Press Releases

NWCSB Partners with Front Royal Moose Lodge to provide Free Training

Released July 8, 2024

WOODSTOCK, VA - Northwestern Community Services Board (NWCSB) is partnering with Front Royal Moose Lodge to provide an Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences Training on, July 30, 2024, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

The Understanding ACEs training teaches how toxic stress in childhood can impact brain development, what lifelong social, behavioral, and physical outcomes are associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences, and helps to build awareness of how we can build resilient communities.

“I believe this is one of the most important trainings that we provide to the community,” says Shannon Urum, Prevention and Wellness Services Coordinator at Northwestern CSB. “Traumatic experiences before the age of 18 are impacting our social, behavioral, and physical health outcomes. The good news is that what is predictable is preventable. When we understand the impact of early childhood trauma, we can begin working individually and collaboratively on creating safe, accepting spaces where people and communities can grow and thrive.”

Registration for this event is required, https://preventionandwellness.ticketleap.com/understanding-adverse-childhood-experiences/details.

The Prevention and Wellness Services of Northwestern Community Services Board has a mission to prevent substance misuse and suicide and to promote mental wellness in the Lord Fairfax Planning District. The Department utilizes evidence-based programs, practices, and strategies targeting concerns identified by needs assessments and using the Strategic Prevention Framework as its guide. An emphasis is placed on community collaboration and mobilization, enabling groups to be brought together for the benefit of the community.

NWCSB Partners with PFLAG to provide Safe Zone Training

Released May 10, 2024

WOODSTOCK, VA - Northwestern Community Services Board (NWCSB) is partnering with PFLAG of Woodstock to provide Safe Zone training, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, starting at 9:30 am until 12:00 pm, to be held at the Saint Paul’s United Church of Christ in Woodstock.

Safe Zone is a unique training because it provides a safe place to ask questions, to be vulnerable, and to learn about the LGBTQ+ community.

"Over the past two years, PFLAG Woodstock has worked hard to become an integral part of the Woodstock community, and we are dedicated to providing support and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.” Stated Susie Wilburn, President of PFLAG Woodstock. “We believe in the power of unity and collaboration, which is why we've been actively involved with various community organizations. We're excited about the Safe Zone training that we've begun to facilitate in the county, furthering our commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments for all. Through these partnerships, we've been able to make meaningful contributions to our community, providing a needed resource to our community, spreading awareness, and creating safe spaces for all."

To register for this event please visit https://preventionandwellness.ticketleap.com/safe-zone-project-training/details .

PFLAG is the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families. They act as an educational and support system for LGBTQ+ people or their family members who want to know how to support those who come to them.

About Prevention and Wellness Services at Northwestern Community Services Board

Prevention and wellness services aims to prevent substance misuse, suicide, problem gaming/gambling and promote mental wellness through community collaboration and a trauma-informed lens. Find out more information at www.nwcsbwellness.com

Free Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences Training

Released January 19, 2024

Northwestern Community Services Board Prevention and Wellness Services in partnership with Triumph Over Trauma Northern Shenandoah Valley Resiliency Initiative is providing an Understanding ACES Training on Tuesday, January 30th, 2024, at the Winchester Our Health Campus in the Eagle Board Room (329 N. Cameron St. Suite 200, Winchester, VA).

The Understanding ACES training is provided as part of a state-wide initiative, “ACE Interface instructors from across Virginia are working together to raise awareness through education and to connect people to helpful resources to reduce adverse childhood experiences and ultimately improve the overall health and wellbeing of our communities.” (Virginia Prevention Works, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) 2022)

Studies show that 26% of adults have at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), while 1 in 8 adults have 4 or more ACES. The Understanding ACES training will discuss how toxic stress in childhood can impact brain development, the ACES Study and how ACES can impact an individual throughout their life, and how communities can begin thinking about steps toward self-healing and resilience.

Shannon Urum, Prevention and Wellness Coordinator, said, “Partnerships like the one we have with Triumph Over Trauma is vital to creating a more trauma-responsive community. We hope to continue working together to offer more training opportunities moving forward.”

