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By Sara Martin, M.S., Chief Executive Officer, WELCOA At Policy Research, our wellness committee,… Read More

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Ever since I was 11 years old, I have experienced chronic migraines because of… Read More

This summer, when original plans for my annual Day of Reflection were no longer… Read More

I have been working at the intersection of behavioral health and the justice system… Read More

In recognition of Veterans Day 2020, we would like to take the opportunity to… Read More

As noted by Dr. Peggy Swarbrick and her colleagues, “Financial Wellness involves having financial… Read More

As I’ve done in most other years at PRA, I used my Day of… Read More

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Justin Volpe has been employed as a peer specialist with the 11th Judicial Circuit… Read More

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By Frank T. Guiffre, Certified Financial Planner®, Wealth Management, Regional Manager, Halliday Financial The… Read More

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Of the four deep questions asked by the workshop leader, “How shall I live,… Read More

We all have our stories of coping with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.… Read More

By Jon Katherine Martins, SOAR Practitioner and Local Lead, Emma Norton Services The importance of… Read More

Youth-serving systems and professionals increasingly recognize that the effects of mental health conditions, substance… Read More

In late 2019, I registered for a 200-hour yoga teacher training. This was something… Read More

Back in March, seemingly overnight, the entire country shifted to work from home and… Read More

As I headed into the 4th of July long holiday weekend, I was struggling… Read More

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Mental health concerns often go unaddressed in communities of color, and particularly in the… Read More

I am embarrassed to admit my ignorance about the ubiquity of demeaning artifacts that… Read More

It’s hard to believe that we’re already well into the new year here at… Read More

While schools and daycares are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and… Read More

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On June 12, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration… Read More

This post was originally published on the Hacienda de Abrazos blog on June 7,… Read More

The invitation to the dinner party celebrating my last birthday included, in addition to… Read More

Two PRA staff members, Vice President Chan Noether and Project Associate Erika Ihara, sat… Read More

Hate is a strong word that I don’t use very often, but I hate… Read More

When most people think of quilting, they may envision their grandmother toiling away at… Read More

Photo by The Gender Spectrum Collection As mentioned in my previous blog post, I did… Read More

Giving back to the community is a big part of PRA’s workplace culture. In… Read More

Earth Day has always been one of my favorite holidays, mostly because of its… Read More

One of PRA’s valuable employee benefits is professional development. In coordination with their Vice… Read More

In February, Dan and I realized a plan that we had been tossing around… Read More

Last fall, when I wrote my first blog about finding balance between work and… Read More

PRA friends and colleagues, I hope that this note finds you well as we… Read More

In the summer of 2018, I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It… Read More

I am not ashamed to admit that I am one of those people who… Read More

For a very long time, I viewed “emotional wellness” as a goal that I… Read More

PRA acknowledges healthy heart month each year and focuses on heart health yearlong. Staff… Read More

In February, I find myself remembering a beautiful summer day many years ago when… Read More

The way my Day of Reflection started was something else!  Nothing seemed to be… Read More

Everybody has something. My something is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). That’s not my only something.… Read More

The State of Texas executed Travis Trevino Runnels on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. I’ve… Read More

One of the most exciting parts of my job with the SOAR team is… Read More

On January 1, 2020, I transitioned from a Policy Research employee to a consultant.… Read More

“Every child and youth experiencing homelessness is successful in school, from early childhood through… Read More

Deciding to further my education and go to graduate school was a tough decision… Read More

I am surprised that I am compelled to write this blog about a topic… Read More

As I was signing my children up for a yoga workshop, I noticed that… Read More

Almost every year for the last 10 years I have taken my Day of… Read More

For those outside PRA, we have a great benefit to take a “Day of… Read More

The holiday season is upon us, and for many people, this marks a happy… Read More

At PRA, we work for well-being.  Our work in the wellness and well-being space… Read More

I was hesitant to sign-up for a blog post sharing my experiences about Inktober… Read More

As I reflect on Veterans Day 2018, I fondly remember my husband and I… Read More

A wise person once told me, take advantage of professional development opportunities, no matter… Read More

All four of the BJA VALOR Initiative’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) sites [Huntsville, Alabama;… Read More

