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 November 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:

** 2004 BUILDING ON FAMILY STRENGTHS CONFERENCE--Call for Presentations Deadline Approaching
** FOCAL POINT--Fall Issue on Wraparound
** FORUMS--Final Report of the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health
** RTC PUBLICATIONS & PRODUCTS--Recently Produced & Newly Available Downloads
** DATA TRENDS--Recent Research Summaries
** FROM THE WEB--Online Information and Sites of Interest

** 2004 BUILDING ON FAMILY STRENGTHS CONFERENCE

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS:
AVOID THE HOLIDAY RUSH AND MEET THE DECEMBER 5th DEADLINE!

Presentation proposals are now being accepted for the 2004 Building on Family Strengths Conference, to be held May 6-8, 2004 at the Portland, Oregon downtown Hilton.

Please visit the conference page at the RTC website for submission guidelines. The Call for Presentations will be available in Spanish on our website later this week. On the website, you may either submit a proposal online OR download a proposal submission form for mailing.

Three types of presentations are available: symposium (90 minutes), paper (60 minutes), or poster (for display during Friday evening's 2-hour poster session and reception).

Avoid the post-Thanksgiving rush: send your proposal in soon! Have questions or need help in tailoring your proposal to our audience? Contact Lyn Gordon, Conference Coordinator, at gordonl@pdx.edu, or call him at 503-725-4114.

** FOCAL POINT

* NEW! Fall, 2003 Issue: Quality and Fidelity in Wraparound, Volume 17(2)

Articles in the Fall 2003 issue of Focal Point include:

* Quality and fidelity in Wraparound
* History of the Wraparound process
* Assessing the necessary agency and system support
* Practices to promote effective teamwork in ISP/Wraparound
* Our Wraparound team: Successes and suggestions
* Cody's experience of Wraparound
* Staying the course with Wraparound practice: Tips for managers and implementers
* Ensuring fidelity to the Wraparound process
* National Wraparound initiative
* Assessing the fidelity of Wraparound: The Wraparound observation form--second version
* Tapestry: A Wraparound program for families of color facilitated by parent partners
* Wearing two hats

To read and download these and other Focal Point articles, visit http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgFocalPoint.shtml

You can also search for and download Focal Point issues and articles from our newly updated Publications web page. (Select issues still available in print and available to order.) http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgPublications.php

If you are not already on our print mailing list and would like to receive the future issues of Focal Point, please add your name to our mailing list using the "Update or join our mailing list" link from the Focal Point page on our website. If you already receive Focal Point and your address has changed, please update your contact information using the same link.
http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgFocalPoint.shtml

** FORUMS

This month's featured discussion focuses on the final report of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. The report was published in July, and has already had an impact on policy and funding at the federal level. It is clear that the Commission's work will effect the lives of the people who work in or are served by mental health systems. What do you think? Post your opinions, observations, or reactions.
http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgFeaturedDiscussions.php

Last month's forum asked for your comments, opinions, and anecdotes about what it takes to ensure high quality implementation of practices or programs in children's mental health. Read the comments posted on this topic:
http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgFeaturedDiscussionsTen.php

Access all discussions from http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgForums.shtml

** RTC PUBLICATIONS & PRODUCTS

Enhanced Online Search Feature
The RTC has an 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

* Publications Recently Produced:

NEW Brennan, E. M., Bradley, J. R., Ama, S., & Cawood, N. (2003). Setting the pace: Model inclusive child care centers serving families of children with emotional or behavioral challenges. Portland, OR: Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health, Portland State University.
AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE from our publications page http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgPublications.php (search by author or title) Because this is a lengthy publication, individual chapters will be available soon to download.

