Mental Health First Aid Training Classes

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

     
In response to public demand, additional sessions of the Mental Health First Aid training are being offered. This training demonstrates the initial help given to a person showing signs of mental illness or a mental health crisis.

 The eight-hour course teaches risk factors, warning signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders; the effects of the illnesses and an overview of treatments; and a five-step action plan for helping someone with symptoms. Additional training sessions have been scheduled between January and June 2014. Each session is two four-hour classes.  Youth courses are available for adults responding to a youth in crisis.

This training does not prepare someone to diagnose or provide treatment. It is designed to help 

paraprofessionals and laypersons provide support until an individual is linked to professional resources. MHFA is not recommended for licensed mental health providers.

Registration is open until filled.  Limit 20 participants per class and seats fill quickly. Visit alexandriava.gov/DCHS for class dates and registration. Attendees of the full eight-hour course will receive a three-year certification in MHFA. For more about the classes, contact Donielle Marshall at 703.746.3523 or donielle.marshall@alexandriava.gov. To learn more about MHFA, visit mentalhealthfirstaid.org.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation, e-mail Maurice Tomdio atmaurice.tomdio@alexandriava.gov or call 571.384.5244. 

Kirk Martin Presents Celebrate Calm Workshop at Mt. Vernon Community School

FROM the MT. Vernon Community School PTA: 

Celebrate Calm Workshop January 21, 2014

Posted on January 6, 2014 by MVCS PTA

Please join us for a special workshop on Tuesday, January 21 from 7-9pm: Kirk Martin presents the Celebrate Calm Workshop. You will not want to miss this amazing speaker and this program that is highly regarded throughout the country! Childcare will be provided in the cafeteria.

Why Bring Kirk Martin and the Celebrate Calm Workshop to Mt. Vernon Community School?

The Celebrate Calm Workshops are like nothing you’ve ever experienced. This is not your typical parenting workshop with 25 people in attendance. Kirk Martin tackles the most challenging issues (defiance, disrespect, bullying, sense of entitlement, sibling fights, and more) with specific, concrete strategies that work in the real world. Kirk’s goal is generational transformation. Here is what others have said:

• “Hands down the best speaker we have ever had. It’s like he has a camera in our home! I finally feel like someone truly understands our family.”
• “The presentation is practical, laugh-out-loud funny and generate significant buzz in the community!”

On January 21, 2014, the MVCS PTA will host Kirk who will present his most popular two-hour workshop — Stop Defiance & Disrespect: Eliminate Power Struggles & Sibling Fights.

Do you want your child to take responsibility for his schoolwork, chores, and attitude? Tired of bribing and negotiating with your kids? It’s time to stop the yelling, arguing, and power struggles with toddlers and teens. We promise you will laugh and leave with a dozen practical strategies that really work to:

• Get your kids to listen the first time.
• Eliminate power struggles and yelling.
• Stop defiance, disrespect, and sibling fights.
• Get kids off video games/screens without a fight.
• Create stress-free mornings, homework time, and bedtime.

ROAM Rock of Ages Concert Series is this Saturday

The ROAM Rock of Ages 2014 Concert Series Kick Off, sponsored by Del Ray Pizzeria, is this Saturday, January 11 at the Old Town Theater. 

The show will feature various ROAM rock bands all featuring local kids from ages 9 - 16. 

Music will range from classic to modern rock, along with some original material. 

Doors open at 5 and bands play at 7. Tickets are $12, and available at the Old Town Theater or via phone at 703-838-2130.

 

January Planetarium Show

FROM ACPS:

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR JANUARY PLANETARIUM SHOW

The week of Jan. 27 marks a dark period in U.S. manned space exploration.
Though decades apart, the losses of the Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia crews
are sobering reminders of what can happen when success lulls us into a false sense of security. The January ACPS Community Planetarium Show will revisit the disasters and near-disasters encountered by our astronauts and celebrate the triumphs that arose from the tragedies. Doors will open at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, for the program, which will take place from 7:15-8:45 p.m. Due to the graphic nature of this show, attendance by young children is not recommended.

Watch Gus Grissom narrowly avoid sinking to the bottom of the Atlantic with his Liberty 7 spacecraft. Relive several tense hours as the U.S. Navy searched for Scott Carpenter's Aurora 7 spacecraft when it splashed down 250 miles off course. Join rookie astronauts Neil Armstrong and David Scott during the Gemini 8 mission as they fought to bring their out of control spacecraft out of a near blackout spin. Try to catch your breath as a sweat-blinded and exhausted Gene Cernan struggles to get back to his Gemini 9 spacecraft. Watch the countdown clock edge towards zero as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldren try to land the Eagle on the moon before they run out of fuel. In addition to this roller coaster presentation, the show will include a walk across the late January/early February sky.

Enrollment is limited to the first 35 people who register online or by calling the planetarium at 703-824-6805, extension 6300. To allow more people access to the planetarium shows, please note that we cannot honor bulk requests for tickets. Please order only the number of tickets you need for your family. For additional information, please email or call Bob Nicholson at 703-824-6805, extension 6300. Other upcoming dates for the school year include Feb. 18, March 25, April 29, May 27 and June 17.