January
2019
Honoring President George H.W. Bush
The FFCMH joins the nation in honoring the life of President George Herbert Walker Bush. President Bush’s signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law in 1990 is likely the single most important presidential action ever taken to support people with disabilities. It reflected what he knew: people with disabilities can live, work and thrive in their communities with the right kinds of support. He did not pity people with disabilities. In fact, he worked side by side with them to pass the ADA.

In a touching turn of history, President Bush’s son, George W. Bush, the 43 rd president of the United States, signed an executive order in 2001 instructing federal agencies to work with each other and the states to develop the kinds of support that people with mental illness need to live outside of institutions. This executive order was based on a landmark 1999 U.S. Supreme Court case, Olmstead v. L.C. , which established that the ADA applies to people with mental illness.

In the optimistic and inclusive spirit of President George H. W. Bush, our hope is that we all come together to figure out what kind of mental health system we need and what it would take to create it. What a fitting tribute to President Bush that would be.

Modified with permission from Families as Allies Executive Director, Joy Hogge. Click here to see her original blog post.
New Capacity Building Opportunity
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS) is pleased to announce that a pplications are being accepted for a New Intensive Technical Assistance Opportunity for Peer Run Organizations, Recovery Community Organizations, Family-run Organizations, and Youth- and Young Adult-run Organizations. The 2019 BRSS TACS Capacity Building Opportunity will offer sustained, individualized consultation, training, and peer-to-peer support for up to 25 peer-run, recovery community, family-run, or youth and young adult-run organizations in one of five designated focus areas.

Applications are due by Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 8:00pm EST.
Legislation and Advocacy
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act
Congress unanimously passed the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. Under the newly passed legislation, the core protections will be strengthened, and critical, research-based improvements will be made that reaffirm a national commitment to the rehabilitative purpose of the juvenile justice system. The law remains the only federal statute that sets out national standards for the custody and care of youth in the juvenile justice system and provides direction and support for state juvenile justice system improvements.
For More about Legislation and Advocacy
Legislation, policy, advocacy and funding related updates are now sent separately from our monthly newsletter . We invite you to sign up to receive these important emails and alerts and to visit our newly redesigned Policy & Advocacy page for more information and resources.
Webinars and Events
The ADHD-ODD Connection: Similarities, Distinctions, Stigma, and Proven Treatment Strategies
Date: Tuesday, January 22, 2019 Time: 1:00pm EST

Research shows that a significant percentage of children with ADHD meet the criteria for a diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), a closely related mental health disorder characterized by a well-established pattern of behavior problems that is often diagnosed in early childhood. See the full description and learning objectives here .
Parent Leadership Training on Children's Mental Health
Date: Thursday, January 17, 2019 Time: 6:30-8:30pm

Parents of children and youth who have behavioral health challenges play an important role in their child’s services and supports and can use those experiences to help others. This training will cover information for parent leaders in Minnesota including: Parent leadership opportunities, systems advocacy: an overview for parent leaders, and influencing change through the parent story.
The Intersection of Equity, Disparities, and the Multi-Dimensions of Family and Community Engagement
Date: Tuesday, January 15, 2019 Time: 3:30-5:00pm EST

The Early Childhood Family Network’s (ECFN) vision is to live in a world where all children from birth to 8 years old are safe, healthy, and inspired to engage in lifelong learning. Join EFCN for its inaugural webinar series for families and partners dedicated to early childhood social and emotional development. This webinar will explore effective engagement strategies for counteracting disparities many families and children experience and how focusing on the use of best practices in engagement can yield positive family and community connections.
System of Care (SOC) Expansion Leadership Learning Community: Operationalizing Family and Youth Leadership in SOCs
Date: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 Time: 2:30-4:00pm EST

This session of the SOC Leadership Learning Community will focus on how to operationalize family and youth leadership in all phases of SOC development and expansion. Presenters will share a framework with specific questions and strategies that can be used to guide the implementation of family- and youth-driven approaches, regardless of the developmental stage of your system-building efforts.
CLC Peer Learning Exchange: Building Health Equity in Systems of Care by Engaging Diverse Families, Youth, and Community Organizations
Date: Thursday, January 17, 2019 Time: 2:00-3:00pm EST

This peer learning exchange will focus on practical strategies for engaging diverse families and youth in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways. Topics covered include opening doors through language assistance, outreach and relationship building, establishing trust and creating a welcoming environment that attracts culturally diverse people, and more.
Developing Family-Driven Practices: The National Family Support Network's Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support
Date: Thursday, January 17, 2019 Time: 3:30-5:00pm EST

The National Family Support Network (NFSN) offers the Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support, a framework with the vision that implementation will help ensure that families are supported and strengthened through quality practice. This LC will provide an overview of NFSN, its standards of quality, and how family leaders and family-run organizations can use the standards to bring communities together for implementation of quality family- support practices.
Designing and Implementing Early Childhood Systems of Care
Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Time: 2:30-4:00pm EST
The Early Childhood SOC Learning Community is pleased to announce an enhanced format starting in January with monthly sessions and additional opportunities for peer interaction and resource sharing. This session will focus on specific considerations for designing, implementing, and sustaining early childhood SOCs that serve young children with behavioral health concerns and their families.
Trauma-Informed Care in Youth-/Young Adult-Serving Organizations
Date: Tuesday, January 22, 2019 Time: 1:00-2:00pm EST

For this Pathways webinar, Mandy Davis, director of Trauma Informed Oregon, will discuss how youth- and young adult-serving organizations can implement the principles of trauma-informed care (TIC) into their organization and services. Examples and tools will be provided with an emphasis on those developed by and with youth and young adults. In addition, ideas for TIC staff self-care will be shared.
Integrating Suicide into the SBIRT Model
Date: Thursday, January 24, 2019 Time: 11:00-12:030pm MST

This summer - in the wake of two celebrity suicides and the release of the CDC report highlighting an alarming rise in the US suicide rate - the public's attention was drawn to the significant public health problem of suicide. Because alcohol and drug use greatly increases suicide risk, it is critical to integrate suicide prevention into substance use early intervention and treatment. This webinar describes suicide as a public health problem and explains how suicide screening and intervention can be integrated into the SBIRT model.
Resources and Opportunities
From e-Parent.com
Families Face Autism Stigma, Isolation
According to a study of the Simons Simplex Collection, parents report that their child’s autistic behaviors, combined with social stigma and isolation, make their lives more challenging . Read the full article here .
From NAMI San Diego
NAMI San Diego is offering their Principles of Family/Youth Professional Partnership (PFYPP) One-Hour Online Training for free. Course Overview: Learn the basic principles of Family & Youth Professional Partnerships. This complimentary one hour training is for family members with Lived Experience who wish to learn more about working in the Children's System of Care. Learn more here .
From SAMHSA
SAMHSA's BRSSTACS published a two-page infographic that explains the importance of peer support. This resource is available in English and Spanish .
From Sesame Street in Communities
Sesame Street in Communities provides a variety of tools and trainings for parents and providers to support our work with young children. Explore their resources here .
From Understood
Find the 2019 Goals Calendar: A Printable Planner for Tweens With Executive Functioning Issues from Understood here .