"Lean In Girls" starts April 22 - Learn more and register today!

"Here at Children's Museum of Franklin, we're passionate about the importance of empowering girls.  

The Lean In Girls curriculum, a subset of Sheryl Sandberg's original Lean In program, was established in 2023 as a “leadership program that helps girls see themselves as leaders in a world that often tells them they’re not.”

Over the course of the program, through strength-building activities and discussion, participants will learn resilience, confidence, and inclusivity.

This is a free program!"

Learn more & register -> https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/lean-in-girls

"Lean In Girls" starts April 22 - Learn more and register today!

Mental Health: State Rep Jeff Roy (video)

"Welcome to Mental Health, the crisis of our time. 

My name is Ann Bergen. I am the host of this series of programs brought to you by Franklin TV whose mission is really to bring important topics relevant to the community out so we can inform the residents aware of issues that are very very important. 

The issue we have to address is mental health."

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgP4W-N2SRA

State Representative Jeff Roy - state page ->   https://malegislature.gov/People/Profile/JNR1

Personal page -> https://jeffreyroy.com/

Mental Health: State Rep Jeff Roy (video)

Mental Health: Kallie Montagano and Sonja Wagner (video)

"Welcome to Mental Health, the crisis of our time. 

My name is Ann Bergen. I am the host of this series of programs brought to you by Franklin TV whose mission is really to bring important topics relevant to the community out so we can inform the residents aware of issues that are very very important. 

The issue we have to address is mental health."

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gXvUrzkRMo

Kallie Montagano, Co-Response Program Manager

Sonja Wagner, Co-Response Clinician

For more about the Co-Response Program visit the Police Dept page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/pages/co-response-program

Mental Health: Kallie Montagano and Sonja Wagner (video)

Mental Health Crisis series continues with discussion on Franklin Police response

"Yesterday (1/09/24) Clinicians Kallie Montagano and Sonja Wagner joined Dr. Bergen for an interview on Franklin TV. 

They discussed the new Franklin Police Co-Response Program, what it’s like working alongside police officers, how they assist us on calls, trends they're seeing in our community, and how they can close the gap on those who need services."

Once the video recording is available, the schedule for Comcast/Verizon subscribers will be shared. 

Once posted to YouTube, that link will also be shared.

The current playlist on YouTube contains 3 video episodes ->  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbAODFjFPJ0xz0S1gE-frJKC3DuBz20PA

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C179H3qxfWN/

Reminder: Workshop on Mental Health & Suicide Awareness and Prevention - Dec 5

(Tuesday) Open to the community

"Franklin SEPAC & SAFE Coalition Present A Workshop for Parents and Caregivers of Teens and Tweens on Mental Health & Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Register here:

https://forms.gle/wuMmwjzQK5ik7q9L8"

Shared from ->   https://twitter.com/DStokes2447/status/1731789593337331888

Reminder: Workshop on Mental Health & Suicide Awareness and Prevention - Dec 5

Sonja Wagner starts with FPD as the second mental health consultant

Sonja Wagner starts with FPD

Via Franklin Police Dept 

"Please welcome Sonja Wagner to the Franklin Police Department. Sonja joins the FPD as our second clinician for FPD’s Co-Response Program.  

Sonja started in November and has already hit the ground running. Sonja is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and has over 4-years of experience working with law enforcement in a co-response role and has prior experience working as a mental health counselor."

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C0WYy4jO6hb/

From the October 18, 2023 Town Council meeting, Kallie Montagano is introduced as she rejoins the Police Dept to lead the Co-Response Program. Kallie had joined the dept as part of the pilot grant several years ago, left for another opportunity and now has returned.

• Audio & video link to Council meeting with introduction of Kallie https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/town-council-observes-police-new-hires_0250604876.html

• Tom Mercer covers this re-introduction in our Town Council Quarterbacking session  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/this-town-council-quarterbacking.html

Workshop for parents and caregivers of teens and tweens on Mental Health, Suicide Awareness & Prevention - Dec 5

Franklin SEPAC & SAFE Coalition present a workshop for parents and caregivers of teens and tweens on Mental Health, Suicide Awareness and Prevention.

Learn from a SAFE Coalition Social Worker about:

• How to speak with your children about mental health

• Social media and bullying

• Tools, resources, and information about suicide awareness and drug use

This is an in-person event.  

