Author: Human Resources

From checking in with friends to checking in with healthcare providers, it is crucial to take the time to manage your health and your children’s. They may not say they’re stressed, but they will show it.

“Any type of change in a student’s regular behavior,” said WellStone School-Based Therapy Program Manager Brittany Scott, “whether it’s an increase in worry or decrease and they really don’t want to be around other people, whether it’s more irritability, whether it’s they’re having trouble sleeping or they’re sleeping too much. I would probably say also a change in their school performance or just avoiding school performance in general.”

WellStone provides school-based counseling and behavioral health services to students in Huntsville City, Madison City and Madison County. Despite these school systems starting the year away from their campuses, WellStone will continue to provide these services through teletherapy.

“Make sure you advocate for your child,” said Scott. “Speak with the school counselors, speak with the collaborators that are there. And just make sure that whatever needs that you need for your child is communicated to the school and any other additional resources within the school.”

The CDC also provides warning signs and ways to manage that stress for both children and teenagers.

“Everyone is going through this,” said Scott. “Everyone kind of responds differently. Just because you’re feeling this way doesn’t mean no one else is feeling that way. It’s just important for all of us to come together and support each other.”

Watch the full segment here. 

[HUNTSVILLE, AL]  With Huntsville City and Madison County schools officially announcing a virtual re-opening, WellStone’s School-Based Therapy (SBT) Program and HEALS, Inc. will continue to provide services through telehealth and in-person at the Nova Center and Heals Clinic locations for at least the first 9 weeks of the school year starting August 17 for Huntsville City Schools and August 19 for Madison County Schools.  Services available also include HEALS, Inc.’s primary care and dental clinics. 

Since transitioning to teletherapy in April due to COVID-19, the Nova SBT program never ceased services, meaning therapists were able to continue services through the summer. As the fall semester begins, the  SBT program will consistently serve existing clients, as well as accept new clients.   

“This school year will look different as students will not be physically present in the classrooms. Because of this, warning signs will be more difficult to notice in individual students,” School-Based Manager Brittany Scott shares. “That’s why it’s critical for educators and parents to reach out if they notice even the smallest disturbance in the child’s ability to focus or retain information.”  

Warning signs to look for according to Nova School-Based Therapists:  

• excessive crying or irritation in younger children  
• returning to behaviors they have outgrown  
• excessive worry or sadness 
• unhealthy eating or sleeping habits  
• irritability and acting out behaviors in teens  
• poor school performance or avoidance  
• difficulty with attention and concentration  

“We realize that this method of education is different and unexpected. However, we want guardians to be aware that we are available to help. They have numerous new responsibilities, and we want them to know that our experts can assist with providing their children the mental health attention that is necessary—especially in times of uncertainty and crises like this.”  

Scott continues, “We’re extremely thankful for the partnership that we have with HEALS. Access to care is one of the primary reasons for not receiving critical treatment. Because of their locations, our therapists are available at three additional offices for children in need.”  

HEALS, Inc. Executive Director Heather Mason says, “Our collaboration with WellStone’s school-based therapists is so important for providing essential services to keep children mentally and physically healthy. Having the SBT therapists located within our clinic provides faster access to care. We are very grateful for this partnership.”  

She shares more about the clinics, “Although kids will not be back in schools initially, it is important for them to stay up to date on their vaccinations, annual exams and dental cleanings. The HEALS clinics are also available for acute illness visits to prevent guardians from taking their child to the Emergency Room.    

Mason said that HEALS only accepts Medicaid and that office staff will gladly assist parents or caregivers with those applications.  

As previously stated in March, this opportunity would not be possible without the diligent collaboration of Madison County schools and Huntsville City schools.     

“We know that this is challenging for guardians and teachers, but it’s also crucial that we realize the impact that it has on students.” Scott says, “This is the first set of kids who are having to experience a school year like this, which can’t be an easy transition. Their mental and emotional stability is vital for succeeding in academics and our therapists are here to prove they’re still there for them despite all the world’s current changes.”  

The locations for School-Based Therapy are as follows:  

Main Office:                                                                     

Nova Center
1900 Golf Road
Huntsville, AL 35802

Huntsville City:

Burt Memorial Clinic at Morris P-8 School
4801 Bob Wallace Ave.
Huntsville, AL 35805

Michael K. Johnson Medical Clinic at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School
3112 Meridian St. N
Huntsville, AL 35801

Madison County:

Medical Clinic at Madison Cross Roads Elementary
11588 Pulaski Pike
Toney, AL 35773

Referrals can be made by reaching out to their school’s counseling department and requesting Nova School-based services or contacting the Nova Center directly at 256-705-6493. For adult inquiries, please call 256-533-1970 to receive more information on how to secure an appointment.  

Guardians can schedule an appointment for their child with HEALS by calling 256-428-7110.      

