For All Seasons recently participated in the festivities of the 2024 Military Bowl at Navy Stadium in Annapolis, MD as this year’s mental health partner. The Military Bowl Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates premier events in the National Capital Region to benefit the nation’s service members. Originally formed to operate the region’s first-ever college football postseason bowl game, the Foundation now not only operates the Go Bowling Military Bowl, but operates the DC Touchdown Club and Patriot Point, a retreat for recovering service members, their families, and caregivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

As the mental health partner of this year’s Military Bowl, For All Seasons shared a PSA during the game with the message, “Game day and every day – take care of your mental health,” that will continue to be used in local media campaigns to reach athletes and veterans who may be dealing with mental health issues. Beth Anne Dorman, President & CEO of For All Seasons, also spoke at the “Salute to Heroes” at a special dinner the night before the Military Bowl game, sharing what her agency does and how to access its services.

“We are extremely pleased to partner with For All Seasons,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “For our current and veteran service members, as well as the college football players and coaches who participated in the 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl, mental health is a most important topic. On game day and every day, it is important for everyone to consider their mental health. We are very happy to team up with For All Seasons to devise strategies to achieve positive outcomes.”

Focusing on mental health in the veteran community is not new to For All Seasons. Over the past year, the agency has increased its mental health and sexual trauma services for military-connected individuals through its Veteran and Military Family Mental Health Program. This initiative tackles the most pressing gaps in care for military families by eliminating wait times through For All Seasons’ Open Access™ program; training 100% of the agency’s staff to be an environment culturally competent in serving military families; and combating stigma through its “Protect Your Mental Health” outreach campaign.

The backbone of the Veteran and Military Family Mental Health Program is its deep collaboration with other military-serving organizations. By partnering with trusted groups like the Veterans and Military Support Alliance (VAMSA), Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans, VFWs, and American Legion posts, For All Seasons ensures that military families receive the comprehensive support they need. The program has been made possible by seed funding from two key grantors: the Maryland Department of Health’s Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program and the Disabled Veterans National Foundation.

“We were thrilled to be a part of this year’s Military Bowl as the funds raised at the event support Patriot Point and the programming they do for veterans. We are excited for the opportunity to extend our reach to more veterans through this new relationship and look forward to seeing how we can help better reach this most vulnerable population,” adds Dorman.

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For further information about For All Seasons Military Family Health Program, visit www.ForAllSeasonsInc.org/SMVF.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

For All Seasons announced the appointment of Giovanni Wynn of Cambridge and Carl Pergler of Easton as the newest members of its Board of Directors.

Wynn currently works for Talbot County Public Schools. For the past six years, she has worked in education and enjoys every moment spent helping children learn.  She also enjoys spending time with her husband and three children at the beach or watching a baseball game. She volunteers regularly with her children’s sports teams, in their schools, and in the community.

“I chose to join the For All Seasons Board of Directors because I truly believe that taking care of your mental health is of the utmost importance for everyone. I believe in the mission and purpose of For All Seasons and all the wonderful events and opportunities the organization offers our community,” she comments.

“I also believe that everyone needs someone to talk to when they are struggling with their mental health and traumatic events in their lives. I want to continue to help our community find and utilize the services that For All Seasons offers. It is always ok to ask for help and I love being part of an organization that can offer solutions.”

Pergler is a retired executive from the U.S. Federal Government Office of Intergovernmental/External Affairs, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, SAMHSA, Health and Human Services after spending nearly 30 years in administrative and management positions at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and related agencies. Since then, he has consulted and assisted with the start-up of several small companies. He has served on several boards of directors and volunteered for many civic organizations. He served for 21 years in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, is a lifelong tennis player and sailor, and has traveled extensively.

“I have been particularly impressed by For All Seasons’ growth and success in serving the Eastern Shore community, and leadership in providing mental health services and innovation in their approach.  They have been nationally recognized for their success and hailed as a model for other communities and organizations,” Pergler shares.

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For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. As the Mid-Shore region’s state-designated Regional Navigator, For All Seasons continues to partner with a network of agencies working to respond to and prevent human trafficking. The agency’s Anti-Human Trafficking Regional Navigator program helps identify human trafficking situations, offers support to survivors and their families, and provides community outreach, awareness, and education. For All Seasons’ Red Sand Project and free Human Trafficking courses have engaged community members over the past few years to participate in the prevention efforts on the Shore and will be offered to the community again this year.

