More than one in four people on Maryland’s Eastern Shore are part of the military community – either active military, guard reservists, veterans, or family members of the military. To help serve the needs of this significant population, For All Seasons has gotten a second matching grant from the Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program to address the high instances of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and sexual assault-related trauma among local service members, veterans, and their families.

“We are thrilled to be involved with this partnership with the Veteran and Military Support Alliance (VAMSA) at the Center for the Military and Veteran Family in Stevensville. We are working together to get veterans and their families the support they need. Our Open Access™ program eliminates a waitlist and allows individuals and families to begin mental health services in a timely way. Individuals can select a time window and a location, complete their intake, and meet with a therapist on the same day. It’s the first mental health delivery model of its kind on the Eastern Shore, and is helping area veterans in their time of need,” comments Beth Anne Dorman, President & CEO of For All Seasons.

The grant will help address insufficient immediate access to mental health services and cultural competency barriers that currently exist. Those being served include active-duty service members from any branch of service, veterans from any branch of service, military spouses (both active duty and veterans from any branch of service), and military children and stepchildren (both active duty and veterans from any branch of service.

The agency’s Open Access™ program and financial assistance fund have been enabling veterans to get same-day appointments and to pay nothing out of pocket for the services they receive. Eric Johnson, Executive Director, of Veteran and Military Support Alliance (VAMSA) at the Center for the Military and Veteran Family in Stevensville, has been working with For All Seasons and shares that there have been noticeable changes since the program was implemented a year ago.

“Many people on the Eastern Shore, not just veterans, but from any walk of life, feel like it is a resource desert here when compared with the western shore. So anything we do is going to help this, this community, and the broader community,” Johnson comments.

He points out that the work between VAMSA and For All Seasons has been focused on building credibility for veterans who need to utilize the services, which has been crucial in removing barriers to them seeking treatment. He shares the slogan, “You must know me to treat me,” as an example of the importance of clinicians understanding military culture.

“For All Seasons sought input from the very community that they sought to reach. I don’t think you can put a price tag on that. They allowed us to help shape the messaging to veterans in a way that drew the veteran community to participate. That says a lot about For All Seasons’ genuine commitment to helping this population,” he adds.

For All Seasons also draws on its Trauma Certified Therapists to deliver services to veterans. Last year, For All Seasons Center for Learning, trained 100% of its team in cultural competency around service members, veterans, and their families. The “Trained Military Assistance Provider (TMAP)” training curriculum covered topics such as healthcare providers, helping children of veterans, and crisis response and suicide among military members and veterans.

One of the most significant statistics Johnson shares is the number of suicide preventions since the program started one year ago. To date, there have been 28 veteran suicide saves of veterans who self-identify or are identified as suicidal by VAMSA staff.

Regarding the current needs for veterans on the Shore, Johnson shares, “I think the enduring challenges are the urgent ones. These involve veterans who have survivor guilt which affects their ability to seek and accept care. It’s not something that can easily be fixed, but it starts with an agency’s outward commitment like what For All Seasons has done with its messaging to veterans.”

“The emerging dynamics would be that many folks are losing their jobs right now as often veterans go into civil service or work with a government contractor. Those areas are vulnerable right now to job loss and the stress that comes with that can be a trigger. This is a population who is already struggling, potentially with PTSD, stress, anxiety, or depression, as well as physical issues, so this could create a greater need for treatment,” he adds.

Lei Ellingson, Deputy Director, of the Veterans and Military Support Alliance (VAMSA), shares that many of these veterans have families, and depending on when they served in the military may affect how they approach getting mental health services.

According to Johnson, there can also be waiting periods and interruptions with some other mental health providers. He adds, “We don’t see that at all with For All Seasons. They are our go-to provider for mental health emergencies, particularly helping to serve our suicidal veterans.”

VAMSA sees anywhere between 45 and 60 veterans per month either in person or by phone in Stevensville. Through the new Hixon grant, VAMSA and For All Seasons hope to launch partner-embedded mental health consultations at VAMSA to provide rapid triage and “hot” handoffs for service members, veterans, and their families to For All Seasons’ Open Access™ services. For All Seasons is also working in the coming months to launch intensive alternative therapy retreats for veterans in partnership with Patriot Point in Dorchester County.

