AICAFMHA:
promoting mental health for young Australians
Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd
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Welcome to rtcUpdates for May 2003!
rtcUpdates are brought to you by the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health. Subscribers to rtcUpdates receive occasional email messages from the RTC containing information about the RTC's recent research, publications and other activities, as well as information about developments in the field of Children's Mental Health.
Feel free to forward this message to friends and colleagues. If this email was forwarded to you, you will need to subscribe to rtcUpdates in order to receive future emails. To subscribe to rtcUpdates, go to the RTC home page at http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/ and click on the "Join our List!" link.
***********************************************************CONTENTS OF THIS UPDATE:
** ANNUAL CONFERENCE--Early Registration Deadline This Saturday
** FORUMS--Post Your Opinions
** DATA TRENDS--Recent Research Summaries
** RTC PUBLICATIONS & PRODUCTS--Recently Produced, plus:
** Enhanced Search Feature and New PDFs
** FROM THE WEB--Online Information and Sites of Interest
** BUILDING ON FAMILY STRENGTHS CONFERENCE
Early Registration Deadline is This Weekend!
The RTC's 10th annual national conference is set for June 26th-28th at the Portland Hilton. Register online at www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgConfReg.shtml by May 24th to take advantage of early registration discounts.
Of special note is a great deal on Saturday's one-day early registration: if you plan on attending just Saturday's plenary and workshops, which feature an emphasis on research and practice in early childhood mental health, you'll pay only $15 before May 24th. The price includes a continental breakfast.
Visit http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgConfAgenda.shtml for up-to-date listings of all our keynote, plenary, workshop, and poster presentations and presenters.
************************************************************* FORUMS
In this month's Featured Discussion, a parent tells her story about finding a balance between work and family while caring for children with emotional and behavioral difficulties. We invite you to post your thoughts about the essay, or about the more general question of what helps--or hinders--caregivers' efforts to balance the responsibilities of work and family.
http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgFeaturedDiscussions.php
Last month's Featured Discussion explored findings from a recent study showing elevated risk for mental illness and substance abuse among children growing up in single-parent households. Numerous contributors added to the lengthy and ardent discussion of the implications of this study.
Access all discussions from http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgForums.shtml
************************************************************* DATA TRENDS--Recent Research Summaries Include:
* Research and Advocacy for Policy Change (#74)
* Having a Brother with Emotional and/or Behavioral Challenges (#73)
* A Family-Centered Early Adolescent Drug Abuse Prevention Model(#72)
* Family Interventions in Serious Mental Illness (#71)
* From Incarceration to Community (#70)
* Combining Employment and Caregiving: The Views
of Parents of Children with Mental Health Problems (#69)
Visit our "Data Trends" web page at http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgDataTrends.shtml
New! You can also search for and download all Data Trends from our newly updated Publications web page http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgPublications.php
Search Tips:
* For a list of all Data Trends, choose "Data Trends" as Publication
Type and click "Get"
* For specific Data Trends topics type a keyword or phrase in "Phrase"
** RTC PUBLICATIONS & PRODUCTS
* New, Enhanced Online Search Feature:
The RTC is proud to debut our new, enhanced publications search and order form. Search by key phrases, type of publication, author, date of publication, and more. http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgPublications.php
* More Publications Available in PDF Format:
The RTC has added over two hundred "PDFs" of our publications to our main publications page. Now you can download and print out more of our Conference Proceedings, Focal Point articles, Data Trends, and other publications for free. http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgPublications.php
* Recently Produced Publications:
Friesen, B. J., Giliberti, M., Katz-Leavy, J., Osher, T. L. & Pullmann,
M. D. (2003). Research in the service of policy change: The "custody
problem". Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 11(1), 39-47. FREE
reprints available while supplies last - One per order please. Order your free
copy at http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgPublications.php
(search by author or title) or send an email request to rtcpubs@pdx.edu
* Recently Produced Presentations:
Rosenzweig, J. M., Brennan, E. M., Huffstutter, K., Bradley, J. R. (2003, March 1). Walking the tightrope of child care: The precariousness
of work-life fit and flexibility for employed parents of children with
emotional or behavioral disorders. Presented at The Academic Conference
From 9-to-5 to 24/7: How Workplace Changes Impact Families, Work, and
Community. Sponsored by the Business and Professional Women's Foundation
and The Community, Families, and Work Program at the Women's Research
Center, Brandeis University, Orlando, FL.
http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/presP2orl03.pdf
Rosenzweig, J. M., Brennan, E. M., Bradley, J. R., Huffstutter, K.