Human trafficking occurs when men, women, or children are targeted with the use of force, lies, or threats to work against their will, often for little or no pay, or have sex for money or something of value such as food, shelter, clothes, or drugs. All persons under age 18 who exchange sex for something of value are human trafficking victims regardless of the presence of force, lies, or threats.

Several factors make the Eastern Shore an attractive destination for traffickers. These include proximity to large metropolitan areas and three major international airports; a heavily traveled East Coast highway corridor; popular tourism and recreational attractions; and a high rate of seasonal employment.

In 2021, it was estimated that 38 percent of sex trafficked victims were minors and 65 percent of trafficked victims were recruited via the Internet. According to Susan Ahlstrom, Human Trafficking Regional Navigator, although these figures are based on actual reports, it is hard to determine actual numbers because the crime is so grossly underreported.

She adds, “Vulnerability has no age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or geographical location. Targeted victims may have an unstable home life, a history of sexual or physical abuse, have nowhere to live, be runaway youth, substance users, lack employment opportunities, or are simply a person who is in need of belonging or acceptance.”

To educate the community on human trafficking, For All Seasons’ Center for Learning is reaching out to provide two courses and several presentations to organizations and businesses on the Mid-Shore. First, the agency is offering a free virtual or in-person training, Human Trafficking 101, to interested organizations and individuals on the Mid-Shore. The presentation includes information about human trafficking in our region. It touches upon the intersection of online safety and trafficking, and the fact that trafficking knows no boundaries, as it affects individuals across the lifespan, of any gender and socio-economic status.

Second, recent legislation has made it a requirement for law enforcement, healthcare, social services, education professionals, and certain clergy members (all mandated reporters) to report cases or suspected cases of human trafficking to the Regional Navigator for their area. These professionals play a critical role in identifying and reporting human trafficking. To help these professionals fulfill their duties as mandated reporters, For All Seasons has launched a free course that is self-paced and available online. The course covers how to identify potential trafficking victims, including key behavioral, physical, and environmental indicators, as well as the legal obligations for mandated reporters in Maryland. Participants will also learn step-by-step guidance on how to document and report suspected cases to ensure swift, appropriate action, as well as self-care for the mandated reporter.

“This year we are also excited to partner with the Life Crisis Center to offer an event on behalf of the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force and the University of Maryland School of Social Work Prevention of Adolescent Risks Initiative (PARI) to provide an overview on recent legislation concerning Child Sex and Child Labor Trafficking to Lower and Mid-Shore Departments of Social Services staff,” adds Ahlstrom.

In addition to providing proclamations being issued for all the Mid-Shore county governments, For All Seasons is also providing Anti-Human Trafficking presentations and workshops to the Talbot and Caroline County Local Care Teams, Queen Anne’s County Healthy Families staff, Washington College students and faculty, Kent County citizens, Easton High School AP Spanish class, BAAM, the Dorchester County Youth Action Council, and the Mid-Shore Board of Realtors.

For the past five years, For All Seasons has also been active in the Red Sand Project, a participatory art project that invites community members to question, connect, and act against vulnerabilities that can lead to human trafficking and exploitation. Participants pour red sand into cracks in surfaces like sidewalks and floors. The red sand represents the victims of human trafficking who have slipped through the cracks yet may still be hiding in plain sight.

For All Seasons’ Anti-Human Trafficking Regional Navigator program is made possible by support from the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy. To learn more, visit WeSupportSurvivors.org. For questions about scheduling a training or enrolling in the agency’s mandated reporter training, contact Susan Ahlstrom at [email protected].

Over 2,250 people participated in For All Seasons’ fourth annual Frosty’s Holiday Village event on Friday, December 6 at Anchor Church in Easton, MD. Participants represented all ages and ethnicities.

Participants strolled through the free event while enjoying free activities, including professional photos with Frosty and friends, holiday crafts, Cascading Carlos the Juggler, complimentary cocoa, cider, and winter treats, and a continuous showing of “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” on the big screen. This year, the event added 20 new inflatables and a second movie.

“We can’t thank our sponsors enough for supporting this event and allowing us to make it free for participants again. The event has become a holiday tradition for many. We recognize that this time of year can be difficult for many. We hope this event helped people find joy and reconnect with each other as we gathered as a community. It’s a great event for all generations – grandparents often bring their grandchildren to see Frosty,” commented Lauren Weber, For All Seasons’ VP of Strategy and Development.

