The Application of the Ten Principles of the Wraparound Process to the Role of Family Partners on Wraparound Teams
This document, authored by members of the National Wraparound Initiative’s Family Partner Task Force, outlines what the family partner does on wraparound teams in order to support the implementation of each of the “Ten Principles of the Wraparound Process.”
Access the report (PDF).
Tuning In To Your Child’s Temperament
This issue of The Parent Letter, a publication from the New York University Child Study Center, discusses the issue of children’s temperaments and explains how parents can respond to children with difficult temperaments.
Access the issue (PDF).
Challenges and Opportunities in Children’s Mental Health: A View from Families and Youth
This report summarizes the perspectives of participants at a National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) meeting focused on the status of family and youth support and advocacy systems. It also details innovative interventions that strengthen family and youth voice in mental health policy and service planning that is directed by or heavily involves families, youth, and community advocates.
Access the report (PDF).
A Family Guide to Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy and Drug Free
This Web site was developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to help families promote their child's mental health and reduce his or her risk of becoming involved with alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. The site offers information on situations and conditions that decrease a child's chances of engaging in risky behaviors, as well as discussion on risk factors. Additionally, the site presents topics on how to improve family communication and “family time.”
Access the Web site.
November 2007
Quick Guide for Self-Assessment of Family-Run Organizations in Systems of Care
The Research and Training Center (RTC) for Children’s Mental Health at the University of South Florida’s national survey of family-run organizations has led to the development of two products:
- A Quick Guide for Self Assessment of Family-Run Organizations in Systems of Care (PDF) is a technical assistance tool for family-run organizations. This guide examines the necessary elements for developing and sustaining effective family-run organizations in a system of care.
- The National Directory of Family-Run Organizations (PDF) is a searchable database of family-run organizations that focus on supporting families and improving mental health services.
National Consumer-Supporter Technical Assistance Center Community Needs Assessment
The National Consumer-Supporter Technical Assistance Center (NCSTAC) has published The NCSTAC Community Needs Assessment, an assessment tool designed for organizations working to improve mental health services and supports in their local communities. This assessment covers the following topic areas: Community Demographics; Consumer Leadership; Service Gaps; Barriers to Receiving Recovery-Oriented Services; and Organization of Services and Funding.
To access this document, visit http://www.ncstac.org/content/materials/CommunityNeedsAssessment.pdf (PDF).
Making It Work: When Families that Represent a Service Population Become Employees
This guide was created in 2002 by the Consortium for the Employment of Parent Representatives and is aimed at organizations that employ family members and family representatives themselves. It outlines suggested approaches and considerations for each step in the hiring/employing of a family representative process, and offers helpful solutions to common issues that may arise. It also includes a sample job description, contract, and position evaluation.
To access this guide, visit http://www.ftnys.org/Parentworkersmanual.pdf (PDF).
The President's New Freedom Initiative: The 2007 Progress Report
This year’s progress report from the President’s New Freedom Initiative has been released. The report provides updates on the following topics: increasing access through technology; expanding educational opportunities for youth with disabilities; integrating Americans with disabilities into the workplace; and promoting full access to community life.
To find out more about this report, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom/newfreedom-report-2007.html.
October 2007
The focus of this month's resource is due to an issue Family Leaders are facing in their grant cycle, no matter which year it is. For us, it is the "pink-elephant-in-the-room." What is this issue? SUSTAINABILITY.
For many family organizations this is a real concern, whether the matter is to sustain funding, activities or whatever the issue is. Some family organizations started out as grassroots organizations, at either the basement or kitchen table. When they became involved in systems of care, many began to grow with the added funding and really carved their niches in their communities and with their prospective peers across the country, with the networking and other opportunities that systems of care provided. Where sustainability can help, to prevent organizations losing their footing and being forced back to the kitchen tables, is by looking at this issue from the beginning, rather then at or near the end of their funding cycle.
Some things to consider as the end-of-grant award date approaches are:
- Strategies to continue funding–can those matched dollars used during the grant period create permanent support beyond the grant?
- Are you looking beyond one source for funding?
