VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – The path to sobriety is easier to navigate thanks to the efforts of Community Solutions and their new residential treatment program – Taheima Place.

A grand opening celebration for select guest, including media, will be held Feb. 8 at the Chesapeake location from 10 am to 4 pm.

The program comes on the heels of some disturbing news. Fatal drug overdose has been the leading method of unnatural death in Virginia since 2013, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

The 30- to 60-day residential substance abuse program offers a safe, comfortable and structured living environment for men and women seeking a drug and alcohol-free life for 10 residents at a time. The program is based on the tenets of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and is capable of addressing opiate and other substance addiction, alcohol treatment and co-occurring disorders requiring a combination of substance abuse treatment alongside mental health therapies.

Clients with insurance, including Medicaid or Medicaid Expansion, have the opportunity to initiate their individual sobriety plan under the direction of trained Certified Substance Abuse Counselors and licensed counselors. The goal is for each resident to develop a realistic lifestyle plan that is implemented while onsite, and most importantly, when graduating from the program.

Unique aspects of the program are the financial planning and literacy education, as well as building a supportive network of friends and family plus connecting to people and activities that enhance the chances of a sustained recovery.

The program offers many individualized services and interventions including AA and NA group participation, individual and family therapy, nutritional and fitness sessions as well as cognitive behavioral group intervention. All this is done under medical supervision.

Residents leave the program with connections to affordable housing as well as employment preparation and career counseling. There is also follow-up care for residents to stay connected, address relapse and offer ongoing support after graduating from the program.

The center works with many organizations in the community to create success. Community partners include, but aren’t limited to, the Department of Aging & Rehabilitation Service; Eggleston Services; Job Corp; military recruiters and TowneBank.

Community Solutions also works closely with Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Tidewater Community College and the Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension.

Community Solutions was founded in 2000 to help create a path to a solid future by coming alongside families to overcome barriers as well as set and achieve goals. The agency has recently revamped its services and is offering even more help to the community. Other services include, but aren’t limited to after school programs, educational and parental mentoring, substance abuse services and support for foster children aging out of the system.

For more information about Community Solutions visit www.CSServices.co or call 757-461-5098.

by Mike Terkeltaub,
Community Solutions Director of Project Development

   
Much of my inspiration as I continue to support children and families comes from stories of resiliency.  Many of the books on this list are these types of books.
 
“The Pact” is this type of book.  “The Pact” is the story of three young men figuring out life as teenagers.  They make a pact to become doctors even though the odds are long.
 
“An Unquiet Mind” is this type of book.  Kay Redfield Jamison’s journey as a survivor of mental illness is inspiring.
 
“It Gets Better” is this type of book.  Dan Savage and Terry Miller write a terrific book supporting young people in the LGBTQ community and calling for a stop to bullying.
 
I hope folks pass this list along and send me books I should add to this collection.

•  “Three Little Words” by Ashley Rhodes Courter

• "Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids" by Dr. Laura Markham
• “It Gets Better” by Dan Savage and Terry Mille
• “An Unquiet Mind” by Kay Redfield Jamison
• “Ask Elizabeth” by Elizabeth Berkley (a fabulous book for young women by  one of  the stars of “Saved by the Bell”  
• “The Pact” by Doctors Davis, Jenkins and Hunt
• “The Heart Knows Something Different: Teenage Voices From the Foster Care System” by Youth Communications
  
•  “Hope’s Boy” by Andrew Bridge
  
•  “Dear Bully” edited by Hall and Jones
  
• “Please Stop Laughing at Me” and “Please Stop Laughing at Us” by Jodee Blanco
  
• “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson
  
• “Life in Prison” by Stanley “Tookie” Williams, Cottman and Stevens (Stanley Williams was a founding member of the Crips who devoted his life in prison to writing. 
  
