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Puerto Rican native bridges barriers as counselorKelia Rivera-Rodiguez works for National Counseling Group's Culpeper office and was featured in a Lifestyles article of the Star Exponent about working for NCG in the Culpeper community. Krista Hale is the site director for National Counseling Group's office serving Culpeper, Rappahannock, Madison and Orange. On November 21, 2009, National Counseling Group donated $1000 to support the Friends of the Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, Inc.The premier fund raising event for The Friends of the Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Inc. primarily relies on corporate sponsorship. NCG’s sponsorship was used to support the Cape Henry Duathalon and Running Festival held at Fort Story in Virginia Beach, VA. The funds raised by this event assists in offering valuable services to the many children on probation in the City of Virginia Beach. Roughly 600 volunteers race in the Cape Henry Duathalon and Running Festival. The Duathalon includes the 5K Run, 32K Bike Race, and the 5K run. The Runfest includes the 10 mile run and the 5K run. This year, Frank Valentine (Site Director of the Fredericksburg Office) volunteered to participate in the race. The Friends of the Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Inc. was founded in 1992. They serve to make a difference by developing relevant programs, by providing trained volunteers for those programs, and by working to increase public awareness of the needs of youth, their families, and the Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. Their mission is to reduce juvenile delinquency and promote positive change in the community by operating quality programs as an alternative to institutionalization, recruiting and training dedicated and concerned citizens and their families, advocating the needs of youth, their families, and the courts, and conducting on-going fund raising campaigns to provide the resources to operate their programs. Judy McReynolds, Executive Director, stated: “We must work together to protect our children and to give them tools to build a productive future. Frank Valentine and Paul Borzellino participated in the Cape Henry Running Festival on November 21st with proceeds benefiting the Friends of the Virginia Beach Court Services Unit.
Paul ran in the 5k event, while Frank ran in the 10 mile event. Paul (Clinical Supervisor NCG Manassas - pictured on right) finished in 3rd place overall male in the 5k and is displaying his certificate. We would like to extend our appreciation to the Virginia Beach Court Service Unit for helping organize a wonderful event and assiting youths in the Virginia Beach Community! National Counseling Group's Manassas office has donated $500 to the 31st Court Service Unit as part of a youth intervention program through sports.National Couseling Group's Don Edwards (NCG Chaplain) and Randy Wilson (Richmond-based Counselor) will be on the radio with "The Power of One Voice" radio host Sean Anthony.Don and Randy will discuss our Therpeutic Foster Care service, our Intensive In-Home Counseling service, our Mental Health Support service, and our Therpeutic Day Treatment service, and they will answer calls on the air. Melinda Baker-Morris, Administrative Director of Therapeutic Foster Care for NCG, called in and answered questions live during the show about our Foster Care program and our other clinical services. Click here to listen. Sean Anthony November 22, 2009 from 9am-10am
"The Power of One Voice" Email: flowofwisdom@gmail.com Staff from National Counseling Group's Newport News and Virginia Beach offices attended Delegate Lionell Spruill's Annual Fall Fundraiser held the night of
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In attendance from NCG were Holly Duggan, Dennis Raabe, Tina Washington, Ron Harrell, Brenda Ridley-Garris, and Telly Burr. Also in attendance were candidate for Governor, Creigh Deeds, candidate for Lieutentant Governor, Jody Wagner, Mayor of Richmond, Dwight Jones, and US Congressman, Bobby Scott.
On Saturday, October 19th, Bobbie Jo Seamster, Site Director for the National Counseling Group office in Martinsville, along with Sarah Hamblen, Supervisor, and Bobbie Jo's son, Hunter, attended and ran a table at the Children's Health Event at the Martinsville Liberty Fair Mall which focused on educating children and families.
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Many families stopped by the booth, including Delegate Don Merricks of the 16th district (covering Henry county, Martinsville City and Pittsylvania surrounding counties) Great opportunities for Martinsville...
Click on the thumbnails for a larger view.
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Sponsor: Virginia Juvenile Justice Association (VJJA)
Speaker: Patrick Slifka, Director of Training National Counseling Group, Inc.
5002 Monument Avenue Suite 201
Richmond, VA 23230
804.497.4676 (Office)
804.652.8266 (Cell)
JPatrick.Slifka@NationalCounselingGroup.com
Event Dates: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 and Thursday, November 5, 2009
Location: Hampton, VA
Venue: Hampton Holiday Inn & Convention Center, 1815 West Mercury Blvd., Hampton, VA 23666
Click here for more information …
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Don and Randy discussed our Therpeutic Foster Care service, our Intensive In-Home Counseling service, our Mental Health Support service, and our Therpeutic Day Treatment service, and they answered calls on the air.
Sean Anthony
202-378-4930
Sunday's 9am-10am
"The Power of One Voice"
Email: flowofwisdom@gmail.com
Web: www.FlowOfWisdom.wordpress.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Sean_Anthony
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
George Mason University
October 24, 2009
Please join Team NCG and thousands across the country!
Click here for more information …
The photo was taken by Mr William H. Porter.
National Counseling Group's Director of Training, Patrick Slifka, will be offering another inspiratoinal and highly effective training on Self Esteem/Self Defense after many requests to return for a repeat performance to an expanded audience of church members and school teachers at the New College on October 29th from 8:30am-10:30am.
It could not have been a more beautiful day, the weather was great and the crowd had a wonderful time.
Featured from National Counseling Group are Don Edwards (NCG Chaplain), Randy Wilson (Richmond-based Counselor), and Melinda Baker-Morris (Administrative Director of Therpeutic Foster Care).
