Podcast appearances and mentions of yvonne stroman

Have you ever had a gut feeling that something is just not right? You don't know why but you just 'feel' it. Yvonne Stroman knows the feeling quite well. She confidently labels it, woman's intuition - a powerful force deserving of recognition and respect. In this interview, Yvonne reminds us that we need to listen to our inner self, accept it and follow its cues.

Research indicate today’s youth is grappling with a myriad of issues, including self –esteem, peer pressure, academic achievement, and worldview outlook. These dynamics can make it challenging for students to focus in school and/or home. The Student Assistance Program provides assistance to students in a school setting. Student Assistance Program Coordinator, Tina George from Caron Treatment Centers chats with Yvonne Stroman on the program’s role within the school districts and its benefits. Tina says every school SAP team functions differently, but they are in every school district to meet the needs of the student who is referred. Referrals can come from the school, families or anyone concerned about the student’s well-being.

What is the number 1 drug used by youth between the ages of 12-18? If your guess is marijuana or cigarettes, you are incorrect. Alcohol is highly used among youth and it continues to have popularity in all areas of our community. Alcohol is available through friends and family. Underage drinking is a crime punishable by fines and other penalties and sanctions. Officer Kevin Rudy knows too well the consequences and negative outcomes as a result of underage drinking. He joins Yvonne Stroman to engage in a frank conversation about underage drinking in the community and on college campus and a program that is available to help youth and parents gain insight and information into the harmful effects of underage drinking.

Council on Chemical Abuse Prevention Manager, Jackie Steed and Yvonne Stroman, Community Programs Specialist discuss the importance of prevention in our community and schools. Evidence Based curriculum such as LifeSkills is a fifteen session education program that addresses refusal skills, decision making and dangers related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, teen violence, bullying and peer pressure. Middle School and High School students have access to this information in a classroom setting or at a playground or recreation park during the summer months. Schools welcome this invaluable information for their students, and in some instances, receive LifeSkills training to sustain its continuation for years to come.

Council on Chemical Abuse staff Sonia Santiago, a Certified Prevention Specialist and Yvonne Stroman, Community Programs Specialist sit down to discuss the Underage Drinking Program facilitated by the Council on Chemical Abuse in collaboration with the local District Magistrates, law enforcement, juvenile probation and Certified Drug and Alcohol professionals. Alcohol is viewed as a gateway drug. Gateway means it can lead to individuals to using other drugs that are illegal. The consequences of use of alcohol for young people under the age of 21 can lead to legal sanctions, driver’s license suspension, court fines and other costs. Learn about how the program is coordinated in an effort to help young people learn about the dangers of underage drinking, its consequences and resources that are available to help people who may need treatment.

As Director of Planning and Resource Development, Marcia Goodman – Hinnershitz sits down with Yvonne Stroman to talk about problem gambling, its pervasiveness, behaviors and attitudes associated with problem gambling and what resources are available for people living in Berks County who may be living with a gambling addiction, but do not know where to turn for help. Marcia indicates that she has been with the Council on Chemical Abuse for more than 15 years and she has witnessed the growth of the agency to include problem gambling and gambling addiction as a problem behavior that needs to be addressed. “In the beginning, COCA focused on alcohol and other drugs”. As time passed the Council on Chemical Abuse began to address and appropriate services that address other problem behaviors such as problem gambling. Once casino gambling became legalized in Pennsylvania, more monies became available to financially support prevention and treatment efforts. Marcia talks about the availability of prevention and intervention services for problem gambling as well as the hope that awaits individuals and families.

Yvonne Stroman is a Community Program Specialist with the Council On Chemical Abuse and has been affiliated with COCA for over 20 years. She believes it’s important to share recovery. Yvonne says at Coca “We speak about the disease of addiction, people do and can get well. Families do get better. Hope is just around the corner and often times that hope is found by contacting the Council on Chemical Abuse”. Yvonne says “COCA is responsible for the administration of public dollars back into the community. By working with local drug and alcohol providers COCA works to offer the most effective means of recovery and prevention”. COCA works collaboratively in the community offering recovery resources, prevention, treatment for the disease of addiction and intervention services. Yvonne says sometimes you ask, “Is it worth it with all this calamity, but when you see families and young people getting well, and you see them being productive citizens. That’s a huge motivator to keep working in the trenches making a difference”. One of the things that motivates Yvonne to keep going is running into individuals who will come back and tap her on the shoulder and say “Hey remember me, here I am, I doing well” All I ask of people who have been help is for them to pay it forward. Seeing kids that I knew grew up in a shelter having kids now and raising their family in a healthy manner is the reward. Yvonne adds that one of the reasons she continues to get up and do the work every day is hearing people tell her, “yeah, I was benefactor of a service from COCA and I am doing wonderful today, Thank You.”. That’s one of the reasons I continue to get up and do the work everyday

Jennifer Kaucher, Prevention Specialist, and Yvonne Stroman, Community Program Specialist, are your hosts and they sit down to have a conversation with the Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA) Executive Director, George Vogel about the history of COCA. During the conversation they find out how COCA got started, the agency’s purpose, its growth since its inception and the myriad of services offered to residents residing in Berks County. As the Single County Authority (SCA), the Council on Chemical Abuse manages and administers public monies that come into the county for these services. Over the years COCA has grown in many areas in a very positive direction. George says, “We provide a lot of prevention services and we have dozens of contracts with organizations in Berks County who provide intervention, treatment and recovery services. The biggest growth is the growing number of people who have received treatment through these services.” We hope you enjoy our show!