How Alexis Watson Helps Parents Find Genuine Hope

Wendy & Rich 0:01
Coming to you from the Freedom Federal Credit Union Studios, Hartford County living presents conversations with Rich Bennett. Hi, good to see you. 

You're not that show up. I'm not that show up. You're not that show up. You're not that show up. I'm not that show up. 

Rich Bennett 0:27
I 

Alexis Watson 0:27
I'm 

Rich Bennett 0:27
am joined by my lovely co-host Wendy and today, we have somebody special who I'm 

Alexis Watson 0:32
with. 

Rich Bennett 0:33
You came to a Lions Club meeting, but you can't 

Alexis Watson 0:36
contact me 

Rich Bennett 0:38
beforehand. I think about coming to the Lions Club meeting. 

Alexis Watson 0:41
Yeah, and I took you three months to respond. 

Rich Bennett 0:43
It's 

Wendy Beck 0:44
what? 

Alexis Watson 0:45
Maybe two, but it was, it was a minute. 

Rich Bennett 0:48
Wow. 

Alexis Watson 0:50
That's 

Wendy Beck 0:51
it. Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 0:55
I 

mean, I think it was a minute. It was a minute. It was a minute. It was a minute. It was a minute. It was a minute. It was a minute. It was a minute. I'm sorry. It was a minute. 

The movie wasn't the parent's trap. 

Alexis Watson 1:15
Well, the first time we met, you said, Alexis from the parent's trap. And I was like, I'm not Lindsey Loan. 

Rich Bennett 1:22
Whoa. 

Alexis Watson 1:23
Look. 

Rich Bennett 1:24
It's easy to it's easy to. 

Wendy Beck 1:27
Fuck up. 

Alexis Watson 1:31
And then you couldn't get anybody's name. That came in after 

Rich Bennett 1:36
the other people that were in the club. 

Alexis Watson 1:39
Yeah, whoever, 

Rich Bennett 1:39
people. 

Alexis Watson 1:40
the other 

Wendy Beck 1:40
So tell us about the parent's place. Is it a nonprofit? 

Rich Bennett 1:44
It's the parent's. 

Alexis Watson 1:44
Yeah. Oh, 

Rich Bennett 1:45
no, it is the parent's. Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 1:47
This is a trap. Yeah. 

Alexis Watson 1:48
Yeah. But that's the same. So we're a nonprofit across the state of Maryland. Five 

Rich Bennett 1:54
or one see three, right? 

Alexis Watson 1:56
I 

Rich Bennett 1:56
Yeah. 

Alexis Watson 1:57
got a script Paul in my head. Um, for 

Wendy Beck 2:00
the first one. RIP. 

Alexis Watson 2:01
First 35 years, we only did educational supports. So family peer support helping parents and caregivers, you know, really navigate. IEPs, 504s, conflict within the school system. And just the well versus of their rights with special education laws. 

Wendy Beck 2:17
So the organization has been around for how long? 

Alexis Watson 2:20
Over 

Wendy Beck 2:21
now. 

Alexis Watson 2:21
35 years 

Wendy Beck 2:22
Okay. 

Alexis Watson 2:22
Yeah. So we got governor by parents, um, which is really great and everybody that works with the parents place has to have lived experience. So whether you have a family member, close friend, child, um, loved one that has special health care needs, disability or mental health behavioral health needs. 

Rich Bennett 2:39
Oh, wow. 

Alexis Watson 2:39
Yeah. Yeah. And then we just got a grant last year through the BHA to expand into doing behavioral health supports. So 

Rich Bennett 2:49
BHA. 

Alexis Watson 2:51
Behavioral health. Behavioral 

Wendy Beck 2:52
health administration. 

Rich Bennett 2:53
Yeah. Well, I knew that but some listeners may 

Wendy Beck 2:55
not. That's right. 

Rich Bennett 2:56
Just like with 

Wendy Beck 2:57
the BHA, that's, you know, they're the ones who govern 

Alexis Watson 3:00
individualized education plan. 

Rich Bennett 3:03
Okay. For those listening that don't 

Alexis Watson 3:05
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 3:05
know. 

Alexis Watson 3:06
Well, I had to think of the acronyms because I'm like, what is that? 

Wendy Beck 3:09
Sometimes you know, you don't know the verb, 

Alexis Watson 3:12
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 3:12
if you're not in that setting. 

Alexis Watson 3:13
Exactly. 

Rich Bennett 3:13
Right. 

Wendy Beck 3:13
Yeah, 

Rich Bennett 3:14
Okay. So, 

Alexis Watson 3:15
yeah. Five. 

Rich Bennett 3:15
and what's G. S. L. C.? G. S. L. C.? Oh, no, it's on your shirt. 

I just sat. 

Over a collection of that? I see. 

Alexis Watson 3:31
What is that? About 

Wendy Beck 3:34
this, you know, it's the parents place. I'm interested because I've never heard of it. I mean, and I have had children that were in the school system. And so how would someone find out about? 

Alexis Watson 3:46
Yeah. So we're doing a lot of outreach. So recently, like this past week, I did four presentations at Hartford Community College. I reached out, yeah, to a great professor that does criminal justice and all that. And just really getting out the good Samaritan law because, if you're not familiar with the good Samaritan law, come with Chief Chief. It's a lot of people are scared to call when somebody is experiencing, you know, a medical overdose emergency. So whether it's with drugs, alcohol, or anything like that. 

Wendy Beck 4:20
Abuse. Would that include abuse? 

Alexis Watson 4:23
So not under this specific good Samaritan law, but I've just been going because with the summer coming up, whether getting nice parties, senior week, and then college students, they call it crews week now, or something like 

Wendy Beck 4:36
Never 

Rich Bennett 4:37
that. Huh? 

Wendy Beck 4:37
heard about 

Alexis Watson 4:37
it. Yeah, they'll go down during. 

Rich Bennett 4:40
Oh, the ocean city. 

Alexis Watson 4:41
Yeah. Yeah. Yup. And they'll. 

Wendy Beck 4:45
So 

Alexis Watson 4:45
[BLANK_AUDIO] 

Wendy Beck 4:46
is this a substance abuse organization, or is it more 

Alexis Watson 4:52
It's a combination, yes. 

Wendy Beck 4:53
okay? 

Rich Bennett 4:53
So with the- And here 

Wendy Beck 4:56
I am. 

Alexis Watson 4:58
So with the BHA grant, you know, we're helping parents and caregivers find resources and supports within the community and the schools and you know, also through us with the family peer support aspect. We get a lot of calls of family members really struggling with a loved one that has substance use, active addiction, relapsing and then also problem gambling has been a really, really big one we've been- 

Wendy Beck 5:24
Okay, so- If being the parents place is a place where parents can go to get resources, are there just for school aged people? 

Alexis Watson 5:36
So, 

Wendy Beck 5:37
individuals, or is it any age? 

Alexis Watson 5:39
So now's any age. With, uhm, the grant that we got, the BHA grant, we're able to do birth to however long you need us when before with just the educational supports, it was birth to age 26. 

Wendy Beck 5:52
Okay. 

Alexis Watson 5:53
So I think that it's really needed because just when your kid turns 18, 26 and I'm like, all right, throw him to the wolves. 

Rich Bennett 5:59
That's when they're 

Alexis Watson 6:00
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 6:00
off the insurance policy. 

Alexis Watson 6:01
Oh, that makes sense, 

Wendy Beck 6:02
Sometimes, 

Alexis Watson 6:02
yeah. 