Register here: https://forms.gle/wuMmwjzQK5ik7q9L8… Please note: this is open to all community members - your child does not need to be receiving special education for you to participate.

When: December 5, 2023  from 6:30 PM - 8 PM

Where: Town Hall/Central Office

355 E. Central St, Franklin, MA   3rd Floor Training Room

www.safecoalition.org

www.franklinsepac.org

 

Workshop for parents and caregivers of teens and tweens on Mental Health, Suicide Awareness & Prevention - Dec 5

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/DStokes2447/status/1729679294605963324

Mental Health: Crisis in Our Time (video)

Dr Anne Bergen has a new Franklin TV & YouTube video series sharing insights on "Mental Health: Crisis in Our Time". The first two videos can be found on the Franklin TV All Access YouTube channel. 

Stay tuned for additional in this series.

• Raeleen Gallivan, Social Services Coordinator at Franklin Senior Center 

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leILvvdWynk

   

• Ryan Pellecchia, a senior at Franklin High School 

Video link -> https://youtu.be/wpqmEKGubd8?si=OdXxU-5yXhVZhrSL 

 

Mental Health: Crisis in Our Time (video)

Jen Knight-Levine updates Council on work of SAFE Coalition and the humane approach to dealing with migrant housing situation (audio)

FM #1082 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1082 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares a segment from the regularly scheduled Town Council meeting on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. The segment covers the guest presentation by Jen Knight-Levine of the SAFE Coalition. 

Jen,CEO and co-founder of SAFE, provides some statistics on the work being done to meet the needs of the community initially in substance abuse and mental health, and recently expanding to take a humanitarian approach to the migrant housing situation developing here in Franklin. 

The segment runs about 30 minutes including the Q&A with the Council members. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1082-town-council-mtg-segment-jen-knight-levine-10-18-23

--------------

SAFE Coalition -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ 

Town Council agenda doc ->  

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/franklin-ma-agenda-for-town-council.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Jen Knight-Levine updates Council on work of SAFE Coalition and the humane approach to dealing with migrant housing situation (audio)

Franklin (MA) Police Department Community Service Results & Action Plan

Community Survey Results and Action Plan                     October 11, 2023

The Franklin Police Department conducted a Community Survey from July 25, 2023 – September 3, 2023.  This survey was anonymous and it was looking for community feedback in order to gauge how the department was doing in several different areas including community involvement, safety, procedural justice, performance and satisfaction of officer contact.  This survey was posted on all of our social media platforms and our web site with the intent of reaching as many citizens as possible.

There were 315 responses to this survey.  The results of the survey are below and can also be found on our web site at: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/pages/2023_community_survey_results_data.pdf

The command staff at the police department have looked at this data and have found the following:   

Franklin (MA) Police

Community Involvement

• Although most people feel we do a good job at interacting with the community, we feel we can do better at making it easy for community members to provide input to the department.  We are working on ways for people to be able to provide information and suggestions using social media platforms or other communication platforms.

Safety

• The top three issues identified by the public as the greatest problems in the community are the same, we, as a department, have also identified as top priorities.  They include:
  • Traffic Issues (49.2%)
  • Mental Health Issues (44.4%)
  • Drug Abuse (31.7%)
• Here are the things that the police department have been and will continue to do regarding these issues:
  • Traffic: 
    • We have hired three of the four additional officers that the town has appropriated and once filled will bring us to a total of 58 sworn officers.  These officers have been assigned to our operations division and will be assigned to uniformed patrol.  This will increase the ability to conduct traffic enforcement during times between calls for service.
    • Our patrol division has increased traffic stops in FY23 by approximately 79.4% (3,348 stops) from the year before (FY22 – 1,868 stops).  With the addition of the four new officers, we have directed our operations division to continue this trend and expect an additional 25% increase of traffic stops and directed patrols this year.
  • Mental Health:
    • The department has started its own Co-response Mental Health Program to continue its good work that began with Advocates.
    • We have hired a team of mental health clinician who works directly for the Town of Franklin.  We have hired a FPD Co-response Program Manager and we are in the process of hiring two additional clinicians.  These clinicians will ride with officers to calls for service where mental health issues are a factor.  These clinicians are trained to recognize the problems, they understand the challenges, and can assist officers in real time, while on scene, by getting the individual the services they need quickly.  The new clinicians will start in November of 2023.
  • Drug Abuse:
    • We have one detective that is assigned to narcotics investigations.  All other detectives are crossed trained in narcotics investigations and can assist when needed.
    • Our detectives and clinicians conduct follow up investigations after drug overdoses in order to provide information and support services.
    • Our department participates in a county overdose database in which information is shared between member departments.  This allows us to follow up and provide services to those who are Franklin residents but may have overdosed in another jurisdiction.
    • We have a working partnership with the SAFE coalition and other organizations to provide support services to individuals and families suffering from drug addiction.