Presenting sponsors included the St. John Foundation and Willow Construction. Additional Sponsors included the Jacob Sloan Foundation, TriGas & Oil/PepUp, Anchor Church, Mid South Audio, Parker Counts, Beverley Martin, Hearthstone Health + Fitness, the Tidewater Inn, Dwelling & Design, Carl Pergler and Mary Lou Butler, Avon-Dixon Insurance Agency, Ewing, Dietz, Fountain & Kaludis, P.A., Christ Church, St. Peter’s Parish, The Julianne Rosela Foundation, Easton Dermatology, Construction Services & Supply Inc., the Seip Family Foundation, Creative Training Solutions (Stacia Skinner), The Country School, Talbot County Health Department, Chesapeake Building Components, Didier and Sherry Smith, Chesapeake College Foundation, Giovanni Wynn (The Wynn Family), La De Da! (Diane Flagler), Sharon Pepukayi, Linda and Dyke Booze, Talbot Hospice, Kelly Griffith (The Griffith Family), Risk Placement Services, Nicole and Bryan Schwenker, Aging at Home (Amy Keller), Half Full, Len and Ann Wolf, Shay Lewis-Sisco, Grauls Markets, Lee and Monica Meyers, Matt Meyers and Kelsey Trumbull-Meyers, Mia and Bill Cranford, and Kevertin Pet Resort.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

For All Seasons recently hosted a free community lecture at Chesapeake College by internationally acclaimed author Dr. Mariel Buqué, a first-generation Black Dominican psychologist and trailblazer in addressing intergenerational trauma, particularly within communities of color. Dr. Buqué has written “Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma,” a comprehensive resource offering practical tools for transforming intergenerational pain into healing and abundance. For All Seasons is the trauma center for the Eastern Shore. One hundred percent of the agency’s service providers are trauma-certified. For All Seasons prioritizes the support and education of the community when it comes to topics around trauma.

Intergenerational trauma is the transmission of trauma or its legacy, in the form of psychological pain from the generation experiencing the trauma to subsequent generations. Intergenerational trauma can be passed down from ancestors who may have suffered from unhealthy family dynamics, experienced adverse childhood experiences growing up, or survived historical disasters or traumas. This may include personal trauma, such as child or domestic abuse, trauma experienced by a specific cultural, racial, or ethnic group, as well as trauma from major events like wars, slavery, the Holocaust, and colonial violence against Native Americans. This multilevel emotional injury from intergenerational trauma can impact the mind, body, and spirit, leaving the next generation susceptible to anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, and other emotional and mental health concerns.

“Intergenerational trauma is the only type of trauma that actually transcends down the family line, and it happens at the intersection of our biology and our psychology. Through our biology, we actually inherit specific gene markers from both of our parents that had they been in states of trauma themselves had they actually endured any elements of stress that was chronic, it could have actually shown up in their genetic encoding and we would have actually inherited some of those genetic markers that could have made us predisposed to stress and trauma,” said Dr. Buqué.

“I’m going to be talking about much of why this trauma tends to come up as psychological and cultural wounds that tend to be pretty relentless in our communities . . . What happens when trauma enters the picture is that that very trauma gets recycled in our family homes, leaving rage and fury as an immovable mark that stays in the hearts of everyone who is impacted and their descendants. And it doesn’t let go away. Instead, it metastasizes, and it develops into emotional tumors, and it actually disintegrates many individuals’ capacity to cope and even zest for life.”

Dr. Buqué further explained that with the global mental health crisis during COVID and the suicide crisis that we are experiencing, we can connect back to some experience related to trauma. She went on to share that trauma erodes our hope, which is a critical emotion that we need to sustain to feel like life is worth experiencing like another day, is worth looking forward to, and to strive for life and not death. Although intergenerational trauma has been present in our families and communities, we have not had the language and the tools to work through this very layered and complex emotional experience.

“When it comes to healing generational trauma, we have to work through the mind and instill within the mind a sense of hope. We have to help people to restructure their thinking from that pessimistic, negativistic view into one that is actually more than lost and invites in the possibilities that there could also be good things that can happen in life,” Dr. Buqué shared.

“We do the same thing when it comes to the body. In the body, we have to extract the ways that trauma has been planted in the body. We do that with deep breathing. We do that with meditation. We do that with stretches . . . We start a cycle that is marked by health. We start a cycle that’s marked by connection and all of that happens again and again. And when it’s recycled generation after generation, it starts breeding hope in a community. And that’s the message that I really want to relay for us today, that there is so much in the mind, body, spirit, and even in our cultures that we can focus on that can actually instill hope in people that have been suffering for decades,” she added.