Wendy Beck 6:03
yeah, 

Rich Bennett 6:03
yeah. Well, no, they could only go to age 

Wendy Beck 6:05
Well, 

Rich Bennett 6:06
20, 

Wendy Beck 6:06
it's a 26, but you know, they can also 

Rich Bennett 6:08
but 

Wendy Beck 6:09
get 

Rich Bennett 6:09
yeah. 

Wendy Beck 6:09
Medicaid or Medicare, whatever. One or the other. 

Alexis Watson 6:12
One of 

Rich Bennett 6:12
man. 

Alexis Watson 6:12
them, 

Rich Bennett 6:13
Wow, all right. So, especially- and I love asking this question. With 

Alexis Watson 6:18
five or one, one, three, 

Rich Bennett 6:19
because you can't, because you can't always 

Alexis Watson 6:20
rely on grants. Yes. 

Rich Bennett 6:22
So, what do you guys do in order to get funds, whether it be fundraising or sponsorships or memberships or whatever? 

Alexis Watson 6:30
Yes. So mostly we're through grants, so state and federal grants, but then also every year we have a special education conference called rights law, but Pete right. he'll just go over IDA special education law and rights for parents and caregivers. So we charge around 125 for a ticket to attend, but you get a whole bunch of goodies and resources and just really being well versed in 

Wendy Beck 7:02
So 

Alexis Watson 7:02
the 

Wendy Beck 7:03
it's a conference, the fundraiser is a 

Alexis Watson 7:04
law. 

Wendy Beck 7:05
conference. 

Alexis Watson 7:05
Yes, 

Wendy Beck 7:05
So you have a speaker. Yeah, that's a great idea. 

Alexis Watson 7:07
yeah. 

Wendy Beck 7:08
Where's that held? 

Alexis Watson 7:09
It's going to be on Zoom. Virtually, 

Rich Bennett 7:11
Really? 

Alexis Watson 7:11
yeah. Yep. So that way, because we're across the whole state of Maryland. So that way people don't have to travel to come to one 

Rich Bennett 7:18
You 

Alexis Watson 7:18
area. 

Rich Bennett 7:18
don't have to rent a hall. 

Alexis Watson 7:19
Exactly. And it's just easier sometimes just to hop on virtually and then. 

Rich Bennett 7:25
Well, and the other thing is to come to think of it now. If you do it that way, you can get speakers from around the world. 

Alexis Watson 7:32
Oh, yeah, 

Rich Bennett 7:33
To come on and talk. And 

Alexis Watson 7:34
yeah. 

Rich Bennett 7:34
there's a lot of speakers when it comes to stuff like this. I'm sure you can get. 

Alexis Watson 7:39
Yeah, 

Wendy Beck 7:40
when is it? What time of year? 

Alexis Watson 7:42
It is September 17th, and it's an all day type of conference. 

Rich Bennett 7:47
Oh, wow. 

Alexis Watson 7:48
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 7:49
And is that the only thing you guys do as a fundraiser? 

Alexis Watson 7:53
Yeah, and then we take donations here and there from companies. Like if they want us to come out and present, whether it's theants of Mayor to law, we also do a lot of trainings like for schools that, you know, beginning of the year, want us to do like a PD when it comes to IEPs and then we can also make any type of training materials well from our training and outreach coordinator. She's great. And she's also our Spanish speaking family partner across the state. So she wears a lot of different hats, but yeah. 

Rich Bennett 8:27
Alright, so when it 

Alexis Watson 8:29
comes to the nonprofit partners, do you guys

Rich Bennett 8:32
do or are there other nonprofits that you actually collaborate with

Alexis Watson 8:42
as 

Rich Bennett 8:42
have 

Alexis Watson 8:42
well? We 

Rich Bennett 8:43
something for that now or as adults and might be adults. 

Alexis Watson 8:48
Yeah. So we do a lot with them. It's like through mental health agency of the state and like coming up in the next week or two is like children's mental health awareness. So they're doing a whole week of like fun interactive stuff for the kids and like they had the little grab bag stuff. You could get shipped to your house and so a whole bunch of cool things to 

Wendy Beck 9:10
yeah, 

Alexis Watson 9:10
do. So 

Wendy Beck 9:10
May is mental health 

Alexis Watson 9:11
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 9:11
awareness. 

Alexis Watson 9:12
Yep, yep. And I think, you know, it's so neat nowadays and I was talking with the professor from HTC how just times of change so Like, the kids growing up now need a lot of support in the parents need help and we were just like it's completely different from like when I was growing up. Like, I didn't get a phone to I was in the middle school, my parents like you don't need that like 

Rich Bennett 9:34
right. 

Alexis Watson 9:34
you're fine, you're home with us. And just social media nowadays, it's a lot. And like kids are getting social media stuff, younger phones, iPads, everything like that. And... 

Rich Bennett 9:47
It's a bad addiction. 

Alexis Watson 9:48
Yeah. And then the stuff you see sometimes, like, and then just starting with body image and then... 

Wendy Beck 9:55
Yeah. I mean, it's a real thing. And, you know, having had, you know, children in the school setting and having them kind of specifically my younger daughter, you know, kind of getting her phone in sixth grade, you know, which if I could go back and do it again, that would have never happened. You know, and when someone has ADHD, it really does 

enhance like a lot of the mental health. How do I say this? Issues that somebody may like, have naturally like anxiety, depression, like you said, body image, bullying, like all of this stuff. So this is, this is interesting because I didn't realize that there was a resource for this. And so how has it changed? And how recently has it changed? 

Alexis Watson 10:46
Yeah. So we got the grant in September of 2025, or no, July 2025. So, you know, we're starting it from the ground up in our aspect because there was other agencies out in Maryland that had this grant and were able to do stuff before, so we're building it up. So we're getting out in the community, we're making connections because just like you, Wendy, what's the parents place like? What is this? 

Rich Bennett 11:11
Right. 

Alexis Watson 11:12
We 

Wendy Beck 11:12
Right. 

Alexis Watson 11:12
have to apparent in order to get resources. Nope, you can be a caregiver can be 

Wendy Beck 11:17
a grandparent. 

Alexis Watson 11:18
Yeah, grandparent aunt uncle. 

Wendy Beck 11:20
Whatever. 

Alexis Watson 11:20
Yep. 

Wendy Beck 11:21
Well, I think it's needed because a lot of times people don't know where to turn 

Alexis Watson 11:26
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 11:26
at 

Alexis Watson 11:26
Exactly. 

Wendy Beck 11:26
all. And this is new territory. 

Alexis Watson 11:28
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 11:28
This is new territory. You know, I, it seems so simple that, you know, oh, now my child has a cell phone. But they have this secret world 

Alexis Watson 11:38
Yes. 

Wendy Beck 11:38
that you have no, you know, idea of what's going on and the things that are happening, even I hate even to say it, like trafficking, bullying, there's anxiety, depression, suicide, there's even even being able to purchase drugs through that 

Alexis Watson 11:55
thing. 

Wendy Beck 11:55
type of Mm hmm. Is Uncharted waters. 

Rich Bennett 12:00
this is yeah? 

Wendy Beck 12:00
And so I'm really glad to see that, you know, you guys are taking the reins and putting some, you know, action into this space because there's not a lot of places. Being in the addiction recovery world, you know, We're realizing that there is more of a need for younger population, and that's new, too. So, you know, we kind of have to catch up a little bit. 

Alexis Watson 12:24
yeah. 

Wendy Beck 12:24
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 12:25
Did you say you guys also work with kids with special needs, 

Alexis Watson 12:30
We work with the 

Rich Bennett 12:31
the 

Alexis Watson 12:31
parents and 

Rich Bennett 12:32
parent? 

Alexis Watson 12:32
caregivers. Yep. 

Rich Bennett 12:33
Okay. 