• “What’s Going On” by Nathan McCall
  
• “Finding Fish: A Memoir” by Fisher and Rivas
  
• ”A Child Called It”, “The Lost Boy” and “A Man Named Dave” by David Pelzer
  
• “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein (A remarkable children’s book with a great life lesson)
  
• “Everything is Normal Until Proven Otherwise” By Karl Dennis and Ira Lourie (If I could only read one thing about Wraparound)
  
• “Building Systems of Care: A Primer” (If I could only read one thing about Systems of Care.  A technical “how-to” book)
  
• “Chicken Soup” edited by Canfield and others (I pull any of the “Chicken Soup books out when I need a boost.)
  
• Any journal or sketch book brings joy and learning for children, families and professionals.
  

 
There are so many other books out there that build on resiliencies while teaching “professionals” how to support children, families and communities.  I look forward to learning about them from you.
 
Have a great time reading!

Mike

Don’t let stress and worry hurt your health this holiday season. While ‘tis the season to be merry, for many of us, it’s also ‘tis the season for stress, anxiety and angst. During this time of year, people often resort to bad habits—this may come in the form of overspending, eating poorly, drinking too much or even lack of sleep.
To help you have a happy season, here are 10 tips to relieve holiday stress.

1. Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. You don’t have to be everywhere or break the bank. In addition, as families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose what to hold on to, and be open to new ideas.
2. Stick to a budget. This can be a big area of frustration. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford – or want to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with gifts.
3. Learn to say no. We don’t have to be all and do all. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every project or activity.
4. Get moving. Keep or set regular time to exercise. Research shows that physical activity not only boosts your fitness and energy levels but can also elevate your moods. In addition, exercise has been found to reduce anger, tension, fatigue and confusion. Despite the many demands on your time, this is not the season to stop exercising.
5. Keep healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt.
6. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm like talking a walk, reading a book, or an extra-long shower.
7. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, parties, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. This will help you feel more in control of your schedule and give you time you need for your family or yourself.
8. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Also, check in to volunteering your time to help others. It’s a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
9. Be generous. One of the best ways to stay calm, content and cheerful this time of year is to act generously with your loved ones, co-workers and friends. This doesn’t mean spending money either. You can be generous with your compliments, smiles, hugs and time. You can generously offer to do a loved one’s dreaded errand, offer a hug to a friend in need or help your friends and family wrap presents.  
10. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints. If you are unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, or unable to face routine chores that lasts longer than you think is okay, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
    

Community Solutions offers programs for youth, adults and families.  Give us a call for more information. (757)461-5098

Virginia Beach, VA - December 4, 2018. . . Mike Terkeltaub has served children and families for over 30 years.  He began his career as a residential counselor at Pleasantville Cottage School in the early 1970’s.  He worked in the “cottages”, group homes and local school the children attended.  He moved to Virginia in the early 1990’s where he founded a seminal Wraparound services program at the Barry Robinson Center.  He was named the city of Hampton Virginia Comprehensive Services Act Coordinator in 1995.  This led to accolades as Mr. Terkeltaub led a multi-agency collaborative in bringing children home from out of community institutional placements while reducing the number of children entering foster care.  These efforts resulted in creating a unique and robust community based system of care.

Mike began to serve as a consultant to local and state agencies regarding the development of trauma informed, family focused, strengths-based services for children, families and communities. He was the leader of Systems of Care and Wraparound efforts in Hampton Virginia and served for ten years as a consultant to the City of Hampton Systems of Care Leadership Team. 

He has over 25 years experience writing, developing, implementing and operating community-based programming for at-hope youth and families. He has been instrumental in developing strengths-based, community-based initiatives in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. These programs include Systems of Care approaches, Wrap-around processes, therapeutic foster care, therapeutic group homes, in-home services, mentoring, respite, and after school programs. He has consulted to communities, agencies and individual families in Virginia, Louisiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Arizona, Washington D.C., New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and the Netherlands.

He develops creative and sensible community-based alternatives to out-of-home care for individual young people as well as systems approaches to reducing the need for out-of-home care.  Mike has supported children and young adults successfully leaving state hospitals, treatment centers and long-term placements to live successfully in their homes, schools and communities.

Mike has created multiple public/private partnerships in his home state of Virginia including specialized intensive foster care homes, teaching parent homes, intensive case management services and specialized homes for children and families with complex needs. He has provided technical assistance to many localities throughout Virginia in creating Systems of Care and Wraparound supports and services.

