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< Back Sarah Fleming Director of Harm Reduction sfleming@safecoalitionma.org Bio coming soon!

Connect with other parents navigating special education. Get practical strategies, emotional support, and resources tailored to your family's needs. IEP/504 Caregiver Support Group Connect with other parents navigating special education. Get practical strategies, emotional support, and resources tailored to your family's needs. Register Time 6:00–7:30 p.m. Thursdays Aug. 20: Kickoff - Prepare to advocate for your child Sept. 10: IEP/504 form walkthrough Sept. 24: Understanding the assessment process for IEP/504s Oct. 8: Mock IEP meeting Oct. 29: Identifying helpful accommodations, data tracking at home Location SAFE Coalition Franklin Who this group is for This group is for parents, grandparents, foster parents, and caregivers of children who have: An IEP (Individualized Education Program) A 504 plan Learning differences or developmental needs and/or Health-related diagnoses affecting school Whether your child is in elementary school, middle school, or high school—and whether you're brand new to special education or years into the journey—you're welcome here! Benefits of Joining Connection with people who get it Meet other caregivers facing the same challenges—no need to explain what an IEP meeting feels like or why you're exhausted. Practical advocacy strategies Learn how to communicate effectively with schools, understand your rights, and prepare for meetings with confidence. Resources you can actually use Get curated tools for organizing documentation, tracking goals, and navigating school systems—not a generic brochure. A space to breathe Caregiving is hard. This is a judgment-free space to share what's working, what's not, and feel supported along the way. What to Expect Each session, we'll gather for 90 minutes of guided discussion, skill-building, peer support, and knowledgeable guest speakers. You're not sitting through a lecture. This is a conversation. You can share as much or as little as you're comfortable with. Some sessions you might need to vent, other sessions you might just want to listen. Both are welcome. Topics are created and will be adjusted to meet the groups needs as we move through the school year. Karen has spent her career supporting children and families, including 11 years as a foster parent, work as a Family Liaison with MSPCC, and co-facilitating foster parent licensing training. She holds a master's in social work and has provided in-home therapy and behavioral health services to individuals and families. She brings warmth, lived experience, and deep expertise to every group she facilitates. Meet the Facilitator Karen Bean Registration Form Form not loading? Open in a new browser.