Alexis Watson 12:34
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 12:35
Everyone is not bringing that up especially with you said with the human trafficking. 

Alexis Watson 12:39
as 

Rich Bennett 12:39
We just 

Alexis Watson 12:39
dead somebody 

Rich Bennett 12:40
else on and I never 

Alexis Watson 12:43
even thought about 

Rich Bennett 12:44
this until they mentioned it. People with 

Alexis Watson 12:47
special 

Rich Bennett 12:47
needs are prime targets when it comes to 

Wendy Beck 12:50
needs, 

Rich Bennett 12:50
human 

Alexis Watson 12:51
trafficking. Yeah, 

Rich Bennett 12:53
either did I? My sister didn't, my sister gets training every 

Alexis Watson 12:57
year 

Rich Bennett 12:58
human 

Alexis Watson 12:58
for human 

Rich Bennett 12:58
trafficking 

Alexis Watson 12:58
trafficking for 

Wendy Beck 12:59
a. 

Rich Bennett 12:59
because of being 

Wendy Beck 13:00
Yeah. It's terrifying. 

Alexis Watson 13:01
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 13:01
It's scary. It's scary stuff. 

Rich Bennett 13:04
So do you work with any non-profits like who? I think it like hope works global. 

Alexis Watson 13:08
Linda? 

Rich Bennett 13:10
Yes. 

Alexis Watson 13:10
Yes. 

Rich Bennett 13:10
Yes. It was. 

Alexis Watson 13:11
It's Linda. 

Rich Bennett 13:12
Okay. 

Alexis Watson 13:12
Okay. Yeah. So we went to the NC double A P meeting and met with Linda. And she's been at a few other events. I've been at and she's absolutely amazing. And I can't speak more highly of her. She's fantastic and you know, her passion is there. And you know, I think she's really doing the hard footwork that needs to be done to bring awareness to it. 

Rich Bennett 13:38
Robin. Okay. That's our round table because when we were done, no, when when I 

Alexis Watson 13:41
finish,Linda , 

Rich Bennett 13:43
we talked about doing a 

Alexis Watson 13:45
round table because 

Rich Bennett 13:47
women in addiction are other prime 

Alexis Watson 13:49
individuals. 

And 

Rich Bennett 13:54
of course, Wendy's name came up right away and my sister. And now it would have to be you. Yeah. 

Alexis Watson 14:01
people. 

Rich Bennett 14:01
For the 

Wendy Beck 14:02
And what is it? 

Rich Bennett 14:03
place, 

Alexis Watson 14:03
People's 

Rich Bennett 14:03
the parents place of 

Alexis Watson 14:05
get it together. 

Rich Bennett 14:07
What? 

Wendy Beck 14:07
No, what is your role there? Like, 

Alexis Watson 14:10
So I am the behavioral health specialist for Harper County. 

Wendy Beck 14:15
okay. 

Alexis Watson 14:15
So I'm the one that gets The number of cases of Harper County, uhm, you know, parents that are like, hey, I need help with finding resources for my child's mental health, behavioral health, uhm, bullying is another one. Um, which is just 

Wendy Beck 14:31
sad. 

Alexis Watson 14:31
Yeah, and it's 

Wendy Beck 14:32
sad. 

Alexis Watson 14:43
The way you get through IEPs, brainstorm with parents, and help them come up with a game plan for that so that they don't need to escalate it with the school by doing a state complaint or get an educational advocate because time and money, but you know, if they want to go that route, we can always help provide them with options for that. 

Rich Bennett 15:00
The how many locations do you guys have in Maryland? 

Alexis Watson 15:03
We are across the state. Every county. 

Rich Bennett 15:06
Really. 

Alexis Watson 15:06
Yeah, 

Rich Bennett 15:07
I guess after 35 years. 

Alexis Watson 15:09
Yeah, 

Rich Bennett 15:09
and it's needed. 

Alexis Watson 15:12
Yup. Alright, 

Rich Bennett 15:13
so I have a question specifically 

Alexis Watson 15:17
for 

Rich Bennett 15:18
you. But especially from what you did before, 

Alexis Watson 15:22
you? What 

Rich Bennett 15:23
what 

Alexis Watson 15:23
drew 

Rich Bennett 15:23
drew 

Alexis Watson 15:23
you to work at 

Rich Bennett 15:26
the 

Wendy Beck 15:27
parents 

Alexis Watson 15:28
of 

Rich Bennett 15:28
Maryland? 

Alexis Watson 15:29
Yeah, so being in the school system, it was honestly very eye opening. Like I came in, uhm, Octobe, so a little after the school year, and I was like, oh, like teachers school like everybody has about the best interest for the kids. And like it'll be a, b and c, x, y, and z. And then, I was like, it was, it was a wake up call, I would say just seeing, you know, 

Wendy Beck 16:00
what do you mean by wake up call? Like you're, you're in a role as a teacher. Okay, so you're in a role as a teacher. You think that everybody's putting the children's best interest at heart, and you're finding out that they're not. So the eye opening moment was that there definitely needs to be something in place to protect these kids. 

Alexis Watson 16:21
Yup, and lack of support for sure, you know, with teachers and when it comes to students, because it's just a lot going on and then you're seeing behavioral cases and students quite frequently, I would And, you know, public 

Wendy Beck 16:37
school special needs kids or

Rich Bennett 16:38
all kids, 

Alexis Watson 16:39
all kids, yup, I will say, uhm, my second year when I started, it was like the beginning of the school year and the amount of calls on the walkie for just like the And all the teachers and their parents, and our students, like escalating behaviors and 

Rich Bennett 16:55
yeah, 

Alexis Watson 16:55
like needing classrooms to be cleared out, it was a lot. 

Rich Bennett 16:58
And the teachers' hands are tied too, aren't they? 

Alexis Watson 17:02
wrap. 

Rich Bennett 17:02
Because 

Alexis Watson 17:02
Yup, 

Rich Bennett 17:02
they, yeah, 

Alexis Watson 17:03
and plus they have like 25 other kids in a classroom. And so when you have one student that's escalating and it's just quite frankly may have. It's 

Rich Bennett 17:12
yeah, comes like a

Alexis Watson 17:13
hard to, yeah, and then public schools, you know, and especially with funding getting cut and teachers quitting because it's a lot. The burnout is a lot. And you know, I can say for myself, the burnout was real. And you know, that's why I left because it's a lot. Like you said, the teachers hands are tied, the supports, the funding. 

It's just, they, so people have the students best interest in mine. But, um, the public school cannot handle, handle. 

Wendy Beck 17:48
population 

Alexis Watson 17:48
Yep. 

Wendy Beck 17:49
in the school. 

Alexis Watson 17:49
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 17:50
And, and I think that that's changed so drastically as well 

Rich Bennett 17:53
Oh, 

Wendy Beck 17:53
because you have all of these different influences. It's changing time. 

Alexis Watson 17:58
the

Wendy Beck 17:58
There's things that are so much out of your control that that are scary in the school system now. And so tell me like where the parents place fits into this. 

Alexis Watson 18:10
Yeah, so we're able to, so we have a pilot program coming up. It's in Baltimore County now, and we're working on expanding it. So if a parent's having an issue with the school system, whether it's the IP or like a 504, which 

Wendy Beck 18:24
So 

Alexis Watson 18:24
is. 

Wendy Beck 18:25
there are more of an advocate for the parents is that. 

Alexis Watson 18:28
Yeah, so army mission is to help empower them. So like if a parent eventually down the road wants us to come in the IP meeting for emotional support and take notes from we totally can. 

Wendy Beck 18:39
Okay. 

Alexis Watson 18:39
The only thing is we can't be like, 

Wendy Beck 18:42
you can advise. 