- Are there any supports in your community that can offer in-kind matches instead of or in addition to monetary supports?
- Is fundraising part of your financing plan?
- Are your activities generating revenue? Can the ones that are cover the expenses for the ones that are not, which are necessary to keep your organization dedicated to its mission?
The Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health, a collaborative partner of the TA Partnership, has a series of fact sheets. One of them, Sustaining Family-Run Organizations (PDF), is a wonderful tool to aid in this effort, regardless of the stage an organization may be in.
Each year, as funded grant sites graduate from their funding period, information is obtained from them on feedback of their experiences while they were funded. A compilation of that feedback has been captured and has created what is now known as the Sustainability Toolkit. This information is a work in progress.
Some other resource options that may be helpful are:
In addition to the resources indicated above, please take a moment to look at some current resources, which are available to your systems of care program. As you know, national meetings are another source of information related to this topic. Currently some of the meetings that occur that are counted as your mandated meetings per your Grants Management Cooperative Agreement include the following:
- Systems of Care Meetings
- University of South Florida Annual Conference
- Portland State University Biannual Conference
- Georgetown University Training Institutes
- Federation of Families Annual Conference
In addition, the TA Partnership offers the following technical supports as well:
- Community Meetings
- Key Family Contact Calls
- Regional Technical Assistance Coordinators
- Co-Family Involvement Resource Specialists
As you work in this endeavor, please remember that your efforts are to retain the hard work you have implemented in this great challenging work you have been doing. With these efforts we are transforming the mental health and ideally the overall public health systems. WE ARE ALL CHANGE AGENTS!
July 2007
This month, System of Care communities will ask family members to travel to New Orleans for the SOC Summer 2007 meeting. Below are resources you may need to know before you go. Please review the resources on childcare and respite information for the greater New Orleans area as well as how reimbursement of these types of services is handled in the various SOC communities. Your community may reimburse family members, or arrangements may be handled before travel takes place, but either way families should be aware of the available resources. A tip sheet has also been developed by the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health that gives helpful tips to families who are attending conferences, meetings, etc. on behalf of their community.
Respite in New Orleans
Southern Ingenuity
223 North Rendon
New Orleans, LA 70119
1-504-821-4072
Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans, Inc.
201 Evans Road
Building 1, Suite 100
Harahan, LA 70123
1-504-888-9111 or 1-800-766-7736
Jubilee Respite Services Inc.
4480 Gen Degaulle Dr.
Suite 107
New Orleans, LA 70131
1-504-394-7700
Child Care Providers within a 5-7 mile radius of the hotel:
Miss Dee's Child Care Learning (4.29 miles away)
1539 Bartholomew St
New Orleans, LA
1-504-884-1752
Grace Child Center (5.20 miles away)
3700 Canal St
New Orleans, LA
1-504-488-6849
Kidopolis Child Development Center (5.55 miles away)
127 Elk Pl
New Orleans, LA
1-504-988-7479
Heal Child Care Center (5.61 miles away)
300 LaSalle St # C
New Orleans, LA
1-504-568-3083
Royal Castle Child Development Center (6.05 miles away)
3800 Eagle St
New Orleans, LA
1-504-488-1045
Cuddly Bear Child Development (6.06 miles away)
1122 Teche St
New Orleans, LA
504-364-0423
Presbyterian Child Development Center (6.44 miles away)
105 Codifer Blvd
Metairie, LA
1-504-833-9463
Angels Child Care & Pre School (6.51 miles away)
3112 Jackson Ave
New Orleans, LA
1-504-525-5034
Candy Cane Child Care Center (6.71 miles away)
3843 General Meyer Ave
New Orleans, LA
1-504-366-7403
Sources: Child care centers (compiled by Agenda for Children based on records from the Louisiana Department of Social Services, Bureau of Licensing), neighborhoods (New Orleans City Planning), other boundaries (Census TIGER)
An organization that may be able to assist with travel needs is the Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH), also available at 1-212-447-7284 which offers a wealth of travel resources for people with all types of disabilities and informed recommendations on destinations, access guides, travel agents, tour operators, vehicle rentals, and companion services.
