/30/24, particularly impacting claimants that live with family members and folks living with someone receiving public assistance.
Saturday, April 5, 2025 9:30 - 12:30 PM on Zoom
https://bit.ly/4-5-SSDI
l Outreach
Check out the multicultural team’s recent highlights!
WinterCommunityConvening–January23,2025
The fantastic PPAL Multicultural Team participated in the Winter Community Convening, hosted by Every Child Shines 2025! The event took place at the Hilton Garden Inn in East Boston, and PPAL was represented by Johana Rodriguez, the Statewide Multicultural Outreach Program Manager, and GabrielaOrtega,ourMulticultural OutreachandFamily SupportSpecialist
This event provided a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about the mental health and well-being services available to all families. Attendees engagedinmeaningfuldiscussionsaboutadditionalservicesthatcouldbest support families and explored opportunities for collaboration. A special thank you to Every Child Shines for inviting us to be part of this important conversation. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate and look forward to continuing our shared work to support families and ensure that allchildrencanthrive.
ClickhereformoreinformationaboutEveryChildShines
PPAL’s Johana Rodriguez and Zaida Gomez attended Boston Public Schools Student Resource Fair. This event was all about connecting students and their families with valuable resources.
Recently, Gabriela Ortega had the honor of presenting at the final staff meeting of the year for Behavioral Health Services (BHS) of Boston Public Schools (BPS), attended by mental health providers as well as students and their families. Gabriela was grateful to share PPAL’s vision at this significant event, fostering collaboration and connection with such dedicated professionals.
Pictured: Gabriela with Dr. Ivonne Borrero, Psy.D., is the Assistant Director of Behavioral Health Services for Boston Public Schools
Únase a nosotros para conectarse, aprender y apoyar a otros padres que crían niños con necesidades sociales, emocionales o de salud mental. ¡Únase a nosotros en su teléfono, computadora o tableta desde la comodidad de su hogar para una conversación confidencial.
parentsupportgroup@ppal.net
Planning is well underway for PPAL's 14th Annual Conference on May 30, 2025. It's the largest children's mental health conference in New England - and you can be part of it! Visit this link: https://bit.ly/PPALSponsor25 to consider sponsoring our conference this year!
This year, we're excited to offer a virtual conference with free admission for families and a modest admission for professionals.
Here's how you can help us spread the word!
Visit our Facebook page to like, comment on, and share our posts with your network.
To share this Conference Sponsorship page with others, send them this link: https://bit.ly/SPONSOR-PPAL
Tell families, colleagues, and co-workers about our upcoming Conference and encourage them to attend. Please share our website: https://ppal.net/
Your Logo Here Be One Of Our Sponsors!
A Bridge to Better Mental Health
Written by a Youth MOVE Massachusetts Youth Advocate
When I was seventeen I was admitted to a hospital because of my depression. Although I look back now and can understand it was necessary for me at the time, it was not a positive experience. One of the fears that I had while I was there was catching up on my schoolwork. I thought I would fall behind to the point of no return. But that’s when I was introduced to the bridge program.
The bridge program at my school was defined as a program that provides academic, social, and emotional support to students reentering school after an inpatient hospitalization and/or partial hospitalization for mental health concerns. While I was in the hospital, the bridge program acted as an in-between with me and my teachers, letting them know the situation (to a degree), compiling work that I needed to get done, and organizing everything so that when I eventually went home I was not immediately overwhelmed by everything I had to do. When I went back to school in person I learned there was even more available to me now through this program. There was a specific room where students in the program could come to calm down or do work. They had staff you could talk to, fidgets, snacks, etc. Before this I had never even noticed this room was there.
At first, I thought I wouldn’t need to use any of these extra supports. I was ok! I could go back to school like nothing happened! Little did I know these supports would end up being a game changer for me. Within two months of being back in school, I had to go to an outpatient program. I ended my school year early because of this. I was only able to pass my junior year with the help of the bridge program.
