Oakwood Center Receives $50,000 Palm Healthcare Foundation Grant for Program Entitled “Coping With Economic Stress”

The Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches, a community mental health center, announces the award of $50,000 from the Palm Healthcare Foundation for an inaugural program “Coping with Economic Stress.” Without strong systems in place to help families and individuals whose lives have been disrupted by job loss or significant income reduction, the community cannot adequately cope with economic stress. This grant will support a program to provide individuals with the necessary coping skills to deal with the negative implications due to the current economy.

“We are truly grateful to Palm Healthcare Foundation for supporting this important and timely initiative” said Dr. Linda DePiano, Chief Executive Officer of the Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches. DePiano credited Barbara E. Golden, Ph.D. and Kristin McCabe, MS, with the development of this innovative program after reading the extensive research of Dr. Rand Conger and Dr. Glen H. Elder on families in economic crisis.

Through a series of 5 free workshops the participants will engage in activities including

• group discussions,
• education, and
• role play designed to identify stressors, increase resilience, improve coping skills, improve family communications and strengthen ties to the community.

Individual and family therapy will also be offered to maximize the benefits of the workshop.