Taking Care of Each Other!
Partnering, collaborating, & caring with other community organizations that provide services to our schools, students, and families.
Assistant Principal, Amanda Rojas, Superintendent Brennan Asplen, & Assistant Principal Jessica Fuesy stand in front of the recently painted Brookside Barracuda mural that was completed in August 2021 to bring a burst of joy for students, teachers, and staff!
We Believe that Positive Work and Learning Environments Stimulate Optimism.
The LOM Project adopted Brookside Middle School through First Step of Sarasota's School Prevention Program. There are 750 students. 23% of them have identified disabilities. 60% qualify for free/reduced lunches. 54% of the 750 are minority students. There are 100 staff members; 60 are teachers (or direct service providers). Prior to COVID, there was one mental health counselor. We added the salary of another so that their combined caseload is up to 40 students still less than 1% of the population. So, we added two other positions for drop in services for the rest of the population. And we pledged it for 3 years.
Celebrating each other during COVID! We are each vaccinated and spending time outdoors without the hectic rush of the school day. The Florida Center mental health counselors serve the elementary school population. The Lean on Me Project is currently sponsoring three LMHC so there can be a second counselor at the schools that prove the need.
The NAMI/LOM Team staying current with CPR training. We completed the CPR AED class that taught us adult and child CPR and AED use and how to relieve choking in adults, children, and infants. We participated in simulated clinical scenarios and learning stations.
The Florida Center for Early Childhood is home to the state’s first and only Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Clinic. The clinic is available to diagnose, make recommendations, provide necessary interventions and educate (families and communities) in order to reduce/prevent negative outcomes.
Photo by Cliff Roles
Amy F. Weinberger was honored to have been a speaker at the Sunshine from Darkness 2021 event. It is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to raising funds for mental health research and local charities that provide mental health and addiction disorder services in the Sarasota community.
Photo by Cliff Roles
In partnership with FaceAutism through Dynasty Dance Clubs in Lakewood Ranch, LOM continues to sponsor Ballroom Dance Classes that focusses on the practice of learning to express through dance which builds overall confidence and increases the connection between mind and body. Students learn the Tango, Rumba, Waltz, Salsa and Free Style combinations.
Co-Founder, Amy F. Weinberger, MSED is one of the national trainers for Youth Mental Health First Aid. It is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
Check out the Brookside Barracuda mural initiative. Thank you to muralist, Pam Olin and community volunteers. There are two murals at the campus: one at the carline and one at the bus lane
The opposite of crisis is prevention and early intervention. This is why we gather together tonight. We have the power, collectively, with our philanthropic pocketbooks as well as our time, passion, relationships, ideas to create a sustainable proactive approach to mental health wellness in our schools that can lead to resilience. My name is Amy Falk Weinberger, and I am told that I am a creative community connector. So I am asking you to join me in supporting wellness opportunities in our education communities.
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