Child Development Conference Call Series

The last Wednesday of every month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m

The Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development is launching a conference call series for practitioners on the social-emotional development of young children. Topics such as early brain research, risk and resilience, curricula for promoting healthy social-emotional development, and the impact of maternal depression on young children will be covered.

To be added to the call, send an email to MelKisha Knight at mk73@georgetown.edu.

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System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base

February 29–March 3, 2004—Tampa, FL

The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health’s Annual Research Conference is nationally recognized for creating a forum to explore contemporary, empirical research on systems of care that promote the emotional and behavioral well being of children and their families. The Center extends a national and international invitation to researchers, evaluators, providers, administrators, educators and family members to add their knowledge and experience. Some of the topics that will be explored and discussed at the conference include school/mental health collaborative models and partnerships, partnerships with family members, juvenile justice/mental health collaborative models and partnerships, and cultural competency.

For a full list of topics and registration information, visit http://rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu/rtcconference/about.htm.

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Promising Practices for School-Based Gang Prevention and Intervention

March 9-10, 2004—Cincinnati, OH

The Eastern Kentucky University Violence Prevention Project, with support and funding from the Hamilton Fish Institute on School and Community Violence and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, will host this national conference.

The Conference Planning Committee has put together a unique program of individuals, schools, agencies, etc. that have implemented successful strategies to reduce, eliminate, or prevent gangs from operating in or around school grounds. In addition, the conference will feature gang experts who will share their experience and expertise with attendees in the areas of youth gangs; gang proliferation/prevalence; risk factors for membership; females and gangs; signs, symbols and behaviors of gangs; graffiti and tattoo identification; gangs and delinquency; urban, suburban, and rural gangs; gang research; resources for school resource officers; and other relevant school-based gang topics.

For registration forms and general conference information, visit www.vpp.eku.edu.

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National Association of School Psychologists 2004 Annual Conference—Mind Matters: All Children Can Learn

March 30–April 3, 2004—Dallas, TX

Attendees will be a part of the largest annual gathering of school psychologists and related professionals in the world. The convention will focus on learning the latest and most effective products, services, training, and best practices to improve their skills. There will be more than 600 presentations and special events related to education and mental health issues affecting children and youth.

For additional information, visit http://www.nasponline.org/conventions/index.html.

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National Conference on Child Health Psychology

April 15-17, 2004—Charleston, SC

The conference is designed for scientists and practitioners including psychologists, physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and other professionals providing care to children and will focus on the advancement of pediatric psychology.

For additional information and to register for the conference, visit http://www.apa.org/divisions/div54/springconference.htm.

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National Youth Service Day (NYSD)

April 16-18, 2004—Nationwide

National Youth Service Day (NYSD) is the largest service event in the world, mobilizing millions of young Americans to identify and address the needs of their communities through service. National Youth Service Day is also an opportunity to recruit the next generation of volunteers and educate the public about the role of youth as community leaders.

For additional information about NYSD, visit http://www.ysa.org/nysd/.

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2004 Building on Family Strengths Conference

May 6-8, 2004—Portland, OR

Registration information, an online registration form, and a preliminary agenda will be available in February 2004. Printed conference brochures will be mailed (and available for downloading) by mid-February.

Jane Knitzer of Columbia University will deliver the keynote address. Other confirmed plenary speakers include Robert Friedman of the University of South Florida, Andres Pumariega of Eastern Tennessee State University, and David Arredondo, M.D., of the Office of Child Development, Neuropsychiatry and Mental Health.

For more information about the Building on Family Strengths Conference, visit the conference Web pages at http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgConference.shtml.

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From Science to Services: Emerging Best Practices for People in Contact with the Justice System

May 12–14, 2004—Los Vegas, NV

Deadline: Call for proposals—December 16, 2003

The 2004 National GAINS Center Conference, From Science to Services: Emerging Best Practices for People in Contact With the Justice System, is now accepting proposals addressing mental health and substance abuse issues for people in contact with the justice system. The 2004 National GAINS Conference promises to be a vibrant, motivating gathering where providers, policy makers, administrators, researchers, consumers and family members will share their experiences in designing, implementing, and delivering innovative programs for people with co-occurring disorders in contact with the justice system. Strategies based on the recommendations of the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health will be highlighted while emerging best practices and evidenced-based practices will be the focus of the national conference.

