Dissect & Connect

James Pritchett has been with New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS) since 2006 and has served as the agency's Executive Director since 2017. In our conversation, James shares his thoughts on a wide range of subjects, including: COVID-19, the pros and cons of telehealth, and the importance of collaboration among community agencies in meeting the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.

We also discuss the civil unrest that is currently unfolding in the U.S., Appalachian culture, and the importance of finding hope during uncertain times.

Resources for this episode:

New River Valley Community Services website

NRVCS Facebook page

NRVCS Twitter account

NRVCS YouTube Channel
 
Books:
Let's Go (So We Can Get Back): A Memoir of Recording and Discording with Wilco, Etc. by Jeff Tweedy  

Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux by John G. Neihardt

Tonya Milling, Executive Director of The Arc of Virginia, has over 20 years of experience working with, and on behalf of, individuals with disabilities.

In our conversation, Tonya explains some of the many challenges for persons with disabilities and their families – including a lack of funding for essential services, as well as a shortage of providers for those services.

We also discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on those with disabilities, including their heightened risk and vulnerability to the disease.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Arc of Virginia website: www.thearcofva.org

The Arc of the New River Valley: www.thearcnrv.org

Tina King has worked for the New River Valley Agency on Aging since 1983, and has been Executive Director since 2006. In our conversation, Tina shares an overview of her agency's programs and services and we discuss some of the unique challenges that many older adults are facing - especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since May is Mental Health Month (and Older Americans Month), we also talk about the impact of social isolation and grief, as well as the stigma of ageism. In addition, Tina explains four keys to helping older adults with aging in place while maintaining their independence.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
New River Valley Agency on Aging website - nrvaoa.org

New River Valley Agency on Aging email - [email protected]

New River Valley Agency on Aging phone - 540-980-7720

New River Valley Agency on Aging's Facebook page - facebook.com/nrvaoa/

Aging in Place web page/workbook - http://nrvaoa.org/aging-in-place/

2020 New River Valley Resource Guide for Aging in Place - http://www.nrvcs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/New-River-Valley-Resource-Guide-2020.pdf

Emily Cook, a Registered Dietitian, owns a private practice in Pearisburg, Virginia, that specializes in one-on-one nutritional counseling. In our discussion, Emily explains how the foods we eat impact our overall well-being and she also dispels some of the common myths about what it takes to eat healthy and maintain a well-balanced diet. (Sorry, but you really can do it without ‘breaking the bank.’)

A wife and mother of three, Emily also shares tips about how to do meal planning and grocery shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Cook Nutrition, LLC website: https://cooknutritionllc.com/

Cook Nutrition, LLC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cooknutrition
Cook Nutrition, LLC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cooknutrition/

Learn about the five basic food groups, get recipes, and more: https://www.choosemyplate.gov/

General nutrition information (categorized by age group – toddler through elderly) all material developed and written by Registered Dietitians: http://www.eatright.org

Gail Maddox Taylor is the Director of the Office of Behavioral Health Wellness (OBHW) for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). In this role, Gail provides leadership in the development and implementation of comprehensive substance use disorder prevention systems at the state and community levels – including efforts to address opioids and overdose. She also oversees Virginia’s initiatives in both suicide prevention and Mental Health First Aid, as well as the State’s new Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) Initiative and Behavioral Health Disparities, including the Virginia Refugee Healing Partnership.

In our discussion, Gail explains the concept of 'behavioral health wellness' and the importance of prevention work happening throughout the Commonwealth - particularly given the social isolation being experienced during the current COVID-19 pandemic. She also shares the circumstances that led her to a career in prevention.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Office of Behavioral Health Wellness website: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/behavioral-health/behavioral-health-wellness

Virginia DBHDS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DBHDS/

Virginia DBHDS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VirginiaDBHDS

A Guide to SAMHSA's Straegic Prevention Framework: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/20190620-samhsa-strategic-prevention-framework-guide.pdf

Bently Wood is a lifelong resident of the New River Valley and is also in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders.

Bently currently works for New River Valley Community Services as a Certified and Registered Peer Recovery Specialist.  He is a February 2019 graduate of the Montgomery County Adult Drug Treatment Court and a former client of NRVCS.

Today, he is able to enjoy healthy relationships with his two adult daughters, and other family members, as well as his friends in recovery. Bently loves his life today.

Resources noted in this episode (and others):

401 Peer Center Facebook page: www.facebook.com/401PeerCenter

VOCAL Virginia website: www.vocalvirginia.org

SAARA (Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance) website: www.saara.org

Documentary – “Pleasure Unwoven”: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA8F89537FD4C3FD1

SMART Recovery Stages of Change Information – A page that includes links to multiple resources related to change.

Stages of Change YouTube video – A 5 minute explanation of the stages of change

SpiritWorks Foundation – “Our mission is to educate, equip, empower, and celebrate individuals, families, and communities on the journey from addiction to recovery.”

Recovery Answers – The Recovery Research Institute is a leading nonprofit research institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, dedicated to the advancement of addiction treatment and recovery.

Can Love Survive Addiction and Codependency – ASK is an exploration of alcoholism, drug addiction, and codependency. The documentary explains these topics in a way not seen before. At 1 hour, 20 minutes, ASK explores real issues through real people's stories, and provides clear cut hope and direction.

Lauren Sisler is a native of southwest Virginia and a graduate of Giles High School. She also happens to be a multi national award-winning sports broadcaster for ESPN, the SEC Network, and AL.com.

However, her journey has not always been full of victories and celebrations. In 2003 as a freshman at Rutgers University, tragedy struck Lauren’s world when she unexpectedly lost both of her parents on the same day to their concealed battle with addiction.

Through her grief and despair, Lauren found the courage to continue moving forward and find peace.

In our conversation, Lauren shares more about her story and how she was able to overcome the tragic and unexpected loss of her parents. We also discuss the impact COVID-19 is having on her profession and her personal life - including her upcoming wedding.

Resources:
Lauren Sisler's website: http://www.laurensisler.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenSisler

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/laurensisler

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LaurenSisler

Rebecca Moore serves as the integrative health liaison for New River Valley Community Services.

Since being trained by renowned trauma expert Dr. Allison Sampson-Jackson, Rebecca has conducted multiple trauma trainings over the past 5 years – both internally for NRVCS staff, and also for a number of groups and organizations throughout southwest Virginia.

Rebecca continues to be a champion for development of a trauma informed culture – not only within her own agency - but throughout the entire New River Valley.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of recognizing and understanding trauma and the ability each of us has to develop skills that help mitigate its long-term effects.

Resources:
Rebecca Moore's email: [email protected]

http://www.nrvcs.org/trauma

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) 

The Impact of ACEs on Our Society 

42 Ways to Build Resilience

COVID-19 Resource: Hanging on to Hope – Building A Resilience Toolkit

Laura Beth Weaver, Executive Director of the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley, shares how her agency is adapting to the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discuss how this situation could potentially cause an increase in domestic and sexual violence.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley website: www.wrcnrv.org

Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wrcnrv

Kate Jackson is the Coordinator for Virginia Tiered Systems of Support with Montgomery County Public Schools.

In our conversation, Kate discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of young people (and their parents/families), as well as strategies that parents can utilize to make sure their students thrive at home - while also staying connected to their teachers and friends. She also shares the benefits of taking the Youth Mental Health First Aid training.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Montgomery County Public Schools website: www.mcps.org

Mental Health First Aid website: www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org