Alexis Watson 18:43
Yes. So we can be 

Rich Bennett 18:44
You're 

Alexis Watson 18:44
like. 

Rich Bennett 18:44
not lawyers. 

Alexis Watson 18:44
We can recommend like, oh, like here's some options. Yeah. And you know a lot of calls have been across the state bullying and then just feeling like people aren't being transparent. So we're like, Hey, like here's a game plan to come up with this. You can bring up these options. But then a lot of it is home stuff. Like, Hey, my child's having difficulties acting out. So that's why Z behaviors and some parents are like, I don't know what to do. 

Rich Bennett 19:17
And like. Yeah. 

Alexis Watson 19:18
I will say most of the time we get parents when they're at their wits end, they don't know what to do or who to come to and, you know, there's other places and agencies are like, "Oh, like, we can help you for this amount of money." And it's like, no, like-- 

Rich Bennett 19:33
You guys don't charge. 

Alexis Watson 19:34
No, we're completely free. Yep, and it's just sad, so we're really-- Helping them, like sometimes it'll just be a yap therapy session, like let it out, like, say 

Rich Bennett 19:46
Yeah. 

Alexis Watson 19:46
what you have to say, like, it's a judgement-freeza. 

Rich Bennett 19:48
That can be enough. 

Alexis Watson 19:49
Exactly. And just, like, a few calls I've had, like, the parents start off just like, they're fed up, like, they're-- you can 

Wendy Beck 19:56
They're 

Alexis Watson 19:56
physically-- 

Wendy Beck 19:56
fed up 

Alexis Watson 19:57
child's 

Wendy Beck 19:57
with the behavior and the school's react. 

Alexis Watson 19:59
Yep. 

Wendy Beck 19:59
And 

Alexis Watson 20:00
hands-- 

Wendy Beck 20:00
their They're 

Alexis Watson 20:01
because-- 

Wendy Beck 20:02
tied 

Alexis Watson 20:02
Yeah, 

Wendy Beck 20:02
I don't know what to do because they're not getting any-- 

Alexis Watson 20:05
Exactly. 

Rich Bennett 20:05
mm-hmm. 

Alexis Watson 20:06
Yep. And then, the call, you're just like-- Because it's a lot. Everybody knows their child the best. I would like to say, like, every parent 

Rich Bennett 20:12
Yeah. 

Alexis Watson 20:12
does. And, like, the school see some aspects and like some things going on and then-- And their mind is like, o, problem, behavior, child, like, basically like, okay. 

Wendy Beck 20:25
Well, I mean, they think about it. Every single kids got something going on. 

Alexis Watson 20:29
Yes. 

Rich Bennett 20:29
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 20:29
So you've-- 

Alexis Watson 20:29
Yep. 

Wendy Beck 20:30
You've got your ADHD kids. You have your autistic environment. You have kids that are going through things at home, whether it's addiction, divorce, grief, you know, their parents are single. Like, 

Alexis Watson 20:44
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 20:44
every single kid's got a challenge. 

Alexis Watson 20:46
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 20:47
It all looks different. And I can imagine that it is very overwhelming for the 

Alexis Watson 20:51
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 20:51
teacher. So I'm just saying, okay, what kind of skills do your, I guess, advocates or liaison 

Alexis Watson 21:01
Partners. 

Wendy Beck 21:01
family partners have to be able to handle this type of thing? 

Alexis Watson 21:04
Yeah. So I think, I would say our biggest asset is that we have lived experience. Like, even though everybody's lived experience is different, like, you know, 

Wendy Beck 21:14
was their training? Is there-- 

Alexis Watson 21:15
Oh, yeah. 

Wendy Beck 21:15
Okay. 

Alexis Watson 21:16
So we go through over a month of training. We shadow calls. And then every month we have a in-service day. So we don't do any presentations, any client calls, anything like that. And it's a PD. So we'll have, usually, two guest speakers come professional development. 

Wendy Beck 21:33
Okay. 

Alexis Watson 21:34
Yep. And so we'll learn about a whole bunch of different, variety of things, I would say. So some can be educational side, but lately we've going with the behavioral health aspect side. 

Wendy Beck 21:50
So how many, how many family partners do you have in each 

Alexis Watson 21:55
county? 

Wendy Beck 21:57
I mean, 

Alexis Watson 21:57
So 

Wendy Beck 21:57
you don't have to have exact numbers, but I'm just saying like, how many people are taking that call that is calls from parents? 

Alexis Watson 22:03
So we're broke up in the five different regions. So I'm the only one in Hartford County. We have one in every county. 

Wendy Beck 22:11
Okay. 

Alexis Watson 22:12
And then we are broken up in the five regions, and then there are five educational specialists, one in each region. 

Wendy Beck 22:22
How many calls do you get a day, a week, a month? Is it? 

Alexis Watson 22:26
It's a lot. It's-- 

Rich Bennett 22:28
And you're the only one handling them calls? 

Alexis Watson 22:30
For Hartford, yeah. And I'm getting overflow of Baltimore, county, and Baltimore city too. It's a lot. Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 22:40
Yeah. 

Alexis Watson 22:40
Just like, but I love my work. I love what I do. It's just-- It's sometimes it's hard to disconnect if that makes sense. Like 

Wendy Beck 22:48
Yes, absolutely. 

Alexis Watson 22:48
you're hearing like some parents, like, at their worst caregivers. And like, this is going on. And 

Wendy Beck 22:55
I 

Alexis Watson 22:56
you 

Wendy Beck 22:56
don't 

Alexis Watson 22:56
know, 

Wendy Beck 22:56
know what to do. Can you help 

Alexis Watson 22:57
yeah, 

Wendy Beck 22:57
me? I've gone to the school. I haven't gotten any 

Alexis Watson 23:01
yeah. 

Wendy Beck 23:01
results or it's a problem with another kid and the other parents won't get involved or own up to it. Like, there's-- I can imagine, like, how do you respond to that? I mean, first, you're going to respond with, like, empathy. 

Alexis Watson 23:14
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 23:14
Yeah. Yeah. But eyes. And, and, but, like, besides resources, like, is there, like, a, a handle if it's something that you can't handle? 

Alexis Watson 23:23
Yeah. So, I definitely start off with, like, validating them. And like, I'm not going to basically lie and be like, everything's going to be okay. Like, 

Rich Bennett 23:30
right. 

Alexis Watson 23:32
I'm going to validate your feelings. And, you know, try to give you, if you want to hear solutions, I can help try to find them. But if you just need to stay on the phone and just talk or cry, like, that's okay. I'm not-- I'm going to go with the pace that the parent or caregiver is at. I'm not going to push. And, you know, I'll follow up. 

Wendy Beck 23:51
Can you give us an example? 

Alexis Watson 23:55
Anonymous. 

Wendy Beck 23:57
You don't have-- 

Alexis Watson 23:58
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 23:58
But, like, just, you know, 

Alexis Watson 23:59
think of a bit. Yes. So, um, I'll do a behavioral call because a lot of them have been educational lately, but that's pretty IP stuff. So, I-- 

Wendy Beck 24:10
An established 

Alexis Watson 24:12
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 24:12
protocol. So, 

Alexis Watson 24:13
yeah. 

Wendy Beck 24:13
Behavioural pieces new. 