Dr. Buqué further explained that it takes as little as 12 weeks for there to be a cementing of that experience, for our brains to really start in their very neuroplastic ways, to start forming stronger connections toward health.

While on the Eastern Shore Dr. Buqué trained For All Seasons staff about intergenerational trauma.

“For All Seasons is not only committed to sharing the information with the community but also, and most importantly, committed to ensuring that our staff is culturally competent to address the needs of the community. Having Dr. Buqué spend the day with our staff has helped our team understand intergenerational trauma from a clinical and supportive lens, strengthening our safety net for many community members who live with intergenerational trauma,” commented Beth Anne Dorman, President & CEO of For All Seasons.

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For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The steering committee of Talbot FiRST™ First Responder Support Team recently presented its program to the Talbot County Council. Talbot FiRST™ brings together multiple agencies and partners to support the mental health of all its first responders in Talbot County − launching a robust peer support team that creates a pathway for immediate access to For All Seasons’ trauma-certified mental health services and works intentionally to build in proactive resiliency training.

“This is groundbreaking work for the state and the country, bringing resources together like this to take care of our first responders who never hesitate to take care of us,” commented Beth Anne Dorman, President & CEO of For All Seasons.

“We are really talking about how we infuse mental health services so that it is a daily conversation versus just being a reactive approach when someone is struggling,” she adds.

Matt Watkins, retired EMS Division Chief for Talbot County Emergency Services and Team Leader for Talbot FiRST™, added, “For All Seasons provides clinical expertise and the innovative programming design that we need to make this dream a reality. Beth Anne and Lesa Mulcahy have been champions for us, both on the steering committee for this program and during real-world responses to critical events in our community. For All Seasons’ response is always immediate, and that response time is critical. What we are creating here in Talbot County does not exist anywhere else in the state and is rarely found in the country – a multidisciplinary team solely focused on the well-being of first responders.”

Watkins continued, “I believe it’s incumbent upon leadership to take care of our people. This team is going to provide support for first responders in doing their jobs. Having For All Seasons support us and spearhead this program is invaluable.”

The Talbot FiRST™ initiative has been building for nearly 18 months, supported by national expert Dr. Jeff Thompson, a clinical research psychologist from Columbia University and retired NYPD detective. With extensive experience in suicide prevention and crisis intervention for first responders, Jeff has been instrumental in training the Talbot FiRST™ peer support team, ensuring our local experts are grounded in evidence-based practices that prioritize the mental health of our first responders.

“Peer support programs create a space where individuals can support each other in real-time, offering immediate comfort and solidarity during crises or stressful life events. Sitting side-by-side with peers who understand their unique experiences makes individuals feel more supported and validated. These peer interactions can also act as a bridge to connect individuals with additional resources or professional help when necessary. Everyone deserves to have positive mental health, and that certainly includes our first responders,” commented Thompson.

Talbot FiRST™ ensures that first responders have the mental health support they need. This program is not just addressing an immediate need – it’s creating a foundation for a healthier, more resilient community. As the initiative grows, its success will be felt far beyond the first responders it serves, benefiting the entire region and ensuring that those who protect us are also protected.

“First responders are always rushing in to help the people and we often don’t talk about the things we have experienced. There has always been a stigma that you don’t want to tell anybody you aren’t doing well. This program puts into place peers who can talk with each other and relate to one another throughout the ranks,” commented Tina Kintop, EMS Division Chief, Talbot County Department of Emergency Management Services.

Talbot County Council member Pete Lesher thanked For All Seasons for normalizing first responders’ and veterans’ need for mental health services, stating, “I appreciate what you are doing, not only in raising the recognition but in delivery of the services.”

Talbot County Council member Keasha Haythe, added, “I am really impressed by this program. This has to get out as an approach for other counties to take hold of.”

Talbot County Manager Clay Stamp, who is also the current Chairman of the EMS Board for the State of Maryland, concluded, “Maryland leads the nation, if not the world, in EMS services. The things we expose our 18-year-old kids who become EMTs, dispatchers, or police officers, are horrendous. We have got to come up with a better way to arm these individuals to deal with these things in a healthy manner and give them a support system. Right here in Talbot County, they have stepped up and they are making it happen first. I am very proud of our team.”

Initial funding to launch Talbot FiRST™ has been generously provided in part by the Wyman Family Foundation and the Rural Maryland Council, helping make this critical program a reality.

