SBORO YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES

As of January 31st, we are resuming all in-person services with the exception of a couple of our QPR Suicide Prevention Trainings. We will continue to require masks in our building at all times and social distancing of at least 6 feet for appointments. We appreciate everyone's flexibility and understanding this past month with the need to move appointments online to keep everyone safe amid the rise in COVID cases. Online appointments are still available for anyone who feels more comfortable with that option. We are excited to welcome people back in to the office on a regular basis.

If you were not already aware, Southborough utilizes Interface Referral Service; a mental health and wellness referral helpline available to assist Southborough residents with finding mental health providers. Callers are matched with licensed mental health providers that best meet the callers search criteria within 2-4 weeks of their call to Interface. Last week, we received the communication below from Interface stating that due an extraordinarily high demand in need, Interface will be implementing a temporary pause on any new intakes for referral support through Monday, February 21st 2022.

We understand this may create some concern for people as finding an appropriate outpatient mental health provider is already quite difficult. We would like to remind residents of the mental health support services our office provides:

• Clinical Consultations- a one time consultation with one of our clinicians
• Assessments- 6-8 session time frame aimed at better defining and understanding a presenting issue. This includes appointments with the individual, family members, doctors, teachers, past and current providers. The assessment is completed with a formal assessment report outlining clinical recommendations.
• Short-term "bridge" counseling support- short-term support available to those needing counseling services until a longer-term therapeutic solution is identified
• Therapeutic groups and workshops

Learn more by:

• Calling us at 508-481-5676
• Utilizing our walk-in hours- Mondays 9-11am or Thursday 3-5pm
• Web inquiry- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUEYphprGT9YWPy8RGKUim_z20PLx1ppz5oj0Mkt24LbIHcw/viewform

We encourage you to reach out to our office if you have concerns about yourself or a family member. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we too, have experienced increased demand in our office and will do our best to get back to you.

If you have any questions about these services, please contact our Assistant Director, Meaghan Eiland at (508) 481-5676 ext 2 for more information.

Starting in March, we will be offering a parent support space every Tuesday during lunch. As several of us are parents ourselves, we know the task of parenting is challenging and also know it can be helpful to hear, you're not alone. Join us for a space to vent, get good ideas, and decompress before going back to the very important job of parenting. Details below:

Tuesdays 12:30-1:30pm at 21 Highland St in Southborough

Starting March 8- May 17, 2022

Call Dawn Wisbey at (508) 481-5676 ext 4 with any questions.

Southborough Youth and Family Services welcomes qualifying residents to apply to this year’s summer camp scholarship program. We have made some changes to the program this year, outlined below:

1. SYFS is narrowing our camp offerings to only those located in Southborough. Camp options for 2022 are outlined below with some caveats:

Southborough Recreation

Southborough Rec camp had success offering a full day, affordable local option for families last year and we anticipate they will fill up all weeks quickly. Registration is on a first come first serve basis starting February 1st and they will have a waitlist to pull from should a child cancel their spot. This includes any registrations coming from our office.

Southborough Extended Day Program (SEDP)

At this time, it is unknown what SEDP will be offering for summer programming. Therefore, this option is dependent on their evolving plans. We ask that you let us know if you are interested in having your child attend this camp so that we are prepared to register him/her proactively. We will update applicants as soon as we learn anything new.

Fay School Day Camp

Fay School Day Camp offers SYFS a limited number of free two-week sessions for camperships. In order to make the distribution of these weeks fair and equitable, there will be a lottery-style selection should interest exceed available slots. Again, this selection is not guaranteed.

2. Another change this year is the scholarship amounts we are offering. In years past, we have offered two free weeks of camp per child. Moving forward, scholarships will be a reduced rate that is calculated based on family size and income. Camp fees may be discounted 25%, 50%, 75% or 100%. Applicants will be asked to provide their 2020 federal tax return as well as any supporting documents showing receipt of any of the following public assistance programs:

• SNAP benefits
• Medicaid
• Fuel assistance
• SSDI or SSI
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, formerly known as AFDC, Aid to Families with Dependent Children)

All copies of income verification documents will be returned to applicants or will be shredded.

We encourage families to apply for this year’s program with the understanding that we do not yet have all the information on camp offerings for this year and the campership budget is not yet set as it is based on ongoing fundraising efforts. Thank you in advance for your understanding and flexibility as this program evolves. To apply for the camp scholarship program, please use the link below.

Please contact Christina McCarthy at cmccarthy@southboroughma.com or at 508 481 5676 ext.1 with application or program questions.

If you are interested in donating to the Camp Scholarship program, you may do so through Friends of the Southborough Youth Commission here:

https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-the-Southborough-Youth-Commission-109695360610477

Let's face it, technology is here to stay and there are many benefits that come along with having technology. Just think of how much harder the pandemic would have been if we didn't have a way to connect with friends and family. We do however, know that many of us are spending hours each day staring a various screens both at home and at work and there are some downfalls to having constant connectivity. For this reason, we want to encourage you to unplug. As the article below mentions, there are many benefits from tech breaks, benefits we all need during what has been a long stretch of stress for many. Check out the article below and join us in participating in National Day of Unplugging See more details below.

Ironic that we are telling you this through an online newsletter, huh!?

Feeling Overconnected? 5 Reasons To Unplug From Technology After Work (forbes.com)

Positive communication is a critical element in relationship success and yet, it is something that challenges all of us. How do you support your loved one who is in distress? How do you get your needs met while still preserving important relationships? How do you persevere when your navigating challenging conversations with someone regularly? SYFS is offering the workshop, Listen With L.O.V.E: The art of communication in relationships to address some of these challenges and review critical elements of successful communication. This workshop is adapted from the Community Reinforcement and Family Training model. If you are a parent, spouse, friend, son or daughter, or simply a human in relationships with other humans, please consider joining us. After postponing the debut of this workshop we are happy to share we have two scheduled in March. Details below:

Wednesday, March 9th in-person at 21 Highland St Southborough 6-8pm

Saturday, March 19th in-person at 21 Highland St Southborough 9-11am

Register here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScM23X10toBnQlFX2L05MK4mSx6mfTojHDQseyg5kD5Y6GHCA/viewform

If you have any questions about this training, please contact Shannon Kinayman at skinayman@southboroughma.com or (508) 481-5676 ext 3

We are thrilled to share that, in our goal to train 100 Southborough community members in QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention, we have reached 47% of our goal! There has been a tremendous amount of interest in these trainings which is fantastic since the training reviews such critical skills.

While we have some additional trainings scheduled for the months of February and March, we are keeping our registration closed to catch up on training all of the people who have been placed on waitlists for previous trainings. Please stay tuned for more QPR trainings to be announced in our March newsletter.

Southborough Youth and Family Services provides compassionate and equitable behavioral health and social services to Southborough residents of all ages.

Email: syfs@southboroughma.com
Website: https://www.southboroughtown.com/youth-and-family-services
Location: 21 Highland St Southborough, MA 01772
Phone: (508) 481-5676
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SBoroYFS/