Dissect & Connect

Dissect & Connect

By Montgomery County Prevention PartnersHealth & FitnessMental Health
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Dissect & Connect episodes

  • Episode 52 - Understanding Dysgraphia and its Impact on Children

    Dr. Rosanna Breaux is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Child Study Center at Virginia Tech. In our conversation, Dr. Breaux provides an overview of dysgraphia, a brain-based learning disability that affects writing.

    Resources:

    Website: www.understood.org

    • https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-dysgraphia
    • https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-multisensory-techniques-for-teaching-handwriting?_sp=d964e9f8-4886-4233-a83e-8e71620d3738.1651688011722

    Some additional Dysgraphia specific resources: 

    • https://dyslexiaida.org/understanding-dysgraphia/
    • https://www.additudemag.com/what-is-dysgraphia-understanding-common-symptoms/

    General resources on SLDs and IEPs/504 Plans:

    • https://effectivechildtherapy.org/concerns-symptoms-disorders/symptoms/specific-learning-disorder/

    http://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/parents/parents_guide.pdf

    16 min
  • Episode 51 - Lessons learned from "Dopesick" and the corruption that led to America's addiction epidemic
    Rick Mountcastle is an Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia and a Retired Federal Prosecutor.   Operating from a small, satellite U.S. Attorney's Office in Abingdon, Virginia, Rick led the investigation and prosecution of Purdue Pharma, as well as its CEO, General Counsel, and Chief Medical Officer, in an unprecedented case, that, at the inception of the opioid crisis, held an opioid manufacturer and its top executives criminally and civilly responsible for falsely marketing OxyContin. (This case was at the center of Beth Macy's best-selling book, "Dopesick," and the Hulu television series of the same name that first premiered in October 2021.)   After moving to the US Attorney’s office headquarters in Roanoke, Virginia, Rick led the investigation and prosecution of Abbott Laboratories for its false marketing of the epilepsy drug, Depakote, resulting in criminal and civil penalties totaling $1.5 Billion (at the time the largest pharmaceutical settlement involving a single drug in U.S. history).   As acting/interim U.S. Attorney from January 2017 through April 2018, Rick led the federal response to the violence at the Charlottesville Unite-the-Right rally on August 12, 2017, personally directing the opening of the federal civil rights investigation of Heather Heyer's killer and other violent extremists, ensuring that the federal case was staffed by the office's best attorneys, coordinating with the local prosecutor's office, and coordinating with the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He also initiated the federal-state task force to address gang violence in Danville, Virginia, resulting in the return of federal indictments against members of two violent gangs.   Now with the Virginia Attorney General's Office, Rick currently works to address the opioid crisis by conducting parallel criminal-civil investigations of health care providers who prescribe controlled substances without legitimate medical purpose.   In our conversation, Rick shares insight from the Perdue Pharma case and speaks to the larger issue of corruption and how that led to America's addiction epidemic. We also discuss the negative impact of stigma toward those who struggle with addiction as well as the importance of prevention and education.

    Resources mentioned in this episode:
    BOOK: Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe

    SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)      
    44 min
  • Episode 50 - Teen Pregnancy Prevention & Sexual Health Education
    Josh Diamond, Katie Mitchell and Katie Forsyth provide an overview of the Appalachian Replication Project (SexEdVA) at James Madison University's Institute for Innovation in Health & Human Services. The program strives to equip teens, caregivers, and community members with the education and skills that allow young people to make the healthiest decisions for themselves when it comes to sex and relationships.

    Resources mentioned in this episode:
    https://www.sexedva.org https://www.talkwithyourkids.org https://www.adolescenthealth.org https://www.cdc.gov https://www.hhs.gov https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/new-river/ https://www.nrvroadtowellness.com     SHOW LESS    
    31 min
  • Episode 49 - Mitigating the Impact of Hepatitis C in Southwest Virginia

    Laura Kate Jennings-Brink is the Southwest Regional Hepatitis C Coordinator with the Virginia Department of Health.

    In our conversation, we discuss the alarming prevalence of Hepatitis C in the region, as well as the populations who are at highest risk, available treatment options and prevention methods.

    Resources mentioned in this episode:
    HepVu: Understanding Hepatitis C Where You Live - http://www.hepvu.org

    National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable - http://www.nvhr.org/

    Book recommendation: Dopesick (Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America) - Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Dopesick-Dealers-Doctors-Company-Addicted/dp/0316551244

    The Crime of the Century (HBO docuseries) official trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkU75sBdjdU

    Additional resources: HELP-4-HEP hotline (assists patients in finding care and support) - http://www.help4hep.org
    (877-435-7443)

    https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/10/2016/06/Virginia-Hepatitis-C-Epidemiologic-Profile-2016.pdf

    (This is the data published by VDH central office in 2016 depicting Hep C data statewide.)