Ask SAFE Each week, a SAFE Licensed Clinical Social Worker will answers questions about mental health, substance use recovery, and more. Ask SAFE a Question Submit Past Questions and Answers Can someone recover from substance use disorder without going to rehab? Yes, absolutely! Recovery is unique to each person and shaped by their individual needs and circumstances. Rehab is just one option. Some people benefit from outpatient counseling, peer support groups (like AA or NA), medication-assisted treatment, faith-based programs, or a combination of approaches. What matters most is finding support that works for you! Is it okay to date someone else who is in recovery? Yes, but it’s best to wait until both parties are firmly established in recovery—ideally at least one year. Dating too early can make it difficult to focus on your own recovery if both people are struggling to maintain sobriety. Invest in your own recovery and healing first. You'll be stronger, healthier, and ready to build something meaningful with someone when the time is right. What are the signs of alcohol poisoning? Alcohol poisoning (or overdose) occurs when excessive alcohol in the bloodstream shuts down critical brain functions and could be life-threatening. Call 911 immediately if you expect someone may be experiencing alcohol poisoning. Symptoms include mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious or inability to wake up, vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, slow heart rate, clammy skin, and low body temperature. When should I call a crisis hotline? Anytime is the right time to call a crisis hotline—no concern is too big or small. The federal 988 lifeline offers immediate support for issues like depression, suicidal thoughts, intrusive thoughts, substance use, feelings of hopelessness and loneliness, and more. If you’re unsure where to start, 988 is a great resource, and you don’t need to be in “crisis” to reach out. How can I support a loved one who is struggling with their mental health? Compassion, acts of kindness, listening, and patience! Be present and provide a compassionate listening ear when they need to talk something out. You can also suggest activities to do together for some distraction or deliver something to the person that they would enjoy—any way you show the individual you are there for them and willing to sit alongside them through these challenges will make a difference. How can I practice mindfulness in my daily life? Mindfulness means being aware—aware of your body, surroundings, experiences. It’s tough with daily distractions, but you can start small. For example, while walking the dog: notice the color of the sky, the feel of the leash, the sound of your dog’s paw-steps. Tune into your senses and allow yourself to fully exist in every moment How do I know if I'm ready to start recovery? So often we look for specific green lights or red lights to help us with decision making. The time is always right to consider a life of recovery! Recovery is a regaining of control of something that you may feel is controlling you. RECOVERY IS A JOURNEY and for some, sobriety is the destination. Recovery is defined by the individual struggling, whereas sobriety is the absences of substances. Recovery often looks like a decrease in substances, an increase in community supports, or even a change in the style of substances being used. What are some common triggers for relapse and how can I manage them? Relapse triggers are events, situations, or emotions that can lead to a strong desire to use drugs or alcohol again. Triggers differ from person to person—it's important to know what our triggers are so we can develop a plan to avoid or cope with them. Common triggers include increased stress, unwanted or unpleasant feelings, or physical pain. Our social connections (being around people we have used drugs or alcohol with in the past) or lack of social support (loneliness and isolation) can also trigger relapse. The best way to manage triggers is to proactively develop a relapse prevention plan that outlines our recovery goals, triggers, coping skills, supportive people and places, etc., and to share this plan with those who support us in our recovery. How does exercise impact my mental health? Exercise has been shown to improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, and it also can improve our quality of sleep, short-term memory, and attention span. As we engage in physical activity, we can feel less stressed as our brain releases more endorphins and serotonin (which make us feel happier and improve our overall well-being.) Formal exercise programs may also lead to more interpersonal connections, a sense of purpose and achievement, and improved self-esteem. It's helpful to start small! Begin with a short walk outside with a friend or try a beginner's yoga class! What is self-care and what are some easy ways to add it to my daily routine? Self-care is any activity that meets your needs and promotes overall wellness. Self-care can look different for everyone, and each person should identify what that looks like for them. This practice should meet your needs and promote overall wellness physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. One easy way to incorporate this into your daily routine is to make sure that you have some component of movement, mindfulness, creativity, and service to others sprinkled into your day! For example, you could go for a nature walk, try an adult coloring book, cook a nutritious meal, or spend time with friends. I’m a teenager. Is it safer for me to use cannabis rather than drink alcohol? It's impossible to definitively state one substance is safer than another, as both cannabis use and alcohol consumption have inherent risks for individuals across the lifespan and especially for teenagers. The use of alcohol and cannabis both impact brain development, which means our ability to make healthy decisions, to drive a car, and to regulate our thoughts and emotions. Further, cannabis is not federally regulated, and research shows that the potency of THC in cannabis today is three times more concentrated than it was decades ago (whether it is being smoked, vaporized, or consumed as an edible.) Both substances can lead to unintentional consequences when used in large quantities (think blackouts from drinking alcohol excessively, violent or illegal behaviors, or hallucinations from excessive cannabis use.) These effects can be extremely dangerous, scary, and lead to long-term impacts on our brains, our bodies, and our overall futures. How can I be a supportive friend to someone going through recovery? Being a supportive friend to someone in recovery might look different depending on that person's wants, needs, and preferences. You can start by communicating how proud or happy you are for them to be taking steps to improve their well-being. You can also ask them directly how you can be helpful. This might sound like "I know you are early in your recovery journey, and I'm so proud of you for seeking treatment. I want to be supportive. Is there anything specific that I can be helpful with?" You can offer to join them at a meeting or drive them to an appointment with their providers. It will also likely be helpful for you to maintain an environment that is conducive to their sobriety or recovery, for example, by refraining from your own substance use while with them, avoiding people or places that might encourage their misuse, and using language that communicates your encouragement and support. See this article for guidance on language to use: https://tinyurl.com/SUDterms What are harm reduction strategies and why do they matter? Harm reduction refers to strategies that aim to reduce the negative consequences of drug use. The concept of harm reduction is based on the principle that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and that recovery from drug use is most successful when we meet people where they are at. Harm reduction approaches work to address the broader health and social issues of a community through improved policies, programs, and practices by providing people with resources to support their physical, emotional and social well-being. Some examples of harm reduction strategies and techniques include: • Preventing overdose deaths by distributing Narcan • Providing access to clean needles and syringes • Distributing substance test kits, including fentanyl test strips and xylazine test strips • Offering access to nicotine cessation therapies • Delivering psychoeducation about substance use as well as referrals to appropriate resources in the community Smoking cannabis helps me sleep, why should I stop using? Quality sleep is so important to our overall health and wellness—it impacts our energy, mood, physical health, among other areas of our life. But using smoking to help sleep can end up being more detrimental than helpful. It's important that we learn how to fall asleep (and stay asleep) without the use of substances. If we become dependent on smoking to fall asleep, it can become really hard to fall asleep on our own, which can lead to addiction. It can take several weeks to develop a healthy sleep hygiene routine, but with time, it can improve our quality and quantity of sleep and also increase our confidence in our ability to develop healthy habits. For optimal sleep, we want to create a cool, dark sleeping environment. Avoid watching TV, playing video games, spending time on our cell phones or other devices for 30–45 minutes before bedtime. Instead try doing some deep breathing, listening to calming music, or reading a book. It's also important to exercise and get outside during daytime hours and be mindful of our caffeine intake. Sometimes I get really down on myself and have a hard time getting myself out of a bad mood. What can I do to feel better? Sometimes we can have negative or unhelpful thoughts that lead to more negative and unhelpful thoughts and feelings. We call this spiraling, and it can be challenging to catch ourselves. Try asking yourself: Would I say this to my best friend? If not, we shouldn't say it to ourselves.

