CommQuest Hope Discovered

Summer break brings a welcome shift for families—but it can also uncover unexpected challenges for kids. In this episode of Hope Discovered, hosts Stephanie Taylor and Miranda McNeal explore why the loss of school-year structure can impact children’s mental health, behavior, and overall well-being. From changes in sleep and routines to increased screen time and reduced social interaction, they unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface during summer months.More importantly, this conversation offers practical, realistic strategies for helping kids stay grounded without turning summer into school at home. Listeners will learn how to create simple “anchors” in the day, strengthen family connection, encourage healthy habits like movement and emotional check-ins, and manage screen time in a way that supports—not replaces—important needs.The episode also breaks down age-specific tips for preschoolers, elementary students, and teens, helping caregivers tailor their approach to each stage of development. Whether you're navigating summer with excitement or a bit of dread, this episode provides thoughtful guidance to help your child thrive—with balance, connection, and confidence.

Our guest on this episode of the CommQuest Hope Discovered Podcast is Suzanne Parsons who works in our women’s residential program here at CommQuest.Suzanne joined us to share her own personal journey of substance use and recovery. She is an enthusiastic advocate for the recovery community and hopes sharing her story will inspire others to begin and maintain their own sobriety journey.Suzanne’s message to those in recovery is, “When you are in that place of addiction, you don’t think there is anything else out there. This is it. But as you go through your recovery, step by step, you can feel good about yourself again… one positive thing after another.”Suzanne is now very content with her life and her role at CommQuest. She has her CDCA and is working with others in recovery to inspire them.You can find the CommQuest Hope Discovered Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform.For more information about CommQuest, please visit https://www.commquest.org/

On this episode we are talking about Supporting Mothers in Recovery. Our guest is Brooke Burkett, who is a Clinical Supervising Counselor and the MOM + Me Recovery Program Coordinator here at CommQuest. Brooke begins the interview by addressing the stigma that often surrounds the issue of mothers in recovery. CommQuest strives for a welcoming and non-judgmental environment for all of our clients and we understand the needs of mothers in recovery. The discussion moves on to cover how the Mom and Me Program is designed to meet the needs of mothers in recovery and, moreover, how we as an agency also try to meet those needs, even when a mother does not specifically meet the criteria of the Mom and Me Program. This includes our working relationship with community partners, and how our other programs such as the Women’s Residential Recovery Program is sensitive to the needs of mothers in recovery. This podcast is brief yet extremely informative regarding the often-sensitive issue of mothers in recovery. We hope you will give it a listen.

Our guests for today's episode of the podcast are Dr. Ashlie Martin, Medical Director, Addiction Medicine Detox/MAT, and Wendy Donohoe, Sr. Director, CQDX & Opiate Treatment Services Detox. In the interview, Dr. Martin emphasizes that withdrawal management involves more than just medication; it encompasses a compassionate environment of sobriety often misconceived as cold and sterile, provided by understanding professionals in the field of addiction. Wendy Donohoe details the collaborative approach in post-withdrawal care, where a team of counselors works with clients to create discharge plans fostering engagement in treatment, highlighting the dual role of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in addressing physical well-being and counseling in transforming negative thought patterns for sustainable recovery.

Our guests on this episode of CommQuest's Hope Discovered are Phillip Paschal and Tonya Wilder, Supported Employment Specialists for CommQuest.CommQuest’s Supported Employment services provide assistance looking for employment, education of subjects related to employment, and connections to local employers for those with qualifying mental health diagnoses.During this discussion, Philip Paschal and Tonya Wilder share some background information about themselves and what brought them to CommQuest. Our conversation then moves on to describe in detail what the Supported Employment Program is, what the criteria is to be eligible for the service, and what prospective clients may expect from the program.For more information please visit CommQuest.org

Our guest on this episode is Thomas (T.J.) Horwood (he/him/his) who is the chair and founder of the Stark Pride Festival Committee.The Stark Pride Festival Committee is a group of volunteer community members and stakeholders working together to plan an annual festival for the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and everyone else who identifies with the community) and ally communities in Stark and surrounding counties.He has led this committee since 2021 to successfully plan and implement two Stark Pride Festivals in Canton in June 2022 and 2023.During this episode, T.J. reflects on some of the accomplishments and milestones the LGBTQ+ community has had in recent years and shares his message of hope for the future. We also discuss opportunities for advocacy, support, and collaboration with the LGBTQ+ community, especially in the Stark County area.You can listen to the Hope Discovered Podcast by CommQuest on your favorite podcasting platform.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Every month is Mental Health Awareness month here at CommQuest because it is one of our three pillars of care, along with addiction recovery and social support.During May there is a national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Some of the goals of this movement are to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.On this episode Dr Michele Heberling, Chief Clinical Officer and Grete Heatherly, Clinical Site Coordinator at Alliance Outpatient for CommQuest Services discuss numerous aspects of mental health such as some of the most common disorders, the stigma that still exists around treatment, and how everyone can play a role to educate and raise awareness for mental health.For more information about CommQuest Services, please visit CommQuest.org or call 330.455.0374.

This episode may contain triggers for some members of the listening audience.Our guest on this episode is Matt Calder, the Unit Manager for the CommQuest DeTox Unit located in Aultman Hospital.Matt often shares his own personal journey of recovery and he is here to do that for us on this podcast. Matt starts by describing his role now working in recovery services as a professional. He then goes on to describe his back-story of how his own addictions began and turned into a battle that lasted for years.Now celebrating 10 years of recovery and sobriety, Matt's message is one of hope and strength for anyone who is struggling toward recovery.You can find the Hope Discovered Podcast by CommQuest on your favorite podcasting platform.For more information about CommQuest, please visit https://www.commquest.org/