Parish Social Worker

My name is Patti Kelly and I am your Parish Social Worker. I am available to assist with questions or needs you have in a variety of different areas including mental health, access to health care, care for  Senior Citizens, stress management, and more. Check out the resources I have compiled below. Additionally, I can help you plan "next steps" and where to turn for resources. If you, a family member or a friend needs assistance or you're not sure where to turn for help, please contact me at 734-464-1222, ext. 301 or by email at pkelly@stedith.org. I'm happy to help and look forward to connecting with you.

Building Resilience in Children

Are you concerned about your child's wellbeing in a world full of challenges? In this video, Patti Kelly, St. Edith Parish Social Worker, shares with you the science-backed strategies for building resilience in children. Learn how to help them develop the skills to cope with difficult emotions and stay positive through trying times. Discover why it's important to cultivate resilience in children as early as possible and make sure they have a strong foundation for a successful future!

Building Resilience in Children Resources:

• Official website of the American Academy of Pediatrics; excellent resource on child development, health, and wellness topics
• Childhood 101; Numerous free resources to promote social emotional learning in children of all ages
• Truth Be Told Quotes; Free, printable coloring and journaling pages
• Michigan State University Extension Early Childhood Development; Connect to research and evidence-based programming for parents and caregivers to enhance children’s skills; Free webinars and on-demand videos and articles
• Official Sesame Street website; includes resources (videos, printables, articles, etc.) on a number of different topics including cultivating confidence, practicing patience, exploring emotions, etc.
• Free Coping Skills Kids Checklist
• Free printable daily feelings log
• Center on the Developing Child; Downloadable guide describes a variety of activities and games that represent age-appropriate ways for adults to support and strengthen various components of Executive Function and Self Regulation with children from infancy to adolescence.
   

Additional Examples of Situations Where Patti May be Able to Help! 

• Connecting Seniors to resources such as transportation, home help, and food assistance
• Obtaining health insurance and prescription assistance for eligible families
• Locating social opportunities and supportive services for an adult child with developmental disabilities
• Learning how to support family members with mental health issues and knowing what resources exist for both the individual and the family
• Connecting individuals and families to ongoing programs to assist with food, rent, utilities, legal aid, and other needs
• Sharing resources, including referrals for counseling, on management of stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and other issues

If you are having a mental health or medical emergency or are in crisis, go to your nearest Hospital Emergency Room or call 911 immediately. 

Resources

• Suicide Prevention

  Resources:

  • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (free, confidential, always available, call or text): 988
  • Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority 24-hour helpline: 1-800-241-4949
  • Jason Foundation website
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website   
     
• Grief

  Grief Resources

  • GriefShare is a Christ-centered, biblically based support group seminar that meets weekly for people who have lost a spouse, child, family member, or friend through death. Click here for more information and to register. 
     
  • Angela Hospice offers free one-on-one counseling, grief support, and education as well as specialized support groups for widows/widowers, children, and survivors of suicide and overdose. For more info: www.angelahospice.org/grief-support or 734-779-6690. It is not required that your loved one received services from Angela Hospice or was in hospice care. Services are open to everyone.
     
  • Henry Ford SandCastles offers grief support including support groups and a summer camp experience for children, teens, and families who have experienced the death of a loved one.
    Info: https://aboutsandcastles.org/ or 313-771-7005
     
• Senior Citizens

  Connecting older adults and their caregivers with a wide range of resources, services, and programs to assist with food, transportation, adult day care, in-home care, and more 

  • For City of Livonia Residents:
    Senior Center | Livonia, MI 
    734-466-2555 
     
  • For Wayne County residents:
    The Senior Alliance | Wayne County & Detroit, MI
    800-815-1112 
     
  • For Oakland County residents:
    Area Agency on Aging 1-B | Senior Support Resources | AAA 1-B (aaa1b.org)
    800-852-7795
     
  • Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program:
    Certified Counselors (who are not affiliated with an insurance company and are not selling plans) are available to assist with questions about initial and/or open enrollment and other issues related to Medicare.
    734-727-2067 
    More Information
    Website: https://mmapinc.org/
     