Don, Randy, and Melinda will be discussing our Therpeutic Foster Care service, our Intensive In-Home Counseling service, our Mental Health Support service, and our Therpeutic Day Treatment service. It is a live show, and they will be answering calls on the air.
The show can be heard at WCDX iPower 92.1 in Richmond.
Sean Anthony
202-378-4930
Sunday's 9am-10am
"The Power of One Voice"
Email: flowofwisdom@gmail.com
Web: www.FlowOfWisdom.wordpress.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Sean_Anthony
On September 18th, NCG Martinsville help a Fall Festival BBQ, which included staff from the Martinsville office and government employees from community and state agencies. A great time had by all! Lots of hot dogs, hamburgers and music, and everyone said they loved the homemade food. NCG Martinsville is led by Bobbie Jo Seamster.
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Special guests included Kimble Reynolds, Vice Mayor of Martinsville and Bud Sedwick, CSA coordinator; Samantha Griffith, Deborah Green, Karen Williams, Lisa Jones, Jeannie Huffman, Debra Hutchinson.
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NCG Newport News held a successful Open House on September 9th, 2009 along with a discussion panel in the morning.
Thomas Minnick (President and CEO), Trevor Schrotz (Business Development Coordinator), Christian Haines (Youth Promise Act Representative for US Congressman Scott) |
Tina Washington (Newport News Assistant Site Director), Norman Crowder (Newport News Department of Human Services, CHINS Unit) |
Antoinette Lee (Newport News CSU), Kelly Rummel (Newport News CSU Probation officer and Gang Specialist), Eleni Kanavas (NN Dept of Human Services, CHINS Unit) |
Holly Duggan (NCG Regional Site Director), Nanette Peden (Newport News DHS) |
Melinda Baker-Morris (Administrative Director of NCG Therapeutic Foster Care), Crystal Bell |
Norman Crowder (Newport News Department of Human Services, CHINS Unit), Mike Warner |
Tamico Eley (Hampton/Newport News CSB) |
National Counseling Group's Director of Training, Patrick Slifka, will be hosting a town hall meeting on October 15th, 2009 at Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond to discuss prescription drug and cough syrup abuse. Patrick is the chair of SAFE and will be the master of ceremonies for the event which will include media coverage in an effort in increase the visibility of the serious issue.
Click here to download the flyer …
Mr. Dennis Raabe was invited to attend a public event whereby he was introduced to the President of the United States. He met President Obama in Tyson's Corner, Virginia on August 6, 2009. Mr. Raabe has worked for the NCG since June 2001 and is a strong advocate for those in need, particularly At Risk Children. Mr. Raabe also spent some time explaining the value of Medicaid funds to those in need.
Additionally, he was able to visit with Governor Candidate Creigh Deeds and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine.
After Dennis shared a conversation with President Obama, the President replied "This country is in great need of counselors and helpers such as you. Please continue helping those that are in need."
Playing on NCG Team 1 photographed above from left to right were David Lively, Holly Duggan (NCG Regional Director), Tracy Matthews, and Bruce Call. On NCG Team 2 photographed from left to right were Sam Gray, Dean Collins, and David White. Sam and his Team 2 brought home 1st Place in their division!
The Captains Choice format golf tournament was designed to benefit The American Cancer Society to help continue the fight against cancer. This year’s event saw 80 golfers and more than 10 volunteers come together for an outstanding day of golf that featured tons of prizes and contests on one of the top 100 courses in the entire nation. This years event raised just shy of $10,000 dollars. Next years event is already shaping up to be even better! 2010 ACS Open to be held in May of 2010. The ACS Open would like to sincerely thank all who played and participated in this years event!
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NCG’s friends at the event with us included:
David Lively, Portsmouth CSU Director
Tracy Matthews, City of Newport News CSU
Bruce Call, 9th District CSU
Dean Collins, Newport News Dept of Juvenile Services
David White, City of Norfolk CSU
Click here to view the Thank You letter…
On Saturday, August 15th, 2009, National Counseling Group's Martinsville office, led by Bobbie Jo Seamster, Site Director, assisted Beth Lawson of the Mental Health Association with KIDFEST 2009. The event is held to offer positive information and education to children, and NCG offered information on dealing with bullies and gave out goody bags and refreshments on the hot summer day.
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In July 2009, National Counseling Group sponsored a youth soccer event through the Affordable Housing Corporation in coordination with the Arlington Gang Task Force in which 100 young people between the ages of 13 and 16 participated and won prizes.
Christmas in July is the Voluntary Action Center's largest community event to raise money for the Un-Trim-A -Tree Holiday Gift program for needy kids. Each year they receive the names of over 5,700 children from the three Department of Social Services, Head start, SERVE and ACTs and we match those children with area donors to provide a couple of gifts to each child. This program is very rewarding and exhausting but at the end of the day, thousands of Prince William children are touched by people from all walks of life here in the greater Prince William community. This is the only gift program for Prince William County kids only.
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Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009
12:00 noon
First Presbyterian Church of Martinsville
Reserve your seat early – 638-7801 or mhcmha@gmail.com
Mr. Thomas Minnick, President and CEO of National Counseling Group and alumnus of George Mason University's Social Work Program, is an annual grant match donator to the Social Work Program which provides college students with scholarship funding.
National Counseling Group has sponsored the National Capitol Area Council Boy Scounts of America dinner.The 2009 Fauquier County "Good Scout" Award Dinner held on May 27th, 2009 at the Fauquier Springs Country Club was attended by Mr. Thomas Minnick, CEO, and Mr. Paul Lawrence of National Counseling Group.