Over the years, I have had ample opportunity to speak with friends about strategies… Read More

In mid-September, I went to the induction ceremony at the National Women’s Hall of… Read More

Fifteen years ago, when I was just starting social work school, one of my… Read More

I so look forward to the first day of autumn because it is the… Read More

I spent a couple of hours on one Saturday taking part in a Naloxone… Read More

I attended the 2019 Annual Conference for the Society for the Study of Social… Read More

by Olivia Cook When I first thought of being an intern prior to this… Read More

For a little over a year and a half, or 650 days if you… Read More

Guest post by a Florida SOAR Provider Two years ago this past April, we… Read More

Content warning: Ableist language. We don’t say the r-word anymore. But have you heard… Read More

Beginning January 11, 2019, the SAMSHA SOAR Technical Assistance Center worked alongside local SOAR… Read More

I can’t pinpoint when I lost my book—not a specific book, but the one… Read More

This story was shared with the SAMHSA SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) Technical… Read More

In April 2019, I had the opportunity to participate in two SOAR Criminal Justice… Read More

On May 1, 2019, I attended a Mental Health First Aid Training, in Albany,… Read More

This story was shared with the SAMHSA SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) Technical… Read More

This is how my day started…wait, no, rewind…this is how last night started. Checked… Read More

I am a member of the American Public Health Association (APHA), active in the… Read More

Horses have been the central part of my life for as long as I… Read More

In January, I used my annual Day of Reflection to get started on a… Read More

By Meghan Agblevor “So what do you see yourself doing in the future?” is… Read More

I was looking up at a copper edifice used to memorialize the life of… Read More

I agreed to do a blog for May is Mental Health Month in early… Read More

May is Mental Health Month! Mental Health Month is an opportunity to highlight the… Read More

Mental health awareness matters because we are all affected by it. It is at… Read More

Once a year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shines a national… Read More

At PRA, we have a number of “boards” around the office.  These boards are… Read More

It is often said that the preparation for individuals to be released from prison… Read More

On Friday, January 11, I tuned into a 1-hour webinar entitled “New Alaska Statute… Read More

When people think about their financial wellness they are often thinking about the nasty… Read More

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Recently, in conversation with someone, I was asked “if I feel lucky.” I responded… Read More

Last summer I had the privilege of attending the New York State Psychiatric Rehabilitation… Read More

At PRA we don’t just have lunch, we “strategically renew” at midday. Sometimes that… Read More

In October 2018, I had the opportunity to attend the National Association for Alcoholism… Read More

As a member of the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) Technical Assistance (TA)… Read More

I was in a 9-year relationship with someone who has a severe and persistent… Read More

Sometimes work life and personal life collides and something awesome happens. In this case,… Read More

This is part three of a three-part running series. Read part one here. Read part… Read More

There’s a new page we’re excited to share with SOAR providers and agencies across… Read More

We all talk about cultural competence. It is part of our professional development and… Read More

Another year has gone by at PRA, and it seems to have done so… Read More

What does environmental wellness have to do with where you work? Well if you… Read More

They say it takes a village to raise a child. This is also true… Read More

Over the course of the past year, we have been developing the SOAR Online… Read More

I have kept this 2016 NY Times article about the rise in homelessness among… Read More

This is part two of a three-part running series. Read part one here. “We… Read More

As we kick off the 10th year of the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center, I… Read More

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The history of the United States is directly linked to the history of the… Read More

How many times have you heard me say I was going to quit smoking?… Read More

For many women, a domestic violence experience is an immediate cause of homelessness. Women… Read More

Organized by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), each October National Disability Employment Awareness… Read More

“If you’re middle-aged, she’s you. If you’re a millennial, she’s your mom.” I simply… Read More

A recent article published by the Mayo Clinic outlines the tie between stress and… Read More

Since 1949, May has been a national observance month for mental health. During Mental… Read More

The Parkland shootings raised our nation’s consciousness about gun violence in ways that were… Read More

I was 9 months pregnant when New York State became one of just four… Read More

The Social Security Administration’s Analyzing Relationships between Disability, Rehabilitation and Work (ARDRAW) Small Grant… Read More

