Remembering The 17
by Marla Berger, LMHC, ATR, RPT-S™
On February 14, 2018, our lives were altered forever. Our loss was so profound, so monumental, we still struggle to find the words to explain the impact. Five years later, we can see the effects on our children, teens and adults throughout our community. Some have found words to carry them into advocacy, promoting change and healing. We see individuals and families who have struggled to make meaning of the events and how to grow through their grief. Others have shunted away those dark hours, burying the past while becoming hounded by the memories.
Professionals United for Parkland was founded to serve all of the survivors. We knew from the earliest hours that grief and trauma needed immediate support, while at the same time required long-term services to be readily available. Many were given aid from trauma-focused, best practice clinicians, psychologists, therapists and counselors in our community. Nation-wide practitioners who had violence tear their community asunder came to our aid with support, guidance and education. We are grateful to them as they continue to support us all these years later. We were able to further care for our community and tend to our own emotional needs. For five years now, Professionals United for Parkland has been a source of support, education and information. We plan on being here for as long as we are needed.
To ensure that our community can continue to grow and heal, Professionals United for Parkland has partnered with Eagles’ Haven, Broward Mental Health Counselors Association and Mobilizing MSD Alumni to host three events. Each event is dedicated to help support a group in a unique way.
On Friday afternoon, February 3rd, Deb Del Vecchio-Scully will talk with clinicians about Communal Trauma in A Journey of Hope and Healing: Anniversary Reactions & Traumatic Grief. Our Saturday events are titled Promoting Healing 5 Years Later and our goal is to share that support with our entire community.
Saturday morning, February 4th, all Staff Members are welcome to attend for Free Breakfast & Mingle, time with Deb Del Vecchio-Scully Clinical Recovery Leader and Trauma Specialist of the Newtown Recovery and Resiliency Team at Sandy Hook, Paula Reed, a former teacher at Columbine High School, author and MSD supporter, and Personalized Coffee Creations from Cool Beans Espresso.
Saturday afternoon is focused on supporting all community members. The event features a Free Lunch & Mingle, time with Deb Del Vecchio-Scully, Clinical Recovery Leader and Trauma Specialist of the Newtown Recovery and Resiliency Team at Sandy Hook, and a Create Your Own Healing Heart activity.
Registration to all events can be completed at: https://www.pu4p.org/events
Professionals United for Parkland knows that as time goes on, more individuals will seek services as they feel ready to confront a life altering event head-on. We hope to reassure you that working on difficult, traumatic experiences can be done in a safe, supported way. Healing can feel scary when we are at the base of the mountain. When we walk side-by-side with a therapist, we can experience the peaks of growth and renewal.
This year, as the ones before, Professionals United for Parkland wishes to honor and remember the 17 lives tragically lost. We hope that February becomes a time of reflection, service to others and sharing of memories. We hope that one of our events will be the haven you need during this anniversary month.
Professionals United for Parkland was founded to help address the long-term effects of communal trauma. Help is available – please reach out today.
February 3rd Event
Professionals United for Parkland & Broward Mental Health Counselors Association are proud to bring Deb Del Vecchio-Scully, nationally recognized expert in the treatment of trauma. She was the Clinical Recovery Leader and Trauma Specialist of the Newtown Recovery and Resiliency Team Created in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy. We are grateful to bring her back to Parkland for a time of learning & healing. All clinicians, counselors, psychologists & therapists are welcome.
Communal Trauma: A Journey of Hope and Healing: Anniversary Reactions & Traumatic Grief, February 3rd, 1-4pm, $25 registration fee includes lunch and CEU's. When a school shooting occurs, the entire community and beyond are impacted. Communal Trauma places a complex, demanding burden on community therapists requiring specialized education, consultation and support. This workshop will focus on the specific nuances of Communal Trauma and sequelae of anniversary reactions, traumatic grief and loss. Register at: pu4p.org/events
February 4th Events
Professionals United for Parkland, Moblizing MSD Alumni and Eagles' Haven are grateful to bring Deb Del Vecchio-Scully and Paula Reed back to help support the community. All staff are welcome to attend the morning session from 8:15am-12:00pm at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts. The event includes Free Breakfast & Mingle, time with Deb Del Vecchio-Scully Clinical Recovery Leader and Trauma Specialist of the Newtown Recovery and Resiliency Team at Sandy Hook, Paula Reed of Columbine, and Personalized Coffee Creations from Cool Beans Espresso! Sign up on the Eagles' Haven App or pu4p.org/events.
Professionals United for Parkland and Eagles' Haven are grateful to bring Deb Del Vecchio-Scully, nationally recognized expert in the treatment of trauma back to help support the community. All community members are welcome to the afternoon session from 1:00-4:00pm at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts. The eventfeatures a Free Lunch & Mingle, time with Deb Del Vecchio-Scully, Clinical Recovery Leader and Trauma Specialist of the Newtown Recovery and Resiliency Team at Sandy Hook, and a Create Your Own Healing Heart activity. Participants can register on the Eagles' Haven App or at pu4p.org/events.
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
GOLD SPONSOR
Rossen Law Firm’s legal team understands what's at stake when you’re charged with a crime in South Florida. We’re committed to defending you and protecting your rights. Our legal team is ready to create a customized strategy for your case to fight for the best possible outcome. We handle Criminal, DUI, Federal, Domestic Violence, Marchman Act & Baker Act cases and more. At the Rossen Law Firm, it’s all about you - not us. Searching for an attorney in South Florida can be a nerve-wracking experience. At our firm, you’ll be met with respect, understanding and compassion. We take the time to hear your full story and make sure you understand your rights and options so you’re empowered to make the best decisions about your case moving forward. We believe bad things happen to good people, and when they do - we’re here to help.