Sean Blair spoke and answered questions about the National Counseling Group. This business provides at-home counseling services to at-risk youth, who may be experiencing problematic behavior such as mood disorders, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, or criminal activity. They offer spiritually-based cognitive behavioral therapy with the goal to help kids before they get into real trouble. Awareness of the need for such programs arose from the Columbine incident, as well as other recent tragedies. They work with the schools, and care may be provided through Medicaid, self-pay and creative financing such as scholarships. Mr. Blair praised Fauquier schools for paying attention to the entire needs of the student, not just the academics.
Stephanie Ney, Regional Director for the National Counseling Group, sits on the Board of Directors for the Voluntary Action Center. Their annual Christmas in July is the largest community event to raise money to for the Un-Trim-A-Tree Holiday Gift program for needy kids. Each year they receive the names of over 5,700 children from the three Department of Social Services, Head start, SERVE and ACTs, and the Voluntary Action Center matches those children with area donors to provide a couple of gifts for each child. This program is very rewarding and thousands of Prince William children are touched by people from all walks of life here in the greater Prince William community. This is the only gift program for Prince William county kids specifically. Mary Foley is the Executive Director of The Voluntary Action Center located in Manassas, VA.
National Counseling Group is a proud sponsor of Newport News Healty Families Graduation event.NCG has pledged $250 to support the event which recognizes families that have completed 5 years of voluntary participation with the NNHF organization. The donation is to assist with purchasing backpacks filled with school supplies for 11 children who are entering kindergarten this fall. Pictured are Dionna Aronategui of Newport News Healthy Families and Holly Duggan of National Counseling Group, Newport News Site Director.
Proceeds of the event fund mental health programs in the Fredericksburg region. Many of our NCG staff and comunity partners will be participating. For more information, please contact Frank Valentine, Site Director at (540) 446-0007, NCG Fredericksburg, or Lynn Delamar, Executive Director of MHA Fredericksburg (540) 371-204, or visit the MHA website @ http://www.mhafred.org/
NCG has partnered with the NNRHA to better serve our communities. We contributed to their efforts for the second year in a row by donating $10,000 to the NNRHA for their scholarship program this year. The scholarship money is given directly to residents of the NNRHA who are graduating seniors enrolled in post-secondary education or current college students. NCG's Paul Lawrence, Special Assistant to the President and CEO (first from left) and LaVetra Channel, Home-based Counselor with the Newport News office (second from right) were present for this affair and are pictured with Sylvia Copeland-Murphy, NNRHA Community Resources Officer (first from right). Also pictured are the scholarship recipients that NCG's donation helped this year. Pictured fourth from the left is Christopher Banks, scholarship recipient currently attending Christopher Newport University with his mother Rebecca Pennington-Banks and Debra Harahus to the left of him respectively. To the right of Mr. Banks is Antone Green, scholarship recipient and graduate of Woodside High School, who was accompanied by his brother pictured to his right. Mr. Green plans to attend Christopher Newport University in the fall.
Click here to see an article and video spotlight on our Winchester Open House
Please join us for food and fellowship as we celebrate our second successful year serving youth and their families in our community.
National Counseling Group
600 Pegasus Court Suite 100
Winchester, VA 22602
Phone: 540-450-2734
Fax: 540-450-2735
The check from National Couseling Group was in today's mail. Thank you for your part in ensuring that we received it before the close of our fiscal year next week. The Department of Social Work will now have more
than $2,000 to award as schoarlships for the fall semester. During the past two years, the challenge grants from NCG have provided a means to increase awareness for the scholarship needs. We are most grateful for this kind of generous support.
With best regards,
Mary-Earle Farrel
J. Patrick Slifka is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Addictions Counselor, Director of Training and Senior Clinical Supervisor for the National Counseling Group, Inc. It will be a 2 part training 6 hrs. of training credit. Roanoke County DSS will be our hosting site.
This training addresses the unique issues in assessment, case conceptualization, and intervention of clients who engage in self-mutilating behaviors. A brief historical review of society's perspectives and responses to self-harming behaviors is presented along with the changing and improved strategies to help address this complicated issue. Types of self-harm are described (method, intent, secondary gains) as are the types of individual profiles that suggest higher risk for engaging in such behaviors. Clear distinctions are made between self-mutilation as coping strategies, attention-seeking behaviors, and suicide attempts. Audience members are encouraged to consider their own strengths/limitations in working with self-mutilating clients and their ability to "be with" individuals who have the capacity to inflict serious damage on themselves.
Strategies for evaluation (reflective listening, empathy, and strengths-based perspectives) are covered as are techniques for distinguishing the most serious types of pathology from those requiring less intensive intervention. A recommended course of treatment is discussed with optimal treatment planning strategies and outcomes proposed.
3 hour timeframe
Developmental issues and recent research on brain development, coupled with evidence-based and best-practice interventions, provide the background for this training. Starting with an understanding of the specific developmental stage and common characteristics inherent in that stage, assessment strategies designed to engage teens (early, middle, late adolescence) while collecting a workable database of signs, symptoms, strengths, family issues, and other contextual factors are presented and discussed. The importance of recognizing and understanding what constitutes "normal" teen thinking, behaving, and feeling is contrasted with what may be considered pathological and warranting intervention. The importance of and strategies for building and maintaining a working alliance are processed. The qualities of well-formed, solution-focused goals are presented and the unique ways that teenagers communicate (and perceive/misperceive communications) are reviewed. Suggestions for developing a network of support around the teenager, assisting the family (parents) in understanding their role in helping their child, and the introduction of specific and reliable techniques for the worker's "tool box" are presented.