(2003, March 20). Absenteeism and work-family fit: The invisible ten
percent. Presented at the Work Stress and Health: New Challenges in a
Changing Workplace conference, American Psychological Association,
Toronto, ON.
http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/presP2tr03.pdf
Brennan, E. M., Rosenzweig, J. M., Bradley, J. R., Huffstutter, K.
(2003, May 2). Integrating employment with parenting of children having
mental health challenges. Presented at the annual meeting of the Western
Psychological Association, Vancouver, BC.
http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/presP2wpa03.pdf
Koroloff, N., Schutte, K., Walker, J. S. (2003, January 7).
Organizational and system support for collaborative Individualized
Service Planning (wraparound). Presented at the System of Care Community
Meeting, Portland, OR.
http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/presP6gm03.pdf
** FROM THE WEB--Online Information and Sites of Interest
ACCESS TO SERVICES
** U.S. President's "New Freedom" Commission on Mental Health
The policy
options reports of the subcommittees of the President's New
Freedom Commission on Mental Health are now available on the
Commission's web site. The report from the subcommittee on children and
families includes a series of ten policy recommendations and associated
implementation options.
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/subcommittee/Sub_Chairs.htm
** Su Familia National Hispanic Family Health Helpline
Su Familia offers bilingual health information to Hispanic families.
Assistance includes information on prevention and management of chronic
conditions and referrals to local health providers and federally
supported programs including the State Children's Health Insurance
Program (SCHIP). The toll-free helpline (866-783-2645) is open Monday
through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time.
http://www.hispanichealth.org/helplines.lasso
** Number of Black Children in Extreme Poverty Hits Record High
The extreme poverty rate among black children is at its highest level in
two decades, according to the Children's Defense Fund (CDF). Despite
gains among some welfare-to-work families, a million black children
fared worse in 2001 than previous years, as their families tried to make
ends meet on $7000 a year (half the poverty rate or less) while jobs and
public assistance dwindled. CDF emphasizes the need to fund Head Start,
Medicaid and other programs for these children.
http://www.childrensdefense.org/release030430.php
** What's Ahead in Medicaid for Children?
"Children in poverty and their parents make up 73 percent of Medicaid
beneficiaries, but account for only one-quarter of Medicaid spending,"
reports the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools in a fact sheet
which outlines the U.S. President's proposals for dramatic changes in
Medicaid, states' concerns about Medicaid funding in the midst of budget
shortfalls, and the key players in the debate over Medicaid and its funding.
http://www.healthinschools.org/focus/2003/no2.htm
** No One's Priority: The Plight of Children with
Serious Mental Disorders in Medicaid Systems
The President's Commission on Mental Health found that the current
mental health care system does not meet the needs of children. The
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law reports on the frustrations parents
face in trying to get proper care for their mentally ill children.
http://www.bazelon.org/issues/children/publications/focusgroups/index.htm
EDUCATION
** Exemplary School-Based Mental Health Programs
This NASP website provides descriptions and detailed profiles of mental
health programs coordinated by school psychologists. You can search the
database by the name of the program or by state.
www.naspcenter.org/exemplary.html
** House Approves Changes to IDEA, Sends It to Senate
The U.S. House of Representatives this month passed a bill overhauling
special education programs for some 6.6 million children. According to
the Council for Exceptional Children, the bill revokes important
protections for children with disabilities, limits supports to
professionals, and fails to provide for mandatory full funding of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Action on the
legislation now moves to the Senate.
http://www.cec.sped.org/pp/legislative_update/modules/news/article.php?storyid=18
** Educational Options Sought for At-risk Students
Four foundations are working together to support the creation of a
nationwide network of alternative schools. The Alternative High Schools
Initiative aims to reach 36,000 young people failed by traditional high
schools.
http://www.mott.org/news/detail.asp?newsid=185
FOSTER CARE
** Foster Children Placed with Relatives Often Receive Less Government Help
Urban Institute researcher Rob Geen found consensus among the
administrators, supervisors, workers, judges, and kin interviewed that
kinship foster parents receive fewer services for the children in their
care than non-kin foster parents despite often greater needs.
