Greetings!
Happy Summer!
We hope you are staying cool and enjoying the longer days.
Summer is a busy time at the Child & Family Guidance Center as we plan for the future. So far this year, we’ve added amazing folks to our team, launched a new program, completed our signature fundraiser, and finished our expansion project.
Each day our clinical team continues to deliver care and compassion to hurting Texoma children and families. They hold a safe space for those that are burdened by so much.
We are so grateful for your support of this great agency.
Please take a few minutes to catch up with us.
With Gratitude,
Brenda Hayward
Executive Director
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Child & Family Guidance Center
804 E. Pecan Grove Rd.
Sherman, TX 75090
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On July 16, 2022, across the nation and in our community, 988 will be the new three-digit number for call (multiple languages), text or chat (English only) that connects people to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, where compassionate, accessible care and support are available for anyone experiencing mental health–related distress. The chat feature will be available through the Lifeline’s website. People can use 988 if they are having thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crises, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
Even though this is an exciting time to reimagine how we provide crisis services in the U.S., the full vision of a transformed crisis care system with 988 at its core will not be built overnight. Transformation of this scale will take time, and we must all work together to make it happen. It is important that we speak with one voice about 988 to ensure clear understanding about what it is and how it will work. CFGC is taking guidance and training from our LMHA- Texoma Community Center to proceed with rolling out correct information for our clients and anyone in need.
Texoma Community Center reported, while 988 is a valuable service nationwide, there are local crisis resources in place that can be quickly deployed when you call the LMHA crisis line at 1-877-277-2226. A qualified local team with TCC will provide response to the crisis while the 988 number will not engage local resources that are available to the community.
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Our Team is Growing!
We are very proud of our amazing CFGC staff! They are called to this heartfelt, difficult work everyday. We have added new faces to our team. Nicole is joining us as a Staff Therapist and Simran is our new LPC-Associate. We are excited about adding our new Resource Advocate, Rebekah and can't wait to see how she grows this position. We are glad to have them here!
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Nicole Smith, LCSW
Staff Therapist
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Simran Shallwani, LPC-Associate
Associate Therapist
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Rebekah Irick, BS
Resource Advocate
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CFGC Launches New Case Management Program
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The Case Management Program is lead by Rebekah Irick, Resource Advocate. Rebekah was kind enough to write up a nice little piece for the newsletter. Please take a moment and read what Rebekah has in store for this new program at the Center. |
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Hello! My name is Rebekah Irick and I began my journey with CFGC in May of 2022 as the Resource Advocate. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Texas Woman’s University. I have over 10 years of experience working with children, families, and individuals as an agent of support and guidance. Helping those in need has always been a passion and a rewarding profession for myself.
One of my roles as a Resource Advocate is to advocate on behalf of individuals and communities to increase their access to basic resources such as housing, food, healthcare, employment, and much more. I believe that establishing a plan that includes my skill set and the client's needs can lead to finding peace of mind, security and hope for a better future. My goal and purpose as the Resource Advocate is to provide the highest quality and ethical case management services to CFGC clients, evaluate the needs of individuals, families, and children, identify the services needed, create a plan to provide that care, and follow up with each client to ensure they have received the services.
As a Resource Advocate, I also network with organizations to ensure that clients receive support. The overall goal is to help improve client's clinical, functional, emotional, and psychosocial status over a long-term period. I genuinely feel honored to be apart of the Child and Family Guidance Center team.
--- Rebekah Irick, Resource Advocate
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Prioritizing Mental Wellbeing in the Summer
by Mental Health First Aid USA
After what feels like an eternity of stay-at-home orders and roped off public spaces, a somewhat “normal” summer is a welcome treat. Longer and warmer days, a more flexible work schedule (or even summer break) and an abundance of social activities make this season a favorite for many. However, feelings of anxiety due to rising COVID cases and the expectation of being carefree and making each day Instagram-worthy can put a lot of pressure on people and, unchecked, can even negatively impact their mental wellbeing.
Summer weather can wear our bodies down physically, as extended periods in heat can cause sleeplessness, lethargy, lack of appetite and dehydration, all of which can lead to aggressive behaviors and anxiety. In fact, a study by the American Physiological Society found that people are more likely to have higher levels of stress hormones in the summer than in winter. That’s why it’s important to take a proactive approach to maintain your mental wellbeing this summer.
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Meet Coco and Her Furr-ever Family!
A BIG THANK YOU to Chip and Tiffany Adami for bidding and WINNING the Puppy Love Package at the 11th Annual Starfish Benefit. Most of you may remember the SUPER SWEET puppy that was at the Gala. The Adami family, pictured below are Chip and Tiffany's daughters Mary Kate and Grace, instantly fell in love and named her Coco! We wish the Adami family many happy years with sweet Coco!
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CFGC wants to express special thanks Jess Johnson and Cherokee Creek Aussies for donating this sweet girl to the Starfish Benefit. |
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CFGC’s Ambassador of Hope
HopeAnda
HopeAnda joined the CFGC Team in the summer of 2019. She was created out of a vision to have something tangible to represent HOPE. A mascot everyone could relate to and make them smile. What a better solution than a fluffy, soft, panda! We wanted to take this opportunity to reacquaint you with our special friend.
HopeAnda LOVES her role at CFGC and has three very important jobs…
She is generous with hugs for our children and even attends therapy sessions if the children would like her to.
She is our # 1 staff cheerleader… cheering us all on, encouraging us to do our best work and is always willing to give hugs!
And last, she is our Ambassador of Hope connecting with folks throughout the community by attending events and happenings.
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North Texas Giving Day is September 22nd!
More details to come!
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Happy Thoughts
A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.
-James Dent
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Thank you Texoma community for supporting
the live-changing work of the
Child & Family Guidance Center of Texoma
for 56 years.
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Child & Family Guidance Center of Texoma
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