NEW Brennan, E. M., Bradley, J. R., Ama, S., & Cawood, N. (2003). Setting the pace: Model inclusive child care centers serving families of children with emotional or behavioral challenges. Executive Summary. Portland, OR: Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health, Portland State University.
AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE from our publications page http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgPublications.php (search by author or title)

NEW Green, B. L., Everhart, M. C., Gettman, M. G., & Gordon, L. (2003). Mental health consultation in Head Start: Selected national findings. (Mental Health Services Survey report) Portland, OR: Portland State University, Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health.
AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE from our publications page http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgPublications.php (search by author or title)

NEW Kruzich, J. M., Jivanjee, P., Robinson, A., & Friesen, B. J. (2003). Family caregivers' perception of of barriers to and supports of participation in their children's out-of-home treatment. Psychiatric Services, November 2003, 54(11), 1513-1518. (Reprints will be available to order soon - watch for ordering information in upcoming rtcUpdates)

NEW Walker, J. S. & Schutte, K. (2003). Individualized Service/Support Planning and Wraparound: Practice-oriented resources. Portland, OR: Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health, Portland State University.
AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE from our publications page http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgPublications.php (search by author or title)

* Publications recently available to download for FREE (previously produced):

Mason, J. (1995) Cultural Competence Self-Assessment Questionnaire: A manual for users. Portland, OR: Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health, Portland State University. NOW AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE Search by author or title on our new publications page 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, Monographs, Focal Point articles, Data Trends, and other publications for free. http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgPublications.php

** DATA TRENDS--Recent Research Summaries Include:

* Community Interventions and Effective Prevention (#86)
* Culture-Centered Practice in Services for Children (#85)
* Working Relationships across Diverse Communities (#84)
* Measuring Adherence to Wraparound Principles: The Wraparound Observation Form--Second Version (#83)
* Family-centered practice: How social workers view parents of children with emotional and behavioral disorders (#82)
* Explaining the Gap Between Mental Health Need and Service Use (#81)
* Impact of Support on Adolescent Mental Health (#80)
* Family Perspectives on Having a Child with a Disability (#79)

Visit our "Data Trends" web page at http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgDataTrends.shtml

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"

** FROM THE WEB--Online Information and Sites of Interest

** Data Trends from University of South Florida
Two new Data Trends summaries are available from the Florida Research and Training Center this month. Summary 90 describes a study that compared juvenile offenders who persisted in criminal behavior as young adults to those who desisted from criminal behavior. Summary 91 describes an evaluation of a program that combined day treatment and proctor care as an alternative to institutional and foster care.
http://rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu/rtcpubs/datatrends/datatrendshp.htm

STRENGTHS, RESILIENCE, AND RISK REDUCTION

** Culture and Strengths
Researchers at the Search Institute identified 40 developmental assets that have been linked to positive outcomes for youth. The study found that, for youth of all cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds, those who possessed greater numbers of assets were more likely to display thriving behaviors and less likely to engage in risky behaviors. However, the study also identified certain assets that appeared to exert a stronger influence on outcomes for children from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
http://www.search-institute.org/research/Insights/InsightsEvidence-11-03.pdf

** Reducing Poverty Reduces Psychiatric Symptoms
Research reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association provides evidence that rates of psychiatric problems decline when children are lifted from poverty. Full text available.
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/290/15/2023

** New Research on Children, Poverty, and IQ
New research shows a link between children's IQ scores and their families' socio-economic status, and offers scientific support for the view that reducing poverty will help kids succeed. Connect for Kids' Jan Richter interviewed lead researcher Eric Turkheimer to learn more.
http://www.connectforkids.org/benton_topics1544/benton_topics_show.htm?doc_id=198174

** Preschool Pays Off
A rigorous evaluation of Oklahoma's program of universal Pre-K for four-year-olds found strong positive effects on children's language and cognitive test scores. Patterns of differences in findings across racial and socioeconomic groups were also found.
http://www.crocus.georgetown.edu/oklahoma.html

** YouthARTS Toolkit for Youth at Risk
The YouthARTS Web site is designed to give arts agencies, juvenile justice agencies, social service organizations, and other community-based organizations detailed information about how to plan, run, provide training, and evaluate arts programs for at-risk youth.
http://www.artsusa.org/youtharts/index.asp

** Life Success for Children with Learning Disabilities: A Parent Guide
This new guide, from the National Center for Learning Disabilities, grew out of research conducted by the Frostig Center in California. The guide is based on a 20-year study that traced lives of individuals with learning disabilities in an effort to identify individual characteristics and life experiences that led to successful outcomes.
http://www.ld.org/newsltr/0903newsltr/LifeSuccessParentGuide.pdf

** Rates of Families in Poverty Increase
A new analysis of Census Bureau figures by the Institute for Women's Policy Research reveals continuing economic hard times for women and children, particularly single mothers and their families.
http://www.iwpr.org/pdf/PovertyNumbers.pdf