• Caregiving

  • Source: Caregiver Action Network
    Link: Caregiver Action Network Website
    Description: CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with significant health needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease

  • Source: American Association of Retired Persons
    Link: Family Caregiving
    Description: Helping you navigate your role as a family caregiver

  • Source: Alzheimers Association
    Link: Alzheimers Association Website
    Description: Caregiving for People with Dementia including local resources for support, education, and programs

  • Source: Living & Learning Enrichment Center
    Link: Parent and Caregiver Support Group – Living & Learning Enrichment Center
    Description: Free monthly support group for parents and caregivers who have a loved one with autism

• Mental Health

  Resources:

  • Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Metro (Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties)
    Link: www.namimetro.org
    Description: Numerous resources for both individuals with mental illness and families affected by mental illness including local support groups and educational programs
     
  • Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) (national)
    Link: www.nami.org
    Description: Information about warning signs and symptoms, mental health conditions, treatments, etc.
     
  • Source: Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority 
    Link: https://www.dwihn.org/ or call 1-800-241-4949 (24 hour)
    Description: Agency serving Wayne County residents

  • Source: Child Mind Institute
    Link: https://childmind.org/education/
    Description: Numerous topics to explore regarding children's mental health and parenting

  • Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Stay Well Program
    Link: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/resources/mental-health-resources
    Description: Multiple resources available to help with mental health challenges and information about stress management

  • Stress and Anxiety: Tips to Support Youth and Family Wellness Presentation (Video and Slides)
    Slides from Video

• Mindfulness Techniques & Stress Management

  Resources:

  • Source: MSU Extension
    Link: Stress Less with Mindfulness
    Description: Free mindfulness education sessions (virtual) to learn techniques to reduce stress for adults and children
     
    
  • Source: The Child Mind Institute
    Link: Free Online Modules 
    Description: 5-7 minutes modules for elementary, middle, and high school students teaching essential mental health skills such as understanding feelings, relaxation skills, understanding thoughts, managing intense emotions, and mindfulness
      
• Parenting

  • Source: Michigan State University Extension
    Link: Parenting Education Classes
    Description: Numerous virtual classes and groups to support parents of young children on topics such as development, discipline, feeding, and more

  • Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
    Link: Parenting a Child with Mental Health Challenges: Basics on Demand
    Description: A free, virtual, on-demand series on Learn about mental health challenges in children & adolescents, potential treatments, coping strategies for parents, crisis planning, and available resources.
     

  • Source: Archdiocese of Detroit, Office of Family Ministry
    Link: https://www.compassforparents.org/
    Description: Database of resources for parenting from a Catholic perspective on various topics facing families from fear and worry, to internet safety to body positivity.
     

• Safety online, on the internet, and on social media

  The following links provide multiple resources for adults, teens, and children on increasing internet safety including videos, handouts, interactive games, and trainings

  • Source: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
    Link: NetSmartz
    Description: NetSmartz provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help children become more aware of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline.
     
  • Source: Take it Down 
    Link: https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/
    Description: Free service to help young people remove explicit online images.
     
  • Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    Link: Project iGuardian
    Description: Providing children, teens, parents and teachers with information regarding the potential dangers of online environments and how to stay safe online can help prevent many instances of child exploitation.
     
  • Source: Protect Young Eyes
    Link: Protect Young Eyes Website
    Link: Fr. John Riccardo & Chris McKenna (founder of Protect Young Eyes) Video
    Description: Helping Families, Schools, And Churches Create Safer Digital Environments
     
  • Source: The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
    Link: Internet Safety Month
    Description: Internet Safety Month is in June, but protecting children is a year-round responsibility. This website works to raise awareness about Internet safety and provide resources to keep kids safe online.
     
• Vaping & E-Cigarettes

  Resources:

  • Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
    Link: The Truth About Electronic Cigarettes (a.k.a. Vape Products)
    Description: This free recorded webinar describes how e-cigarettes work, current products, health effects and resources for quitting.
     