< Back Kathryn Branca, LADC I SAFE Cafe Facilitator kbranca@safecoalitionma.org Kathryn is a licensed counselor with over a decade of experience in behavioral health, specializing in mental health, substance use, and trauma. Throughout her career so far, she has led suicide prevention initiatives, partnered with law enforcement by co-responding to mental health emergencies, provided support after traumatic incidents to first responders, schools, and workplaces; and managed inpatient and residential treatment programs, including collaborating with insurance companies to streamline client care. Kathryn has a unique blend of clinical expertise, operational leadership, and ability to develop and deliver interactive trainings, which she brings to her passion for building effective systems of care, utilizing holistic treatment options, and strengthening resiliency for individuals and communities. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, holds a Master's degree in forensic psychology, and a Bachelor's degree in sociology and psychology with a concentration in criminology. Outside of her professional life, Kathryn enjoys spending time in nature, cooking and baking, and cheering on all of Boston's sports teams.

< Back James Derick Director of Family Recovery | Co-Founder jderick@safecoalitionma.org Jim Derick is a parent who knows about the devastating impact of Substance Use Disorder. His son Jack battled this illness for over 15 years and it was this struggle that led Jim to help form SAFE. On July 15, 2022 Jack died of an accidental overdose. Jim remains committed to helping families impacted by mental health and substance misuse challenges. Jim spent 22 years in the risk management field. In 2015 he co-founded SAFE and was elected as its' first president. Jim dedicates most of his time to family recovery and is furthering his education at Hartford Family Institute to become certified in body-centered psychotherapy. Jim is a facilitator for Road to Recovery, a 12-step support program for family members and Learn to Cope, a support group for families and loved ones impacted by Substance Use Disorder. Jim also serves on the Franklin Public Schools Substance Abuse Task Force.

< Back Oomiya Kawas Graduate Intern info@safecoalitionma.org Oomiya received their bachelors degree from UMASS Amherst in Community Health Education. They have 15 years of experience in the fields of education, healthcare, and community based mental health/ substance use prevention services. Oomiya specializes in developing culturally conscious, trauma informed, equity centered programming that speaks to the emergent needs of the community. Oomiya's workshops deepen connections and stregthen communities through vulnerable and courageous conversations about gender and sexuality. Oomiya believes in the power of authenticity in our ability to thrive as individuals and as a community. She is a life long learner, and loves to try new experiences and meet new people.

< Back Intern with SAFE Interns are an essential part of SAFE’s mission. By contributing their skills, creativity, and passion, interns help us expand our reach and deepen our impact. SAFE welcomes interns in many areas of our work. We provide both in-person and remote opportunities and tailor roles to align with each student’s academic goals, career interests, and skill development. Details Fall Semester: Apply by July 31 Spring Semester: Apply by October 31 We recommend applying at least one month before the semester begins to allow time for meetings and paperwork. Open to high school and college students over the age of 18. Benefits for Interns Internships are flexible and tailored to student needs, with schedules designed to meet school requirements. Interns gain hands-on nonprofit experience, mentorship, and networking opportunities, with the option to earn academic credit. Completed internships strengthen resumes and include letters of recommendation to support future goals. Relevant Fields of Study include: Education Sociology Psychology Human Services Public Health Counseling Social Work Communications & Design Marketing Fundraising & Development Examples of Internship Roles Graphic design & digital media Social media management & content creation Communications, writing, and copy editing Community outreach & event support Assisting with educational programming Research & program evaluation Public health training (e.g., Narcan education, harm reduction awareness) Fundraising & nonprofit development strategies Apply for an Internship

< Back Meghan Monahan Grief Specialist mbrewer@safecoalitionma.org Bio Coming Soon!

