TopAugust 2014
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In This Issue
Fresh Start: A Road to Independent Living
More than 80 Participants Receive Dental Health Screenings
Give the Gift of Dental Care to Someone in Need
Arundel Lodge to Present on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at Two Upcoming Conferences
Celebrating Arundel Lodge's CARF Accreditation
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Special Events

Free Dental Clinic

Fri., Sept. 5 and Sat., Sept. 6

At the Comcast Center in College Park.

 

Maryland Mission of Mercy is a gathering of volunteer dental professionals who work with volunteer staff to hold free, two-day dental clinics at locations around the state.

 

Double Nutritional Benefits Available at Two Annapolis Farmers Markets

Sundays until November 2014

 

Every Sunday, you can spend your SNAP, WIC, or Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons at these farmers markets and they will double your coupons for an extra value of up to $15 per shopper, per day. See below for details on which market accepts which coupons.

 

Annapolis Fresh Farm Market

Sundays

8 a.m. - noon

Donner Parking Lot, Compromise Street

(202) 362-8889

Accepts WIC, Senior FMNP

 

Westfield Annapolis Farmers Market

Sundays

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Corner of Generals Highway and Bestgate Road

(410) 222-7410

Accepts SNAP/EBT, WIC, Senior FMNP

 Monthly Meetings and Groups

NAMI Family Support Group

Thurs., Aug. 14 
7 to 8:30 p.m.
At Arundel Lodge. 
For more information, email NAMI Anne Arundel.

Open Eye Gallery Committee Meeting 

Fri., Sept.. 5
11 a.m. 
At Arundel Lodge.
Held on the first Friday of each month. All are welcome. Email Katerina Evans
 or call her at (443) 433-5961 with any questions. 

 Lodge Links 

Mental Health Links

NAMI Anne Arundel County 

 

On Our Own of Maryland 

 

SAMHSA 

 

Free Quitline to Stop Smoking

Share in our success!
 
This month's newsletter celebrates the successes of Arundel Lodge's Fresh Start Program, our Deaf and hard of hearing services, and more.

Fresh Start is a residential program that helps persons we serve prepare to transition into the community and live independently. Read more below about the inspiring stories of Fresh Start participants.

Also in this month's newsletter, you can learn more about the free oral health screenings provided to more than 80 residents at Arundel Lodge last month.

Our staff will be presenting at two upcoming conferences, sharing results from our pilot program that provides mental health services to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals through videoconferencing.

Finally, check out photos of Arundel Lodge staff, families, and friends celebrating our recent CARF accreditation.

Fresh Start: A Road to Independent Living

 

Fresh Start is part of Arundel Lodge's Residential Rehabilitation Program. It gives individuals who are ready an opportunity to transition from a 24-hour oversight program to a program where they can explore what it means to live independently. They learn how to become self-advocates, yet still receive needed supports.

 

It "prepares persons served to move into the community by connecting them to outside resources, while instilling confidence that their goals are attainable," says Program Manager Marilia Sanches.

 

The fundamental mission of the program has remained the same throughout the years, Marilia said. Fresh Start works to empower residents to "become unafraid and approach challenges as a learning and growth opportunity. Staff encourages individuals to identify their needs and follow their aspirations at a comfortable pace."

Doris G. is one of Fresh Start's many success stories.

 

Marilia has worked with the Fresh Start Program for more than 17 years. "I feel humbled to witness the perseverance and human tenacity to overcome so many obstacles," Marilia said. The "resilience [of persons served by our program] has become a personal inspiration, which has molded my life both professionally and personally."

 

When asked if individuals have transitioned out of Fresh Start into the community, Marilia shared a long list of participants who have successfully made the leap. Involvement of these individuals in the community has included volunteer work, competitive employment, joining social groups, taking classes--living productive, fulfilling lives. 

  

Robert C., Margaret O., and Earlene R. have all transitioned out to the community from Fresh Start and are now employees of Arundel Lodge, serving as Peer Support Specialists to other people receiving services at Arundel LodgeFlorence Z. was in the Fresh Start Program about 4 to 5 years ago when she selected the name for the Fresh Start Program.

 

"My transition to the community, while an adjustment with many hurdles, led to my employment here at the Lodge after extensive volunteer work in my time as a residential and community person served," said Margaret.

 

Doris G. is another of the program's success stories. She has celebrated more than 14 years of sobriety and is currently pursuing her GED, but says, "Algebra is hard!" Doris attributes staying out of the hospital and learning how to effectively manage her symptoms and medications to Arundel Lodge.

 

In Fresh Start, Doris learned to ride the bus to her mother's house and enjoys the freedom and independence that have come with being a self-advocate. Doris looks forward to getting a job, and one day sharing her own apartment with a roommate.

 

The Fresh Start Program is another testament to the fact that Recovery is possible at every level. Arundel Lodge celebrates the successes and resilience of persons served in the Fresh Start Program, as well as the dedication of staff members who continue to provide support, encouragement, and a caring environment.