I am a beach child at heart. I grew up on the shores of… Read More

Last year, I lost a friend to an opioid use disorder. I think about… Read More

Looking for new ways to connect with PRA and its projects? Have you checked… Read More

This summer has come and, while not quite gone, is going quickly and with… Read More

This time of year brings me back to some of the most meaningful milestones… Read More

Before I found my career path in behavioral health and social services, my life’s… Read More

Being new to PRA and its many projects (and being on the communications team,… Read More

In June, the SOAR TA Center’s Pam Heine and Suzy Sodergren attended the National… Read More

Financial stress is a reality that most, if not all, of us face at… Read More

Since 2006, Deb Perelman has been cooking food and photographing it, operating the Smitten… Read More

On June 19, 2018, I sat with my family—my son, his wife, her parents… Read More

“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the… Read More

Bryan Stevenson has written a painful and powerful book, Just Mercy, chronicling his creation… Read More

One of the benefits I have been most excited about since joining PRA in… Read More

I had the privilege to attend NatCon18, the annual conference of the National Council… Read More

May is Mental Health Awareness Month…what a perfect time to blog about emotional wellness!… Read More

In March 2018, the staff members at PRA completed the Harvard Implicit Bias Test… Read More

Today, there are many effective ways to treat psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia and… Read More

I used my Day of Reflection in 2017 to focus on the Eight Dimensions… Read More

Have you ever had a new experience or been to a new event and… Read More

Our country is fragmented in sharp pieces. Everywhere and every day you hear of… Read More

While I’m no expert at physical wellness, I can say that I’ve made great… Read More

I am sure that my officemates are growing tired of getting unsolicited updates on… Read More

I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to do for my Day… Read More

It seems that every year is one full of milestones for PRA, and 2017… Read More

While Albany is affectionately referred to as Smalbany, because of its tiny downtown area… Read More

I love bluebirds. A year ago I’d never seen one before, but ever since… Read More

My college friend invited me to a show called FEELINGS at Littlefield in Brooklyn a… Read More

The older I get, the more nostalgic I become about the people who made… Read More

I attended the Family and Youth Engagement in School-Justice Partnership: Voices from the Field… Read More

The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Disability Determination (DDP) Small Grant Program, which provided $10,000… Read More

I regretted volunteering to write a blog on financial wellness while I simultaneously procrastinate… Read More

In August, I attended the 2017 American Indian Alaska Native Behavioral Health Conference in… Read More

Anyone who knows me knows would categorize me as a “crazy dog mom.” I… Read More

My friend and I have a goal to run 50 half marathons in 50… Read More

So much of the work we do at Policy Research focuses on disability, and… Read More

“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably… Read More

When I was in high school, I read Flowers for Algernon. The classic 1966… Read More

We focus a lot on wellness at PRA. Wellness for our employees and wellness… Read More

As our population ages, health and behavioral health care needs will rise. Many families… Read More

Back in the mid-90s, when I lived in San Francisco, I used to go… Read More

EVEN hotels are jumping on the wellness bandwagon!! Recently I experienced another perspective on… Read More

“Patrick was never at a loss to make people laugh and always had a… Read More

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) completed a comprehensive study on… Read More

During deadlines and highly stressful periods it can be tempting to skip a meal,… Read More

I have always really loved learning. My mom was an elementary school teacher and… Read More

I’m 50 years of age; a halfway point for someone who lives to be… Read More

Recently I’ve become very aware of my extremely high rate of iPhone, social media,… Read More

There’s a lot of excitement and publicity around the upcoming total solar eclipse on… Read More

PRA’s focus on wellness is very exciting, and I jumped at the idea of… Read More

You’re in an interview – Your palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy.… Read More

Photo by Jordan Whitfield on Unsplash One of my younger cousins called me recently to talk about… Read More

On May 14th, I was officially done with college. I know they say that… Read More

Sometimes I think one’s body has a way of communicating its needs. On a… Read More

Since the inception of the How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses training… Read More

I have owned thoroughbred racing horses for about 22 years.  I am small time,… Read More

I often write about being a person in long-term recovery from behavioral issues—issues which… Read More