If you are taking your child with you and know no one locally, you can:
- Contract with someone locally—this can be coordinated through the local family organization, which may be able to recommend individuals/agencies that offer child care services. If you do not know the local family organization, you can contact your RTAC to connect you with the meeting coordinator, who can also serve as a local host.
- Check with the agency hosting the conference—there may be someone the organizers have contracted with to provide these services.
- Bring someone from your community to offer this support.
The question of how to pay for this support is something that should be discussed before the meeting as your community is identifying who will be attending the meeting. The process of payment should be handled the same manner that a respite service is provided; your initiative should have or create a policy for this implementation. This may be included in either or both of your stipend and flex fund policies.
Federation of Families' Tip Sheet for Families Traveling
Family Members Preparing to Travel
Family members, get clear details about how you are going to travel:
- When should you leave? When will you return home?
How will you travel? If by air, train, or bus, how do you get your ticket?
- How early do you need to arrive at the airport, train station, or bus terminal?
- What can you carry with you and what should you be ready to have the carrier handle?
- What are the name, address, and phone number of the hotel where you will be staying?
- How are you supposed to get from the airport or train station to the hotel?
- What is the confirmation number for your reservation?
- Most hotels require a credit card on arrival for what they call incidentals (any extra expenses charged to your room, like dry cleaning or movies). What are you supposed to do if you don't have a credit card?
What expenses will your system of care cover?
- The Federation recommends: $.33 per mile for travel by car; $8.00 for breakfast; $11.00 for lunch; and $23.00 for dinner.
- Family members should expect to receive a cash advance, prior to travel, including:
- child care expenses for while you are away (unless you are traveling as part your paid employment or receiving a consultant's fee for your work);
- ground transportation & parking expenses;
- meals during travel and on site.
- Ask if you need to save receipts or otherwise track the money you spend.
- Your program should provide you with long distance access for at least one call home per day. Be sure to understand the process for paying for these calls prior to travel. Sometimes a pre-paid calling card will be provided. Instructions for use are on the cards, but ask for help if you need it.
What should you do to stay in contact with family members left at home?
Leave a copy of your contact information at home in case someone needs to get in touch with you. When you arrive at the hotel, ask the front desk to be sure your name is on your room reservation so that your family can be connected to your room if they call the hotel.
Disclaimer: Whichever choice you make regarding your children's care, please be sure to remember that you must hold the childcare provider responsible should anything unforeseen happen, and not the Technical Assistance Partnership nor the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health organization.
May 2007
May has been officially recognized as "Mental Health Month" by Congress since 1949 and it is the perfect time for parents and caregivers to focus on children's and adolescents' mental health. May 8th has been designated to do just that. There are many things that parents and caregivers can do to support children's emotional health and well-being. Make a commitment to help the children and adolescents in your life. You can do this by:
- Learning more about mental well-being in children.
- Celebrating the accomplishments and strengths of children.
- Fostering self-worth and independence in children.
- Helping children express their feelings.
- Promoting mutual respect and trust.
- Recognizing the strengths in all children.
- Appreciating each child's uniqueness.
- Encouraging individual talents.
- Helping children set goals based on their abilities and interests.
- Showing confidence in their ability to handle problems and tackle new experiences.
Just what is childhood depression?
During a time of many changes and challenges, developing bodies and social and academic stresses make for a difficult period for many youth. Yet most of them get through these years with only short-term feelings of sadness or irritability. While people sometimes use the word "depressed" to describe how they feel, there is also a psychiatric disorder known as "clinical depression" or "major depression." Depression is a disorder characterized by persistent depressed (sad) mood which may last months or even years. It can occur at any age through the lifespan.