http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=310774
** Someone There for Me: Essay Contest for Current and Former Foster
Children
The national Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program is
sponsoring a writing contest for current and former foster youth. Five
Grand Prize winners will receive a $500 savings bond and 45 finalists
will receive a $100 savings bond. Winning essays will be printed in a
book. Entry deadline: May 31, 3002.
http://www.nationalcasa.org
JUVENILE JUSTICE
** Youth with Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice System:
The Status of Evidence-Based Research
The National Council on Disability finds that despite legal
requirements, the juvenile justice system does not adequately serve
youth with disabilities. In addition, high-quality research on young
offenders and on the impact of federal efforts to enforce compliance
with disability laws is scant, making it impossible to identify
effective strategies and approaches. This publication describes the
current state of knowledge about youth with disabilities in the juvenile
justice system.
http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/juvenile.html
** Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice
The US GOA (General Accounting Office) studied the difficulties many
parent face in accessing mental health care for their children. Their
report suggests that federal agencies track why children are placed in
child welfare and juvenile justice systems and find more efficient ways
to provide mental health services.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-03-397
OTHER RESOURCES & INFORMATION
** 2003 State Fact Sheets on Condition of Vulnerable Children in U.S.
These fact sheets, from the Child Welfare League Of America, describe
the status of vulnerable children in all fifty states and the District
of Columbia in the areas of child protection, health, child care,
education, and income support.
http://www.cwla.org/advocacy/statefactsheets/statefactsheets03.htm
** Federal Budget Approved by House Would Hurt Key State Services
The budget and tax cuts in the budget resolution passed by the US House
of Representatives will force deep reductions in federal discretionary
funds for services in every state, according to a new series of state
reports on "Economic Stimulus" from the Institute for America's Future
and the Economic Policy Institute.
http://www.ourfuture.org/issues_and_campaigns/economic_stimulus/2003reports2_13_03.cfm
** States Struggle with Children's Health Insurance
The Robert Johnson Wood Foundation reports on the state budget battles
and possible impacts on children's access to health insurance coverage.
http://covertheuninsuredweek.org/news/index.php?Next=265
** Assessing the Effectiveness of Care
Recent research on popular "outcomes measures" is summarized in this
Data Trends article from the University of South Florida.
http://rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu/rtcpubs/datatrends/summary_76.pdf
** Transitioning from SSI to Financial Independence
This parent brief offers practical information on using Social Security
work incentives to help youth transition from dependence on Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) to partial or complete financial independence. The
brief is tailored for parents of youth with disabilities and provides a
detailed description of the process for applying for Supplemental
Security Income (SSI).
http://ncset.org/publications/default.asp#parent
** Self-Determination: Supporting Successful Transition
This NCSET brief describes research on self-determination that suggests
that youth with disabilities who actively direct their own lives are
more likely to successfully transition into adult life. The brief also
addresses development of self-determination skills and student-led
Individualized Education Program meetings.
http://ncset.org/publications/viewdesc.asp?id=962
** Challenges of Working in Human Services
The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released a study exploring challenges
facing front-line human service workers. The study, "The Unsolved
Challenges of System Reform: The Condition of the Frontline Human
Services Workforce," is available at http://www.aecf.org/initiatives/hswi/
The Brookings Institution Center for Public Service also released a
study, "The Health of the Human Services Workforce," that included a
survey of workers in the same five sectors as the Annie E. Casey
Foundation's research: juvenile justice, youth services, child welfare,
employment and training, and child care.
http://www.brookings.org/gs/cps/cps_hp.htm
** Challenges of Childhood Obesity
A recent Duke University study published in Pediatrics, reports on a
correlation between higher incidence of depression and being
substantially overweight during childhood and adolescence. The research
is summarized on the Dr. Koop website.
http://www.drkoop.com/template.asp?page=newsdetail&id=512580&ap=93
** New Publications from the National Center for Mental Health and
Juvenile Justice
The NCMHJJ has the following new publications:
* Funding Mental Health Services for Youth in the Juvenile Justice
System: Challenges and Opportunities
* Screening and Assessing Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Among Youth in the Juvenile Justice System
http://www.ncmhjj.com/publications/
Funds to support this activity come from the Child, Adolescent and Family Branch, Federal Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education.
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