After graduating from college I realized that the period of being drowned in homework… Read More

Memorial Day is the day set aside for remembrance of those who have died… Read More

As a military family member, a person in recovery, and a person who has… Read More

Having the good fortune to travel throughout the country working with states, territories, and… Read More

Growing up next to Fort Drum, New York, I attended Indian River Central School… Read More

Transitioning service members and veterans face many different challenges, some of which are very… Read More

When my husband was diagnosed with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder, I was struck with… Read More

We have been collecting SOAR outcomes for 11 years now and as tedious as… Read More

Before we had even moved a single scoop of earth to make way for… Read More

I’m intrigued by the wellness work we do here at PRA.  Intrigued may be… Read More

With the release of new guidelines on coordinated entry systems by the U.S. Department… Read More

About a month ago, I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and stumbled upon… Read More

It’s National Public Health Week (April 3-9, 2017) and like our partners and providers… Read More

One of my favorite things about the PRA community is our “giving table”—a name… Read More

Looking for new ways to connect with the PRA projects? Have you checked out… Read More

On April 5th of 2016 I had the privilege to attend a How Being… Read More

Most people grow up with the wisdom passed on from generation to generation through… Read More

We’ve closed out another wonderful year at PRA and are well on our way… Read More

Last October, Dan and I took a 2 ½ week trip to gorgeous New… Read More

Guest post by Meredith Osta, Program Director of Fostering Futures NY While each of FFNY’s… Read More

The 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act) was recently signed into law with overwhelming bipartisan support.… Read More

On January 21st, I traveled to Washington, D.C. with several friends and colleagues to… Read More

With the deadline for the next round of Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)… Read More

One of the things we pride ourselves on at PRA is the uniqueness of… Read More

As we close out another year, we’re also closing out our annual Month of… Read More

Photo: Skid Row Housing Trust’s Star Apartments  In September 2016, I flew to Los Angeles… Read More

Health nuts know all the rules. Granted, I’m the kind of health nut that… Read More

Read Dan Abreu’s blog about SongwritingWith:Soldiers, written in 2014. During our recent seminar on… Read More

You wouldn’t know by looking at or speaking with me, but I am an… Read More

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Just after viewing Generation Found as part of PRA’s Recovery month celebration, I was asked… Read More

I love reading and talking about spirituality, so I enthusiastically volunteered months ago to… Read More

When I worked in disability services, we had several people in our residential programs… Read More

On Wednesday, PRA staff members took advantage of the beautiful fall day to try… Read More

Late last May, I received this email from a friend: “Janet, do you know… Read More

When life struggles begin to interfere with your job responsibilities and productivity, taking advantage… Read More

At PRA we are given the opportunity each year to take a “day of… Read More

I had the great opportunity to attend SAMHSA’s Homeless Programs Branch Grantee conference this… Read More

National Wellness Week is Sunday, September 11 through Saturday, September 17. Each day has… Read More

Image By Tedder (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons Guest post by Magdalena… Read More

How about a 6-day walking/hiking tour in Provence in the height of lavender season? That… Read More

Adrenaline seeker? Fear conqueror? Itching to break away from your routine and push your… Read More

The current controversy over the use of the slogan Black Lives Matter resonates very… Read More

On Wednesday, July 27, 2016, Judge Paul L. Friedman of the U.S. District Court… Read More

I often write about my experiences being a person in long-term recovery from substance… Read More

During the course of my summer travels for PRA, I always attempt to take… Read More

When I was first approached to go to Guam as part of the work… Read More

PRA’s Program Areas are on the cutting edge of innovation in providing technical assistance… Read More

It was a last-minute substitution for a long and carefully planned event.  Disappointment over… Read More

The American Heart Association has recognized Policy Research Associates, Inc. as a Gold Fit-Friendly… Read More

I’ve been dipping my toe into the pool of gardening these last few years,… Read More

A few months ago, I jumped in to something that I’d been batting around… Read More

Like many of my peers (43 million of them, to be exact), I graduated… Read More

This is parts 3 and 4 of Rewarding Outcomes from Pushing Your Comfort Limits. Read… Read More

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This post originally appeared in SAMHSA’s GAINS Center’s April 2016 eNewsletter. Subscribe to the… Read More

It’s my first spring in Albany, and the tulips have taken me by surprise.… Read More

 About 2 years ago, I took up quilting. You can read all about how… Read More

Being a person in long-term recovery from various behavioral health disorders, I am often… Read More

This is part three of the Alphabet Soup blog. Read part one to learn… Read More

We all know that it is important to take care of our bodies.  With… Read More

This is part two of the Alphabet Soup blog. Read part one to learn… Read More

This is part one of the Alphabet Soup blog. Read parts two and three… Read More

It’s been a rainy winter. December through today, we’ve had nearly two inches of… Read More

I spent my 2015 Day of Reflection visiting the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)… Read More

To say waking up in the morning has always been a challenge for me… Read More

A living, breathing, snuffling pig snout feels like nothing else I have ever before… Read More

As part of the GAINS Center at Policy Research Associates for the last few… Read More

Emotionally exhausted, detached, going through the motions, insensitive, irritable – not exactly what we… Read More

I’m a health communication scholar, and I’m passionate about and intrigued by behavior change. … Read More

A couple of years ago, my life was not looking exactly as I would’ve… Read More

Back in 2012, I was on Twitter and saw a tweet from Ani Phyo,… Read More

Interested in improving your wellness? This tip sheet provides a list of the Eight… Read More

Occupational wellness is defined as personal satisfaction and enrichment from one’s work (SAMHSA, 2015). … Read More

I love Michael Jackson.  Here’s one of my favorite Michael Jackson quotes: “I will… Read More

We’ve wrapped up another fantastic year at PRA and embarking on our 28th year… Read More

Wellness is something many people aspire to achieve, but what is it?  How do… Read More

This is the time of year when everyone is deciding whether or not to… Read More

Good cheer, high spirits, and a stronger connection to the community – sounds like… Read More

Every once in a while I am lucky enough to experience something that reminds… Read More

The U.S. Supreme court has had a very direct impact on my entire professional… Read More

Thanksgiving weekend also marked a third annual family reunion…for my dog. I recognize that… Read More

Recently I was able to take a three-day trip to South Dakota with Donna… Read More

Where I grew up is the quintessential small town – Berryville, Virginia (yes, Berryville… Read More

Wednesday night April 15, I headed to the hotel in Albany to stay the… Read More

I was so very unhappy with my previous office in the West Village of… Read More

Things are getting SPOOKY at PRA this October with the Travel HORROR Story series!… Read More

Things are getting SPOOKY at PRA this October with the Travel HORROR Story series!… Read More

Things are getting SPOOKY at PRA this October with the Travel HORROR Story series!… Read More

Things are getting SPOOKY at PRA this October with the Travel HORROR Story series!… Read More

Things are getting SPOOKY at PRA this October with the Travel HORROR Story series!… Read More

July was Minority Mental Health Month and it was an exciting time in El… Read More

For someone who is accused of eating too many salads, I have never considered… Read More

On the second Wednesday morning of every month, you can normally find me and… Read More

When my husband got orders to deploy in 2013, we did both the best… Read More

If you have browsed our website recently, you may have noticed that the PRA… Read More

I recently attended the American Probation and Parole Association’s (APPA) 40th Annual Training Institute.… Read More

I had some time to kill in Casper, Wyoming, on June 16 and decided… Read More

On a recent Saturday, Ron and I took a hike up Sleeping Beauty Mountain… Read More

I recently returned from a wonderful trip to the Redwoods. Of course, the best… Read More

Guest post by Deborah Dennis, former Project Director of the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center I… Read More

Spoiler Alert: Readers of this article will learn that research proves it is difficult… Read More

Where poor appetite meets lousy food describes my gloomy reaction to the lunch delivered… Read More

In December 2011, I was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (Brain Cancer).  Although most only… Read More

I’m often asked by family, friends, colleagues, and business partners what PRA does.  It’s… Read More

As an intern at Policy Research Associates, Inc., my primary work has involved surveying… Read More

In 2013 I was awarded a trip to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in… Read More

For two weeks in April, I was able to see a snapshot of three… Read More