Procedural Justice

• We are happy to see that a majority of respondents trust the police, find us respectful and find us fair.  We will continue to strive to meet those expectations the community deserves.

Performance

• Although most found the overall performance of our agency satisfactory, we can improve on proactivity and addressing community concerns.
• We will encourage officers to get out of their cars while on patrol and engage more with the community.
• We will continue to encourage more community engagement through use of special vehicles such as bicycles, motorcycles and foot patrols of high pedestrian areas (i.e. Downtown, malls, etc.).

Conclusion

First of all, we would like to thank the community members who took the time to complete the survey.  Your feedback is extremely important to gauge what the community thinks of our performance.  We take all of this feedback extremely seriously and will do our best to improve.  Our goal is to provide the best possible service that we can, the level of service that our residents deserve. 

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/police-department-community-service-results-action-plan

Walking a labyrinth and diamond painting, tools for the toolbox to help with mental health (audio)

FM #1071 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1071 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Rick Rollingcross. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV Studio on September 21, 2023. 

Rick provides his short story, and as a retired psychologist advocates for additional tools in the toolkit to deal with time away from screens. He has a regular session at the Senior Center for “diamond painting” which he describes during our talk. He also advocates for walking a labyrinth. 

Sessions on diamond painting are available through Tri-County Continuing Education.

Our conversation runs about 16 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Rick recorded Sep 21, 2023

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1071-labyrinths-diamond-painting-09-21-23

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Tri-County Continuing Ed catalog for the Fall of 2023 -> https://a9m535.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BROCHURE-8.30edit1.pdf 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Update: As this was prepared for publication, Rick added this update on his foundation:

"The Rollingcross Foundation has been given state and federal permission to operate as a non profit and I am in the process of setting up its account. Understanding that the school year has been off to a chaotic start with the unexpected arrival of 30 migrant students i waited until October before reaching out again to the schools. I have sent a letter with research that I hope will give us some traction to Assistant Superintendent Paula Marano"

The labyrinth at FUSF on a sunny day in 2016

Franklin TV: A Crisis of Our Time

Our Mental Well-Being is at Risk

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 10/01/2023

Mental Trauma – It’s a pernicious undercurrent of general anger and discontent that pervades our new normal. We witness moments of it as airline and road rage.

Franklin TV: A Crisis of Our Time

For many, all is not as it may seem at the surface. This is particularly true among seniors. Statistics indicate that up to twenty-five percent of seniors experience issues that can threaten or diminish their mental and emotional well-being.

Dr. Anne Bergen and guests investigate the many facets of mental health in today’s challenging environment. Find Anne’s program in our weekly TV Guides, and find answers and insights that can lead to a better, brighter outlook on life.

And – as always –

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 

And, thank you for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Franklin Health Dept: September is National Self-Care Month

September is National Self-Care Month! Regular self-care can increase our sense of well-being and prevent burnout. 

For tips click the link: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health 

Video link -> https://youtu.be/wr4N-SdekqY?si=7dM8jhMG4XpKKxAH

Kallie Montagano has rejoined the Franklin Police Department as Mental Health Clinician

Via Franklin Police Facebook Update: 

“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”

- Clinician Kallie Montagano

We are happy to announce that Kallie Montagano has rejoined the Franklin Police Department as our sole mental health clinician.

Kallie Montagano

In 2018 the FPD first partnered with the Jail Diversion Program which brought a mental health clinician to the department. As part of the grant-funded program, we shared a clinician with the Medway Police Department. Kallie was our first clinician with the program. Over time Kallie left us (she got promoted) and we had new clinicians fill her spot.

In July 2023, Chief Lynch brought Kallie back as our sole clinician, independent from the Jail Diversion Program. She is running the Franklin Police Department Co-Response Program. Part of her responsibilities includes providing immediate, on-scene crisis response alongside officers, rapid on-scene de-escalation, mental health assessments, substance use assessments, and referrals to services.

