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Lisa S Roth, L.I,S,W.
Applewood Centers, Inc.
2525 E. 22nd Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 696-5800
In September I 9g0 the United Way' along with the Bruening, Gund and Woodmff Foundations, provided funding to the Child Guidance Center for the development of a crises response team for groups of children or adolescents who have suffered a tragedy. In 1992, the Murphy and Sihler Foundations provided support with Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board Finding the program from 1993-1996. Since 1996 the program has been provided to the community solely by Applewood Centers. The expansion of the program into the corporate sector has helped to offset the costs, so that the ALERTeam has been available to parochial, private and public schools, as well as church groups, youth clubs, summer camps and other non-profits at no cost or only a nominal fee.
Thousands of children adolescents and their caregivers have been provided service by the ALERTeam throughout Cuyahoga county Services are provided on-site or at one of Applewood Centers' many locations.
A Licensed Independent Social Worker coordinates the Team and the services are provided by Master's level licensed clinicians, who are on staff and called as needed for interventions.
The ALERTeam Program is designed to be a primary resource for consultation and training on the following topics:
The Team is also available in the aftermath of a crisis, tragedy, or natural disaster. Individual, group interventions, and support are provided in the areas of grief; bereavement and emotional trauma. It is believed that the sooner the intervention, the more quickly it mill be realized that people are experiencing normal reactions to an abnormal event. When children, adolescents and their caregivers, know what to emotionally expect, the severity of the stress reactions can be lessened and a return to the routine can happen at a faster pace.
It is recommended that the ALERTeam immediately be called in the event of a group crisis situation. Although, on-site services may not be needed, the consultation with an objective and experienced resource can make a dramatic difference in the outcome of the event.
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