SILVER SPONSOR
Resilience Recovery provides clinical aftercare and life skills development for the adolescent and emerging adult male population, ages 16-24. We treat individuals with substance use disorder, co-occurring disorders, complex developmental trauma, PTSD, and more. We are licensed at the Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Outpatient (OP) levels of care for primary substance use disorder, and work in collaboration with our FARR accredited sober living, Resilience Recovery Residences in West Palm Beach. We provide a highly structured community environment, where clients can lean on each other and hold each other accountable. Our vision is to empower individuals and families to increase self-awareness and cultivate a consistent application of skills to navigate emotional healing and maintenance of their own mental health & sobriety.
BRONZE SPONSORS
The Mental Health Counselor's Association is a nonprofit organization in Palm Beach that prides itself in providing mental health professionals with opportunities to continue their education and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field. Through a variety of events, the association hosts speakers who are experts in their respective areas of mental health, allowing clinicians to earn CEU's (Continuing Education Units) to maintain their professional licenses. The association is committed to improving the mental health care community and ensuring clinicians have the knowledge and skills they need to provide the best possible care to their clients. We hope to see you at one of our events soon!
Caron Florida Treatment Centers is an internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention, and addiction medicine education. With three distinct rehabilitation facilities in Southeast Florida, including a new state-of-the-art medical center, our mission is Recovery for Life. For more than 65 years in Pennsylvania, and more than 25 years in Florida, we have helped many individuals struggling with substance use disorder and their families begin to manage this chronic, treatable disease. Caron Florida provides a continuum of care including detox, residential, mental health care, recovery support, and outpatient programming for young adults, adults, and older adults. Caron Florida’s signature programming provides concierge treatment for executives, older adults, and mental health patients. In addition to the Florida campus, Caron provides services in Wernersville, PA, Philadelphia, PA, Northern Virginia, Atlanta, and New York City. Caron Florida provides financial assistance for those who qualify. For more information, please visit caron.org or @CaronTreatment.
Mobilizing MSD Alumni is a national organization founded in the wake of the mass shooting on February 14, 2018, to support the community of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School High School students, teachers, and alumni.
Next Level Recovery Associates offers comprehensive support services to individuals and families affected by substance use disorders and mental health concerns. The Next Level Team puts together individual care plans to guide people towards achieving long term success.
Professionals United for Parkland and the Broward Mental Health Counselor Assocuation would like to thank Newport Healthcare for donating the lunch for our CEU event on 2/3/2023. Newport Healthcare is the national leader in treating higher-acuity mood and co-occurring disorders in teens and young adults, such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, and substance use disorder. As our country and the world face the most devastating crisis of our time—the youth mental health crisis—Newport Healthcare is at the forefront in the essential work of helping young people to heal and to thrive.
Coral Shores Behavioral Health is a state-of-the-art freestanding psychiatric hospital since June 2017. The hospital is located in Stuart, Florida, on the beautiful Treasure Coast, just 30 minutes North from West Palm Beach. CSBH has 80 inpatient beds and serves children, adolescents, adults and older adults. Services include - Crisis Intervention and Stabilization; Medication Management; Individual and group counseling; Psychoeducational Groups, Recreational Therapy; Patient and Family Education; Discharge and aftercare planning. Outpatient treatment services provide a framework for recovery and healing and can include Adult PHP, Adult IOP, and Adolescent IOP. Available both in office or virtual. CSBH is the only Baker Act receiving facility in Martin County.
If you should find yourself or someone you know in immediate crisis or need for help, dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Some other resources for immediate crisis support include:
211 – In Florida, and many areas, most counties will have a dedicated 211 resource hotline. Dial 211 from your phone to be connected to your local 211 branch. This may depend on where you’re calling from if it’s from your Cell Phone.
Crisis Text Line – Text any word (Help, Talk, etc.) to 741741 to be connected via text to a trained crisis counselor.
Paational Suicide Prevention Hotline – Until the 3-digit hotline number is active later in 2022, the original number will still be the one to use – 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).P al. al. al a Our Mission “Professionals United for Parkland was created to identify and meet the short and long-term needs related to mental health/well-being of the South Florida community in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy through evidence-based services including education for the general community and professionals, clinical training, clinical services, support for clinicians, and more. We work alongside other local organizations and groups to ensure that we identify gaps in current services and that the needs of our community are being adequately addressed. We are entirely non-political.
Professionals United For Parkland Honors the 17
Professionals United for Parkland remembers Alaina Petty. The WalkUp Foundation’s mission "is to improve the safety and security of our nation’s schools. Educational seminars and workshops will be designed to address three goals: (1) advocating for safer schools; (2) supporting the development of and encouraging the creation of school based programs which enhance school safety; and (3) educating individuals, organizations and lawmakers about the tools available to make schools safer and strengthen the laws to ensure that school district comply with safe school practices."
To learn more: https://walkupfoundation.org/
PU4P Updates Interested in joining our trauma trained therapists (licensed only) - please take a few moments of your time and join the PU4P referral directory. The MSD community will need services for the long run. PU4P links those in need with a vetted list of trauma therapists. We ask for a commitment of 2 pro-bono clients a year. For more information or questions, please contact info@pu4p.org. Please support PU4P by designating it as your charity with The AmazonSmile Foundation. They will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible smile.amazon.com purchases. Don't forget to check our Facebook page for the most current events, updates, and information about PU4P! Thank you for your support of PU4P and your dedication to the Parkland community.