News

Welcome Madeline Mitchell

  Touchstone Foundation is proud to welcome Madeline Mitchell as our new Programs Manager.  Madeline brings with her a wealth of experience in psychology, social

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Shanece’s Farewell

It is with a mix of gratitude and well wishes that we announce the departure of Shanece Bowman, who served as Programs Manager at Touchstone

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Welcome Casey Flores

Touchstone Foundation is thrilled to welcome Casey Flores as the new Communications Manager for the Touchstone Foundation. Casey comes to us with an impressive background

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Student Symposium

Student Symposium Click here to register Join us on Friday, November 7th, 2025 for our second-annual Student Symposium!    The Touchstone Foundation will host our

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Welcome Lindsay,

We are excited to welcome Lindsay Ditlow, who is joining us as one of our 2024-2025 interns. Lindsay grew up in Dayton, Ohio. She received

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Sobeida’s Farewell

After just over two years at Touchstone Foundation, Communications & Development Manager Sobeida Rosa is leaving us on May 31. Sobeida plans to continue her

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Self-Care for Parents

What does self-care look like as a parent? As a parent or caregiver, your first priority is usually not yourself. You worry about your kids,

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Welcome, Dom

We’re excited to welcome Dominic Taylor, who is joining us as one of our summer 2024 interns. Dominic is from Lancaster, PA and will be

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Welcome, Sarah

We’re excited to welcome Sarah Laney, who is joining us as one of our summer 2024 interns. Sarah is from Lebanon, PA and will be

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Welcome, Emily

We’re excited to welcome Emily Crahall, who is joining us as one of our Fall 2023 Interns. Emily is from Dallas, PA and will be

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Welcome, Bemnet

We’re excited to welcome Bemnet Bekele, who is joining us as one of our Fall 2023 Interns. Bemnet will be graduating Millersville University in May

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Welcome, Julia

We’re excited to welcome Julia Longenecker, who joined us as our Communications and Marketing Assistant at the beginning of May. Julia is from Ephrata, PA

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2022 Grant and Scholarship Applications Are Open

LANCASTER, PA – The Touchstone Foundation (formerly LOHF, the Lancaster Osteopathic Health Foundation) is now accepting applications for its annual Children’s Behavioral Health Grants and Mental Health Careers Scholarships. Each year the Touchstone Foundation

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Welcome, Sobeida Rosa!

We are thrilled to announce and welcome Sobeida Rosa to our staff as our Communications & Development Manager at Touchstone Foundation! Sobeida comes to us

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Staff Change

After more than 5 years at LOHF, Communication Director Jeannette Scott is leaving us on Dec. 10. Jeannette will continue to grow her leadership and

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Program Spotlight: Grants

Youth and children are experiencing anxiety, depression and other mental health problems in record numbers, even more so since the pandemic. Many of them have

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Welcome, Amy Swanger!

We are pleased to welcome Amy Swanger to our staff as our Operations Manager! Amy comes to us with a wealth of experience, leadership, and

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Welcome, Victoria!

We’re excited to welcome Victoria Carty, who joined us as a summer intern on June 21. Victoria will be a senior at Franklin and Marshall

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Celebrating Progress

Lancaster Clinical Supervision Collaborative Marks 1 Year This month, we are completing the first year of our three-year effort to help 30 mental health providers

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Welcome New Board Members

In March, we welcomed new board members. We look forward to their leadership and insight. Stacey Denlinger, DO is a physician at CovenantMD, Lancaster. She

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Recognize and Respond to Warning Signs of Teens at Risk of Suicide

Suicide affects millions of people in the United States every year. There were 1.4 million recorded suicide attempts in 2018 alone, many the result of untreated depression. Suicide also causes emotional devastation and triggers depression for the loved ones left behind who may be crushed by regret, guilt, and unspeakable grief. Learn more about how to seek help for friends and loved ones here.

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COVID mental health resources

Don’t Fight Depression Alone. Get Copay Assistance, Medication Assistance, or Join a Free Support Group.

In response to accelerated need for mental healthcare, Lancaster Cares issued a grant to LOHF to broaden eligibility for its free Mental Health Copay Assistance program. The program expanded beyond the previous restrictions of ages 0-25 and those with dependent children to include any county resident whose income is impacted by COVID-19. LOHF has also collaborated with Mental Health America of Lancaster County (MHA) to include LOHF’s copay program in MHA’s bundle of free mental health services.

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Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Although most people in the general population have heard of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), this term is relatively new. The term “autism” was first coined in the 1950s by Dr. Leo Kanner, who identified a group of children demonstrating unique characteristics in social and communication skills, as well as odd repetitive behaviors.

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Mental Health Resources for Spanish-Speakers in Lancaster County

In these difficult times it is often hard to know where to turn to for resources. The feelings of grief, loss, and frustration are ever present. Please know that LOHF is here to offer support to all members of our diverse community. Below are some resources specific to our Spanish-speaking residents.