3 hour timeframe
Spotsylvania County School Social Workers and Counselors are invited to Patrick Slifka's Trauma Informed Care training at the Courthouse Academy from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Training for Concern Hotline crisis phone center volunteer staff for developing skills on active/reflective listening and motivational interviewing from 7pm-9pm.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of Northern Virginia is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the well-being of children, improve parent-child relations and prevent child abuse and neglect by: EDUCATING the community about the scope, nature and consequences of child abuse and neglect and the importance of positive, nurturing parenting; PROVIDING direct parent education; ADVOCATING for children in the community, the legislature and the courts.
The SAFE Inhalant Task Force invites you to a workshop on the assessment and treatment of inhalant abuse on Tuesday, June 23 from 9:30-11:30 am in the Community Development building multipurpose room (9800 Government Center Parkway). Patrick Slifka, LCSW, CAC, Director of Training, National Counseling Group, Inc will be the presenter. Patrick has served as the chair of the SAFE Inhalant Task Force for the past three years.
The workshop will include a brief overview of inhalant abuse and will focus on multi-modal assessment methods to determine inhalant abuse, key components of inhalant treatment protocols, and other types of medical assessments that are important in inhalant abuse treatment. There will also be opportunity for questions and discussion."
Our Panelists:
Mr. Jim Nesterick, Clinical Supervisor, Alcohol & Drug Services-Fairfax; Mrs. Priscilla Harp, Intake Officer, 18th District CSU, Alexandria; and Mr. George Young, Director of Outpatient Services, National Counseling Group.
Date: Friday, June 26, 2009
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM (Lite Breakfast and Lunch provided)
Place:
Locust Shade Room at the AJ Ferlazzo Building
15948 Donald Curtis Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22191
J. Patrick Slifka is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Addictions Counselor, Director of Training and Senior Clinical Supervisor for the National Counseling Group, Inc. It will be a 2 part training 6 hrs. of training credit. Roanoke County DSS will be our hosting site.
Dynamics of Self-Harm
This training addresses the unique issues in assessment, case conceptualization, and intervention of clients who engage in self-mutilating behaviors. A brief historical review of society's perspectives and responses to self-harming behaviors is presented along with the changing and improved strategies to help address this complicated issue. Types of self-harm are described (method, intent, secondary gains) as are the types of individual profiles that suggest higher risk for engaging in such behaviors. Clear distinctions are made between self-mutilation as coping strategies, attention-seeking behaviors, and suicide attempts. Audience members are encouraged to consider their own strengths/limitations in working with self-mutilating clients and their ability to "be with" individuals who have the capacity to inflict serious damage on themselves.
Strategies for evaluation (reflective listening, empathy, and strengths-based perspectives) are covered as are techniques for distinguishing the most serious types of pathology from those requiring less intensive intervention. A recommended course of treatment is discussed with optimal treatment planning strategies and outcomes proposed.3 hour timeframe
Creative Interventions with Teens
Developmental issues and recent research on brain development, coupled with evidence-based and best-practice interventions, provide the background for this training. Starting with an understanding of the specific developmental stage and common characteristics inherent in that stage, assessment strategies designed to engage teens (early, middle, late adolescence) while collecting a workable database of signs, symptoms, strengths, family issues, and other contextual factors are presented and discussed. The importance of recognizing and understanding what constitutes "normal" teen thinking, behaving, and feeling is contrasted with what may be considered pathological and warranting intervention. The importance of and strategies for building and maintaining a working alliance are processed. The qualities of well-formed, solution-focused goals are presented and the unique ways that teenagers communicate (and perceive/misperceive communications) are reviewed. Suggestions for developing a network of support around the teenager, assisting the family (parents) in understanding their role in helping their child, and the introduction of specific and reliable techniques for the worker's "tool box" are presented.
3 hour timeframe
Patrick Slifka will be conducting a Motivational Interviewing workshop as part of Loudoun County's CSA Training Day. The 1.5 hour interactive training will emphasize and demonstrate the efficacy of motivational interviewing in mental health/substance abuse treatment and will offer concrete skills for clinicians to apply immediately in their work with clients.
Patrick Slifka has been invited to present to the 9th District CSU (Williamsburg and surrounding localities) on the topic of Compassion Fatigue. The training, which will be held at Charles Brown Park from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, will address strategies to manage the "emotional hazards" of the helping profession.
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National Counseling Group's Staff Supervisor, Matt Englefield (Manassas Office), met with Governor Kaine and Delegate Ebbin and discussed appropriate and effective mental health care for those in need at an event in Northern Virginia.
National Counseling Group's Warrenton office has adopted a highway through the Virginia Department of Transporation's Adopt-A-Highway program. As part of a volunteer community service effort, the NCG Warrenton office staff will keep 2 miles of Blackwell Road clean and free of trash and debris.
The event was attended by NCG President and CEO, Thomas Minnick, as well as Delegate Dave Marsden and Delegate Chuck Caputo, NCG leadership, supervisors and staff, and important professionals from the community.
Liz Hatchuel, Gretchen Abell (NCG Site Director, Annandale), Delegate Chuck Caputo
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Delegate Chuck Caputo, Leslie Martin, Delegate Dave Marsden, George Young |
Debbie Sikes, Angie Lawson, George Young, Delegate Dave Marsden, Stephanie Ney (NCG Site Director, Manassas), Delegate Chuck Caputo |
Delegate Dave Marsden, Thomas Minnick (President and CEO), Delegate Chuck Caputo |
Delegate Dave Marsden, John Wrightson, Patrick Slifka, Sam Gray, |
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This center is focused on identifing and helping children with speech, mental, and developmental challenges. Martinsville Site Director, Bobbie Jo Seamster, has joined a coalition of 15 members and has been volunteering her time to the organization. The fundraiser on April 30th will include a BBQ dinner and silent auction to raise money for the resource center and the children.