For further information, visit www.ForAllSeasonsInc.org/SMVF.

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For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The next Safe Sitter® course, hosted by University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH), will take place Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

The course is taught by UM SRH Women and Children’s Department skilled nurses and is designed for children ages 11 to 13. The course will also be offered Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton’s Health Education Center, 219 South Washington St.; and Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the conference room at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, 100 Brown St.

The course is designed to prepare students to be safe when they are home alone, watching younger siblings or babysitting other children. The instructor-led class is taught using games and role-playing exercises so that students can practice rescue skills. Participants in the program can also expect to learn safety skills, including how to prevent unsafe situations and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies; child care skills, such as tips to manage behavior that will help sitters stay in control of themselves and the children in their care; first aid and rescue skills, including CPR and choking rescue; and life and business skills to help sitters screen potential childcare jobs, discuss fees and greet employers.

The cost of the program is $50, and a Safe Sitter kit will be provided to all student participants. Students should bring a lunch on the day of the program.

To register for the course, email Gladys Peeples at [email protected]. Early registration is encouraged, as class size is limited. For questions, call Stephanie Blades at 410-822-1000, ext. 5234. 

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About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

 

With sexual assaults on the rise on the Mid-Shore, For All Seasons is working during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April to educate the community on the risks, including being a victim of a drug-facilitated sexual assault. For All Seasons’ first “Sip Safe” Campaign launches on April 1. The campaign’s mission is to raise awareness about the risks associated with drug- and alcohol-facilitated sexual assault while promoting proactive behaviors that enhance personal and community safety.

For All Seasons’ staff is collaborating with local organizations, businesses, and colleges to ensure that the issue of drug and alcohol-facilitated sexual assault is widely recognized and actively addressed. Part of this initiative includes distributing free informational resources, drink-spiking prevention scrunchies, and drink cover stickers to local college students and bartenders. Among the tips are how to identify risky situations when enjoying a night out and how to recognize if a drink has been spiked or tampered with (https://forallseasonsinc.lpages.co/sipsafe/)

Bringing community into the conversation.  Outreach will be done in the public schools, colleges, and local businesses around this year’s national theme, “Together We Act, United We Change,” highlighting the importance of working together to address and prevent sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.

According to Kristy Mirando, Director of Victim Services at For All Seasons, “With sexual violence continuing to harm our Mid-Shore children and adults, as a behavioral health agency and rape crisis center, our agency cares about education and prevention. We know that helping youth and adults to understand what sexual assault encompasses is important. Sexual violence is an umbrella term that includes any unwanted sexual contact. Forms of sexual violence include rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or sexual abuse. It also includes a range of behaviors such as unwanted sexual contact or words, online exploitation, exposing oneself to others without consent, and nonconsensual image sharing. We are hoping throughout this month ahead to educate youth and adults about risk and how to avoid situations which may lead to sexual assault.”

In recognition of Denim Day (April 23), For All Seasons is partnering with The Ivy Café in Easton to create awareness and show support for sexual assault survivors through its Denim Day Community Art Project. On April 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., community members can come to The Ivy Café on Dover Street in Easton and write supportive messages on patches of denim to show their support for sexual assault survivors. These patches will later be displayed on a large canvas at The Ivy Café and at For All Seasons Rape Crisis Center.

Denim Day is an international day created after an Italian court overruled a 1999 rape conviction because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, implying consent. The next day, women in Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity.  Local citizens are encouraged to wear denim with a purpose on April 23 to show their support for ending sexual violence and victim blaming. Participants can send their photos of Denim Day to [email protected] or tag their Denim Day photos to #DenimDayFAS2025.

Between April 7 and 11, the For All Seasons Rape Crisis Staff will be partnering with the Kent County Public Schools for Sexual Assault Awareness Week. On April 7 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. For All Seasons will present in the Kent County High School cafeteria on “Protecting Teens in a Digital World: Internet Safety & Healthy Relationships.” The presentation is open to high school and middle school parents, guardians, and concerned community members interested in keeping teens safe online, and a light dinner will be served. On April 8, For All Seasons staff will help teachers at Kent County High School facilitate a lesson about Denim Day, and students will participate in the Denim Day patch art project.

