NEWS YOU CAN USE
New Medicaid Rules Would Limit Care for Children in Foster Care and People With Disabilities in Ways Congress Did Not Intend
Recently the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published interim final rules to govern case management services provided by state Medicaid programs. Although CMS claims that the new rules are necessary to implement changes made by Congress in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities asserts that the new rules actually go well beyond what Congress intended in the DRA. They argue that these new Medicaid rules would have a severe detrimental impact on beneficiaries, particularly poor children in foster care.
» Learn more about the new Medicaid rules (PDF).
Monthly Focus for Schools to Address Barriers to Learning
The month of February serves as the midpoint of the school year, which means conferences and report cards. UCLA’s Center for Mental Health in Schools claims that in the first semester, the parent, teacher, student relationship should be formed. This proves to be true especially for children with learning, behavior, or emotional issues. Research reveals the spring semester is usually a time of increased depression and suicide attempts. According to the February issue of UCLA Monthly E-News Newsletter, Volume 12 there are ways to problem solve as well as ways to plan for a successful school year with a productive parent, teacher, student relationship.
» Learn more about ways to address barriers to learning.
Discussion Board Features Community Evaluation Teams
The latest topic of discussion on the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health (FFCMH) features information and comments on community evaluation teams. After reading the posted content, readers may add their own ideas or comments. The topic will change from time to time, so visitors are encouraged to check back frequently to view others' ideas and newly posted discussion topics. All discussions will be archived for future access as they are closed.
» Visit the latest discussion topic on community evaluation teams.
President Bush Establishes Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs
On February 7, President Bush signed an Executive Order establishing the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs, a coalition of Federal agencies that will help support communities and organizations working on behalf of our nation's youth. The order builds on the success of Helping America's Youth, a three-year interagency initiative announced by President Bush in his 2005 State of the Union address.
» Access the President’s Executive Order.
The Technical Assistance Partnership Unveils the New Cultural and Linguistic Competence Implementation Guide
The TA Partnership’s Cultural and Linguistic Competence Implementation Guide has just been released and is posted on the Cultural and Linguistic Competence Community of Practice Web page. The TA Partnership Cultural Competence Action Team (CCAT) developed the Implementation Guide to provide community examples, best practices, and information on specific tools and resources that can assist systems of care communities, partnering agencies, and organizations to build and promote CLC. The Implementation Guide is a living document that will be updated at regular intervals.
» Access the Implementation Guide.
Survey Indicates the Risks for Youth Using Social Networking Web Sites
A survey of 1600 youth ages 10 to 15 years reported on their experiences using social networking Web sites. In spite of supposed restrictions placed by on Web sites 15% reported unwanted solicitations and 33% sexual harassment. The article concludes that families must continue to talk with their children about these issues and not rely solely on safe guards that restrict access to such Web sites.
» Learn more about the survey results.
President Bush's 2009 Budget Cuts $198 Million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
President Bush's FY2009 budget plan slashed $198 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and calls for the elimination of Recovery Community Support Programs and the STOP Underage Drinking program. Drug-prevention and other advocates are raising concern over the plan.
» Read this article.
Black History Month: An Opportunity to Encourage Black Youth Entrepreneurship Education
As part of their efforts to make education more relevant to African American youth, George Waters and Aaron Bocage, founders of the Education, Training and Enterprise Center (EDTEC) wrote a book entitled Making Money the Old-Fashioned Way: A Story of Black Entrepreneurship. The book provides an accurate chronicle of the rich entrepreneurial history of African Americans and serves as a valuable how-to-guide to help youth succeed in the world of entrepreneurship.
» Read more about this book.
Systems of Care Promotes Increased Community Access to Mental Health Services
One of the major advantages of having systems of care is the promotion of increasing access to mental health services and supports in the community for families. The following link is an example of why the expansion of this access is so imperative. Many families have struggled raising their children with mental health issues due to limited access and limitations from a socio-economic standpoint.
» Access the mental health study.