Alexis Watson 24:15
Yes. So we get, uhm, so basically it starts off with our referral online. It's very easy. So, uhm, who, the family member just reaches out, they fill out first name, last name, county, best phone number, uhm, and basically what the issue is. So then our intake specialist, she will assign a case within 24 hours, which is good because some companies there is a weight. And, uhm, I was presenting at Voices of Hope and the Cecil County representative. She's like, yeah, like, I've had families like, they have been heard back from like two weeks to two months and we're like, yeah, we're like, there's not a weight because we know what's going on. Like, 

Wendy Beck 24:57
when someone calls, that's usually when they 

Alexis Watson 24:59
tell 

Wendy Beck 24:59
need to 

Alexis Watson 24:59
exactly. 

Rich Bennett 25:00
Exactly. 

Alexis Watson 25:00
Yeah. Yeah. So then once we're assigned a case, we have 24 hours to reach out, um, to a parent and then get the call schedule because like you said, like, they're calling for a reason like, they need the help, like, this is them reaching out for help. Um, so then we set up a call, but I would say probably the call that like sticks out most of my mind and it is a pretty common one, not just for Harper, but across the state, I had a parent reach out and, you know, she's like my child's really struggling like in school, but also at home. And I'm like, okay, like if you feel comfortable, like just elaborate as much as you feel comfortable with, so that way I can get a better picture and really see how I can help you tackle it inside the school and then outside because seemed like outside when she was talking was a lot. Um, so her child had a lot of trauma growing up and the parent ended up leaving the spouse, um, but the child did see some aggressive behaviors, some firearm stuff was involved. Um, and so there was a lot of anger. 

Yeah. Anger, confusion, and then acting out in school because just, you know, 

Wendy Beck 26:27
they, they learned, it's learned behavior. 

Alexis Watson 26:29
Yeah. And then, you know, stuff carries over differently. And um, the mom was like, I don't know what to do. Like I'm getting calls from the school with behaviors and like, I can't stop when I'm doing that work to go get him. And like, I can't and like, it's not feasible. And then like coming home, like dealing with, uh, risky behavior. So like sneaking out at times and then, you know, uh, drug experimentation. So it's just a lot of that. I would say like parents really, I really need help. And like guidance when it comes to, uh, what society calls it risky interfering behavior, 

Rich Bennett 27:13
yeah, 

Alexis Watson 27:13
risky behavior. And you know, it's very common and just like, a lot of parents, so we're like, all right, so you're looking for supports. Like, um, are you looking for inpatient outpatient residential or like community base type resources? Because a lot of parents, um, through my experience already have a child in mental health therapy. 

Rich Bennett 27:34
um, 

Alexis Watson 27:34
So they're like, we have that covered. We just need other stuff. And a lot of parents are like, you know, I feel like it should be residential and patient, but I don't want, you know, my child to feel like I'm giving up on them. 

Rich Bennett 27:49
Right. 

Alexis Watson 27:50
And it's heartbreaking because and it's in the school system too. Like when you have these children labeled as behavior problem children, like sometimes residential is needed, depending on how serious the situation is. But parents are just like, I don't want to do that to my kid. Like, I don't want them to feel I'm up on them. Like, I, I don't know, but you know, sometimes it's good to try and get the help that's needed, and but it's just a hard, 

Wendy Beck 28:19
okay. So

Rich Bennett 28:21
you're listening to the conversations with Rich Bennett. We'll be right back. 

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Wendy Beck 29:34
If someone were to need like, let's say residential for mental health, what, what kind of resources do you or you partnered with people in the state, like, uh, I'm just gonna, you know, mental health facilities, and that type of thing. Cause like finding beds sometimes 

Alexis Watson 29:50
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 29:51
is not easy. Is not an easy. We have insurance to deal with. We have, like, how deep do you guys go? Like, where do your resources, you know, stop and start 

Alexis Watson 29:59
So we don't have any partnerships with any, like, residential agencies, so if a parent feels comfortable, all they have to do is share with us if they have state insurance or commercial insurance. Is that 

Wendy Beck 30:11
private? 

Alexis Watson 30:12
private? Yeah, and they share that and then we're able with their permission to look into some of them. And then if they feel comfortable or want us on the call while they do the calls, just like the moral support aspect and just helping them as much as they need us, whether to some parents are like, oh no, like, send me a list of, like, these residential agencies. I'll reach out to them and see, you know, there's a wait list. 

And then how to get the ball rolling with the insurance and then how long the program would be and then other parents are like overwhelmed because it's a lot. So the first time they've dealt with it, and they don't know what to do. And so, you know, we're more than happy to do the callings for So the program would be and then other parents are like, overwhelmed because it's a lot. So first time they've dealt with it, and they don't know what to do. And so, you know, we're more than happy to do the call with them. 

Wendy Beck 30:53
And this is sad because this is not uncommon. This is, this is happening more and more. And, you know, I'm going to say, and I have nothing to back this up. The percentage of this is only going to go up. 

Rich Bennett 31:12
I 

Alexis Watson 31:12
would say so too. 

Wendy Beck 31:13
It really is. I mean, this crisis mode that's happening. And I don't know what age range you're really talking about here, but I'm going to say like the end of elementary school through high school, you're going to have this kind of chaotic event that's going to be happening in. In that age range now and it's going to kind of be normal. Well, that's why I kind of was like, yes, I do agree with that. And that's a lot of because families are giving those phones. They're the world for these kids is getting a lot bigger and their brains can't handle it. 

Alexis Watson 31:54
Yeah. And then just bullying. You know, like growing up. 

even though when I was an elementary school, 2000s, early 2000s, 

Rich Bennett 32:03
Shut up, 

Alexis Watson 32:04
I tried to do math in my head. 

Rich Bennett 32:08
Yeah, me too. I was in elementary school back 

then, 

Alexis Watson 32:13
taking 

Rich Bennett 32:14
my daughter to school. 

Alexis Watson 32:16
See, I was going to say that, but I digress. 

Wendy Beck 32:20
So we definitely have a problem that's not going to get better on its own. So not knowing about the parents place before. If you have a real health grant, what do you see for the organization? Like, what, you know, how is that going to expand for you guys? 

Alexis Watson 32:37
you know, we're hoping to be able to get in the schools and just really be like, it's okay if you need support. And we're allies like everybody wants the best for the youth, teens, adults like, and like we've said, we've been saying the whole time, like there's an epidemic and a crisis going on 

Wendy Beck 32:54
There is, 

Alexis Watson 32:54
with mental health, addiction, problem gambling, and everything like that. So, I think just getting into schools and other agencies as well and being like, you know, we 

Rich Bennett 33:05
get the word out. 

Alexis Watson 33:05
Yeah, and don't we don't want to be like, oh, it's us or nothing, it's like let's collaborate 

Wendy Beck 33:10
through this phase. I think that we, and I could be wrong again, but I don't know, 

Rich Bennett 33:15
my. 

Wendy Beck 33:15
I'm just kind of using 

Rich Bennett 33:17
You're 

Wendy Beck 33:18
went 

Rich Bennett 33:18
wrong, we 

Wendy Beck 33:19
through this phase where parents were not my kid. My kid's not doing anything wrong. 

Rich Bennett 33:27
We're still in 

Wendy Beck 33:28
yeah. I 

Rich Bennett 33:30
there, 

Wendy Beck 33:30
think that 

Rich Bennett 33:30
not. 

Wendy Beck 33:30
we're crossing over because it has escalated so much that we have fear. 

Alexis Watson 33:38
Yeah, 

Wendy Beck 33:39
We have fear for them and we have fear for the other students. So, this change, I think you guys are like right right there where you need to be, which I, you know, I think it's great because personally like, what do you do when you have, you can, you can call the crisis center, but you know, sometimes that's not enough or, you know, you need as many resources as possible. 

Alexis Watson 34:03
Exactly. The more the barrier and like it takes a village. 