For All Seasons will also present Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamations in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, and Queen Anne’s counties during April.

For further information about how you or your business or organization can participate in Sexual Assault Awareness Month, visit https://forallseasonsinc.lpages.co/sipsafe/ or email [email protected].

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

Compass will be offering their two day training session for any individuals interested in becoming a patient care volunteer.

The training session is scheduled for 9am to 5pm on the Thursdays of May 8th and 15th. The training will be held at our Barnette Center’s Conference room located at 255 Comet Dr. Centreville, MD 27677.

Volunteers provide company for patients, relieve the primary caregiver for a short period of time, assist with administration duties, and/or grief services. We are always looking for Veterans to assist with our We Honor Veterans program.

“Most often, patient volunteers give companionship to patients by reading, playing cards, or just watching television with them. They also give caregivers a chance to have a much­ needed break to tend to other responsibilities.” said Jessica Sheubrooks, Volunteer Manager at Compass. Volunteers provide the added support that our patients and families need during what can be an overwhelming time.

Topics taught during the training will include an overview of hospice, the process of dying, spiritual care and its place in hospice care, the stages of grief, effective communication techniques, family dynamics, stress management and self-care for caregivers.

Compass relies on more than 200 volunteers of all ages to support its mission, and these individuals volunteer their time in a variety of ways. In addition to patient care volunteers, Compass is currently seeking volunteers for Compass Closet (formerly Estate Treasures), their upscale retail shop whose proceeds help cover uncompensated patient care. Whatever your motivation to volunteer, there is a place for you at Compass.

To register or find out more information about becoming a volunteer for Compass, contact Jessica Sheubrooks at 443-262-4772 or [email protected]. Please register no later than May 1st.

This April, the YMCA of the Chesapeake is proud to recognize Parkinson’s Awareness Month by hosting special events and offering vital programs for those affected by Parkinson’s disease. In honor of World Parkinson’s Day on April 11th, the community is invited to  punch out Parkinson’s through our Fight Back Punch-a-Thon, held at six YMCA locations across the Eastern Shore.

“Join us this April as we raise awareness, build community, and fight back against Parkinson’s—one punch, one pedal, and one step at a time,” said Wendy Palmer, Director of Chronic Disease and Prevention Programs.

As the largest human services organization on the Eastern Shore, serving communities from Cecil County, MD, to Chincoteague Island, VA, and, as of 2024, St. Mary’s County, MD, the Y is deeply committed to providing access to disease prevention and management resources.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness, and balance difficulties. While there is no cure, research shows that exercise plays a critical role in managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

To support individuals living with Parkinson’s, the YMCA of the Chesapeake offers specialized programs at six of its eleven branches, with plans to expand further in 2025. Current offerings include:

• Rock Steady Boxing – A non-contact boxing program designed to enhance agility, speed, strength, and coordination, all of which can help slow the progression of symptoms.
• Pedaling for Parkinson’s – A cycling-based program inspired by research from the Cleveland Clinic, which demonstrated a 35 percent reduction in Parkinson’s symptoms through high-cadence cycling.
• Aqua PD (Aquatic Exercise for Parkinson’s) – A low-impact, water-based class focused on flexibility, strength, and mobility, offering participants a safe and supportive environment.
• New for 2025: Rock Climbing for Parkinson’s – Launching at the Easton Family YMCA, this program will challenge participants both physically and mentally, fostering strength, confidence, and camaraderie.