  • Source: Samaritas
    Link: Samaritas Adolescent Vaping Program
    Description: Evidence-based treatment for vaping. To learn more, visit www.samaritas.org/sud or call 833-720-WELL.
     
• Substance Use

  Resource:

  • Source: Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition
    Link: https://livoniasaveouryouth.org/
    Link: Free Education series about addition, prevention, treatment, and recovery
    Description: Community coalition with resources for substance abuse prevention for youth
     
  • Source: Families Against Narcotics
    Link: https://www.familiesagainstnarcotics.org/
    Link: Family and Friends Addiction Support Group
    Link: In Person Public Forum, March 6, 2023
    Description: Resources for families who have a loved one struggling with addiction including support groups, resource information, and education
     
• Supporting children after divorce

  Resource: 

  • Source: Healthychildren.org
    Link: Supporting children after separation or divorce
    Description: Information and resources for supporting children's wellbeing after parent's separation.
     
• Talking to children about violence

  Resources:

  • Source: Child Mind Institute
    Link: How to Talk to Your Child About Mass Shootings (Video)
    Description: This video covers how to talk to children about mass shootings, how to build resilience in the fact of these horrible events, how to cope with your and your child's anxiety, and parent Q&A's.
     
  • Source: National Association of School Psychologists
    Link: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
    Description: These resources were developed to help educators and administrators support students and families cope with bullying and school violence.
     

  • Source: PBS for Parents
    Link: Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News
    Description: This resource offers guidance to help you talk with children and youth after something scary or violent happens

  • Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
    Link: How to Talk With Kids About Tragedies & Other Traumatic News Events
    Description: This resource offers guidance to help you talk with children and youth after something scary or violent happens

• People living with Intellectual Disabilities, Developmental Disabilities, and/or Autism

  Resources:

  • Source: Angel's Place
    Link: Home | Angels' Place (angelsplace.com)
    Description: Numerous services for people with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities including homes and social programs.
     
  • Source: Living & Learning Enrichment Center, 801 Griswold St., Northville
    Link: Living & Learning Enrichment Center (livingandlearningcenter.org)
    Description: Numerous programs for people with disabilities including social groups, job training, various therapies, and support in gaining independent living skills.
     
• People living with Alzheimer's, dementia, and memory loss and their caregivers

  Alzheimer’s and dementia affect millions of people in the U.S. If they are affecting your family, check out the resources below.

  Source: Community Resource Finder
  Link: www.communityresourcefinder.org
  Description: Database of dementia and aging-related resources for housing, community services, support groups, and medical services

  Source: Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter
  Link: www.alz.org/gmc
  Description: Provides opportunities for social engagement, education, respite care, support groups (several in this area), and additional supportive services for patients and families

  Source: Michigan Dementia Coalition
  Link: www.midementiacoalition.org
  Description: Links to a number of resources including the Michigan Dementia Resource Guide for Families

  Source: Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center Wellness Initiative
  Link: https://alzheimers.med.umich.edu/wellness-initiative/
  Description: Numerous support and educational programs for persons living with memory loss and family caregivers

  Alzheimer's Association 24/7 helpline: 1-800-272-3900

  Ever wonder what Alzheimer’s and Dementia are? 
  
  Source: www.alz.org

• Concrete Needs (i.e. assistance with food, utilities, etc.)

  Source: 211
  Link: https://www.211.org/ or call 211
  Description: Connect with resources for assistance with food, utility bills, rent, etc.

  Source: Salvation Army
  Link: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/wmni/energy-assistance/ or call Colleen Dahl 313-563-4457, ext. 505
  Description: Assistance with energy bills

  Source: Church of the Holy Family, Novi
  Link: Call for an appointment 248-349-8553
  Description: Provides clothing and small household furnishings to low income families in the community free of charge

  Source: CARES of Farmington Hills
  Link: https://caresfh.org/ call 248-474-8231 to make an appointment
  Description : Food pantry 

  Source: The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
  Link: Call 734-634-4935
  Description: Monthly food support for eligible Livonia residents