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About Wellstone Inc.: WellStone Inc. is a non-profit community organization that provides mental health and substance abuse services supporting the integrated health of the whole person. WellStone operates 12 facilities throughout North Alabama and Cullman. WellStone is certified through the Alabama Department of Mental Health. WellStone offers programs for children, adolescents, adults, substance abuse, school-based outreach, community services and more. For more information, visit www.wellstone.com. Additional media inquiries can be directed to the Communications Office by emailing pr@wellstone.com or by calling (256) 705-6301.  

Mental health professionals at Wellstone Behavioral Health said social interaction is important for a child’s development, and without it, they could develop signs of depression and anxiety.

WellStone, provider of mental health services to Cullman and Madison Counties, sent notification to The Tribune on Monday that “a Mobile Crisis Team will officially be added to WellStone Cullman’s program list. An initiative led by Senator Garlan Gudger, the two-person team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to respond to Cullman County residents in a mental health or substance use crisis.

The team primarily focuses on individuals 18 and over who experience a behavioral health crisis in Cullman County. The goal of this new resource is to assess needs, then resolve the immediate crisis through direct intervention or find the best fit resources to successfully resolve the crisis.”

Read the full story here.

In celebration of National Prevention Week, 19,600 safe drug disposal pouches were provided by several local organizations, including Leidos and its subsidiary Dynetics, the Alabama Department of Mental Health and WellStone. This was possible thanks to the collaboration with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)

Read the full story here.

[HUNTSVILLE, AL] Amid the transitions that COVID-19 has caused, WellStone continues providing School-Based Therapy (SBT) through the Madison County and Huntsville City school system partnerships. The program is serving new and existing clients in person and through Teletherapy, a method of counseling where communication is entirely through phone and video. Since the school systems’ closings, the program has served 1200+ clients.

When precautions were becoming enforced, current clients and families were notified by mail of the various options explaining how to maintain continuity of care. After initial contact was made, appointments were scheduled to conduct therapy session either in office or through Telehealth services. “In this time of uncertainty, having a sense of normalcy can provide emotional stability,” School-based Manager Brittany Scott says. “It is crucial for clients to continue receiving therapy at this time to allow them to express their thoughts and concerns centered around what is currently going on in the world. Having this resource available to [children and adolescents] is key to help normalize their feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, confusion, frustration and more.” She continues, “This is a major adjustment for everyone, not only children and just like anyone else, they need to process what’s going on.” From March 16 to April 17, the program has provided over 1,000 service hours and 2,000+ services, including individual sessions, family sessions, psychoeducation and assessments. “For many children, SBT is a matter of life and death,” states Savannah Parker, School Counselor at New Market School.

This opportunity would not be possible without the diligent collaboration of Madison County and Huntsville City schools.

Professional School Counselor Becky Wilkenson at Harvest Elementary adds, “This has undoubtedly been a historically trying time for everyone, and no one planned on the continuum of emotions that would accompany this pandemic.” Wilkenson continues, “Adults, let alone children did not have the tools in their toolbox to deal with sudden isolation and confusion this has brought on. Nova has offered [methods to manage isolation and confusion] throughout the year and I am so grateful they provide such stability for so many of our students.”

More Huntsville City and Madison County Schools staff shared their thoughts during this time:

• “Students that already have behavior problems or difficulty coping at school are struggling right now with their routines changing and the structure they were accustomed to is disturbed; they need help adjusting to the new normal while at home with parents and siblings.” -Julie Hoover, M. Ed., Professional School Counselor, Madison Cross Roads.
• “[We are] grateful to partner with WellStone to continue providing therapy services to students even while schools are closed. HCS thanks WellStone for their collaboration and continuation in serving the mental health needs of students in our community.”- Leigh Ann Brown, Counseling Services Coordinator, Huntsville City Schools

Concerning advice for parents, Scott shares, “Please be patient with yourselves and your children during this time, we know that you are also dealing with new stressors. Be mindful that children feed off your energy and will be able to cope better if you are able to model appropriate and healthy coping skills. Be aware that resources are available for your child and yourself.” Throughout this adapting process, confidentiality remains to be a top priority while providing services to WellStone clients.

If a child needs school-based or regular counseling services, individuals can reach out to their school administration and request Nova services or can contact the Nova Center directly at 256-705- 6493. For adult inquiries, please call 256-533-1970 to receive more information on how to secure an appointment.

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About Wellstone Inc.: WellStone Inc. is a non-profit community organization that provides mental health and substance abuse services supporting the integrated health of the whole person. WellStone operates 12 facilities throughout North Alabama and Cullman. WellStone is certified through the Alabama Department of Mental Health. WellStone offers programs for children, adolescents, adults, substance abuse, school-based outreach, community services and more. For more information, visit www.wellstone.com. Additional media inquiries can be directed to the Communications Office by emailing pr@wellstone.com or by calling (256) 705-6301.