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Jim Mason

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Jim Mason

BEECH ACRES CEO JIM MASON TO RETIRE AFTER 42 YEARS OF SERVICE

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Jim Mason, who led Beech Acres Parenting Center through an incredible evolution of purpose and programs focused on strengthening families so children can achieve their unique potential, will retire from his role as president and CEO in June 2021 after 42 years of service to the agency. “I am very enthusiastic about my life’s next chapter, especially for more time with my wonderful wife of 48 years, Debby, our 3 great kids, their super spouses, and 8 awesome grandkids! I look forward to lots of fun with family and friends while embracing new opportunities for meaning and contribution. I am ‘rewiring’ not ‘retiring’; as I have no intention to withdraw or retreat from life; but to continue my personal journey of learning, growth, and giving back to the community.”   Read the press release here. Read Jim’s full statement on Linked In.  Congratulations, Jim! Thank you for your inspired leadership for the past 42 years! Good luck! 🎉👏 Celebrate Jim’s career and legacy at these upcoming events! Community Partners Celebrate Jim Mason Celebrate Jim’s Incredible Journey

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Jim Mason, Parents, Schools

The Time To Act For Children Is Now

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For generations, fire drills and tornado drills were a common activity for schoolchildren, a brief reprieve from the daily routine, and an opportunity to remind them what to do in case a natural or unexpected disaster hit their school. For a new generation of children, another type of drill – the active shooter drill – has become just as commonplace. Recent mass shootings in California, Texas and right here in Dayton have shocked those communities and the entire country. The impact of the violence on the affected families, friends, communities and the rest of us will linger far longer than the current news cycle. This is not OK. We know the mental and physical toll toxic stress has on the human brain. The trauma endured by children when they experience or see violence on a regular basis actually re-wires their brains in a way that affects their ability to succeed in school and develop healthy emotional relationships. At Beech Acres Parenting Center we are gravely concerned about the long term effects of this trauma as these children become adults. That’s why we stand #DaytonStrong with our neighbors in Dayton, Ohio as they grieve and heal from their recent tragedy. We also support Susan Dreyfus’ statement and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities’ call to action to end gun violence in the United States of America. Common sense gun regulations are a start to reversing the negative course of our society and restoring a sense of safety and security to our children’s lives. Eliminating continued exposure to traumatic experiences can help reduce the incidents of stress-related diseases including mental illness, depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and suicide. The time to act for our children is now.  We encourage you to get involved by calling or emailing you senators to tell them to ask for a vote on H.R. 8, The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 and H.R. 1112, The Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019. Both require stronger background checks, a measure which most Americans support. You can also ask them to revisit the banning of assault weapons. Thank you for your continued support of our mission, Inspiring and equipping today’s parents, families and communities to raise capable, caring, contributing children.   

Jim Mason, Mental Health, Natural Strength Parenting™, Parent Connext™, Parents, Strengths

Parents Embracing Children’s Mental Health, Beech Acres Study Indicates

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A new, national Children’s Mental Health Awareness Study from Beech Acres Parenting Center offers insights into the evolving perceptions and practices of parents regarding the mental health of their children. The study shows that acceptance of mental health as a key factor of overall health is becoming increasingly mainstream among parents. Among the most compelling results of the study is the dramatic generational change in parents’ view of mental health. While 61% of parents said they had no discussion of mental health when they were kids, only 13% of them do not discuss it now as parents. “Many children and families live with mental health concerns or even a mental illness, so it’s extremely encouraging that we are bringing down the veil of stigma for parents on this topic,” said Jim Mason, President, and CEO of Beech Acres Parenting Center. “Parents who are actively engaged with their children’s mental health and well-being can have a huge positive impact, and we’ve seen that to be true over many generations at Beech Acres.” Hope for Parents This changing attitude toward mental health is further reflected by a finding from the study that 91% of parents who have not had to seek treatment for their child would expect to be involved in their child’s mental health treatment, instead of taking a hands-off approach. Even before seeking treatment, 41% of parents in the study said they actively work to support their children’s mental health on a regular basis. Parents are interested in hearing about mental health proactively from sources they trust. About 2/3 of parents who participated in the study think mental health resources should be proactively shared by a child’s school. The same number of parents would like to receive mental health resources from their pediatrician during a well-child visit. “Proactively addressing children’s mental health in a setting in which other needs are already being met has been a successful strategy of ours for several years now through our Parent Connext™ program,” Mason said. “It’s encouraging that parents are validating this approach.” Parent Connext™ meets parents where they are by placing parenting specialists onsite in pediatric care practices. By providing prompt, practical support, we help build parents’ capacity to provide safe and nurturing environments for their children. Mental Health Education As more people realize the importance of mental health, education is increasingly necessary to set aside misconceptions about it. “There is no substitute for personalized care from a mental health professional to help your family address mental health questions,” Mason said. “Misperceptions about mental health stop some families from accessing the best possible care for their children. By educating and supporting parents, Beech Acres reduces fears and increases parents’ confidence in providing their children with whatever mental health care they may need.” The study also discovered other areas of mental health that need clarification. For example, the top three concerns of parents who have never had to seek treatment for their children are Not understanding their child’s condition (42%), Fear of the unknown (42%) and Not knowing where to go for help (38%). Solutions In many cases, the answers to mental health treatment questions may be more attainable than we realize. The study indicated that eight in 10 parents believe there is a strong or moderate connection between building on a child’s strengths and improving their mental health. At Beech Acres, building on a child’s innate strengths is a pillar for its Natural Strength Parenting™ framework. Natural Strength Parenting™ is a distinct approach to parenting that integrates concepts of intentionality and mindfulness to help parents better see and encourage their children’s unique, innate strengths. Beech Acres Parenting Center is the first organization anywhere to recognize the power of combining intentionality, mindfulness, and strengths into one foundational approach to parenting. Sharon James, Senior Parent Educator at Beech Acres Parenting Center, said the Natural Strength Parenting™ approach can give parents easy steps to support their children’s mental health. “For example, listen to them with curiosity to spot a strength they have, and make a point to promote that strength to build their confidence and self-esteem,” James said. “This kind of intentional act of support can make a huge, positive impact in the lives of children.” Methodology Information from the Children’s Mental Health Awareness Study is based on a 2018 survey of 798 parents nationwide who have children aged 18 and under that lived with them in their homes.

Jim Mason, Mental Health, Natural Strength Parenting™, Strengths

Natural Strength Parenting™ Uncovering the Strengths of all Children with a Mindful Framework for Intentional Growth

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Natural Strength Parenting™ (NSP™) is Beech Acres Parenting Center’s distinct approach to parenting. Natural Strength Parenting™ integrates the concepts of intentionality and mindfulness to help parents better see and encourage their children’s unique, innate strengths. Research supports the benefits of each of these three ideas in helping all types of people achieve their goals. However, Beech Acres Parenting Center is the first organization to recognize the power of combining intentionality, mindfulness, and strengths into one foundational approach to parenting. Intentionality. Mindfulness. Strengths. Okay, these are the pillars of NSP™, but how do the three ideas fit together? That question had been on Jim Mason’s mind for quite a while, “What the three practices create together; that’s what’s special to me.” Natural Strength Parenting™ is the culmination of 170 years of parenting experience at Beech Acres Parenting Center. It’s a natural evolution for the organization as we look forward over the next 170 years. “The world is changing rapidly and creating a lot of stress for everyone,” Jim said. “What will the future look like, and how will that affect the family? We need new ways of thinking and relating to each other in order to survive and thrive. Natural Strength Parenting™ provides a blueprint for doing so.” Following are definitions of each pillar and how they fit together: Intentional; Discern your unique purpose, create the life you envision and clarify the values you will teach your children. Natural Strength Parenting™ was founded on the belief that each of us is born with our own unique purpose in life to contribute to the world. Many of us struggle to figure out what that is, some never do. Personal motivation is found when our purpose is discovered. Purposeful living is about making our inner life match our outer self. It’s the energy that moves us joyfully from day to day. Author Steven Covey has made famous the phrase, ‘Start with the end in mind.’ We ask parents to imagine the legacy they want to leave their children and the values they want them to have when they become adults. To be intentional is to live a proactive, purposeful life instead of a reactive life on auto-pilot. Strength-Based; Discover and develop one’s natural gifts to create a sense of mastery, empowerment, and connection with one’s passion. Everyone is born with unique natural gifts. While intentionality provides the vision for the future we want, our natural strengths provide the fuel we need to achieve it. By living from our known strengths, our lives can shift from burdensome to gratifying. Jim explained, “I have seen thousands of vulnerable children in my career, many with very serious internal problems and external obstacles. Yet, every single child had some sort of spark inside, a spark that may have been stifled or diminished by traumatic events. When they discovered their natural gifts, they invariably found hope and blossomed.” “A parent’s most important job is to help her child find his or her unique sparks (strengths) and nurture those sparks to a positive bene t for them and society,” Jim said. “In fact, our life’s purpose often derives from the dynamic relationship between our natural strengths and our environment.” By focusing on natural strengths, parents can promote a life with a deeper sense of meaning, joy, and passion….not just for their children, but themselves as well. Parents who encourage their children’s strengths can help them reach their incredible potential. As we come to understand and practice our natural gifts, we become stronger and more self-confident. This builds the resilience and skills to resist the myriad negative influences surrounding us. Our passions ignite an energy that motivates us to pursue what is truly important and valuable to us. It is the best preventive medicine available! Beech Acres Parenting Center utilizes the VIA Character Strengths Survey to discover each parent and child’s unique mix of strengths. It takes less than 30 minutes to complete on-line but can provide a lifetime of helpful information. “There are many different strengths tools available. We use the VIA because of its universality for everyone,” Jim explained. Mindful; Be present, fully engaged and accepting in the moment. The effort to be intentional and to develop strengths is not simply a theory, nor is it complicated. But, as the saying goes, you must be present to win! The practice of Natural Strength Parenting™ requires that we are present in the moment and paying attention, nonjudgmentally, to what is happening. We can only see our child’s strengths if our minds are open to them and purposely noticing what she/he is doing. Likewise, we can only set a specific intention for the future if we are aware of our current situation. So, mindfulness simply means paying attention, on purpose, in each moment without judgment, to what is happening around me. Mindfulness provides us with the basic ability to be intentional and strength-based. In that way, mindfulness is the glue that holds the whole Natural Strength Parenting™ approach together. Jim informed, “When we are really paying attention in each moment, and not judging who is saying or doing whatever, we have an amazing opportunity to connect with our kids in ways that are truly magical.” Putting it all together. In a recent poll of Greater Cincinnati parents commissioned by Beech Acres, 44% of parents surveyed said, “understanding their kids’ mental health” is “very or extremely important” to me. Those same parents also told us they are interested in “building on my child’s innate strengths”. That’s good news. It is interesting that a high percentage of parents are concerned about their children’s mental health, yet also seem to understand that building on that child’s unique strengths will help increase their coping skills. Natural Strength Parenting™ is designed to help parents do just that. Seeing and nurturing our child’s innate strengths helps build the personal resilience that leads to good mental health and well-being. Natural Strength Parenting™ is at the core of all we do at Beech Acres Parenting Center and is

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Beech Acres, Jim Mason, Natural Strength Parenting™

Thank You Jim Mason For 40 Years of Service At Beech Acres Parenting Center!

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Jim Mason has committed his professional life to a simple, but challenging purpose – strengthening families so children can achieve their unique potential. Jim has filled numerous roles on that journey including teacher, coach, probation officer, therapist, trainer, and leader. In his 40 years with Beech Acres Parenting Center, Jim has led the agency through several transformations, each with the effect of deepening and expanding its mission in the face of a rapidly changing environment. Jim and his wife, Debby, have been married for 41 years. They have three married, adult children and eight grandchildren. Jim greatly values time with his family, which has provided a rich “practice field” for Beech Acres’ Natural Strength Parenting™ approach! Check out Jim’s profile on our website or connect with him on Linked In to more learn about his leadership and career. Thank you, Jim, for 40 years of empowering parents and strengthening families in our community!

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Beech Acres, Jim Mason, Top Workplaces

Beech Acres Parenting Center Named Top Workplace In Cincinnati For Fifth Straight Year!

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Beech Acres Parenting Center is thrilled to be named one of Enquirer Media’s Top Workplaces in Cincinnati for a fifth consecutive year! Last year Beech Acres ranked 11th out of 40 companies and organizations recognized in the midsize category. This year we were pleased to be ranked 3rd in midsize organizations receiving special recognition at an event last week at Rhinegeist Brewery!  “Our employees live our values every day; values of Collaboration, Growth, Inclusion, Integrity, and Quality….. and in so doing, they create a workplace culture that earned us a well-deserved place on this prestigious list!” -Jim Mason, Beech Acres Parenting Center President & CEO At Beech Acres Parenting Center we focus not only on the strengths of parents and families but on the strengths of our own workforce. We’re a spirited team who supports each other and has a lot of fun while doing a lot of good. “I feel I am truly changing the lives of the families I work with. … The work environment is very positive and helps motivate my passion for the work I do.” -A Beech Acres Employee Beech Acres was also honored as a ‘Best in Show” award winner for Work/Life Flexibility. This award was based on strong employee sentiment that Beech Acres provides employees with the flexibility to maintain a balance between personal life and work life.  “They understand the importance of being a parent and taking care of yourself while doing a job of taking care of others.” -A Beech Acres Employee Our mission to inspire and equip today’s parents, families, and communities to raise capable, caring and contributing children can only be achieved by our amazing employees. We strive to provide the best environment possible for our employees and continue to improve where we can. Thank you to all of our wonderful employees!  “I have the flexibility I need to balance my work and personal life.” -A Beech Acres Employee Learn more about joining our team and search available positions at Beech Acres Parenting Center here.   

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Beech Acres, Jim Mason

Jim Mason Receives 2018 Virginia Colson Award for Service to Families and Children

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Jim Mason, president & CEO of Beech Acres Parenting Center, is the 2018 recipient of the Virginia Colson Award for Service to Families and Children by the Ohio Association of Child Caring Agencies (OACCA). The award recognizes Ohioans who advocate for quality services for children and their families. Congratulations Jim! Thank you for your tireless advocacy for kids and families!  Read the press release here.

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