I applied to meet President Johnson for her new office hours. As a public leader, this offering is exactly when I want to see as a constituent. Whether or not I am selected, just to know that she is listening to the voices of her institution for at least one dedicated hour per week is heartening.
It’s a sort of servant leadership she’s showing per Robert Greenleaf. It’s the right thing to do, per me.
Hope to meet her soon.
Micky Sharma, Psy.D., Director of the Ohio State University Counseling and Consultation Service, spoke to The Council of Graduate Students this afternoon about some of the most common factors affecting our academic body currently based upon their intake data.
He spoke to the multimodal services offered to OSU students to help address balancing of academics, work, and personal life in positive and healthy ways. The top issues their office teams up with students on are: 1) ambiguity of role and status, 2) securing funding and finances, 3) graduate school culture, and 4) career options post graduation, especially with COVID-19 in full swing.
Questions from Students included:
Please click here to get an idea of the resources CCS offers, including brief individual therapy, couples counseling, group therapy, and online workshops.
In the event of a severe mental health concern: CCS has services available 24/7 for students in crisis and who need immediate assistance. Call 614-292-5766 and request an urgent appointment, if it’s after hours, press 2.
One of the perks of being an Intern each semester in the College of Social Work is to complete a specified number of Human Rights Activity hours outside of our internship advocating for local parks, social justice organizations, and other civic minded causes that give back in ways, small and large.
I chose to begin with Friends of Portal Park, the smallest of Columbus Recreation and Parks official “pocket parks”, at just 0.13 acres. You may have seen it at the corner of Arcadia Avenue and High Street, and perhaps blinked! On your next drive by, take some time to stop and linger from the hustle of High Street on the benches and hardscape walls provided for your leisure and repose. You can learn more about the history of Portal Park here.
Our team of local neighbors from the north in Clintonville and the south in University District/Olde North/SoHud (“South of Hudson”) all came together to remove graffiti off the garbage cans and the retaining wall that every car who visits Tim Horton’s gets to view. We also picked up trash, pruned back countless day lilies, laid mulch and wood bark chips, and raked the leaves beginning to fall.
If you are interested in joining, FoPP meets at the park the last Sunday of every month from 9 AM until 11 AM or when the clean up is done! Great group, great opportunity!
Keith, Mike, Scott, Alexus, Marie, Jenny, and Kristina
Hi and hello!
Back to school in my own best way, today by participating virtually in the Ohio State University’s Pay It Forward program, Community Commitment Day. The Office of Student Life staff (Alyssa, AJ, and team) created an innovative program of local Columbus social justice panelists. This afforded students a chance to continue connecting with agencies in our area who need volunteer assistance, gain human rights activities volunteer credits/hours, and gather together in a meaningful gesture of goodwill.
While we lament the absence of an awesome free breakfast, amazing Community Commitment day t-shirts, and posh charter bus accommodations, we’re instead placing our collective focus on the incredible social work and service STILL happening and ongoing during this pandemic. It is clear the students who showed up today are interested in moral character building and civic duty especially during crisis.
In the words of guest speaker and new incoming OSU President, Dr. Kristina M. Johnson, “We’ll always find a way!”
Get at it, Buckeyes! We are all in this together.
In a time where planning things is hard, I put my faith in things unseen. Cancer patients and survivors do it every day, so I can, too! Whether I ultimately ride the 100-miles in person or must ride in spirit, these strange times do not test my unwavering commitment to being a part of a mighty team of hopeful, energetic, and inspirational people, healthcare workers, and fighters!
If financial support is within your means, happy to receive your support here. I aim to raise $2,020 toward life-saving, fast-tracked cancer research. If texting is your jam, my bike Delores Christine and I happily accept your supportive messages as we train.
www.pelotonia.org/marierineveld
Together, we rise!
My biggest achievement this week was doing something I was not sure I could do: size, order, and install all new tubes and tires on my bike, as well as a luggage rack. Voila!
Delores Christine, you are a beaut! Can’t wait to crush cancer, cycle away depressive feelings and enjoy the outdoors with you.
One year ago, my girlfriend took me on “New Buckeye Orientation” visit. I proudly took a photo in front of the building that promised to bring me new friends, mentors, and a solid education. I was green. I was excited. I was anticipatory.
Yesterday, I walked 14,898 steps around OSU’s campus. I’ve kept to the social distancing. I’ve mitigated grocery store trips and friend interactions, but dang it all if I don’t miss this building and everything it represents. Today, I still feel all those things for Stillman and the gifts of invigoration she’s given to me and so many others, even if we can’t go inside right now.
Among my favorite activities whilst being away are chatting with a Class of ’57 OSU CSW graduate. She tells me stories of the college and her experience, and we have become quite good friends over the friendly phone line. Social Workers simply find one another in the madness, and I am so glad to have her as a friend in my current world.
Yesterday, when I got home, I checked my email, generally filled with strange emails from places I shopped once, telling me all about their plans to be proactive during this COVID-19 and the brave new world in which we live. Instead, I found an unexpected and wonderful email from The College of Social Work, notifying me that I am a scholarship recipient for the 2020-2021 academic school year. I broke down in tears, put my walking shoes back on, and kept processing how much good there is to do, be, and become. I imagined by late Brother, Matt, walking next to me in the new shoes I buried him in, white and blue Adidas. He had H1N1 and died of complications from pancreatitis in the last pandemic of 2009. Full circle, Friends. Full circle.