Thank you to everyone who voted on behalf of Balidwin Elementary School in Manassas. The voting ended on Monday night, and the school won the $1,500 grant! Thank you for all NCG staff that voted to help make this happen. The school is VERY appreciative of NCG's involvement and assistance with obtaining this grant. Proudly Serving Our Community in many ways...
When: March 27th 2009
Time: 11am - 2 pm
Please stop by for refreshments and giveaways. Tour our Annandale office and meet our friendly and professional staff. We look forward to seeing you here!
This is a county-wide substance use and violence prevention conference. "What Today's Youth Needs You to Know" The conference is designed for Fairfax County residents and employees and their families and will focus on educating adults, youth and professionals on current trends recently reported in the 2008 Fairfax County Youth Survey as well as pertinent issues relating to raising healthy families.
George Young, LCSW, Director of Outpatient Services, Northern Virginia for National Counseling Group will be providing a workshop to parents on managing anger management behaviors and reactions. See www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org for more information.
Holly Duggan, Site Director of the NCG Newport News Office will give a presentation entitled "Get a Job: How to Market Yourself in Counseling" to be held Saturday, April 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Patrick Slifka and Holly Duggan will be presenting a 40 minute workshop on "The Job Search and Negotiating Offers in the Mental Health Field." They will also be sitting on a panel of professionals in the area to field questions from students on this topic.
Friday, March 13th and Saturday, March 14th, 2009
The NCG Newport News Office has an upcoming presentation at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple on Sunday, April 5th during both the 9am and the 11:30am services. Rev. Jerome Barber has invited us to share with his congregation information about National Counseling Group, including our need for dedicated, caring Therapeutic Foster Parents.
Our President & CEO Thomas W. Minnick, Special Assistant to the President Paul Lawrence, Newport News Site Director Holly Duggan, and Newport News Clinical Supervisor Tina Washington, along with other NCG staff will attend for the duration of both services and will remain available after each service to field questions and take names of interested individuals who are interested in becoming foster parents or interested in employment with our agency.
Omni Hotel
100 South 12th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 344-7000
Patrick Slifka, Director of Training for National Counseling Group, will be presenting a workshop called Next Generation Workforce: Ethical and Best Practice Issues for Supervisors. Patrick presents on Saturday from 1:00p-4:15p.
Patrick's focus will be: The new generation of social workers entering
the field is changing the way many work and function - bringing new
strengths and talents, but also creating unique challenges for those
supervising them. This workshop explores and addresses both practical
and ethical guidelines to supervise, train, challenge, and retain
our newest assets in the field.
www.naswva.org -
Registration through website open after December 2008
March 16, 2009
8:00 am-3:30 pm
Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites
105 Visitor Center Dr.
Williamsburg, VA 23185
For more information andto register online: www.htsac.org
Click here for the flyer and more information.
Presented by Patrick Slifka, LCSW, CAC of National Counseling Group
Thursday, February 19, 2009
12:00 noon at
First Presbyterian Church of Martinsville
Reed Classroom
Bring your lunch! Dessert and Drinks will be provided. Reserve your seat early
638-7801 or info@mhcmha.org
It would be our pleasure to have you attend our New Year Open House at our NEW OFFICE LOCATION! Join us in celebrating the end of a great year and the beginning of even brighter days to come in 2009. We will have a catered lunch and door prizes! Hope to see you there!
DATE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2009
TIME: 12:30-3:30PM
PLACE: NEW OFFICE LOCATION!
733 THIMBLE SHOALS BLVD
SUITE 100
NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23606
RSVP: BY THURSDAY, JAN.29TH to Berlyn Best. Feel free to call or email
NCG's Newport News site has continued the company's mission to improve lives and alleviate suffering this holiday season in several ways. Apart from our daily work with our clients in the community, the management staff in Newport News, including Holly Duggan, Site Director, and Clinical Supervisors, Karen Matthews, Nakia Jones, Crystal Kittrell, and Tina Washington, were recognized in the Daily Press, a local newspaper, for our $500 donation to the Daily Press Holiday Fund this year. This fund, developed by the McCormick Foundation, helps families who are struggling against tough economic, social, and environmental factors by providing grant funds to local nonprofit organizations to support the purchase of food, clothing, and toys for those in need and safety and shelter for the abused. In addition to the $500 from NCG, the McCormick Foundation matches all donations at fifty cents for every dollar donated.
NCG has historically gone above and beyond for our clients themselves, which has been a custom for staff of the Newport News site as well. A staff request was granted by Ms. Duggan to sponsor a family of four siblings to enroll in Hampton's Marching Elites program in December, which will allow those children the opportunity to travel across the country to perform in many high profile events, such as the Kentucky Derby, Indy 500, West Virginia Strawberry Festival, Holiday parades, and performances at Walt Disney World. The program is specifically developed to build self-esteem, teach proper etiquette at formal events, and promote positive social skills in the youth who participate while opening their eyes to different environments and positive peers. These youth gain a sense of belonging and accomplishment as they meet weekly to practice in Hampton. Many of the youth enrolled would not otherwise have the chance to leave their local communities if it weren't for programs like this one!
In November, Ms. Duggan granted another staff's request to sponsor a pair of sisters, both NCG clients, to enroll in Girl Scouts of America by purchasing their uniforms. This family is very needy financially and has very little opportunity to afford special activities or incentives for the children. Through the girls' participation in Girl Scouts, they will learn important life skills with exposure to constructive extracurricular activities, helping others, positive peers, and positive role models. Doors will be opened and resources made available to these children through their association with this national organization, which without NCG, they would not have been able to join.
