COVID peaks in January 2022; Life Change celebrates a year
The year in health news focused largely on the mental side, with a new sensory room helping students at Cassville schools, life Change celebrating a year of its ministry and the Arc of the Ozarks acquiring TheraCare.
COVID-19 also saw a drop in cases after setting a record in January 2022.
Physical, mental, emotional needs met with sensory room
With changes campus-wide for the Cassville school district, an opportunity to build a sensory room in the primary building presented itself, and the district took the opportunity.
Dusty Reid, director of facilities and operations, said the idea was developed in the special services program.
“The room was once a preschool room,” he said. “But, as those classes moved to the new early childhood center, we were able to make different uses of these rooms.
“We painted, fixed lighting and reinforced some areas in the drop ceiling so we could hang some swings.”
In addition, staff installed carpet, and installed wall pads that the district already had in different locations around the campus.
Kendale Ellis, Cassville process coordinator, said the sensory room is a place for any student, special education or not, to have their sensory needs met.
“Kids have different needs and we have an appropriate way to get those sensory needs met,” she said.
Drake Thomas, Eunice Thomas elementary instructional assistant, said 15-20 students use the sensory room each day.
“The primary students use it the most,” he said. “But, any student on campus can use it.”
The room is full of different equipment that students can use to expel energy, distract themselves, or even just shut down for a time if they need to.
“There is an area that is dark and kids use that to calm down,” he said. “We have the rocking chair with weighted blankets, the jellyfish tank and different colored lights.
“A child’s bad day isn’t just one event — it is a snowball of events and emotions. This room helps them to take their mind off of things and regroup.”
Equipment for physical and emotional needs help facilitate any need of any student.
“Most students only need the room for a few minutes at a time,” Thomas said. “You can front-load a visit to the sensory room like that by saying, ‘Okay, you have 7-10 minutes.’ The students know they have that special amount of time to work out what they need.”
Thomas said it is often the same students who need and use the room, but occasionally they see a new face.
Sally Knight, Cassville K-2 special education teacher, said her students come to the sensory room for a number of different reasons and needs.
“Sometimes, it is to be more alert and to regain their energy and focus,” she said. “Sometimes, it is used if a student is a little too excited in class and they come here to let that out.”
Knight said the students are usually very happy and engaged when in the room.
“They can’t get this in a regular classroom setting,” she said. “We are very fortunate to have this room. The room is really used based on what the child’s need is at the time.”
Life Change celebrates a year
The Life Change Ministry of Cassville celebrated its 1-year anniversary on May 29.
The event featured a motorcycle and classic car show with grilled burgers and hotdogs. Children enjoyed a bounce house and snow cones.
Life Change exists to create an encouraging network of friends for anyone overcoming obstacles in life. Life Change members believe when people are struggling with addictions and overcoming past mistakes it helps to have friends who know what it is like to struggle, but also know God is bigger than those problems.
Life Change has a weekly dinner on Sundays at 6 p.m., followed by music and a talk. Dinner and childcare are provided at no cost to participants. On Tuesdays at noon there is a free lunch and discussion. Occasional classes like “Jobs For Life” and “Faith and Finances” are offered and a mentorship program is available.
Life Change also engages in ministry outreach activities such as assisting others with laundry, as well as fun events like concerts and bowling.
Life Change meets in the SHOWME Plaza (404 State Highway 248) next to the Cassville YMCA. To contact Life Change call the Director, Derek Cornelius at 417-846-8590 or email Cassvilleumcoutreach@gmail.com.
Life Change is a ministry of the Cassville United Methodist Church in partnership with other individuals and organizations who seek to empower people for a brighter future.
The Arc of the Ozarks acquires TheraCare
The Arc of the Ozarks, provider of disability services for nearly 60 years, has acquired TheraCare Outpatient Services, which provided speech, occupational, physical, and music therapy to children and families of the Ozarks.
The move to acquire TheraCare began with a conversation in the summer of 2021. Melanie Stinnett, MS, CCC-SLP and TheraCare founder, was seeking a partner to increase therapy resources and options to reach more people in need in the community.
Nearly a year, later the partnership became official on June 1.
“It has always been my goal to increase access to therapy services while not sacrificing the quality of care we provide,” Stinnett said. “I believe that joining the team at The Arc of the Ozarks meets both of these goals.”
TheraCare partners with clients and families to provide therapy in a safe, caring environment with a focus on quality of life and confidence. The acquisition of TheraCare aligns with The Arc of the Ozarks’ mission to support individuals with disabilities in directing their own lives as valued members of the community.
By acquiring TheraCare, The Arc of the Ozarks has increased its capacity to serve the needs of individuals and families in the Ozarks.
“We are excited to have TheraCare as a part of The Arc of the Ozarks team,” said Mike Powers, President/CEO of The Arc of the Ozarks. “Melanie and her staff are a valuable addition to the services provided to individuals and families in Southwest, Missouri. Working together we can meet even more therapy needs in our community.”
The Arc of the Ozarks is a nonprofit organization with offices at 1501 East Pythian, Springfield, Mo., 65802, and 1721 West Elfindale Street, Springfield, Mo., 65807. It has been providing disability services for nearly 60 years in the Springfield, Monett, Joplin, and Kansas City area.
COVID cases climb 63 percent, break weekly record
Barry County’s active COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases reached a new weekly peak on Jan. 19, 2022, 145 more than the previous weekly record in November 2020.
According to the Barry County Health Department and Barry County Office of Emergency Management, there have been 5,910 (+399 from Jan. 12) confirmed positive cases of COVID-19.
As of Jan. 19, a total of 399 (+153) people were considered active cases in isolation, and at least eight are hospitalized (+3). Active cases peaked the week of Nov. 11, 2020, with 254 total cases and more than 600 people quarantined. Cases topped 200 again August 2021, credited to the Delta variant.
This spike was possibly the Omicron variant, which is believe to be more contagious but less deadly than previous variants of concern. There were six times as many cases of the virus as there were just 21 days prior.
No new deaths have been reported since Jan. 4, 2022. The total number of deaths in the county is 91, and all those who have died were at least 41 years old.
Of the deaths, 30 were residents of congregate care facilities, and 61 lived independently in their homes. A total of 83 suffered from underlying health conditions. Gender-wise, 58 males and 33 females had died.
The death rate, deaths as a percentage of positive cases, in Barry County was 1.5 percent, and the survival rate was 98.5 percent. The mortality rate, deaths as a percentage of the population, for the county was 0.25 percent, or about 2.5 of every 1,000 residents.
A total of 5,420 people had recovered from the virus, a gain of 326 from Jan. 12.
The 5,910 positives accounted for 16.4 percent of the county’s population, and there was an overall positive test rate of 11.78 percent. Vaccinations initiated in the county, which include people who have received at least the first dose, number 16,318, a gain of 133 since Jan. 12 and accounting for 45.6 percent of the county’s total population.
As of Jan. 19, counties bordering Barry County report the following cases: Lawrence, 6,334; Stone, 3,980; McDonald, 3,370; Newton, 7,639; Benton (Ark.), 55,125; and Carroll (Ark.), 5,196.