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For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

For All Seasons recently hosted two Human Trafficking roundtable discussions for professionals in child advocacy, law enforcement, and social services in the Mid-Shore region.  One session took place at the new Talbot County Health Department in Easton for participants from Talbot, Caroline, and Dorchester counties. The second was held at Queen Anne’s County Library for participants in Queen Anne’s and Kent counties.

According to Susan Ahlstrom, Human Trafficking Regional Navigator, “The goal of the roundtables was to bring our partners together to discuss state legislation and policies around the crime of Human Trafficking, as well as to address related challenges, barriers, or gaps in providing services and adequate response for victims. The group also explored opportunities for further training and technical assistance.”

Statewide representatives in attendance included Heather Amador, Director of Victim Services Policy Programs from the Governor’s Office of Crime, Prevention & Policy (GOCPP); Neil Mallon, Senior Research Specialist at the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Social Work (UMB SSW); and Antwan Chambers, Human Trafficking Administrator for the Maryland Department of Human Services/Social Services Administration (DHS SSA). These speakers shared information about the importance of the Regional Navigator Program and how the program has been implemented in Maryland. The Regional Navigator Program was born out of the Child Sex Trafficking Screening and Services Act of 2019. It was designed to respond to the rising trend in child sex trafficking and to improve networks for assisting survivors and their families.

“I don’t think that it would surprise anybody to hear that sometimes children who are involved with the Department of Social Services or Law Enforcement, have fears and have a variety of barriers to accessing resources and services. Because we understand that there is such a critical need for connection between those youth and the services that would help to prevent trafficking or intercept a victim who is being trafficked, the Navigator role was really designed to be in a neutral role like a rape crisis center or some type of a community center,” commented Heather Amador.

“It absolutely happens everywhere in the state. It’s just looking at it under the right lens sometimes.  Although the Regional Navigator Program was established to deal with child cases, it’s absolutely not just a child issue. Trafficking transcends all age groups. It doesn’t have any socioeconomic or racial boundaries.”

Beth Anne Dorman, President & CEO of For All Seasons, introduced the state representatives and emphasized the important role of For All Seasons, and stated, “We’re here to support you and to not only share about what your role is as a mandated reporter, but to give you a lens into the Human Trafficking multidisciplinary team approach. Our program is designed to address the full spectrum of care, support, and prevention.”

“We’re not only committed to educating professionals and the general public, but we also are really helping folks to recognize the signs of trafficking. Our marketing and outreach campaign has been one of the most visible parts of the anti-human trafficking program and you’ve likely seen rack cards and billboards on Route 50. Within our education program, we really emphasize the importance of eliminating the stigmatization that happens for trafficking survivors; helping community members understand that victims often come from vulnerable, marginalized groups.  It’s crucial to be able to approach the issue with a comprehensive, trauma-informed understanding.”

“It’s happening in our communities and in our neighborhoods. This comprehensive approach between the reporting, outreach, education, and care coordination, along with For All Seasons’ established Rape Crisis Center, therapy, and psychiatry services – that’s really what allows us to be a part of a comprehensive response,” stated Neil Mallon who helped the participants to understand the mandated reporter role in Maryland, where any professional that suspects child abuse or neglect is mandated to report that abuse to the local departments of social services.

Antwan Chambers explained that force, fraud, and coercion are the three things to look for. He added, “Getting people to talk about anything like that is not easy.  Creating trust and asking questions like, is there ever any physical abuse or threat of physical violence in the home or relationship? Being trauma-informed when asking the type of questions to help draw it out is important. Survivors often don’t identify as victims of trafficking.”

“A person is not going to come up and openly identify a certain situation directly as trafficking. It’s kind of like looking under a rock a little bit for some of those other things that they may not realize are a problem. I think everybody has this stereotypical image of sex trafficking in their heads, and for some people, it involves tractor trailers and people being held captive, and white vans and things like that. Looking for the less obvious signs that there is some type of force, fraud, or coercion, and asking questions is what is important.”

Before closing the session, Dorman announced the upcoming launch of the For All Seasons self-paced, online Mandated Reporter course that will be released in October. She stated, “This will allow all partners involved in serving our vulnerable citizens to have free access to vital human trafficking information. The course is free and will offer CEUs for professionals who complete the program.”