Wendy Beck 34:06
I like the approach because I've seen it work in the Addiction Space with kids at risk for addiction, for whatever reason, having peers in the school, so having behavioral health peers and partners in the schools would be a great space for you guys 

Alexis Watson 34:23
to. 

Wendy Beck 34:24
Yeah, yeah, I mean, we need it. Yeah, yes, and yes, and the Roots project and 

Rich Bennett 34:29
that, 

Wendy Beck 34:29
stuff like 

Rich Bennett 34:30
and 

Wendy Beck 34:30
we talked about. So yeah, that's really awesome. You guys are doing great things. 

Alexis Watson 34:34
Thank you. Thank you. 

Rich Bennett 34:35
Hey, did you go to school for psychology? By chance. 

Alexis Watson 34:39
Yes. 

Rich Bennett 34:39
I'm, well, no, I'm just thinking because 

Alexis Watson 34:41
I thought, 

Rich Bennett 34:41
what you 

Alexis Watson 34:42
did. 

Rich Bennett 34:42
No, with your job, what you're doing, I think it would come in handy. 

Alexis Watson 34:46
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 34:46
I would think it'd be a requirement. 

Alexis Watson 34:48
Yeah, I have my bachelor's in psych from housing. 

Rich Bennett 34:51
OK. 

Alexis Watson 34:52
Yep. And 

Rich Bennett 34:53
as far as especially since you're taking all the calls, and some overflow from 

Alexis Watson 34:58
yeah, 

Rich Bennett 34:59
Baltimore's season wherever. What do 

Alexis Watson 35:03
do 

Rich Bennett 35:03
you 

Alexis Watson 35:03
for your 

Rich Bennett 35:04
help? 

Alexis Watson 35:06
Yeah, 

and it's hard to disconnect. Like, sometimes when I'm trying to take care of my mental health, like I love to go on walks with my son. And that way he burns out energy so that he can sleep. So that I can sleep. 

Wendy Beck 35:23
Right, 

Alexis Watson 35:23
but, you know, just. We had an in person meeting with our leadership team. They're like, what is one thing you want to work on whether it's work or not? And I was like. Just being present in the moment, and like it's so easy to say, but it's hard, especially with all the outside factors with just life. 

Rich Bennett 35:43
Yeah. 

Alexis Watson 35:43
And so I think definitely surrounding myself with my family. My parents are great. They live right down the street in Joppa. I see them every day. And she watches my son too, my mom, but just having dinner with them 

Rich Bennett 35:59
Yeah. 

Alexis Watson 35:59
and just being 

Wendy Beck 36:00
That's 

Alexis Watson 36:00
a. 

Wendy Beck 36:00
being grounded. 

Alexis Watson 36:00
Talk. 

Wendy Beck 36:01
And saying rooted in 

Alexis Watson 36:02
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 36:03
who you are. And I think a lot of times when you are around situations where you're, I don't want to say you're counseling because you're not really counseling. You're listening. You're 

Alexis Watson 36:14
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 36:14
absorbing 

Alexis Watson 36:15
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 36:15
energy. And that is extremely draining. Honestly, like we know. In in at rage against addiction, we have a program director, and she's dealing with everybody says chaos, you know, and you got to go home and then you have to take care of your family and you have to disconnect and people don't understand that. So like, you know, you go or 

Alexis Watson 36:32
or. 

Wendy Beck 36:33
walking Or whatever your version of that is is really important. 

Rich Bennett 36:37
And sometimes it does help to, if you have somebody that you can just sit down and vent to, because sometimes you need to vent. 

Alexis Watson 36:44
Yes, oh, 100%. I love a good voice note, like voice memo. I'll send it very text. If my friends like. It's going on like even quiet. I'll be like girl, you won't believe this. And I'll send like a three minute voice note. And it's just good to have. And then, you know, my supervisor is great, like she's always like, if you guys need to take a day, take a day, like you don't have to be. 

Wendy Beck 37:05
And you're not going to have all the answers. And 

Alexis Watson 37:07
Exactly. 

Wendy Beck 37:07
you're going to get calls and that's call did not come before. So you're 

Alexis Watson 37:11
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 37:11
figuring it out for the first time. 

Alexis Watson 37:12
Exactly. And then our leadership teams like, you can like say a parent like, Hey, I'm not really quite sure about that, but I'll give back to you. And, you know, parents take that. Well, they're like, Oh, like that's OK. Yeah, like we can discuss that later this week or when you get the information instead of just. 

Wendy Beck 37:29
Do they do they call in a crisis mode or is it more of your calls, just like inquiries or like, you know, that opportunity for them to just kind of say, Hey, you know, this is what's happening. I need someone to talk to, like, have you experienced crisis mode where you, like literally said, you need to do x, y and z because this situation needs to be stabilized. Like, do you guys have that kind of expertise to know? 

Alexis Watson 37:57
So I myself, I have not gotten those type of calls when it comes to Harper County, but I know other regions and counties. They're like, you need to call 988 mobile crisis, like, and then because sometimes it's, you know, that does happen 

Wendy Beck 38:12
Right 

Alexis Watson 38:13
sometimes. And we're not certified mental health counselors to deal with that stuff. So we're not going to act like we are and be like, Oh, dude, no, 

Wendy Beck 38:23
now. 

Alexis Watson 38:23
that's not our training. That's not what we do. Call 988 or if needed 911. 

Wendy Beck 38:28
OK. 

Rich Bennett 38:30
So are there any plans that you know of for all the counties that have more people? The phones, it just seems like a lot. I mean, you cause 

Alexis Watson 38:41
I will say, like, 

Rich Bennett 38:42
say holidays are probably even busier for 

Alexis Watson 38:44
you. I will say, well. This is our first year with the grant, so holidays was pretty slow for Harvard, but we've been getting slammed since April, which I mean 

Rich Bennett 38:57
seasons. 

Alexis Watson 38:58
Yeah, and it's just like coming to the end of the school year and like your bees or 

Rich Bennett 39:04
something. What do you find 

Alexis Watson 39:05
lot of--*laughs* 

Rich Bennett 39:06
as a 

Alexis Watson 39:08
But, umm, people, parents, like, caregivers, not knowing what to do with IP school years, um, and then like, the students that are transitioning out of high school, and parents are like, "Oh, like DDA services?" and, you know, a lot of people need help with the SSI, so social security income applications, and then the DDA waiver. 

Wendy Beck 39:30
These are for kids with special needs. 

Alexis Watson 39:32
Yes. Yup. And then I will say, umm, We've been pretty steady, um, ever since February with behavioral mental health calls, at least for 

Rich Bennett 39:45
right. 

Alexis Watson 39:45
my experience. Um, and just, again, it comes back to bullying and just, 

Wendy Beck 39:50
do you think that's a big-- 

Alexis Watson 39:51
oh yeah, 

Wendy Beck 39:52
it's a big thing. 

Alexis Watson 39:52
It, and it is, and I mean, it goes back to social media because now it's not just face-to-face bullying, like, in school, like, 

Wendy Beck 40:00
Right, you used to come home and you were done with whatever was happening at school. You might have, like, like, here's an example. Like, my brother, when we were really little, he-- we would walk to school, and, um, there were two boys 

Alexis Watson 40:13
mm-hmm. 

Wendy Beck 40:13
that would kind of-- Mm-hmm. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Meet up with us as-- and they would trip him every single day. Trip him. And he used to call them the trippers. And-- and he was terrified. I mean, he-- we weren't elementary school, and I'm older than him. So, he was probably, like, in first or second grade. 

Alexis Watson 40:29
Uh-huh. 

