TA Partnership Newsletter — December 2009/January 2010
Feature Articles
Youth Matter!
Meaningful Youth Involvement in Systems of Care: Tips to Help New Communities Get Started Part II
The work of engaging young people in decisions that affect their lives is important and exciting; however, it is not always easy. In an effort to be on track, it is common for newly funded systems of care communities to eagerly focus on recruiting youth, often with no clear purpose or strategy for doing so. This current tip sheet supplements the Youth Matters! article from September 2009 and is designed to help you get your youth involvement efforts started on the right track.
Highlights from the Field
The bi-monthly Highlights from the Field articles provide information about innovative and promising activities from the system of care communities supported by the TA Partnership in the hopes that communities can learn from their peers around the country.
Hover over the links below to view the descriptions.
News You Can Use
- Behind the mask: Ex-gang leader teams with nonprofit to help youth Ex-gang leader "Mr. X" has teamed up with a Maryland nonprofit organization to share his story with children and young adults who are at risk of entering or have already been through the juvenile justice system.
- High court justices ponder life imprisonment for juveniles The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard two cases raising the issue of whether or not juveniles should be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes other than murder.
- iPhone App for 12-Steppers Developed New application program for the Apple iPhone connects people in recovery with a support network of peers in the 12-step community.
- Mental Health of Adopted Children: Risks and Protective Factors This About Kids Health article discusses a recent study that found that adopted children are at a heightened risk for mental health and adjustment disorders, and presents tips for adoptive parents on how to create a positive family environment.
- Young Adults May Outgrow Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder has been thought of as a lifelong disorder, but University of Missouri researchers have found that nearly half of those diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 25 may outgrow the disorder by the time they reach 30.
Research Update
- Alcohol, Other Drugs (AOD), and Health: Current Evidence Bi-monthly newsletter from Boston University that summarizes the latest AOD clinical research.
- Bullying and Victimization Among Boys and Girls in Middle School: The Influence of Perceived Family and School Contexts Examines the association between students' perceptions of family and school experiences with their emotionality and involvement in bullying and victimization.
- Communities that Care A community-based prevention program has been shown to be effective at reducing high-risk behaviors such as initiation of alcohol and tobacco use in middle-school populations by tailoring best practices to their own specific context.
- Long-Term Depression Treatment Leads to Sustained Recovery for Most Teens A recent study conducted by the National Institute for Mental Health shows that many youth who suffer from major depression can benefit from long-term clinical monitoring and treatment.
- The Mental Health of Vulnerable Youth and Their Transition to Adulthood: Examining the Role of the Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, and Runaway/Homeless Systems This study focused on research questions related to the subject of how the mental health of youth affects their experience as they transition to adulthood, and if contact with one or more service systems affects the outcomes of youth as they transition to adulthood.
- Parent Training Complements Medication for Treating Behavioral Problems in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders This article discusses a National Institute of Mental Health study that found that parent training can enhance the effectiveness of treatment that includes medication, and can reduce serious behavioral problems in children with autism and related conditions.
- Parents and Friends May Protect Adolescents from Bullying Positive parental behaviors and friendships may protect adolescents from being selected as targets of bullies in different forms, including cyber-bullying.
- Poly-victimization Among Girls in the Juvenile Justice System: Manifestations and Associations to Delinquency Examines the range, diversity, and co-occurrence of different types of violence over the course of girls' lives, and the relationship of victimization to girls' offending.
- Secondhand Smoke and Respiratory Symptoms Among Adolescent Current Smokers (Abstract) A recent report from the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that youth who currently smoke and are also exposed to secondhand smoke are much more likely to have persistent respiratory symptoms (such as asthma) than those who are not so exposed.
- Study Explores the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) One of 91 children ages 3 to 17 (1.1% of children in the United States) were reported by parents to have autism spectrum disorder in 2007, with non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic multiracial children having lower odds (by 57% and 42%, respectively) of having ASD than non-Hispanic white children.
- Teen Insecurity Linked to Depression, Pain Complaints This PsychCentral article discusses a study that found that insecure adolescents experience more intense physical pain and are more likely to be depressed than peers with secure attachments.