    Other suggested reading material:
    Fentanyl Inc. by Ben Westhoff
    Death in Mudlick by Eric Eyre

    32 min
  • Episode 47 - Why Prevention and Community Coalitions Matter
    Dr. Mary Crozier has been in the field of substance abuse education, prevention, and intervention for over 40 years and currently serves as a consultant to Community Coalitions of Virginia.

    In our discussion, Dr. Crozier explains the importance of substance use prevention, as well as the value of strong, effective coalitions. We also have an extended discussion around the new legislation that will make adult use of marijuana legal in Virginia, effective July 1.   Resources mentioned in this episode:
    Community Coalitions of Virginia website - http://communitycoalitionsofva.com/


    Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) website: http://www.cadca.org/   Community ToolBox website (University of Kansas): http://ctb.ku.edu/en   Center for Substance Abuse Prevention website: http://www.samhsa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/offices-centers/csap   Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) website: http://learnaboutsam.org/  
    47 min
  • Episode 46 - Speaking Out Against Drunk Driving

    Kristen Mallory spends most of her time in a wheelchair these days - a constant reminder of the accident that nearly claimed her life almost eight years ago.

    Kristen, who was 16 at the time, and her mother, Susan, were headed to their home in Chesterfield County, Virginia, the night of June 9, 2013 when their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver. Kristen was severely injured and continues to struggle with the physical and emotional pain caused by that incident. Despite the many challenges she’s now faced with, Kristen works every day to share her story to help prevent others from being harmed by drinking and driving.

    Along with her parents, Kristen has founded a non-profit to help spread awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving. The mission of Mallory’s Movement Against Drunk Driving is to reduce the number of individuals and families impacted by drunk driving through direct education efforts and by educating drivers, future/potential drivers, and passengers about the dangers of driving impaired, or being a passenger with an impaired driver.

    Additional resources:
    Mallory's Movement Against Drunk Driving website: http://www.mallorysmovement.org

    Mallory's Movement Against Drunk Driving on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mallorysmovement

    Giles Youth-Adult Partnership Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/gilesyap

    Sponsor Information:
    Teen Connections - https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-south-atlantic/education-programs/teen-connections

    Contact: Malinda Britt, PPSAT Community Health Educator [email protected] / (540) 315-2130

    36 min
  • Episode 45 - Resilience Week in Virginia & Trauma Informed Communities

    Melissa McGinn, MSW, LCSW, is currently Director of Community Prevention Programs for Greater Richmond Stop Child Abuse Now or “SCAN”) and she also serves as State Coordinator for Virginia’s Trauma Informed Community Networks.

    In our discussion, we cover the upcoming observance of Resilience Week in Virginia (May 2 - 8), along with the state's growing number of Trauma Informed Communities. Melissa also shares a number of resources related to both trauma and resilience.

    Resources mentioned in this episode:
    Greater Richmond SCAN website: http://www.grscan.org​
    PACEs (Positive & Adverse Childhood Experiences): http://www.acesconnection.com​ (there is no "p" in the URL address)
    Book - "What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing" by Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD & Oprah Winfrey (Amazon link): https://www.amazon.com/What-Happened-...​

    Sponsor Information:
    Teen Connections - https://www.plannedparenthood.org/pla...​ Contact: Malinda Britt, PPSAT Community Health Educator [email protected] / (540) 315-2130

    22 min
  • Episode 44 - Crisis Intervention Team & A New Crisis Center

    Jill Anderson and Patrick Halpern of New River Valley Community Services discuss the agency's long-running history with the Crisis Intervention Team model, as well as the development of a new crisis center for persons experiencing behavioral health emergencies.

    Resources mentioned in this episode:
    New River Valley Community Services website - http://www.nrvcs.org

    Virginia Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Coalition website - http://www.virginiacit.org

    National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care: A Best Practice Toolkit - http://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/national-guidelines-for-behavioral-health-crisis-care-02242020.pdf

    Sponsor information:
    Teen Connections - https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-south-atlantic/education-programs/teen-connections
    Contact: Malinda Britt, PPSAT Community Health Educator [email protected] / (540) 315-2130

    37 min
  • Episode 43 - Empowering Youth to Use Social Media Safely

    Moe McClanahan, a retired police officer, is the Director of Training and Education with the Safe Surfin’ Foundation and a High-Tech Crime Specialist with the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C).

    In our discussion, we talk about some of the issues associated with use of the internet and social media apps that are popular with you - but maybe not as familiar for parents, grandparents or other caregivers.

    Resources mentioned in this episode:
    Safe Surfin' Foundation website - http://www.safesurfin.org​
    Safe Surfin' on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/safesurfinfou...​
    Safe Surfin' on Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/safe.surfin​

    Sponsor Information:
    Teen Connections - https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-south-atlantic/education-programs/teen-connections

    Contact: Malinda Britt, PPSAT Community Health Educator [email protected] / (540) 315-2130

    32 min

About Dissect & Connect

From the publisher's feed

This is the official podcast of Montgomery County Prevention Partners where we explore various health and wellness issues and connect listeners to community resources. We especially focus on mental…