These programs go beyond physical benefits—they create a strong sense of community where participants find hope, encouragement, and support. They are offered at no cost to participants, thanks to donations made through the YMCA’s Annual Campaign and support from the Maryland Association for Parkinson Support (MAPS).  To contribute, please visit ymcachesapeake.org/give or send donations to:

For more details on specific program offerings, please contact a YMCA branch directly:

Easton Family YMCA at Washington
1180 South Washington Street, Easton
410-822-1515 | Contact: Wendy Palmer, [email protected]

Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA
123 Coursevall Dr., Centreville
443-262-9994 | Contact: Lyn Sutton, [email protected]

Henson Family YMCA
710 Schumaker Drive, Salisbury
410-749-0101 | Contact: Faron Burns, [email protected]

Kent County Family YMCA
200 Scheeler Road, Chestertown
410-778-3148 | Contact: Erica Osterhout, [email protected]

Cecil County Family YMCA
25 YMCA Blvd, Elkton
410-398-2333 | Contact: Tracy Campbell, [email protected]

St. Mary’s County Family YMCA
410-822-0566 | Contact: Wendy Palmer, [email protected]

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About the YMCA of the Chesapeake

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and one of the largest Human Service organizations on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Virginia and Southern Maryland; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the Shore and Southern Maryland, Ys engage 50,000 members and their families–regardless of age, income or background–to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve community health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Wicomico and Worcester Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. The Y is working with local volunteers to bring a new YMCA to Lexington Park, Maryland in St. Mary’s County in the near future.  Last year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $1,750,000 in assistance to over 16,000 community members, turning no one away due to inability to pay. Additionally, the Y spent $200,000 on outreach efforts and programming in the communities it serves.

For All Seasons recently held an open house for its new location at 315 High Street, Suite 202 in Chestertown. Staff provided information on expanded services and tours of the new downtown space. The new location ties into the agency’s ‘Bringing Mental Health to Main Street’ initiative, bringing services to main streets across the Mid-Shore and making services walkable for people living in the Shore’s towns and cities. Beginning March 24, the agency also began offering its Open Access™ program – a walk-in mental health service with same-day access to appointments – something new in Kent County. The hours in Chestertown for Open Access are Mondays from 2 to 3 p.m.

“We have been serving Kent County for 25 years and Kent County Public Schools with school-based programs for the past 16 years. Tonight, we stand in this new “home” for our Kent County services, but make no mistake… we have been here, walking alongside this community for decades. And, the really exciting thing is, with this new space, we will be able to do even more,” stated Beth Anne Dorman, President & CEO of For All Seasons.

“For too long, mental health care has been tucked away, hidden behind closed doors, as if it were something separate from daily life. At For All Seasons, we believe the opposite. Mental health is not a side issue — it’s as essential as the schools that educate our children, the hospitals that heal our bodies, and the businesses that keep our communities thriving. That’s why we don’t just set up offices. We plant ourselves in the heart of the communities we serve,” she added.

“It is an honor to welcome For All Seasons to its new Chestertown office. Mental health is a vital part of a thriving community, and the services For All Seasons provides are truly life-changing. Their commitment to accessible, compassionate care ensures that no one has to face their challenges alone. We are grateful for their expanded presence in Kent County and look forward to the positive impact they will continue to make,” commented Sarah King, Executive Director, Kent County Chamber of Commerce.

Dignitaries who attended the event included the mayors of Chestertown and Rock Hall. David Foster, Mayor of Chestertown, added, “It’s so beneficial to have For All Seasons in such a visible and convenient location downtown and not in a corner somewhere. I can’t imagine the situation of being told to come back in three weeks when needing a mental health appointment, so also having For All Seasons Open Access available now with same-day appointments will prevent that.”

“This has been a focus and a big lift for the whole team, bringing this to Chestertown, which is a good central location for the county. Very few places offer anything like this, so to have this available is just phenomenal. I’ve been a huge supporter for years,” shared Mike Cook, Mayor of Rock Hall.

For All Seasons Mental Health on Main Street initiative is supported by the Rural Maryland Prosperity Improvement Fund (RMPIF) from the Rural Maryland Council. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds administered by the Town of Chestertown have also funded For All Seasons’ ability to move and expand its Kent County office to bring in-person Open Access™ to its Chestertown office and to serve more Kent County residents. The Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission has funded For All Seasons’ ability to expand its school-based and community-based care, early intervention, and prevention strategies for Kent County youth.

“Where you stand tonight is not just a new office. It’s a statement: Mental health belongs in the center of our community, where everyone can see it, access it, and know that help is always within reach. These four walls are more than just an office. They represent hope,” shared Dorman.

For further information, visit forallseasonsinc.org.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.