< Back Carie Bailey Member Bio coming soon!

< Back Alli Stokowski, LICSW Director of Clinical Care astokowski@safecoalitionma.org I am an LICSW, earning both my Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Social Work, though my initial tendency to navigate towards the role of “helper” began at a young age. My experiences thus far have entailed a variety of roles providing outreach and clinical services to individuals, groups and families across Massachusetts. My experience has allowed me to support some of the most vulnerable people including those with chronic physical and behavioral health concerns, those living in poverty, survivors of trauma and intimate partner violence as well as those with co-occurring substances use disorders. I also provided families and their children with clinical support while navigating the anxiety, fear, isolation and associated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. I often work closely with school systems, medical providers, DCF, DMH and other community organizations. I recently established a private practice providing psychotherapy to individuals, where I utilize a combination of psychodynamic, CBT and solution-focused counseling to help my clients navigate the stressors of our daily lives. My approach is often rooted in identifying the ineffective boundaries in our interpersonal relationships that lead to increased anxiety, anger and other suffering. I provide evidence-based treatment and strive to convey empathy and compassion to my patients. I enjoy traveling, cooking (mostly eating), any sort of live music and especially working on jigsaw puzzles!

< Back Play Video Play Video 02:58 Lindsay Semas Play Video Play Video 01:39 Hidden In Plain Sight Play Video Play Video 02:11 Botera | Chyenne Bessette Play Video Play Video 10:05 Narcan Training Play Video Play Video 02:44 Jim Derick Play Video Play Video 02:30 Jack Flynn SAFE Coalition MA SAFE Coalition MA Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Now Playing Woody Geissmann Founder, Right Turn Treatment Center 44:01 Play Video Now Playing #2069 Campaign - Reverend Ron Tibbetts 09:06 Play Video Now Playing SAFE BethWatts 061517 26:19 Play Video

< Back Where We Serve SAFE currently serves 55 communities throughout Massachusetts. We have organized diversion programs in 19 schools and communities, conducted Narcan training sessions in 44 communities (6,000 Narcan doses distributed as of Feb. 27, 2025), and delivered public presentations in 31 communities. Would you like to see SAFE serve your community too? Let's get started today! Communities served by SAFE > Diversion Program Overview > Narcan Trainings Overview > Panels & Presentations Overview > Communities served by SAFE Attleboro Avon Bellingham Berkley Boston Braintree Bridgewater Canton Chelsea Concord Dedham DMH Central DMH Eastern DMH Western Dover Easton Fall River Fitchburg Foxborough Franklin Grafton Holbrook Holliston Holyoke Hopedale Hyannis Lexington Lowell Mansfield Martha's Vineyard Maynard Medfield Medway Middleborough Milford Millis Milton Needham Norfolk North Attleboro Norton Plainville Quincy Randolph Roslindale Sharon Sherborn Southbridge Upton Uxbridge Waltham Webster Winchester Worcester Wrentham Schools/Communities involved in the diversion program Bellingham Chelsea Easton Fall River Foxborough Franklin Hopedale Maynard Medfield Medway Milford Norfolk Norton North Attleboro Plainville Roslindale Sharon Uxbridge Wrentham Community Narcan Trainings 41 communities currently served & 6,000 Narcan doses distributed as of Feb. 27, 2025. In 2024, SAFE ordered the 2nd highest amount of Narcan in Norfolk County and is currently only 1 or 2 affiliates in Franklin supplying Narcan. Attleboro Avon Bellingham Berkley Boston Braintree Bridgewater Canton Concord Dedham Dover Easton Fall River Fitchburg Foxborough Franklin Grafton Holbrook Holliston Hyannis Lexington Lowell Mansfield Martha's Vineyard Maynard Medway Milford Millis Milton Needham Norfolk North Attleboro Norton Plainville Quincy Randolph Sharon Sherborn Uxbridge Webster Westwood Winchester Worcester Wrentham Communities where we have been on panels/presented Attleboro Avon Boston DMH Central DMH Eastern DMH Western Dover Easton Foxborough Franklin Grafton Holyoke Lexington Mansfield Maynard Medway Milford Millis Milton Norfolk North Attleboro Randolph Quincy Sherborn Southbridge Upton Uxbridge Waltham Webster Worcester Wrentham