 

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More than 80 Participants Receive Dental Health Screenings

Throughout the month of July, students from the University of Maryland School of Nursing and School of Dental Hygiene provided small-group oral health screenings, fluoride varnish, and health promotion information to people in Arundel Lodge's Residential Rehabilitation Program.

 

The purpose of the screenings was to assess and document the number of residents affected by adverse oral health conditions and to triage those in order of severity for priority scheduling with dental care providers.

 

Participants received free oral health screenings.

"The program allowed us to encapsulate the need and develop a plan for case management. We can look into what community resources might be available to those without insurance," said Bridgitte Gourley, DNP, CRNP, who welcomed students from the University of Maryland School of Nursing.

 

The screenings also taught participants about good oral hygiene and provided new toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss for participation in the program.

 

"Clients really enjoyed it!" Bridgitte said. "They are even following through with care at home. Some even asked for more Listerine!" She also said that her first-year students were surprised about how folks are living with so many challenges--mental illness, health issues, and then during screening, they were astonished by the level of tooth decay. "It seems so unfair," students commented.

 

"The experience was incredibly positive," said Registered Dental Hygienist Lisa Bress, who oversaw the students from the
University of Maryland School of Dental Hygiene. 

 

Dental students demonstrated proper brushing techniques.

"Students participating in the program were challenged to find the best way in which to examine and teach each individual according to his or her personal needs. For students who had only one semester of clinical experience with healthy patients, it was an eye-opening experience. They got to see the results from lack of access to oral care and how bad it can get, how it can alter physical appearance and affect self-esteem," she continued. 

 

"But it was heartwarming too because students also got to see how they could make an impact. They were able to witness first-hand how trust can be earned and how their presence made a difference, when one resident came back to tell the students 'I'm brushing now!'"

 

One message that was driven home was about the effect that oral health can have on overall health. Extensive tooth decay can lead to poor eating habits, pain and discomfort, and in some cases trips to the emergency room.

 

Students from the University of Maryland provided screenings.
Out of 82 participants in the program, 
nine people required urgent care due to abscesses or pain from their level of tooth decay and periodontal disease; 44 were experiencing extensive decay; and 29 were in need of a routine follow-up for cleaning and X-rays.

 

Lisa added that Mid-Maryland Mission of Mercy will be holding a free dental clinic at the Comcast Center in College Park on Sept. 5 and 6. Mid-Maryland Mission of Mercy is a gathering of volunteer dental professionals who work with volunteer staff to hold free, two-day dental clinics at around the state.

 

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Give the Gift of Dental Care to Someone in Need! 

 

Nine participants in the dental screening program required urgent dental care due to a severe level of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Because Medical Assistance most often does not cover dental work, they need your help! You can also help keep someone healthy by providing enough for a routine exam and cleaning.

 

Click on the Donate button below to provide dental care services for Arundel Lodge residents. It's fast, it's secure, and it's easy to help someone in need.


 

Average cost of dental procedures:

  • Exam and cleaning: $115 (recommended twice per year)
  • Bite wing X-ray: $50 (annually)
  • Panoramic X-ray: $100 (every three to five years)
  • Fluoride treatment: $30
  • Filling: $161 - $315 (depending on level of decay)
  • Tooth extraction: $160 with PA X-ray 
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Arundel Lodge to Present on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at Two Upcoming Conferences

 

A team of mental health professionals from Community Behavioral Health and Arundel Lodge, led by Teresa Crowe, Ph.D., LCSW-C, and Clara Musser, LGSW, created a pilot program to provide mental health services to Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals through videoconferencing. They detailed the results in two guides, "A Clinician's Guide to Creating a Tele-mental Health Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing" and "A Clinician's Guide to Creating a Tele-psychiatry Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing." Teresa and Clara are both therapists at Arundel Lodge, while Teresa also teaches at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

 

At a community awareness event for mental health and addiction services for the Deaf community on the Eastern Shore.

Recently, Arundel Lodge was invited to share the successful results of our tele-mental health pilot program led by Teresa and Clara in order to help educate the international psychiatric community and the Deaf community about the innovative technology we use and the process for implementation, in hopes that other organizations across the globe can establish their own programs.

 

We will be presenting the two guides at the 6th annual World Congress on Mental Health and Deafness, to be held Sept. 16 to 19 in Belfast, Ireland, and at the 66th annual Institute on Psychiatric Services Conference, to be held Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 in San Francisco. We hope to help bridge the gap in services for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals all over the world.

 

Congratulations to Teresa Crowe, Clara Musser, and the CBH and Arundel Lodge Mental Health teams for an impressive accomplishment!

  
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Celebrating Arundel Lodge's CARF Accreditation

 

On Sunday, July 20, Arundel Lodge staff members celebrated our recent CARF accreditation along with family and friends at Sandy Point State Park. The Arundel Lodge Board of Directors treated everyone to great food provided by the Building Employment Success Training (B.E.S.T.) Program of the Light House Shelter in Annapolis. 

 

Leon Fossett, Bay Ridge Program Manager, brought a beautiful bushel of crabs for all to enjoy. Folks played games, swam, and had an all-around great time!

 

  

  

  

  

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