Funding Opportunities
- Juvenile and Adult Reentry and Recovery Services Grants
Application Deadline: January 19, 2010 SAMHSA is offering grants to expand and/or enhance substance abuse treatment and related recovery and reentry services to sentenced juvenile and adult offenders returning to the community. - Corporation for National and Community Service AmeriCorps Grants
Application Deadline: January 26, 2010 Grants are available to support the Corporation's mission to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. - SAMHSA Grants to Deliver Peer-to-Peer Recovery Support Services
Application Deadline: February 10, 2010 SAMHSA has announced it is accepting applications for grants to deliver peer-to-peer recovery support services that help prevent relapse and promote sustained recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders. - 'Get Ur Good On' Grants for Young Volunteers
Application Deadline: February 22, 2010 Get Ur Good On grants are available for youth-led service initiatives on Global Youth Service Day, April 23–25, 2010. One hundred $500 grants will be given to projects addressing important community needs such as poverty, education, and environmental sustainability. - Viola Bernard Foundation Grants
Application Deadline: March 31, 2010 Opportunity for grants of $200,000 available each year for innovative mental health programs that stress importance of families and children, and that involve police, school supports, and other social agencies. - Knowledge Dissemination Conference Grants
Application Deadline: March 31 and September 30, 2010 The purpose of the SAMHSA's annual conference grant program is to disseminate knowledge about practices within the mental health services and substance abuse prevention and treatment fields and to integrate that knowledge into real-world practice as effectively and efficiently as possible. - CFK's Toolkit for Funding
Application Deadline: Ongoing From special provisions of the Recovery Act to an NFL Grassroots Grant, the Connecting for Kids toolkit can help you obtain funding from a variety of sources.
TA Partnership News
- TA Partnership's Communities of Practice Visit the Communities of Practice pages below to get information about events, resources, and links to helpful information for system of care communities.
Publications and Web Sites
Events
- Minnesota Fatherhood Summit: "Engaging Fathers: Strengthening Families"
January 14–15, 2010| Alexandria, MN This conference is focused on promoting the role that fathers play in supporting young children in strong families. - Child Welfare League of America National Conference
January 24–27, 2010 | Washington, DC This event, Children 2010: Leading a New Era, will address topics such as foster care, adoption, juvenile justice, crime prevention, early intervention, and mental health. - No Name-Calling Week
January 25–29, 2010 This initiative is for anyone committed to eliminating harmful name-calling, harassment, and bullying in schools. Interested participants can access a free comprehensive resource kit designed for grades five through eight. - American Academy of Pain Medicine 2010 Annual Meeting
February 3–6, 2010 | San Antonio, TX Topics covered in this event will include adolescent growth and development, reproductive health and contraception advances, mental health (including mood disorders), and sexual identity issues. - Breaking the Silence: Empowering School Counselors and Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual Transgender Queer /Questioning and Intersex (LGBTQI) Youth (PDF)
February 5–7, 2010 | San Diego, CA This conference will address the possible positive relationships between youth who are LGBTQI and school counselors. - Family and Youth Roundtable's Annual Conference on Improving Services for Children and Families
February 26–27, 2010 | San Diego, CA The focus of this conference will be on reducing stigma and disparities in children's mental health. - National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Annual Convention
March 2–6, 2010 | Chicago, IL This year's NASP convention will include 1,000 educational sessions and special events, research and skills training, discussions on hot topics, and networking opportunities. - The 23rd Annual Children's Mental Health Research and Policy Conference
March 7–10, 2010 | Tampa, FL Learn, inform, network, and discuss issues related to research policy and practice in children's mental health, and engage in spirited discussions about children's mental health from a systems and community perspective. - 40th National Mental Health and Addictions Conference and Expo
March 15–17, 2010 | Disney, FL Exchange ideas. Explore best practices. Share your experience. Spend three days focused sharply on the issues and bring your team so that you can cover more ground. - Ready by 21® 2009–10 Webinar Series
Multiple Dates This series will introduce participants to the core and advanced components of Ready by 21®, which challenges States and communities to broaden definitions of what it means for youth to be ready, for schools and communities to be supportive, and for all leaders to be engaged.
Systems of Care Jobs
- Project Director (PDF)
Pennsylvania System of Care Partnership, Harrisburg, PA
Help Identify Transportation Initiatives To Promote Community Integration!
The UPenn Collaborative on Community Integration is seeking your help in identifying initiatives aimed at increasing access to transportation and increasing transportation options for individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Learn more about the transportation initiative (PDF).