🤝Social Work🤝

PA Distance Learning Charter has a partnership with the Highmark Caring Place.  We feel  it is important to provide support to our students who are grieving.  During  the school year we will be offering grief groups to our Elementary, Middle School and High Students.  These groups will be led by a Caring Place counselor  and one of our school counselors or social worker.   

Children grieve differently than adults do. The younger the child, the less they have the ability to understand death and loss. They don't have the vocabulary to put the concepts into words, and are less able to deal with emotional pain. Children often have many questions after a death. What's important is the conversation that comes from the questions, the connection made with the child, rather than the answers. Even though we can't "fix" the child, we can support them, and hear them, and love them. In the confusing and overwhelming time of grief, our presence is more significant than our answers.

Highmark Caring Place:

At the Highmark Caring Place, we help individuals and families navigate their grief journey and find hope. For over 25 years, with facilities in Pittsburgh, Erie, Harrisburg, and Warrendale, PA, the Caring Place has provided free grief support services to children, teens, young adults, and families regardless of insurance coverage, serving more than 100,000 family and community members. 

The Caring Place has also produced a series of free educational brochures for families that address some basic concepts of grief. The series has become a valuable tool in helping people to better understand grief.

https://www.highmarkcaringplace.com/cp2/grief/grievingChildren.shtml

https://www.highmarkcaringplace.com/cp2/grief/brochures.shtml

Other Resources:

For parents to utilize when speaking to their children about loss - https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/death.html

National Alliance for Grieving Children - https://nacg.org/family-portal/

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is: 988. Call, text or chat with a lifeline counselor 24/7/365 for free and confidential support for anyone facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to. 

#BeThe1To:

Find out why this can save a life at www.BeThe1To.com

How can I help others? Be the 1 - 5 steps to Save a Life

NAMI-The National Alliance On Mental Illness #NOTALONE

1-800-950-6264 M-F 10am-6pm,ET or in a crisis text “NAMI” to 741741 for 24/7, confidential free counseling.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

1-800-622-HELP(4357) Call 24/7

For individuals and family members facing mental health and/or substance use disorders. 

Al-Anon and Alateen:

1-800-356-9996

For friends and family members whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.

Pittsburgh Resolve Crisis Center:

Call before a crisis becomes a crisis. 1-888-7-YOU-CAN (1-888-796-8226)

Philadelphia Children's Crisis Response Center:

1-866-375-5892-Call 24/7

PCCRC provides immediate help for children and teens in crisis.

Childhelp

1-800-4-A-CHILD

Helping victims of Child abuse.

Tools for Parents:

10 Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Suicide 

Tips for Parents & Educators 

PA 211

Available 24/7, call 211, text 898-211, or chat with a trained resource navigator to get connected to programs and services in your community.  PA 211 connects Pennsylvanians to free, confidential support—from help with housing, utilities, food, and childcare to recovery services, employment assistance, and more.

PA Financial Assistance Programs 

NeedhelpPayingBills.com is an independent information website that organizes charity administered assistance programs, places that may give out free items, public assistance and local resources that try to help people pay bills and meet basic needs. 

https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/

Health Insurance:

CHIP for Kids-Most kids receive CHIP for free. Others can get the same benefits at a low cost.  If your income is below the lowest amount listed , your child or teen may be enrolled in Medical  Assistance.

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs

Eligibility and Benefits​

Most kids receive CHIP for free. Others can get the same benefits at a low cost. If your income is below the lowest amount listed, your child or teen may be enrolled in Medical Assistance.

Use COMPASS to see if you qualify for CHIP and other human services in Pennsylvania.

How do I know if my child qualifies?

• Based on your family size and income, your child or teen may be eligible if they meet the following requirements:

• Under 19 years of age

• A U.S. citizen, U.S. national or qualified alien

• A resident of Pennsylvania

• Uninsured and not eligible for Medical Assistance

Information for Grandparents

If you're a grandparent, coverage for your grandchildren is not based on your income, unless you have legally adopted the children. Read more to find out if you are covered.

Information for Immigrants

Children legally residing in Pennsylvania are eligible for CHIP regardless of their parents' immigration status. Read more to find out if you are covered.

Benefits

CHIP is there for your kids with quality, comprehensive health insurance coverage for routine doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, eye care and much more, including:

• Immunizations

• Routine Checkups & Well Visits

• Prescription Drugs

• Dental, Vision, Hearing Services

• Emergency Care

• Mental Health Benefits

• Hospitalization

• Durable Medical Equipment

• Substance Abuse Treatment

• Partial Hospitalization for Mental Health Services

• Rehabilitation Therapies

• Home Health Care

• Maternity Care

• Hospice and Palliative Services

• Medically Necessary Orthodontia

• Autism Spectrum Disorder and Related Services

For additional questions about coverage and benefits, contact a CHIP health insurance company.

https://www.chipcoverspakids.com/Eligibility/Pages/default.aspx

https://www.chipcoverspakids.com/ApplyandRenew/Pages/Apply.aspx

Cartwheel Partnership:

PA Distance Learning Charter School is committed to supporting the well-being of our students and believes supporting mental health is an important part of overall student health. We partner with Cartwheel to provide teletherapy, family check-ins and guidance, and psychiatric care—all with licensed clinicians and no waitlists.

Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, having a hard time staying focused, or just needs someone to talk to, Cartwheel is here to help. Learn more about Cartwheel and what common signs to look for to determine if your child might benefit from mental health support here.

🧠 A licensed therapist or psychiatrist with no waitlist, within a matter of days.

💻Telehealth sessions from 8am to 8pm, whenever is most  convenient.

🗣️Care in several languages, including English, Spanish, and others.

✅ If you have Medicaid, care is free. We're an in-network provider for most other insurance plans.

🫶 Individual therapy sessions are available for students in grades 3+ and parent guidance sessions are available at all grade levels, providing families with the right level of support at the right time.

You can raise your hand for support today – we’re here when you need us: www.cartwheel.org/families

Clarvida Partnership:

Clarvida is a licensed psychiatric outpatient clinic with school-based service locations across several areas in Pennsylvania that provides behavioral health services to students enrolled in PA Distance Learning Charter School. Depending on the county, in person or telehealth services may be available.