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Overview of Mental Health Treatment Options

Treatment and care for mental health-related issues occurs in a variety of settings. The specific setting, and level or type of care, depends on a few factors: the nature and severity of the person’s mental condition, their physical health, and the type of treatment that is needed. The primary treatment settings for receiving mental health care or services are hospital inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient care, and outpatient. Mental healthcare services are also increasingly being provided by telephone and videoconferencing (such as Facetime, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, etc.)

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A Year of Reflection

By Shanece Bowman, LOHF Programs Manager Before beginning my position at LOHF as Programs Manager last year, I developed a passion for children’s mental health

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COVID-19 prompts community support for mental healthcare demand, expanding copay assistance and other mental health services

Behavioral healthcare providers were already struggling to meet demand for services. The impact of COVID-19 has made access to mental health services even more challenging. Many more people are experiencing anxiety and depression and cannot access care due to job loss or reduction of hours and pay. This is especially true for some of our most vulnerable—youth, children, and young adults.

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Announcing the LOHF Clinical Supervision Collaborative!

LANCASTER, PA – LOHF announces the first eight organizations to join the new LOHF Clinical Supervision Collaborative (LCSC) in response to the inadequate supply of child/youth mental healthcare professionals in Lancaster County. This is funded for 3 years, in part by a grant from the Steinman Foundation

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$62,500 in grants awarded; more funds available this fall

LOHF recently awarded funding to four Lancaster County children’s behavioral health programs. These programs improve the mental well-being of youth and children, especially those who may not otherwise get the support they need. The LOHF grants program is an important part of our strategy to improve access to behavioral healthcare for young people in Lancaster County.

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The Trauma of Systemic Racism

Black Lives Matter. We need to do better, because our friends and neighbors deserve better. All human beings deserve dignity and respect. Our community is hurting, our nation is hurting, and this hurt has been festering far too long.

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Helping Professionals: How’s your self-care? Here’s something just for you.

In support of helping professionals during COVID-19, we hosted a Zoom series “Self-Care Check-in for Helping Professionals.” Here, we have provided the recordings and links from each one. Each 30-minute session includes practice of at least one self-care exercise, and an interactive discussion with a special guest on a particular aspect of self-care for those caring for others. These are inclusive for any helping professional, whether on the frontlines of managing the pandemic, or helping people in other ways. This includes healthcare professionals, teachers, counselors, and so many more professions that serve others. We hope this will be a helpful resource to revisit from time to time, and to share with others.

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Helping kids cope with anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic

When I (John) arrived at the grocery store today, I was shocked by what I saw. Lines were 10 deep at the checkout and shelves had been swept clean of canned foods, toilet paper, bottled water and cleaning supplies. There was a palatable feeling of anxiety there with grim faces and tight body language.

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Keeping Kids Resilient

Anna and Mia Kennedy Keeping Kids Resilient Helping them cope with upsetting things in life and the news By Anna Kennedy, Executive Director My daughter,

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We’re Hiring at LOHF

We’re Hiring at LOHF We are in search of a part-time Programs Manager. This person will oversee LOHF’s five programs: NavWell, Children’s Behavioral Health Grants,

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2019 Nurse Scholarships Awarded

The Lancaster Osteopathic Health Foundation (LOHF) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2019 Nurse Education Scholarship. The purpose of the Nurse Education Scholarship Program

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New Year, Clear Focus

By Anna Kennedy, LOHF Executive Director It’s going to be a happy new year at LOHF, and for the community we serve. We’ve spent the

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Every Child Matters

Guest Post by John Walker, Board Chair More often than I would like, I hear about kids who need help with anxiety and depression. I

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It’s All about the Kids

Our mission is to elevate the mental well-being of Lancaster County children. Children like 16-year-old Alicia* whose suicidal thoughts and experimentation with cutting were unnoticed

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Nursing Scholarship Applications

Now Accepting Nurse Scholarship Applications Each year nursing scholarships are awarded to deserving students beginning their nursing education as well as students who are advancing

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Volunteers Drive Our Mission

LOHF is governed by an all-volunteer board and committees. We could not accomplish the mission of improving children’s behavioral health without their diverse perspective, expertise,

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My Journey to Become an RN

Guest Post by Jeimary Ramos Malave, RN and LOHF Scholarship Recipient This month I assisted in my first delivery of a refugee patient’s baby at

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Celebrating Successful Outcomes!

  Thank you community partners, donors, and volunteers. Let’s celebrate success highlights from the children’s behavioral health grant reports that just came in! These grants

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LOHF Awards $32,500 in Local Grants

Lancaster Osteopathic Health Foundation (LOHF) awards $32,500 in grants to improve access to behavioral healthcare and mental wellbeing for Lancaster County children and teens. Another

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