NCG Northern Virginia Outpatient Clients are participating in collecting food items for Food Baskets for S.O.M.E. (So Others Might Eat). Clients will be bringing food donations to our Annandale and Herndon offices to be taken to Washington D.C. on December 13th. For more information or to assist, please call George Young 703-932-6986
Partrick Slifka, National Counseling Group's Director of Training,
has been recognized for his dedication, leadership, and hard work
in the field of drug abuse prevention and abatement.
The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) has designated
SAFE as a "Got Outcomes! Coalition of the Year" for 2008!
Each year CADCA selects two coalitions from across the nation to
receive this award. Below is a description of the award as offered
on the CADCA website:
"These organizations represent the best of the best, and exemplify
the excellent work that coalitions are doing around the country to
prevent and reduce drug use in their communities," said General
Arthur T. Dean, CADCA's Chairman and CEO. "By using sound and
strategic practices, these coalitions have achieved significant reductions
in substance abuse in their communities and have challenged social
norms and perceptions about alcohol and other drugs."
As a coalition you are to be congratulated on this major achievement in the field of substance abuse prevention.
The dramatic reduction in inhalant abuse is the most compelling factor in this recognition. The Inhalant Prevention Task Force has worked very hard and very effectively. We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to Patrick Slifka and his leadership of the task force. Sharyl Adams has once again demonstrated her extraordinary skills in providing support and strategic planning for the group. There are so many on the team who have contributed each in their own special way that I will defer to another time to recognize each one of them appropriately.
Wayne Frith
Executive Director, SAFE Inc
When a community discovers its values, there is nothing it cannot
change.
www.chesterfieldsafe.org
Back Row: Chris Baham, Frank Valentine, Peer Mugnier
Front Row: TC Clark, Melinda Goodwin, Trevor Schrotz
Founded in 2004, The McShin Foundation is a non-profit community resource organization committed to serving individuals in their fight against the disease of addiction. The McShin Foundation is an affiliate of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) which fights the stigma and the disease of alcoholism and other drug additions. For the second year in a row, National Counseling Group has sponsored the Annual McShin Foundation Golf Tournament at Hunting Hawk Golf Club. Employees who played in the tournament were Trevor Schrotz, Christopher Baham, Trendell Clark, Frank Viera, Melinda Goodwin, Frank Valentine, and Peer Mugnier. NCG is a proud partner of the McShin Foundation and we look forward to continuing this partnership in years to come.
The Voluntary Action Center connects
people with volunteer opportunities in the community by offering
easy access to the community agencies that will utilize their time
and talents to solve real community problems. We engage seniors through
the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, teens and busy families
through the People Power Program, facilitating court-ordered community
service program for both adults and juveniles and ensuring rescue
recovery operations in the event of a disaster are supported by trained
volunteers. We also offer training and consulting in volunteer management
so our agency partners have all the tools needed for more effective
use of volunteers.
The Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Stephanie Ney as a Director
to serve in a leadership and governing role for a 3 year term. In
this capacity Ms. Ney will also serve on the Program Committee of
the Board.
Throughout its 16-year history, National Counseling Group, Inc. has found ways to give back to communities across the Commonwealth. The Newport News site was opened in June 2006 and continues our mission to improve lives not only by offering the highest quality mental health and substance abuse services but also through community charity events and sponsorships. Recently, Holly Duggan, Site Director for the Newport News site, attended an annual Community Fair Day at HuntingtonMiddle School on Saturday, October 4, 2008 to celebrate the school's accreditation and to promote Huntington's "Smart and SafeSchool" initiative. NCG assisted in sponsoring this event with a $250.00 donation to the school. This year's event was a large success as students and parents joined together for a day of fun games and dancing on the campus of the school while school volunteers, including Jamicia Davis, Student Support Specialist, and Cleo Holloway, Principal, worked hard to provide food and beverages, cheer on the students at the "Dunk Your Favorite Teacher" booth, and coordinate with representatives of local community resource agencies to provide information to the school community. Counselors of NCG's Newport News site continue to be a resource for HuntingtonMiddle School by providing in-home counseling and mentoring services to its students and by offering professional training to the teachers and staff throughout the school year.
Click here for more information…
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Patrick Slifka, Director of Training for National Counseling Group, will be presenting a one hour workshop on Assessment and Treatment of Alcohol Related Disorders at the Department of Social Services in Christiansburg.
Doubletree Hotel
990 Hilton Heights Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
434-973-2121
Patrick Slifka, Director of Training for National Counseling Group, will be presenting an afternoon workshop entitled Motivational Inviewing: Developmental and Age Appropriate Strategies for Juvenile Justice Professionals from 1:45p to 3:00p.
27th Annual
Substance Abuse Awareness Week Conference
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Pkwy
Fairfax, VA 22035
Margaret Kollay
703-934-8772
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/csb/
Patrick Slifka, Director of Training for National Counseling Group, will be presenting a workshop from 10:30am to 12 noon entitled Today's Adolescent: Current Trends in Substance Abuse focusing on inhalant abuse.
What is Your Cultural Awareness Grade, a panel discussion, moderated by George Young, LCSW, Director of Outpatient Services for National Counseling Group, will also be held from 10:30am to 12 noon. THIS SESSION WILL BE REPEATED IN THE AFTERNOON BEGINNING AT 1:15pm. Also, on the panel are NCG counselors Carlos Huajardo, Alicia Nguyen, Alkesh Patel, Esther Chung, and Ronda Appiah.
Click here for more information…
National Counseling Group has sponsored the Cape Henry Duathalon and Running Festival to support the local community through the "Friends' " primary annual fundraiser event. Please visit www.vbfriendsofjdrc.org for more information.
