Practice-relevant information in the areas of Mental Health, Education, Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Family Involvement,

A Conceptual Framework for Developing and Implementing Effective Policy in Children’s Mental Health

This article presents a framework to be used in studying public policy development and implementation in children’s mental health. In particular, it focuses on policy related to the establishment of community-based systems of care. The framework is based on a review of the literature on policy development and implementation. It focuses on four dimensions: the stages of policy development and implementation, the relationships among different levels of government, the relationships among different service sectors, and variables that affect the likelihood that a policy will achieve its intended effect.

To view this article, visit http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m0FCB/1_11/98829024/print.html.

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Applying the American Psychological Association (APA) Cultural Competency Guidelines: A Cultural and Cognitive Flex Perspective

The authors of this paper provide a conceptual framework from which effective treatment of culturally and racially diverse clients can begin to be understood. The paper focuses on multicultural competency as carried out by mental health practitioners and addresses the three major goals of cultural competency—awareness, knowledge/sensitivity, and skills.

To view the paper, visit http://www.apa.org/divisions/div12/tcp_journals/tcp_fa03.pdf

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Youngsters’ Mental Health and Psychosocial Problems: What Are the Data?

It is widely acknowledged that available information on prevalence and incidence of mental health and psychosocial problems and related service provisions varies markedly in both quantity and quality. As a result, available data are limited by sampling and methodological constraints. Therefore, the appropriate generalizability of findings is significantly constricted.

The intent of this report is to provide a synthesis of the best available data and to clarify the limitations of what has been gathered so far. Because of the inadequacies of current data gathering, the information in the report reflects best estimates of mental health problems in schools, primary health care systems, and juvenile justice systems.

To view the entire report, visit http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/pdfdocs/prevalence/youthMH.pdf.

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Changing Children’s Trajectories of Development: Two-Year Evidence for the Effectiveness of a School-Based Approach to Violence Prevention

This research brief describes one of the largest and longest running school-based violence prevention programs in the country—the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program—and discusses the results of a rigorous evaluation of its effectiveness conducted by the National Center for Children in Poverty at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. The brief is designed to inform federal, state, and local policymakers and opinion leaders, as well as program developers and managers at the local level, of an effective strategy for directly addressing the problem of violence among children and youth.

To view this research brief, visit http://www.nccp.org/media/tcr03-text.pdf

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Online Training Course Teaches Advocacy Skills

Making Your Case is a self-study course designed to help people with developmental disabilities and their families create positive change through advocacy. The course was created by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities.

For more information, visit http://www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/makingyourcase/.

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Early Intervention Initiative Combats Youth Drug Use

The Office of National Drug Control Policy’s National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign launched the Early Intervention Initiative, a new campaign that harnesses the power of parents and peers to stop youth drug use. By encouraging parental monitoring and involvement to prevent drug use among youth, the Early Intervention Initiative focuses on those closest to youth through print, radio, and online advertising.

Resources for parents, caregivers, community leaders, and teens are available at http://www.mediacampaign.com/early_intv/index.html.