Until we are all together hand-in-hand again at Stillman, I am encouraged to continue to be the change where I am, with what I have.
We truly are all in this together.
Columbus, OH – Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services has amended its Prevention, Retention, and Contingency Program to provide targeted relief for families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Franklin County COVID-19 Response PRC Program provides eligible families with $500 in one-time cash assistance to help address emergent needs and expenses brought about by the public health emergency. The program is made possible through a special allocation from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
“Franklin County families have already been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ve lost jobs, they’ve lost child care, they’re in crisis mode now,” FCDJFS Director Joy Bivens said. “This program will provide one-time assistance to our most vulnerable families to help them weather the storm that we all know is coming.”
Families must reside in Franklin County; have at least one minor child and/or a pregnant woman in the household; and have a gross
household income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level,
which is $3,620 a month for a family of three, in order to qualify.
The financial assistance can only be used for eligible expenses outlined under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, which excludes food and medical care.
Families can apply online starting today at jfs.franklincountyohio.gov/covid19PRC.
They can also download and print copies of the application, while paper copies will be made available at each FCDJFS Opportunity Center Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – noon. Families can also submit applications directly via on-site drop boxes at each Opportunity Center during hours of operation, by fax at 614-233-2398, or by emailing franklin-cdjfs-verifications@jfs.ohio.gov.
The program permits families to self-attest to the eligibility criteria and FCDJFS will accept digital signatures and verbal authorization for applications.
FCDJFS will notify applicants upon approval or denial and the Franklin County Auditor’s Office will mail checks directly to approved households. At this time, neither FCDJFS nor the Auditor’s Office can provide an estimated date when payments will be authorized and mailed but both agencies will make every effort to expedite process.
COVID-19 Response PRC Program payments are one-time and limited to one per household. The program is effective until 60 days after the public health emergency ends or until the funding is exhausted.
In addition to the COVID-19 Response PRC Program, eligible families may also apply for one-time emergency assistance through the Agency’s PRC Program. However, eligibility criteria differ for each program. Learn more at http://jfs.franklincountyohio.gov/prc.
Residents who need food assistance, cash assistance or Medicaid can apply or check on the status of an existing application by visiting www.benefits.ohio.gov or calling 1-844-640-OHIO (6446). Customers can also check on the status of an existing case, submit verification documents and sign up for text message notifications online through the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal at https://ssp.benefits.ohio.gov.
While nothing is normal, I am creating my own normal. I sleep in now until 8 AM with ease and wake up without an alarm clock. I walk 2 miles. I eat a healthy breakfast of whatever the food pantry gave me (which was generous and enough). Today, I tried a free online yoga class that was excellent, hosted by a fellow Registered Yoga 200 Hour instructor and OSU MSW student named Caitlin.
I’m working remotely 10 hours a week and able to maintain my internship from home, given Columbus Recreation & Parks buildings shuttered last week. Online school starts next Monday, as OSU extended our Spring Break. It feels surreal, though we are not prisoners in our homes.
Things I’ve learned so far:
Here’s a YMCA link you can use if you need to get moving. It has bootcamps, barre, yoga, older adult exercises, weightlifting, tai chi, boxing, youth soccer drills, and more. FREE! (yep, My favorite four letter word).
Carry on, Champions!
The Friendly Phone Line at 614-993-3614 is available to older adults in greater Columbus who are looking for friendly conversation and social connection. Please share this number to older adults in need of extra social support during this stressful time.
The Friendly phone-line is intended to be a touch point to combat loneliness in our community during this unprecedented time of social distancing.
Older adults may call Monday – Friday, between 9 AM – 5 PM and vetted community volunteers will be available to take the calls. These calls are not intended to be a space to provide counseling, case management, or health information/recommendations. However, we do want you to feel safe, comforted and heard. Importantly, please note this phone line is not for emergencies and not staffed 24-hours a day.
Dr. Drake just sent the University population a showstopper of a message: The COVID-19 (FKA Coronavirus) threat has shuttered OSU classroom doors, effective immediately.
I tried not to, I really did, but honesty is my jam. I feel super bummed not to complete what I started- this semester with my classmates and instructors in person. Social work is hard to do in isolation, though not impossible. While I applaud those who are readily turning to “creative” measures like Zoom video conferencing and Canvas chat groups, I thrive in the classroom setting with human beings. I was not designed for “social distancing.” For all my self-described adaptability, this one has got me perplexed and frustrated. Still, I get it… there is nothing personal in this decision. It is about trying to keep everyone alive.
COVID-19 is an unknown. No vaccine. Wild card. There are currently 3 known cases of infection in Ohio, though none in the Columbus area at this time. The infected individuals in are in isolation under the watchful eye of the Cuyahoga County Medical Director and her Dept of Public Health. Seven others who had close contact within 6 feet for a duration of time have been quarantined, including 4 children on a bus. While I know it’s just the beginning of an inevitable spread, I am allowed to be a concerned student paying tuition on classrooms and professors and buildings I now cannot access. I imagine the flood of cancellations will follow- conferences, seminars, field placements, graduations, etc.
And, all this to say, I guess this is social work, too. Being the change. Advocating for calm and peace in times of setbacks. Ensuring greater good of all over desires of self. Sigh. Thank you, Ohio State, for doing your best. Once I stomach this blow, I’ll work to do the same while we ride this out together.
But for now, go wash your hands, please. And no elbow bumps for you just yet…