National Counseling Group has donated $500 to the Pennsylvania Consort in an effort to support music perfomance in the Bedford community. The Pennsylvania Consort is a music presenting organization based in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Its core activity, the six-concert Guest Artist Series, was founded as a follow-on to the Bedford Springs Festival for the Performing Arts, which took place every summer from 1982 to 1989 on the grounds of the Bedford Springs Hotel and occasionally in nearby venues.
Highland Springs Cross Country Program Presents
Race Registration is at Highland Springs High School Field House
Registration is 7:45am – 8:15am
Supporting Students Through
Fitness
1st Annual Road Event & Teachers/Family/Students Fun Walk
Event
Date: Saturday, October 11th, 2008
T-Shirts will be available to everyone that participates.
Starting Time: 8:30am – 5K Run
9:00am – 1 Mile Family/Teachers/Students Fun Walk
Entry Fee: $10 registration, $5 students
Awards:
Prizes will be raffled off following the 5k run. All participants
of the 1 mile walk & 5k run are eligible to win
For More Information:
Coach Greg Ford, Highland Springs Cross Country Call (813) 774-0710
733 Thimble Shoals Blvd,
Suite 100
Newport News, VA 23606
(757) 240-5595
This 10-week program
consists of weekly 90-minute groups focused on improving motivation
for change by increasing the adolescents' knowledge of addiction,
behavioral change, and distorted thinking patterns that attribute
to ongoing drug and alcohol use. Groups of no more than 15 participants
will be led by Ideluia Sawyers, Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
(CSAC), who brings extensive knowledge and experience providing
substance abuse counseling to adolescents and adult substance abusers.
Participants will leave the program with an increased motivation
to change their behavior and a better understanding of their own
pathways to substance abuse and dependency. Initial assessments
are conducted to determine the scope of substance use for each
participant and to assist in making recommendations for continued
services post discharge.
Topics of Group:
Cost: $5 per group session*
Please contact Holly Duggan, Site Director, to make a referral!
*Sliding Scale Fee is available
733 Thimble Shoals Blvd,
Suite 100
Newport News, VA 23606
(757) 240-5595
Sponsored by: Angel Pye, B.A, QMHP of National Counseling
Group
IS YOUR CHILD HAVING BEHAVIORAL DIFFICULTIES?
ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE MANAGING YOUR CHILD?
COME SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE OR JUST LISTEN.
Network with other parents
dealing with similar issues, find out about resources in your area,
learn effective parenting strategies and coping skills from an experienced
NCG counselor, and
gain support for yourself in a safe & non-threatening environment.
Only $5 per week
Carlos Huajardo, a National Counseling Group Therapist, will be presenting a paper "Research on Siteman Wellness Neuromuscular, Emotional and Mental Concentration in Children" (Ferriz, Ferriere) at the upcoming 5th World Conference for the Talent of Youth in Santiago, Chile August 29th-September 2nd, 2008.
This is a body of research conducted in Puerto Rico and the United States between the years 2003 and 2008. The objective is to demonstrate the usefulness of Dr. Ferriz and Ferriere's relaxation technique with children and the benefits of its practice at an early age. Results show the effectiveness on the development of a balanced mental, emotional and physical state within the child and the contribution to higher intellectual functioning.
Jonathan May (NCG Corporate Accountant), Tony Roman (Roanoke Clinical Supervisor), Eddie Carter (Friend of NCG), Nicholas Ptacek (Roanoke Site Coordinator), supporting the New River Valley Special Olympics at their annual golf tournament in Blacksburg, VA.
National Counseling Group will participate as a vendor at The Annual Tidewater Regional Visiting Teachers/School Social Workers Fall Conference hosted by the Department of Special Education Services of Norfolk Public Schools. The conference will include a keynote speaker and workshops relevant to providing support services to students for enhancing their academic success.
The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Executive Center at 5655 Greenwich Road Virginia Beach, VA, 23462.
NCG, led by its CEO Thomas Minnick and members of its Corporate team, will join up with staff from its Eastern Shore office as well as a few State Delegates from the General Assembly in support of the 7th Annual Northampton County Sheriff's Office Charity Golf Tournament at the Bay Creek Golf Club in Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore. The proceeds from this tournament and contributions from NCG will go to support the Hospice of the Eastern Shore, a nonprofit organization that provides special care for those with limited life expectancies.
J. Patrick Slifka, LCSW, CAC will be in Martinsville, Virginia at the Broad Street Christian Church for a workshop on "Grief and Grieving." The training, a "brown bag lunch" forum, is open to the public and is free of charge. The event is sponsored by the Mental Health Association of Martinsville and Henry County.
J. Patrick Slifka, LCSW, CAC will be training Chesterfield County Public Schools Social Workers on Motivational Interviewing. The brief workshop will cover the basic philosophies in this evidence-based intervention and provide concrete and hands-on examples/role-plays to reinforce the material. The training will be held at Monacan High School.
Call 804-652-8266 for details on start time.
J. Patrick Slifka, LCSW, CAC and Melinda Goodwin, MSW, QMHP will be presenting on "Current Trends in Adolescent Substance Abuse" at the Hanover CSU. Attendees, including current youth on probation and their parents, will have the opportunity to interact with the facilitators during and following the event.
Location: Hanover County Branch Office - 7515 Library Drive, Hanover, Virginia 23069
Richmond Office Open House on Foster Parent Recruitment
Location: 5002 Monument Ave, Suite 201
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 497-4676
Christmas in July
Christmas in July is the annual dinner dance in
support of the Un-Trim-A-Tree Holiday program. It was hosted
by Ellen Patterson from the 31st Court Service Unit Manassas and
sponsored in part by National Counseling Group.