The session also shared that as of October 1, 2024, mandated reporters will be required to report on labor trafficking. For further information about human trafficking and the For All Seasons Regional Navigator Program, visit https://forallseasonsinc.org/what-we-do-how-we-help/services/anti-human-trafficking/.

Approximately 1700 guests attended the For All Seasons 2024 Back-to-School Supplies Giveaway and Resource Expo in Idlewild Park – a record attendance for the event. For All Seasons distributed 800 backpacks filled with materials to local students.

“We couldn’t do this event without For All Seasons staff, student volunteers, and our resource providers, who worked together to make this a memorable evening for our local kids and families. We especially want to acknowledge The Talbot Department of Social Services, The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Easton Lions Club, Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center, and PepUp, Inc. for their generous contributions towards the backpacks. With the growing costs associated with getting kids ready for school, these resources are invaluable to struggling families,” commented Katie Theeke, Vice President of Marketing & Communications.

It’s really important to us to partner with other agencies in our community. We can better meet the needs of children and families when we work together. There continues to be a growing need for support and resources locally, especially as we start the new school year. We are always excited to partner with For All Seasons each year for this truly valuable event,” added Paris Quillet, Special Projects Coordinator, Talbot County Department of Social Services.

The following organizations attended the event and provided resources to participants, including Talbot County Department of Social Services, Aetna Better Health of Maryland, Appleseed Books, Talbot Humane, Talbot Hospice, Healthy Talbot, Easton Family YMCA, CarePacks, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, Easton Elementary School, Shore Legal Access, Seedco/Maryland Health Connection, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center, Eastpoint Church, Choptank Community Health, Talbot County Health Department, Mid Shore Community Mediation Center, Talbot County Free Library, UM Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, State of Maryland Office of Oral Health, Chesapeake Creative Wellness, and Talbot Thrive. A special thank you to Aetna Better Health of Maryland for donating a bike for the raffle prize.

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For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

Returning to school after a long summer break can be a stressful time for students, whether it’s a child’s first day of kindergarten, a transition to middle or high school, or just the end of the freedoms of summer. It’s normal for children to feel anxious about these changes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends the following to help ease children’s worries as they transition back to school:

Communicate: Encourage your child to express their feelings about going back to school. Acknowledge their fears, make them feel understood, and reassure them that feeling anxious about these changes is perfectly normal.

Create Routines: A consistent routine fosters a sense of security in children. Establishing a regular sleep schedule, eating healthy meals, and setting aside time for homework and relaxation can help children adjust to the rhythm of the school year.

Make Advance Preparations: If possible, attend any scheduled school orientations. Meeting teachers, locating classrooms, and becoming familiar with the school layout can help students feel more confident on the first day of school. If there is not a scheduled orientation, make time to visit the school ahead of time to help children familiarize themselves with the environment. It can also be helpful to practice morning routines like getting ready for the bus or identifying routes to school.

Encourage In-person Social Interactions: Facilitate interaction with classmates to rekindle old friendships and make new ones. Social relationships can make the transition smoother and more enjoyable.

Teens can pose a particular challenge with back-to-school transitions, especially as they transition to new schools – entering middle and high school. The following are some steps you can take to monitor your teen and help protect him or her from risky health behaviors and experiences:

• Talk with your teen about your rules and expectations and explain the consequences of breaking the rules.
• Talk and listen to your teen often about how he or she feels and what he or she is thinking.
• Know who your teen’s friends are including getting to know your teen’s boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Get to know the parents of your teen’s friends.
• Talk with your teen about the plans he or she has with friends, what he or she is doing after school, and where he or she will be going.
• Set expectations for when your teen will come home and expect a call if he or she will be late.
• Ask whether an adult will be present when your teen is visiting a friend’s home.
• Talk with your relatives, your neighbors, your teen’s teachers, and other adults who know your teen. Ask them to share what they observe about your teen’s behaviors, moods, or friends.
• Watch how your teen spends money.
• Keep track of how your teen spends time online, and talk about using the Internet safely.
• Pay attention to your teen’s mood and behavior at home, and discuss any concerns you might have.
• If your teen does break a rule, enforce the consequences fairly and consistently.
• Make sure your teen knows how to contact you at all times.

For All Seasons wants to remind parents that every family is different, and perfection isn’t the goal. Showing up for your child and letting them know you are there to support them through the good moments and the challenging ones is a big part of the foundation for a great year. For All Seasons is available for parents and their children should any issues arise in the school year by calling 410-822-1018.

https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/back-to-school-and-mental-health-supporting-children