We do not yet completely understand the processes in the brain and the mind that lead to or sustain a depression. Some people seem to be a greater genetic risk for depression than others, just like some people are at greater genetic risk for hypertension, obesity, adult-onset diabetes and other "complex" genetic disorders (disorders where the risk is associated with a number of genes each of which somewhat increase the risk rather than diseases associated with a single gene which "causes" the disease). Environmental factors on average have about as much influence on who gets a depression as do genetic factors. Again, this makes depression almost exactly like other similar "complex" genetic disorders with strong environmental contributions (e.g. hypertension, obesity, adult-onset diabetes). Adverse life stresses, perhaps particularly interpersonal "loss" events (e.g. death of a parent) increase the hazard for a depression.
Some medical conditions need to be ruled out before a diagnosis of depression is made. Your child should be assessed for alcohol and drug use, which can cloud the picture as well as raise safety concerns. Depression in adolescents is a major public health concern. If you are concerned that your child may have depression, you need to obtain an accurate diagnosis for your child that includes a comprehensive understanding of your child's needs in multiple settings, including home, school, and in peer relationships. You will also need to make sure that your child is assessed for suicide risk.
Is safety really a concern with adolescent depression?
Yes. Depression causes negative thinking, and teens with depression often think about death. It is critical to develop a safety plan given the risk of suicide in teens with depression. Talk with a qualified and trained mental health or primary care professional about what should be in the safety plan. These plans should be specific and individualized to address the unique needs of your child. A safety plan must include your removing any objects from the house that might be used to commit suicide. Guns should be removed from the house at least temporarily, or at a minimum, kept under lock and key and not accessible by the youth. If locked guns are kept in the house, all ammunition should be removed. Other items, such as poisons and prescription and over-the-counter medications, should be temporarily removed or made inaccessible to the teen, along with all sharp knives.
It is important to note that, like all medications, antidepressant medications can be lethal if ingested in massive quantities or in combination with other medications or substances (such as illegal drugs or alcohol). Therefore, families should treat antidepressant medications as they would any other potentially harmful substance. The family caregiver should be responsible for securing and administering the correct dosages to the individual at the right times. Also, the safety plan should include trying not to leave your child home alone during the first few weeks of treatment with medication.
"Self-medication" (using alcohol or street drugs to change how one feels) is a concern, as it increases the risks of suicide and other self-harming behaviors.
Alcohol and drug use can be both a cause of, and a consequence of, depression. It is important to talk with adolescents about getting support for sobriety during the depression if substance abuse is suspected. Families sometimes must make extremely difficult decisions, including— as a last resort— the decision to hospitalize a child against his or her wishes. Taking this step may be the most painful thing that a parent or caregiver ever does. Be sure to get good input about safety-related concerns from a professional who is trusted and trained to treat adolescents with depression.
How is adolescent depression different from adult depression?
Adolescents are thought to differ from adults with depression because they often experience symptoms of irritability, anger, and self-criticism more commonly than feelings of sadness and a loss of energy. Also, school performance frequently drops off for adolescents struggling with depression— sometimes dramatically. Adolescents with depression often visit the school nurse more frequently with vague body complaints like headaches and stomachaches. They may also get more involved in physical fights with their peers, take more risks, and even shoplift or engage in sex. Loss of interest in peers is a "red flag" for adolescent depression, as these relationships are key to normal development. Adolescence is a time when peer relationships are central to the task of becoming an adult. When adolescents are depressed, talk with them about how to use their peers and other important people in their life to support them.
How does my family history play into decisions about treatment?
Family history is a clue to genetic risk for depression, but it is not enough on which to base a diagnosis or treatment plan. A family with individuals with bipolar disorder should be cautious about using antidepressant medications and may want to talk with their child's provider about the appropriateness of combining antidepressant medication with a mood stabilizer. The chance that an adolescent could have undetected bipolar illness is real, because the first episode of bipolar disorder can be depression. A family history of depression or suicide may indicate the need for more aggressive treatment because these factors may lead to a heightened risk of suicide in your child. This is part of the risk-benefit analysis that should be discussed with your treating provider.
How can I be an effective advocate for my child?