Wendy Beck 40:30
And, so, like, he would wait until we-- we would wait until we saw them walk by before we leave the house. And-- and it was traumatic. And-- To him. And the thing is now, like, once they walk by the house, he was, like, safe for the day. Do you know what I mean? But now, it's carried into your home. It's carried into their bedrooms. And, like, parents don't know what's happening. 

Alexis Watson 40:51
Yeah. Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 40:52
Yeah. 

Alexis Watson 40:53
And it's such an issue because, you know, where I previously worked at Harvard County, like, there wasn't fights or anything like that. It's a lot of the, you know, when-- when they came up, it's because, you know, someone's so went home, and they were going at it on social media or text or 

Wendy Beck 41:11
It 

Alexis Watson 41:11
even-- 

Wendy Beck 41:11
doesn't stop. Right. 

Alexis Watson 41:13
Video games, 

Wendy Beck 41:14
And I'm 

Alexis Watson 41:14
Xbox, 

Wendy Beck 41:14
gonna-- 

Alexis Watson 41:14
Roblox. 

Wendy Beck 41:15
I'm gonna say this, and these kids have fucking balls because you can edit that out if you want to, because even if a parent tries to, like, intervene, they don't back down. 

Alexis Watson 41:26
No. 

Wendy Beck 41:27
And it is-- it happened to me, and it was shocking that this person, this person who was bullying my child was actually being so disrespectful to me and adult, and their parents didn't even care. 

Rich Bennett 41:44
And the reason they do that is because they can get away with it because they're 

Wendy Beck 41:50
It was-- it was 

Rich Bennett 41:52
not 

Wendy Beck 41:52
traumatic 

Rich Bennett 41:52
back 

Wendy Beck 41:52
to 

Rich Bennett 41:52
into-- 

Wendy Beck 41:53
say the 

Rich Bennett 41:53
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 41:53
least. into-- 

Rich Bennett 41:54
Yeah. Back 

Wendy Beck 41:54
for all of us. 

Rich Bennett 41:55
What did you do with a bully? You-- you stood up to that bully. And you-- what that bully's it? Bullies are nothing but cowards. That's all they are. 

Wendy Beck 42:03
Well, but, you know-- 

Rich Bennett 42:04
You have to act 

Wendy Beck 42:05
god. They-- 

Rich Bennett 42:05
tough 

Wendy Beck 42:06
they hit 

Rich Bennett 42:06
to 

Wendy Beck 42:07
people 

Rich Bennett 42:07
the 

Wendy Beck 42:07
where they-- where they hurt the most. If-- if, you 

Rich Bennett 42:09
right. 

Wendy Beck 42:09
know, you don't have friends, they-- they like to, like, throw that in your face, or they like to steal friends away. And, like, in the girl world, it's-- it's brutal. I know 

Alexis Watson 42:19
Oh 

Wendy Beck 42:19
it's-- 

Alexis Watson 42:20
my 

Wendy Beck 42:20
with-- with boys too, I'm sure, but I only had to experience-- 

Rich Bennett 42:23
My daughter went through it. 

Wendy Beck 42:24
And-- 

Rich Bennett 42:24
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 42:25
and it-- it's not uncommon, but, you know, I don't-- I don't even know. Maybe that's what you guys need to do some presentations 

Alexis Watson 42:31
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 42:31
on. Deal with it. 

Alexis Watson 42:32
Yeah. I think definitely that, like, how to deal with it and then maybe even science-recognize, like, your child's being bully because some kids don't feel comfortable. They feel like, oh my god. Like, I'm a failure in a way because-- 

Wendy Beck 42:43
Or they don't tell their parents and their 

Alexis Watson 42:44
Yeah! 

Wendy Beck 42:44
parents don't know what's happening. 

Alexis Watson 42:45
Exactly. Like, my friend, her grandson, like, got into a verbal altercation at school and then they're like, what-- what happened? Like, nothing happened at school and then come to find out, um, you know, text. 

Rich Bennett 43:04
Yeah. 

Alexis Watson 43:04
But he-- 

Wendy Beck 43:05
They 

Alexis Watson 43:05
at Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 43:06
continue-- 

Alexis Watson 43:06
That's something like, that's why you don't have a mom, your mom's dead and it's like kids will go-- this is elementary school. Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 43:13
Yeah. 

Alexis Watson 43:14
Kids will go for the throw. And once they know, they're going to keep going at your throw. And then, oh-- 

Wendy Beck 43:19
They play on your insecurities, your 

Alexis Watson 43:21
Oh, 

Wendy Beck 43:21
vulnerable 

Alexis Watson 43:21
yeah. 

Wendy Beck 43:22
and that kind of 

Alexis Watson 43:22
Yup. 

Wendy Beck 43:22
thing. What's a shame and, 

Alexis Watson 43:25
Mm-hmm. 

Wendy Beck 43:25
you know, some of its family values. I 

Alexis Watson 43:28
Yes. 

Wendy Beck 43:28
hate to say that, but, 

Alexis Watson 43:30
Yeah, morels, stuff like that. 

Wendy Beck 43:31
yeah. 

Rich Bennett 43:32
Another round table discussion there. Seriously, if we did a while ago, but it has gotten worse and it's something we need to talk about again. You know, reason 

Wendy Beck 43:42
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 43:42
of wearing this and actually I wouldn't. 

Wendy Beck 43:45
well people don't even sit down around the table anymore for dinner. 

Alexis Watson 43:49
Yeah, 

Wendy Beck 43:49
So, you know, the whole culture of what family is is changing and not for the better, 

Rich Bennett 43:58
No, 

Wendy Beck 43:58
honestly. 

Rich Bennett 43:58
it's not. And I've said this several times here on the podcast, uh, respect is gone. You know, a lot of these kids don't respect other people but worse yet, they don't even respect themselves. 

Wendy Beck 44:12
They don't know how to. 

Rich Bennett 44:13
No, but they demand respect. 

Wendy Beck 44:15
Yeah, 

Rich Bennett 44:15
yeah. They'll demand. 

Wendy Beck 44:16
Right, you're 

Rich Bennett 44:17
Okay, 

Wendy Beck 44:17
right. 

Rich Bennett 44:18
what did you deserve? What did you do to deserve my respect? First of all. 

Wendy Beck 44:23
Right, but, but you want mine. 

Rich Bennett 44:25
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 44:26
Yeah, that is a whole nother podcast, but anyway. 

Alexis Watson 44:28
Yes. 

Wendy Beck 44:29
Yes. I think you guys are doing really great things. I'm, 

Alexis Watson 44:31
sorry. 

Wendy Beck 44:31
I'm 

Alexis Watson 44:32
I never heard of it. 

Wendy Beck 44:33
But I, I would like the information because, you know, we have calls sometimes, 

Alexis Watson 44:38
yeah, 

Wendy Beck 44:39
or just situations where people need resources and I think that this is a really good one. 

Alexis Watson 44:43
Yeah, of course, yeah. 

Rich Bennett 44:44
Well, the important question is how do people get in touch with 

Alexis Watson 44:48
Great question. Look at you, the good questions. 

Rich Bennett 44:50
you? 

Alexis Watson 44:51
Let 

Wendy Beck 44:51
see. 

Alexis Watson 44:51
me 

Wendy Beck 44:51
That's why he gets paid the big box. 

Rich Bennett 44:54
Okay. 

Alexis Watson 44:55
So we 

Rich Bennett 44:56
always got to look at her paper. She forgot the website. now I'm messing 

Alexis Watson 45:00
Actually, 

Rich Bennett 45:00
with you. It's 

Alexis Watson 45:02
folded, but I won't read it out because look at you. So you can contact us at 410-768-9100 or very easy intake form online. You just go on ppmd. org. 

Rich Bennett 45:24
Yeah, 

Alexis Watson 45:26
and then you hit contact us and you fill out the intake form. And then if, um, and like we have families do this too, if a family parent caregiver gives verbal consent to a professional or an agency, you can do it on their behalf. And then put in the description. Parent named xyz gave verbal consent and then we can do that as well because it's one less thing on their plate. 

Rich Bennett 45:52
Is there a text number as well? 

Alexis Watson 45:55
No. 

Rich Bennett 45:56
Okay. 

Alexis Watson 45:56
Once you get assigned a family partner, you get. 

Rich Bennett 45:58
Then you do. Um, 

Alexis Watson 45:58
number. Yup. Okay. 

Rich Bennett 46:00
That makes 

Alexis Watson 46:01
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 46:01
sense. Yeah. Do you have any other 

Wendy Beck 46:03
questions? I do not. I'm very informative. Thank you 

Rich Bennett 46:06
much. 

Wendy Beck 46:06
very 

Rich Bennett 46:06
Alexis, is there anything you would like to add before we get to the last question? 

Alexis Watson 46:13
And of the classes, I'm scared. 

Rich Bennett 46:18
Do you want to ask it? 

Wendy Beck 46:19
No. 

Rich Bennett 46:19
No, I never do. Why 

Alexis Watson 46:22
Why? 

Rich Bennett 46:22
are you getting scared? 

Alexis Watson 46:24
She's breaking out glasses. How out of pocket. 

Rich Bennett 46:28
You pick the question. Not me. 

Alexis Watson 46:31
I 

Rich Bennett 46:31
question. 

Alexis Watson 46:31
picked the 

Rich Bennett 46:31
Yup. 

Pick a number between one and a hundred. 

Alexis Watson 46:39
Let's go to 24. 

Rich Bennett 46:41
Why 24? 

Alexis Watson 46:42
That's the year my son was born. 

Rich Bennett 46:47
And then what? 

Alexis Watson 46:48
Your face. 

Rich Bennett 46:49
That's a good question. 

Wendy Beck 46:50
He always makes those face 

Rich Bennett 46:52
because the question is a lot of time. It's amazing how to question 

Wendy Beck 46:55
sometimes. 

Rich Bennett 46:55
Align with what we've been 

Wendy Beck 46:56
Right. 

Rich Bennett 46:56
talking about in a way. 

Wendy Beck 46:57
Okay, you're right. You're right. You're right. 

Rich Bennett 46:59
What's a risk you talk that you're incredibly glad you did, even if it didn't turn out as expected. 

Alexis Watson 47:08
I would say leaving my job as a teacher because I'm going to be honest. I was like, I can't do it. And plus I my son was even one. I was like, I can't be my best self dealing with 

Wendy Beck 47:22
other 

Alexis Watson 47:23
Yeah, 

Wendy Beck 47:23
people's kids. 

Alexis Watson 47:24
and then all the work that comes with being a teacher, I ease data and then just, you know, stretching myself to thin. I was like, I can't do this like in order to be my best self for my son. I need to quit. I don't know what I was going to do next. I did it. 

Rich Bennett 47:38
Yeah, 

Alexis Watson 47:38
Yeah. And my husband's like, I'll pick up over time. 

Wendy Beck 47:41
That's a big deal. 

Alexis Watson 47:42
Yeah. And I just remember being like, I felt like a failure in my mind because you know, this is something people. Go to college for it. They're like, oh, this is my career. But I 

Wendy Beck 47:54
want to do it anymore. 

Alexis Watson 47:55
Yeah, I was like, I can't like mentally the burnout. It was a lot. And then going sleep progression with a baby. I'm just like, I can't do it. So. It was I was saying internal struggle and I was like, I know I need to, but at that time, I was the breadwinner. 

Rich Bennett 48:14
Yeah. 

Alexis Watson 48:14
Like the money and it was it was going to be a adjustment and it was a risk. But, you know, then I. 

Rich Bennett 48:19
Payed off. 

Alexis Watson 48:20
Yeah. I love what I do now. And I think there's 

Wendy Beck 48:23
And 

Alexis Watson 48:24
such 

Wendy Beck 48:24
I feel like 

Alexis Watson 48:24
in. 

Wendy Beck 48:24
it's, it's, it's an extension of 

Alexis Watson 48:27
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 48:27
teaching. Because you get to talk to parents about 

Alexis Watson 48:30
Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 48:30
the IOPs and the things that that you were actually doing 

Alexis Watson 48:33
Yeah. Yeah. 

Wendy Beck 48:33
you have acknowledged. what I help people work through it. 

Alexis Watson 48:36
Yeah, and I think, you know, I'm a firm believer and everything happens for a reason. And you know, if I quit special education when I first started when it was getting rough and the burnout, I wouldn't have the knowledge that I have when it comes to the special education side, then also the mental health aspect in the school. So I think that was, that's the first thing that came through my mind. And you know, I couldn't be more happy with my decision. 

Wendy Beck 49:01
Yay! 

Rich Bennett 49:02
And you wouldn't have met such wonderful people like me. 

Alexis Watson 49:07
That's so true. 

Wendy Beck 49:07
I think 

Rich Bennett 49:08
so. See that? 

Wendy Beck 49:08
Just getting ready to say. 

Rich Bennett 49:10
Yeah, you know. 

Wendy Beck 49:11
Oh, 

Rich Bennett 49:12
Alexis, thank you so much. 

Alexis Watson 49:14
thank you. 

Rich Bennett 49:15
Wendy, and 

Wendy Beck 49:15
the 

Rich Bennett 49:16
it. 

Wendy Beck 49:16
pleasure. 

Rich Bennett 49:16
You definitely got to do the roundtable with Linda. I 

Alexis Watson 49:19
I'm down 

Rich Bennett 49:19
think 

Alexis Watson 49:19
for

Rich Bennett 49:20
the five of us, I think, would be good. Alexis asked me to mention the Maryland's Good Samaritan Law, which is designed to save lives by encouraging people to call for medical help, Thorin, and alcohol or drug overdose emergency, without fear of actually being arrested or prosecuted for certain minor offenses. The protects both the person seeking help and the person experiencing the overdose from charges actually related to possession or use of controlled dangerous substances, possession or use of drug paraphernalia, and certain underage alcohol offenses, including providing alcohol reminders. It also protects individuals from probation, parole, or pretrial release violations if the evidence was obtained solely because they sought emergency medical assistance. However, the law only applies to those who actively seek, provide or assist with medical help. It not protect bystanders who do not help nor does it apply to drug felonies or other crimes outside this specific misdemeanors covered by the law. Additionally, law enforcement can still 

investigate the incident and collect evidence. So as we wrap up this conversation, one thing really stands out to me, there are so many parents, grandparents, caregivers, and families out there who are carrying more than most people with the law, whether it's navigating mental health challenges, bullying, behavioral issues, special education services, addiction concerns, or simply trying to figure out where to turn next. It can feel overwhelming and lonely at time. What I appreciate about Alexis and the parent's place of Maryland is that they're not showing up with judgment. They're showing up with understanding guidance and a willingness to walk alongside families during some of their toughest moments. Sometimes having someone who will listen, help you understand your options and remind you that you're not alone, can make all the difference. If today's conversation resonated with you, or if you know someone who may be struggling with challenges involving a child, teen, or young adult, I encourage you to share this episode with them. You never know when a simple conversation can connect someone to the support they need. And a big thank you to Alexis for joining us and for the incredible work she's doing every day to support families throughout Maryland. And as always, thank you for listening. We're supporting our guests, our sponsors and this podcast. Let's keep the conversation going and until next time, remember, sometimes the strongest thing you can do is ask for help. And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is be there for someone who needs it.