The Un-Trim-a-Tree Holiday Program is a very special program that serves needy children and seniors in the Manassas community. Each year with the help of many dedicated volunteers and donors, this program provides gifts for thousands of children, food and personal care items for seniors and homeless shelter residents in its neighborhoods.
National Counseling Group supported 9 year old Lindsay Funston of Buffalo Mills, PA by purchasing her reserve champion carcass lamb at the Bedford County Fair’s Junior Livestock Sale.
The Northern Region VJJA will provide a training on July 18th from 8:30AM to 3:00 PM. Part I on Street Crimes and Drugs will be presented by Det. Murdock Wooddard with Spotsylvania Sheriff’s department. Part II on Treating the Prescription Generation will be presented by Mr. Patrick Slifka, NCG’s Director of Training.
The training will be held on at the Locust Shade Room at the Ferlazzo Building, 15948 Donald Curtis Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22191.
This training is free for VJJA Members, $ 20 for new members, and
$15 for non-members.
Please CLICK
HERE for more information on the event and its registration.
NCG, Inc. is participating in the 2008 Making a Difference in Juvenile Justice Conference sponsored by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. The conference is taking place on the 19th and 20th of June at the Hampton Convention Center. The following is a link for additional information: http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/trainingEvents/jjdp/2007.cfm
National Counseling Group’s Second Annual Conference and 15 year Celebration was a tremendous event and a great time! We were thrilled to have Governor Tim Kaine speak for a second year. Governor Kaine’s remarks were followed by those of Delegate Phil Hamilton and Former Virginia Secretary of Education, James Dyke and all 3 spoke about the very pressing issue of mental health care reform. This was a great way to get energized for the day and ready for the learning opportunities provided by Dr. Stanton Samenow, Lisa Hunt, Executive Director of Center for Clinical and Forensic Services, Craig King, PsyD, MSW, Patrick Slifka, Director of Training, National Counseling Group, and the panel discussion featuring Leslie Martin and Frank Valentine of National Counseling Group and Bud Sedwick, CSA Coordinator, Martinsville. The Luncheon ceremony featured Delegate Steve Shannon as the key note speaker and recognized Bud Sedwick and the 31st Court Services Unit Food Drive and this year’s Community Services Award winners.
On behalf of everyone at National Counseling Group, we would like to thank all those who attended and contributed to the success of this year’s conference.
We invite you to enjoy our photos of the event below.
National Counseling Group’s Second Annual Conference and 15 year Celebration
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The National Counseling Group will be a vendor at:
Warren County Best Practices Conference
March 31st from 8am-4pm
4-H Conference Center
600 4-H Center Drive
Front Royal, VA 22630
Patrick Slifka and Wayne Frith, Executive Director for SAFE (Chesterfield County's substance abuse awareness and prevention coalition), will speak at VJJA's Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, March 27, 2008. The three hour training, beginning at 1:00 PM, will address the issue of Inhalant use among teenagers in Virginia and the significant implications of the use of these products on the development of young people who choose to abuse them. Additionally, the response of SAFE and the local community, including National Counseling Group, to the problem of inhalant abuse will be reviewed.
Patrick Slifka will conduct a training for Hanover Court Services Unit on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 10am. The workshop will cover Motivational Interviewing techniques.
Patrick Slifka and Frank Valentine (Richmond Site) will be presenting on "Adolescent Brain Development" at Chesterfield Public Schools Staff Development Day (March 18, 2008). Attendees will include over 250 school psychologists, social workers, counselors and other school personnel.
National Counseling Group will be recognized as a community resource and public partner with SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environment), Chesterfield County's collaborative community coalition addressing substance abuse issues, during the first Virginia Inhalant Abuse Prevention Institute. The conference will be held in Staunton, Virginia on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel. Patrick Slifka, NCG's Director of Training and the Chair of SAFE's Inhalant Task Force, will speak about Chesterfield County's response to the increasing trend of inhalant abuse among youth in the Commonwealth.
Patrick Slifka participated in a 30 minute interview on the Spanish radio show "Enfoque con tu Comunidad" - AM 1380. The interview was conducted by Juan Santacoloma from the the Chesterfield County Hispanic Liaison. The focus was on Inhalant Abuse in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
2008 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Omni Hotel, Richmond, VA
Annual Awards Luncheon
Saturday, March 8
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
On February 7, 2008 Patrick Slifka was interviewed by Don Kappel, Chesterfield County's Director of Public Affairs, for the "Chesterfield Spotlight" - a local television spot highlighting relevant issues in the local community. The segment focused on the use of inhalants by chesterfield youth and offered resources for concerned parents and professionals. The spot will air at various times throughout the month of February prior to CNN Headline News.
National Counseling Group, Inc.
Nationally recognized speaker, researcher, and author Dr. Stanton Samenow, will return to Winchester to present on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. This will be a free training from 9-4 with lunch included. Books will be available for sale at the presentation.
Be sure to register by Friday, January 4, 2008 and include your name, agency, address, phone, and email so you /will receive updates about the training. We will have only 200 seats available. We look forward to seeing you.
NATIONAL COUNSELING GROUP, INC.
12 N. Braddock Street
Winchester, Va 22601
Phone: 540-450-2734
Email: Mary.Steele@nationalcounselinggroup.com
Patrick Slifka and Frank Valentine will conduct a training for Hanover Court Services Unit on Monday, January 14th, 2008. The workshop, Drug and Alcohol Testing, will cover screening methodology and types of testing, clinical and probationary implications of screening, interpretation of results, and strategies frequently employed by clients to avoid detection of substance use.
Please join us for our annual Holiday Open Houses!
Friday January 11, 2008
12:30pm-3:30pm
729 Thimble Shoals Blvd.
Suite 5-C
Newport News, VA 23606
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