Vitals - A MultiCare Blog
Search The Blog
Media Contacts
| Marce
Edwards Media Relations Manager 253-403-1716 253-222-5850 Email Marce |
| Cole
Cosgrove Media Relations Coordinator Email Cole |
Health news feed
Nutty finding: Olive oil, nuts can protect your brainBreast cancer bras a no-go for Victoria's SecretSleep-deprived teens cause crashes, study showsDelivery room drama: Has birth become a spectator sport? New sleep pill may be unsafe at higher doses, FDA review suggestsMeasles surges in UK years after vaccine scare
Back To Blog
-
Clinical Therapist Christy Stapleton presents Ferrucci Junior High Assistant Principal Michael Kraft with a thank-you canvas designed by students.
Good Samaritan partners with Puyallup school to teach teen safety
Six girls ages 12 to 15 are more aware of personal safety and healthy relationships, thanks to a collaborative partnership between Good Samaritan Behavioral Healthcare and the Puyallup School District, made possible by a grant from The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation.
The teen dating violence prevention program, titled “Love is Not Abuse – Teen Safety," was led by Clinical Therapist Christy Stapleton with Good Samaritan Behavioral Healthcare. The group met for six weeks last spring at Ferrucci Junior High in Puyallup.
In gratitude, the participating students made two pieces of "thank you" artwork that were presented this month to the program's grantors and to Ferrucci administrators for supporting the group.
Stapleton was joined by clinical supervisor Andrea Carlson to present the student artwork to Ferrucci Principal Ailene Baxter, Puyallup School District Director of Student Services Barb Pope, and Ferrucci Assistant Principal Michael Kraft, who helped with the logistics of getting the program started.
"This program offered the students some resources and support that they otherwise wouldn't have received," Kraft said. "That's huge for them."
For example, in a survey at the start of the program, the students weren't aware of resources that are available to them within the community, should they need help.
"Nobody had a clue that services were available," Stapleton said. "The girls learned not only about community resources if they are ever in trouble, but they also learned about self-esteem, confidence, and how to communicate with and engage their family and friends in their learning. The group was very successful"
The program's goals were:
- Raise student awareness of what constitutes healthy and abusive dating relationships.
- Raise student awareness of dating abuse and its causes and consequences.
- Equip students with the skills and resources to help themselves or friends in abusive dating relationships.
- Equip students with the skills to develop healthy dating relationships, including positive communication, anger management, and conflict resolution.
The program was possible thanks to a grant from The Fund for Women & Girls, part of The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. Since 2002, the fund has awarded 120 grants totaling $404,458. The fund supports initiatives that address critical issues facing women and girls by providing grants to programs that foster self-esteem, self-reliance and empowerment.
Good Samaritan Behavioral Healthcare provides specialized counseling for those who have experienced physical, verbal and/or emotional violence in their relationships. All treatment is confidential. Good Samaritan can offer at least four individual sessions and participation in an ongoing support group at no charge to victims of domestic violence who have no access to financial resources or are reluctant to seek help.
Services offered include:
- Assessment of abuse history, strengths and needs, which includes screening for depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Individual sessions (up to four free of charge) that can be offered in a secure location away from the office.
- Individualized education and counseling about abuse dynamics.
- Safety planning for parent and children.
- Access to psychiatric evaluation, medication management and consultation by psychiatric medical professionals, when needed.
- Ongoing support group free of charge, support to decrease your isolation.
- Individual sessions offered at Crystal Judson Family Justice Center.
Posted on Aug 31, 2012 in East Pierce County
Follow Us