He also served as the Executive Director of Children’s Behavioral Health Services in Phoenix, Arizona where he was instrumental in the development of community-based alternatives to out-of-home and out-of-community placements, as well as a leader in the development of family driven service delivery.

Mike Terkeltaub most recently served as the Chief Administrative Officer for Child and Family Support Services (CFSS), Arizona’s largest provider of community based services. Mike has been part of the CFSS Team in various capacities for 10 years. He was instrumental in the development of Direct Supports, the Mental Health clinics in Northern Arizona, the Bring Our Children Home project and the development of Behavioral Health Direct Supports in Tucson Arizona.  Since 2012 Mike has been the Project Leader in the development of Child Welfare (DCS) services at CFS

Mr. Terkeltaub holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from City University of New York and a Master of Arts Degree in Social Issues from Old Dominion University.  He has served as the keynote speaker and session trainer at over 50 conferences nationwide.  Mike was born into the foster care system in Norfolk, Virginia and works diligently to improve outcomes for at-hope young people and families served by multiple child-serving agencies.  He was recently honored as the Dreamweaver Wraparound award recipient by Karl Dennis and Dixie Jordan as well as was the recipient of the 2013 Hampton’s Hero Award.  He was the recipient of the 2014 first annual Child and Family Support Services Person of the Year award which has been renamed the CFSS Mike Terkeltaub award.

Community Solutions is proud and honored to have Terkeltaub as part of our team!

The holidays can be a fun – yet stressful – time for all of us. But, for those, especially children, with sensory overload issues, the holidays can mean more than stress. Avoid some of the power struggles, meltdowns and overloads with these tips.

1. Comfort is key. No matter how cute the dress looks or how adorable the pants tie together the outside, if your little one doesn’t like them, ask yourself is it worth the fight? Let your child wear comfortable clothes that don’t bind or chafe. It won’t hurt to let him wear his favorite sweat shirt or faded shoes, and it could help get your holiday dinner off on the right foot.
2. Schedule. Schedule. Schedule. This is key. Give your child a schedule of events for special activities, like Thanksgiving Day. It can be a written schedule or one with pictures for younger kids. Your child will feel calmer and safer knowing what is coming next. If you have a list of events, consider letting your child cross them off once they are complete, and discuss the schedule regularly. If your child is older, you can incorporate them into the planning stages so they feel they are part of the decisions.
3. Physical activity before the party. If you have time, engage your child in some physical activity before the festivities begin. Help him get out the wiggles before you are trapped in a car for hours or sitting at a table for long periods of time. He doesn’t need the extra energy and it can help him maintain his control around others.
4. Create a quite space. If you’re going someplace else for your holiday dinner, talk with the host beforehand and see if there is a quiet room where your child can go to have time to himself. Work with your child to make a “Do Not Disturb” sign to put on the door so he feels like he is part of the solution. Tell him it is ok for him to spend time alone and relax away from the crowd.
5. Smells of the season. Some children are sensitive to smells, even things that we consider appealing. If you are hosting the festivities and your home is already swimming in the aromas of pumpkin pie, turkey and all of extra food, skip the scented candles. It might be a little thing, but little things add up. In addition, if you want to play music, pick something soothing and keep it low.
6. Pick a code word. Choose a code word your child can use when feeling overwhelmed and needs a break. If he uses the code word, respond right away. Giving children some control during activities that may be overstimulating for them will reduce anxiety, and help them stay calm and organized. Knowing there is a way "out" is important.
7. Consider scaling back. Holiday parties and dinners have a way of expanding exponentially. What might start as meager plans can quickly turn into multiple house visits, parties with fiends and hours of visits. If you have a child with sensory challenges who gets overwhelmed by too much noise and activity, think about cutting back your guest list or outings. Most people will understand if you say, “It just got to be too much, but we would love to have everyone over for a barbecue this summer when we can all spread out outside and enjoy the weather.”

 
Let us know what you have planned to help your child cope with the holiday season.