Kallie’s goal is to keep people in the community with a solid foundation of support. If you need her services or know someone who could benefit from her services, don't hesitate to reach out!

Shared from -> 

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0tBmMgC7G8gZE1gAvyS3SfMCu2NQ7ooVZ2xMZPVjcWEjckFFV9gUk4t4GcoM58Mqdl&id=100064353536794&mibextid=Nif5oz

SAFE Coalition near term event schedule starts with Overdose Awareness Day - Aug 31

"Coming to a community near you!

Interested in learning more from the SAFE team?

We would LOVE to meet you at any of our upcoming events!

Questions? email us at info@safecoalitionma.org"

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/100064793556083/posts/pfbid02QyzzAyEkde4WA6HC3gTshjFiwU2stP2tf7DyQvgqus8WhHgqzAgpQSVKdmH5B8bol/

For more about the SAFE Coalition and the programs they offer visit them on the web at ->  https://www.safecoalitionma.org/

SAFE Coalition near term event schedule starts with Overdose Awareness Day - Aug 31

Hockomock Area YMCA receives $20,000 grant to educate and provide mental health trainings for staff

The Hockomock Area YMCA announced it received a $20,000 grant from the MetroWest Health Foundation to help address mental health challenges. 

The 1-year grant will be used to develop opportunities and trainings aimed at educating YMCA staff around creating a culture where mental health discussion is encouraged. Funding will provide Mental Health First Aid Training for Hockomock Y staff and also support a communication campaign to staff, volunteers and members around the Y’s commitment to address mental health. Staff will learn tools and overall strategies to better support mental health among youth.  

Hockomock Area YMCA

"Our YMCA is thrilled to have the longstanding support of the Metrowest Health Foundation as we continue to grow our Mental Health Programming and supports. During our six months of strategic planning, Mental Health was discussed as the top priority for all populations in each outreach session,” comments Jim Downs, CEO of the Hockomock Area YMCA. “A set of strategic goals arose from this process, with one of them addressing the evolution of our YMCA’s mental health support for all ages in the communities we serve. We recognize that education and normalizing the conversation about mental health is of the utmost importance for every individual in and outside of our YMCA branches. Specifically, education and empowerment of staff around the topic of mental health is imperative for the youth and individuals we support.”

The grant is in response to the 2020 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey that found 13% of youth reported feeling depressive symptoms in the past year and 11% had seriously considered suicide in their lifetime.  

For more information on the YMCA’s efforts around Mental Health, please contact Brynne Kirwan, LCSW, at brynnek@hockymca.org.

About Hockomock Area YMCA:

At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. 

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org. 

INVITE: Mental Health Essentials for Parents and Caregivers - May 8, 2023

Join me for a #MetroWestKids Mental Health Literacy Event!

Please join me for a virtual presentation, Mental Health Essentials for Parents and Caregivers, delivered by experts from the Mental Health Collaborative (MHC), a Hopkinton-based nonprofit organization that serves educators, school districts, and families across the country with education on mental health literacy. This free webinar aims to provide those with children, particularly in grades six through 12, the tools they need to understand their children's stress, identify emotional and behavioral health issues and their treatments, and empower them to obtain and maintain good mental health for their loved ones. Live translation is available in Portuguese, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL). You can register for the event at www.karenspilka.com/mentalhealth. Monday, May 8, 2023 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm RSVP This event is the sixth year of my #MetroWestKids initiative which has offered programs related to mental health, including social-emotional learning (SEL) and related topics. As a former school committee member and social worker, I know the important role mental health plays in education. Last year, my priority legislation to deliver nation-leading reforms for mental health care in Massachusetts, the Mental Health ABC Act, was signed into law. This development could not come at a more critical time. In MetroWest and across the state, parents have shared concerns with me about their children's mental health and their family's ability to access quality mental health care. This event will provide you with the tools you need to support your child or students. Knowing whether to worry and when, where, and how to get help is key. It's important that we overcome the stigma that has prevented too many of us from taking good care of our mental health for too long. I hope you will find this presentation useful. Please contact my office at (617) 722-1500 if you have questions or for more information. Warm Regards,   karenspilka.com

Senate President Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House, Room 332, Boston, MA 02133 Sent by karen.spilka@masenate.gov powered by Try email marketing for free today!