SPECIAL EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS

** School Responsibilities when Suspending Students
In 1997, 3.1 million students were suspended from school, mostly for nonviolent acts. For many of these students, difficult home situations or mental illness is a contributing factor to their suspension or expulsion. In a new policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics says expulsions and suspensions should be a last resort because they can increase risk for drug use, depression, and school dropout. The statement offers specific recommendations for pediatricians as well as for school personnel to consider before student suspension or expulsion.
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/novschool.htm

** The Involvement of Students in Their Special Education Mediations
This report, published by the Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE), identifies some of the benefits and challenges that should be considered by families, educators, and dispute resolution practitioners as they create opportunities for students to participate in the mediation process. Perspectives and assumptions regarding student participation are captured and strategies are presented that may contribute to an improved process for all involved.
http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/student.cfm

** Advocating for Children with Learning Disabilities
The National Center for Learning Disabilities and the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation have developed the Guide to Advocacy for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities. The guide describes how best to engage policymakers and the media on issues affecting the LD community, and provides a primer on key issues affecting the fields of learning disabilities and special education.
http://www.ncld.org/advocacy/tutorial.cfm

** Individualized Grading for Students with Disabilities
According to this article in Educational Leadership magazine, many students with disabilities receive grades that do not provide meaningful information about their achievement. The article summarizes research that provides insights into the kinds of grading adaptations that can produce fair and meaningful grades for all students.
http://www.ascd.org/publications/ed_lead/200310/munk.html

** Report to Congress on Special Education and IDEA
The Department of Education's 24th annual report to Congress on the condition of special education provides information on the characteristics of special education students and their households, as well as special education expenditures and outcomes. The report also describes the results of a study on state and local impact and implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
http://www.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/osep/2002/

EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION

** Work-Based Learning for Youth
Research has demonstrated that work-based learning is one of the best ways to improve outcomes for youth with disabilities in secondary education. This guide from the National Center for Secondary Education and Transition offers specific strategies to help prepare youth with disabilities for successful adult employment. The guide provides a variety of examples, as well as further resources.
http://ncset.org/publications/viewdesc.asp?id=1222

** Youth with Disabilities and the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
This information brief from the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth provides information on areas of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) that cover services to youth. The brief also describes how youth, families, and service providers can better access the workforce development system.
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/enews2.html

OTHER TOPICS

** FirstGov EN ESPANOL
A new web site, run by the US General Services Administration's Office of Citizen Services and Communications, offers extensive Spanish-language information about programs and services offered by the federal government. Topics covered include health and safety, social security, education, and legal resources.
http://www.firstgov.gov/Espanol/

** The Evaluation Exchange from the Harvard Family Research Project
This issue focuses on the evaluation of community-based initiatives. Contributors point out that there has never been greater need for evaluation approaches that are scientifically rigorous, but that also address the complexities of systems change work in community settings. The issue describes strategies for evaluating community-based initiatives and explores lessons learned during the past decade of community building.
http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/eval/issue23

** Big Business Cutting Health Benefits
In the past, large companies tended to offer generous health benefits to their employees and dependents. According to this Commonwealth Fund study, this is no longer true. The report shows that the proportion of workers without health insurance is increasing at large companies, and that low-income workers within large companies are more likely than other employees to be uninsured.
http://www.cmwf.org/programs/insurance/glied_largefirms_2ndpg.asp

** ICDR report on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
In its latest annual report to the President and congress, the Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR), describes recent successes and future directions for disability and rehabilitation research. The report sees the need for research to focus on increasing the quality of disability statistics, and improving understanding of the interrelationship of environmental issues and disability. The ICDR will also work to identify gaps and research needs across a number of disabilities.
http://www.icdr.us/pubs.html#report

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.

The Research and Training Center makes its products accessible to diverse audiences. If you need a publication or product in an alternative format, please contact the Publications Coordinator: 503.725.4175, rtcpubs@pdx.edu.

To unsubscribe from rtcUpdates, send a message to majordomo@lists.pdx.edu with the words "unsubscribe rtc" in the body of the message.

Back to AICAFMHA Homepage / News in Brief Index / Issue #3.22

Last Modified: 22-11-2003 16:56:53