To learn more about Triumph Over Trauma, the local Trauma-informed care network or to attend the next general membership which are normally scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of each month from 12:30-1:30 meeting please reach out to triumphovertraumansv@gmail.com.

About Prevention and Wellness Services at Northwestern Community Services Board

Front Royal Mental Health Training Series

Released January 18, 2023

The Front Royal Moose Lodge and Northwestern CSB's Prevention and Wellness Services are partnering to bring a series of trainings to Front Royal, Virginia in an effort to provide the community with information, tools and resources to support those with Mental Health and Substance Misuse challenges. Trainings will take place at the Front Lodge, located at 1340 John Marshall Highway, Front Royal, VA 22630. Each event is free of charge thanks to grant funding that Northwestern CSB receives and the generosity of the Front Royal Moose Lodge.

The first training in the series - scheduled for February 9th from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. is Adult Mental Health First Aid, an 8 hour course designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Seating is limited to 30 and registration is required. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adult-mental-health-first-aid-tickets-513992815347

The second training will held on March 8th at 6:30 pm. REVIVE, a Naloxone training class, goes over the signs and symptoms of Opioid Overdose and how to administer Naloxone. At the end of the class, you will be able to administer Naloxone and will receive a free REVIVE Kit with Naloxone. Registration is requested. https://forms.gle/iFGcBQSoCWHaP5sw5

The final training of the series, Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences, is on April 13th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00.pm with a free lunch being provided at 12:00 p.m. Find out 1) how early childhood trauma impacts brain development, 2) how adversity early in life can lead to lifelong social, behavioral and physical outcomes and 3) what we can begin doing to build more resilience communities. Registration requested. https://forms.gle/Zm43XYH94XpB7Rsq5

About Prevention and Wellness Services at Northwestern Community Services Board

Strengthening Families Program

Released September 13, 2022

The Strengthening Families Program is an evidence-based family skills training program that helps pre-teens ages 10-14 learn how to better communicate with their parents and teachers as well as giving them the tools they need to develop healthy coping skills to help discourage aggressive and disruptive behavioral issues at home and in school. The average participant in this program has a 2-3 year delay on the initiation of substance use.

One participating family stated that the Strengthening Families Program was more beneficial to them than conventional therapy and intensive in-home. Teens and parents are separated for the first half of the program to learn different skills, the second half of the class brings parents and teens back together to practice the skills they have learned in their lessons.

Northwestern Community Services Board Prevention and Wellness Services is facilitating this FREE 7-week program starting on Monday, September 19th. The program will be held at Laurel Ridge Community College in Middletown, VA from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. A light supper will be served prior to the start of the program each week. Incentives for participating in the Strengthening Families Program are valued at over $100.00 in gas and grocery vouchers.

To learn more or to register for the Strengthening Family Program please visit: https://www.nwcsbwellness.com/strengthening-families, email youthresourcealliance@gmail.com, or call Mandy McCarthy at 540-683-1769.

About the Prevention Department at Northwestern Community Services Board

The Prevention Department at Northwestern Community Services Board has a mission to prevent substance misuse and suicide and to promote mental wellness in the Lord Fairfax Planning District. The Department utilizes evidence-based programs, practices, and strategies targeting concerns identified by needs assessments and using the Strategic Prevention Framework as its guide. An emphasis is placed on community collaboration and mobilization, enabling groups to be brought together for the benefit of the community. Find more information at www.nwcsbwellness.com

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Suicide Prevention Ride and Awareness Event to be held in the area on September 18th.

Released August 30, 2022

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness month and to bring attention to this topic, Northwestern Community Services Board, along with local partner organizations, will have an inaugural Suicide Prevention Motorcycle Ride and Awareness Event on Sunday, September 18. The purpose of this event is to come together as a community to show support for those who have lost loved ones to suicide and to let individuals know that there are resources with whom to reach out and connect when in need.

“We know that many people in our area have been impacted by suicide” said Corialise Pence, Communications Specialist for Northwestern Community Services Board. “We hope, through this event, that individuals will know they have the support of the community, and that those who are currently struggling will recognize that there are resources available and organizations that can help.”

