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Message from Executive Director, Lynda Gargan
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We are very excited that so many of you are joining us in Orlando for our 28
th
Annual Conference! We have designed a conference that offers something for everyone. This is also a great opportunity to meet new friends and to reconnect with old ones.
If you haven’t yet registered, there’s still time however, hotel rooms are going very fast so please get those reservations made so you’ll be staying in the conference hotel at the group rate.
We look forward to seeing you in Orlando!\
Lynda
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Representing You - Legislation and Advocacy
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The Federation actively represents you as part of the
Mental Health Liaison Group
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The Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) is a
coalition of almost 70 national organizations representing consumers, parents and family members, advocates, providers, and mental health experts dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness
- Graham Cassidy became a focus of advocacy efforts in September. The Federation worked to keep you updated on the most up to the minute advocacy opportunities. Graham Cassidy was pulled before going to a vote. As part of the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) the Federation included comments in the office record. MHLG On Cassidy Graham
- The Federation as part of the MHLG, joined with 112 organizations in signing the Partnership for Part D Access letter to Secretary Price urging him to safeguard the Medicare protected classes policy. MHLG Letter to Secretary Price
- Senator Lamar Alexander chaired four hearings for the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in September. MHLG Letter on Marketplace Reforms
- The Federation continues to support bipartisan efforts to stabilize the insurance markets. Attached you will find a updated letter to HELP Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray to be sent on Oct 4th. MHLG HELP Update
- Since its inception in 1997,The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), together with Medicaid, has helped to reduce the numbers of uninsured children by a remarkable 68 percent. With CHIP funding set to expire on September 30, 2017, The Federation advocated nationally with MHLG and in support of state's advocacy for the five year re-authorization of CHIP. MHLG Letter of Support for CHIP
- Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) announced they will hold a markup of the Keeping Kids’ Insurance Dependable and Secure (KIDS) Act (S. 1827) on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017. “This important legislation will ensure the vulnerable children and their families who depend on CHIP receive much-needed certainty by guaranteeing uninterrupted funding for the program, which has been a top priority of this committee,” Hatch said. “While all states and D.C. have funding that will continue to be available beyond today, I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to advance this bill in a fiscally responsible manner so it may be signed into law as quickly as possible to ensure coverage for kids is maintained.”
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The only national conference dedicated solely to issues that impact children, youth and young adults with behavioral health challenges and their families. Our conference focus is inclusive of children and youth who experience complex diagnostic challenges.
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28TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 9 - 12,
ORLANDO
FLORIDA
HILTON DOUBLETREE
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Meet Some of Our Speakers
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Gina (Terrasi) Gallagher and Patricia Terrasi
Two ordinary mothers share the extraordinary reality—the joys, challenges, and absurdities—of raising “imperfect” children in a world preoccupied with perfection.
Each year, the number of children diagnosed with special needs and disabilities increases—yet if you’re a parent of a special child, you can feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and isolated. Sisters Gina and Patrician (“The Poster Sisters of Imperfection”) know the feeling well, and have set out to show parents of children with special needs that they are not alone in this highly imperfect book. Packed with humorous, heartwarming anecdotes and empowering information and advice, S
hut Up About Your Perfect Kid
is the perfect medicine for parents of special or (gasp!) average kids, without the scary side effects. Strap on your seatbelt and prepare to laugh as they take you on an imperfect journey that will open your eyes to the gifts that every child has to offer — even imperfect ones.
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Gina (Terrasi) Gallagher
The Sister Afraid of Failure –
is a Hatch award-winning freelance copywriter who resides in Massachusetts with her husband, Mike, daughters Katie and Emily, and imperfect dog Max (who has poor eye contact and a bilateral motor integration issue).
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Patricia Terrasi
The Sister Afraid of Success
–
is the Director of Family Services in Developmental Services for a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization. The mother of three children, Julianne, Jennifer, and Michael, she resides in Marlborough, MA, with her dog, Rocky and her noisy parakeet, Scooter.
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Federation Welcomes New Affiliates
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Chapters with GSPN In Georgia
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Puzzle Pieces of Love
Puzzle Pieces of Love
offers support to families in the Middle Georgia area who are raising children on the Autism Spectrum. T
heir philosophy is that
families raising children on the Autism Spectrum should not feel alone in their journey. They want to help educate, provide resources, and offer support to those who feel they have nowhere to turn
.
Autism families fight to give their children everything that they need, but you cannot pour from an empty cup. Puzzle Pieces of Love will give Autism Families support through group meetings
,
family nights, fundraisers
,
and online forums where they can meet other families that go through the same daily struggles. They are in Macon, Georgia.
Tweens N Teens
Tweens N Teens'
mission is to
empower children with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges and their Families to build strong Families using their Voices through guidance, support, encouragement, advocacy, and education, utilizing a Family driven, strength impacted support system to gain skills and leadership needed for accessing resources, breaking through barriers, become sustainable and gain resiliency, in order to have an improved quality of life.
Tweens N Teen's philosophy is that everyone matters. They believe that by encouraging children with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges and their families to use their talents, strengths, and voices anything can be overcome. They are located in Trenton GA.
Father's Tree of Hope
The Father's Tree of Hope, a local family-run organization in Riverdale, Georgia.Father's Tree of Hope serves families with an emphasis on strengthening fathers to rebuild the family unit while dealing with Children who are living with Mental, Emotional, Behavioral & Substance Use Challenges.
The Branch
The Branch serves
families in Gordon County Georgia and surrounding areas.
The Mission of the Branch is to
support families in accessing nontraditional care and resources, which support recover, improve quality of life and instill hope
.
The Branch plans to hold a variety of support groups including Parent Cafes, Parent Peer Support Meetings.
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Upcoming Webinars and Training
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"Positive Psychology, Mindfulness, and Prevention in Children's Mental Health"
Presented by Dr. Roger Olson, PsyD
Thursday, October 26th
10:00 AM MDT
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Town Halls with
Conni Wells
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The Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) includes only one family member. Conni Wells takes very seriously the responsibility of representing a diverse family voice. To support her in this effort and to offer a conduit for
all
family voice to be represented with ISMICC, we will be hosting a series of calls to facilitate the opportunity for Conni to learn from families about the issues that are most important to them.
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Coping with Stress and Depression
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Families for Depression Awareness is presenting a free webinar on Wednesday, November 1 at 7:00 PM ET/ 4:00 PM PT.
Esteemed Presenter, Dr. Elisha Goldstein, will discuss incorporating mindfulness techniques into a busy schedule. The program is designed for families, caregivers, employees and management personnel, and anyone interested in mental health resources.
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National Child Traumatic Stress Network
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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network was established to improve access to care, treatment, and services for traumatized children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events
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Help Kids Cope
will help parents talk to their kids about the disasters they may face and know how best to support them throughout—whether sheltering-in-place at home, evacuating to a designated shelter, or helping your family heal after reuniting.
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