When I returned for my senior year of high school I felt ready to take on the year. I again thought I could do it on my own. I knew the bridge program was still a support I could access, but I was planning on barely ever using it. I stacked my classes with APs and Honors like my friends. I started off my year ok but I soon realized I had seriously overshot my mental capacity again. I started to become grateful that I was able to go to the bridge program room on days when I couldn’t keep my emotions in check in class. I was always able to have a quiet space and someone to talk to. Unfortunately, as my mental health began to decline again I started having an incredibly hard time going to school. I would drive to school every morning, only to not be able to muster up the courage to step inside, and eventually leave. However, the staff at the bridge program were by my side throughout all of this. They tried to get me to come inside just to sit in their room instead of going immediately to class. One staff member would even offer to walk out to my car so we could walk in together. Even though I never followed through with that offer, the fact that I knew I had people in the building who supported me meant so much. That year they helped me through another outpatient program and gave me the boost I needed to graduate on time. To this day I feel incredibly lucky to have had access to this program and to have had such a positive experience with them amid such a challenging time in my life.
Juvenile Justice Team Updates
911 Partnership with PPAL
PPAL is thrilled to partner on trainings with Monna Wallace, Director of Programs of the Massachusetts State 911 Department. Her passion and the work of her team to bring education to all dispatchers and first responders allows for children, youth, and families to be supported with trained and hard working professionals that continue to show up for the most vulnerable children.
for our in-depth expertise on children’s and families’
We’d recommend our 4 hour classroom training for first responders on how to support children, youth and families to be understood, supported, and, as needed, evaluated for an intervention of the most dire emergencies that are in the community.
Juvenile Justice Team Updates
Retreats
In 2024 PPAL hosted both an overnight and a day- long retreat for families impacted by systems. We heard from our community how impactful these were– and we’re excited to announce we will be holding them again in 2025!
When families are involved with courts, police, school resource officers, child welfare or other systems, we understand the unique challenges that are faced. Systems can be traumatic and painful. Our goal is to connect parents and caregivers together to help heal and to empower each other to advocate for the well being and success of all children.
What happens at a PPAL retreat?
You’ll be welcomed warmly by our staff who have lived expertise and have gone through it- or are going through it- just like you! Parents and Caregivers will have the chance to build connections, share their experiences in group discussions, and participate in wellness activities. Families will learn about recommended resources and tools that can help them navigate their child’s support, as well as legislative priorities that you as a parent or caregiver can get involved with to ensure continued support for our children.
These retreats promote connectedness, relaxation, healing, and purpose for all parents and caregivers who attend– all that's missing is YOU!
Join us for an overnight retreat March 21-22
Join us for a day retreat May 1st at PPAL’s Westborough office For more information please contact Candice Gabrey, PPAL Program Manager Juvenile Justice, Cgabrey@ppal.net
Community Corkboard
School “Time-Out Room” Advocacy. Do You Have A Story to Share?
PPAL is collecting stories and information regarding children/youth being both secluded and restrained in schools. PPAL is dedicated to supporting all youth to receive trauma informed and positive supportive systems in school.
We are very interested in the use of timeout rooms in schools in Massachusetts. PPAL, in collaboration with MAC (Mass Advocates for Children), EDLaw, and DLC (Disability Law Center), are working together with the goal to partner with DESE on the use of them.
Email juvenilejustice@ppal.net or Candice at Cgabrey@ppal.net to connect.
PPAL IS HIRING!
Program Manager – Central MA Area
Have you traveled or are you traveling the mental health journey with your child or young adult? Do you feel passionate about helping similar families and advocating for better systems and services? Do you lead with compassion? If so, then this job may be for you!
The responsibilities of the Program Manager for the Central MA DMH Area are varied, challenging, and require positivity and creativity, in a fast-paced, often changing environment.
The Program Manager must have experience raising a child, youth, or young adult with emotional, behavioral or mental health needs
Click here to learn more!
Dr. Elizabeth Englander is an award-winning author and the founder and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State University, a Center which delivers programs, resources, and research for the state of Massachusetts and nationwide. She is also a Founding Member of the Social and Emotional Research Consortium (SERC). As a researcher and a professor of Psychology for almost 30 years, she is a nationally recognized expert in the area of bullying and cyberbullying, childhood causes of aggression and abuse, and children’s use of technology.
February 2025 February 2025
PPAL PATHFINDER PPAL PATHFINDER
PARENT/PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY LEAGUE, INC.
PARENT/PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY LEAGUE, INC.
“Strong people stand up for “Strong people stand up for themselves, but stronger people themselves, but stronger people stand up for others.” stand up for others.”
- Suzy Kassem - Suzy Kassem