The Front Royal Moose Riders are partnering with Northwestern CSB to coordinate the motorcycle ride, which will begin at the Front Royal Moose Lodge Pavilion located at 1340 John Marshall Highway. Registration will begin at 8:30 am, with kickstands up at 10:30 am. The cost to ride is $20 per bike and will benefit Concern Hotline, the area’s local 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline. There will also be a resource fair from 8:30 am-11:30 a.m, with a program starting at 10:00 am.

The ride will have one stop in New Market, where Family Youth Initiative will be hosting the Shenandoah County Awareness event and resource fair from 10:00 am–2:00 pm at the Community Center, 9184 John Sevier Rd. The ride will end at Bulldog Stadium in Luray, 740 US-340. Page Alliance for Community Action will be hosting their event at that location from 11:00-2:00. 50/50 raffle tickets, to benefit Concern Hotline, will also be available at all 3 events.

Follow Prevention and Wellness, Family Youth Initiative, and Page Alliance for Community Action Facebook page to stay up to date on all the activities happening in each location. You can find all up-to-date information on www.nwcsbwellness.com On Facebook, you can access PACA at @PageAllianceforCommunityAction; FYI at @ShenCoFYI, Northwestern Community Services Board at @NWCSBCares and NWCSB Prevention and Wellness Services at @NWCSBWellness.

Northwestern Prevention and Wellness Services

Prevention and Wellness Services at Northwestern Community Services Board has a mission to prevent substance misuse and suicide and to promote mental wellness in the Lord Fairfax Planning District. The Department utilizes evidence-based programs, practices, and strategies targeting concerns identified by needs assessments and using the Strategic Prevention Framework as its guide. An emphasis is placed on community collaboration and mobilization, enabling groups to be brought together for the benefit of the community. Find more information at http://www.nwcsb.com/prevention.php

Let’s Chalk About Mental Health

Released May 10, 2022

Every May, Mental Health America observes Mental Health Awareness Month and encourages organizations from across the United States to join their initiative. This year, the Northwestern Community Services Board’s Prevention and Wellness Services is conducting its 3rd annual ‘Let’s Chalk About Mental Health’ campaign. This interactive initiative is designed to educate the community about the diverse aspects of mental health and how to reduce the stigma around seeking help when needed.

Launched on May 1, ‘Let’s Chalk About Mental Health’ will cover why relationships matter, how and when to reach out when you or a friend may be experiencing a mental health crisis, how to be there with active listening tips and tools, and how, together, we can find resources for self-help and professional help. The Prevention and Wellness team will share resources, facilitate discussions, and offer tips to start the conversation at home. Community members can access content through their social media accounts- @LordFairfaxYRA on all major platforms.

To join the discussion, individuals and organizations can share pictures, videos or posts using the hashtag #NWChalksAboutMH. “Through the campaign, we hope to foster conversations regarding mental health and breaking down barriers. We encourage the community to support those conversations by connecting others to resources and being there for someone in their time of need.” stated Rebekah Schennum, Prevention and Wellness Specialist. The Prevention and Wellness team hopes the campaign will reach community members of all ages and encourage a growing understanding of mental health and the importance of mental wellness.

Northwestern Prevention and Wellness Services

Experience the Community Differently Through the Eye of the Lens

Released March 2022

During the past six weeks, Prevention and Wellness Services of Northwestern Community Services Board has been leading a program entitled “Photovoice.” The Photovoice Project allows participants to explore wellness. Through the project, participants learn about the Eight Dimensions of Wellness and take photos of how they experience wellness in the community.

This group will be holding their Premier Gallery Display of the Photovoice Project at the Our Health facility in Winchester on March 30th from 9:30 am until 10:30 am. Viewers will experience wellness through the eye of the lens of the photographers who participated in this program.

Corialise Pence, Communications Specialist for Northwestern Community Services Board, who has helped facilitate this project, says, “It has been an honor and a privilege to get to know our participants in such a unique manner. We have the opportunity to see the community through their eyes and experiences. I have also gotten to see a new perspective on the things we see every day and forget to consider the beauty that they hold.”

Our Health is located at 329 N. Cameron St., Winchester, VA 22601. The Photovoice Gallery will be held in the Eagle Conference Room. This program has been supported through the State Opioid Response Funding.