For additional information and an application, visit http://www.gainsctr.com/pdfs/Call_for_Papers.pdf

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First Annual Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Conference

May 27-28, 2004—Chicago, IL

The Buddin Praed Foundation, Northwestern University’s Mental Health Services and Policy Program, and the Consortium for Communication-Based Outcomes Management present the first annual Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Conference. Join others who utilize the various versions of the CANS tools in helping better serve children and families around the country. Topics will include integrating outcomes management tools and strategies into an evolving system of care; integrating families into assessment, quality improvement, and evaluation within a wraparound program design; and using the CANS for outcomes of a mental health juvenile justice initiative.

For additional information and a registration form, click here

Global Health Council’s 31st Annual Conference—Youth and Health: Generation on the Edge

June 1–4, 2004—Washington, DC

The Global Health Council is a world alliance dedicated to saving lives by improving health throughout the world. Their mission is to mobilize effective action by advocating for needed policies and resources; building networks and alliances among those working to improve health; and communicating innovative ideas, knowledge, and best practices in the health field.

The Global Health Council’s Annual International Conference for 2004 will serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas and lessons learned regarding health-related interventions initiated for youth and, increasingly, by youth. The council is inviting health and development professionals, including providers, community organizers, program managers, policy makers, researchers, advocates, and youth from around the world to submit abstracts about the health risks and health-related development issues for youth.

For additional information on conference and abstract submissions, visit http://www.globalhealth.org/forms/conf2004/abstracts/index.php.

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National Mental Health Association’s 2004 Annual Conference—Justice for All: Fighting for America’s Mental Health

June 9–12, 2004—Washington, DC

The conference will focus on the barriers many people encounter in obtaining treatment for their mental illnesses. Special attention will be paid to the challenges faced by children, parents, and families when seeking care. Mental Health Associations and other partners will play significant roles in presenting workshops in five specific topic areas: advocacy, organizational capacity, public education, services and supports, and fundraising. Workshops selected for the conference should reflect the theme, address access to treatment- and community-based services, present new research or innovative approaches, and/or provide examples of evidence-based practices to resolve the overwhelming disparities presented in mental health care.

Conference attendees will advocate for the rights of people who have mental health disorders and their family members and friends. Of particular interest are the challenges faced by children, parents, and families when seeking care. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow advocates and mental health stakeholders to discuss how to improve mental health services for all Americans and learn important lessons and tips about public education and advocacy best practices.

For more information on the call for presentations, visit http://www.nmha.org/annualconference/2004callforpresentations.pdf.

For more information on the conference, visit http://www.nmha.org/annualconference/index.cfm.

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2004 School-Based Health Care Convention

June 17–19, 2004—New Orleans, LA

The National Assembly on School-based Health Care core purpose is to nurture interdisciplinary school-based health care. They believe that children and adolescents have the right to quality, accessible, confidential, culturally competent, comprehensive health services. The theme of this year’s conference, “Get Jazzed about School-Based Health Care,” reflects the convention’s location, which is in walking distance of the French Quarter, River Walk, Bourbon Street, live music, entertainment, and world renowned food.

To view the National Assembly on School-based Health Care’s Web site, visit http://www.nasbhc.org/Mission.htm.

*Stay posted for additional information on registration and content

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Call for Papers—Persistently Safe Schools: The National Conference of the Hamilton Fish Institute

October 27–29, 2004—Washington, DC

The conference is designed to highlight and review past and present school violence prevention milestones and to propose directions for future research, practice, and partnerships. The projected plenary and concurrent sessions are organized around the following subject tracks:

• Alternative education
• Bullying (student-on-student, student-on-teacher, teacher-on-student)
• Gender-related violence and issues
• School-based mental health
• Model interventions (universal, selective, and targeted)
• Risk and protective factors
• School security (including school bus safety)

Important dates include:

Abstracts due: January 30, 2004

Notification: March 31, 2004

Registration opens: April 2, 2004

Full paper due: May 5, 2004

Final paper due: September 10, 2004

For additional information and to submit a proposal online, visit http://www.hamfish.org/conference/.