You are your child's strongest advocate. You have a right to any and all information available about the nature of your child's illness, the treatment options, and the risks and benefits of treatment. You should ensure that your child receives a comprehensive evaluation and an appropriate diagnosis, and you should have no qualms about seeking a second opinion if you have questions or concerns. Ask a lot of questions about any proposed diagnosis or treatment. Help your child learn, in an age-appropriate way, about his or her illness so that he or she can be an active partner in treatment. Having a child with depression can be a frightening experience for family and loved ones, especially if a child has had a suicide attempt or engaged in self injurious behaviors. It may be helpful to find a trusted friend, family member, or professional for support and guidance. This will help parents and caregivers to cope with their child's illness and to provide the child with the support and advocacy that he or she may need.
If more information is needed, a list of family organizations is below or, as always, you may contact the Co-Family Involvement Resource Specialists on the Technical Assistance Partnership's website: www.tapartnership.org/advisors/family
NAMI
www.nami.org
Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
www.bpkids.org
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
www.chadd.org
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
www.dbsalliance.org
Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association
www.drada.org
Families for Depression Awareness
www.familyaware.org
Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
www.ffcmh.org
National Mental Health Association
www.nmha.org
Suicide Prevention Action Networks
www.span.org
PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS AND CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
www.aacap.org
American Academy of Pediatrics
www.aap.org
American Psychiatric Association
www.psych.org
American Psychological Association
www.apa.org
Center for the Advancement of Children's Mental Health
www.kidsmentalhealth.org
FEDERAL AGENCIES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
www.fda.gov
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
www.nimh.nih.gov
Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS)
www.mentalhealth.org
References:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
March 2007
Family Organization Sustainability Funding Resources
Developing family-run organizations are encouraged to investigate available fiscal sponsors in their system of care communities. Creating partnerships and showing the outcomes of work involving family partners oftentimes opens the door for local partners to provide funding, even after the SAMHSA dollars are gone. But if that does not happen, you're faced with the question: "How do we get the support we need to exist once the grant dollars leave our community?" This question is one most family organizations ask themselves when funding is ending and the necessary steps to get to a place of independence have not been given adequate attention. In many cases, this situation is so new that you and your organization are unaware of the process or steps needed to find funding. Below are resources that can help you begin the process of obtaining funding to sustain your family organization.
grassrootsfundraising.org: This site will clue you in on the three most important things you need to know concerning fundraising.
foundationcenter.org: This organization is supported by more than 600 foundations. The Foundation Center connects nonprofits and grant-makers, and provides tools and trustworthy information to use while attempting to acquire funding. They also offer a free online training course, "Getting Ready for Foundation Funding," that teaches strategies nonprofits can use in becoming a viable and effective organization.
Fundraisersoftware.com: This organization offers FundClass, which is a free online tutor that teaches fundraising lessons in an informal online classroom.
Nutsbolts.com: This site offers a tip sheet on how to raise funds.
The Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health also has on its website a very useful publication called "Tips for Developing Sustainable Family-Run Organizations." Take a look at this publication and other information at: www.ffcmh.org
We hope you find all of these resources helpful. As always, please give us a call if we can help you in any way. Our contact information is on the Technical Assistance Partnership's website.
Until next month,
Gwen Palmer, Co-Family Involvement Resource Specialist
Kim Williams, Co-Family Involvement Resource Specialist
January 2007
A resource provided by our TAP Associate Director inspired more research on resources that would benefit families and youth who are in the military for this month's list of available resources.
National Military Family Association, Inc.
The National Military Family Association is the only private national organization dedicated to identifying and resolving issues of concern to military families. NMFA's mission is to serve the families of the seven uniformed services through education, information and advocacy. Visit NMFA at http://www.nmfa.org
EFMP Connections for military families with special needs
The site provides families and those who support the families with access to information on numerous military and community resources. Find out more at http://www.family-networks.org/military.cfm
Military Child Education Coalition
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is working to solve the challenge of helping schools and military installations deliver accurate, timely information to meet transitioning parent and student needs, and in the development and education of children from military families. Get more from MCEC at http://www.militarychild.org
Children and youth can have trouble handling the emotions of fear, anger and grief, and the continuing national war on terrorism raises the emotional stakes. Children and youth whose parents have been deployed or may be deployed soon may find these resources helpful:
