December
2018
Holiday Season Resources
Below we have included a variety of resources parents and families may find helpful during the holiday season. They offer tips and suggestions to help youth who have behavioral health needs and their parents enjoy and prepare for the many exciting gifts (and stresses) of the season.
We hope you find these useful and that you will share them.
Our Thanks
On behalf of the parents and children we represent and our affiliates across the country, w e would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you who made contributions for #GivingTuesday. We sincerely appreciate your support. We would also like to recognize the commitment of our Board and staff members who gave so generously this year.
Legislation and Advocacy
Beginning January 2019, Legislation, Policy, Advocacy and Funding related updates will be sent separately from our monthly newsletter . Please sign up to receive these important emails and alerts and visit our newly redesigned Policy & Advocacy web page for more information and resources.
Webinars and Events
Using Smartphones, Watches, and Wearables to Support Executive Function for All Ages
Date: Monday, December 3, 2018 Time: 4:00-5:30pm

This workshop will explore ways that smart phones, smart watches, and other wearable devices can support executive function skills for people of all ages. Participants will learn ways to increase time awareness and focus, how to use reminders, explore tools to organize and prioritize, and discuss task initiation and completion. The tools and strategies demonstrated will benefit people with disabilities such as ADHD, executive function disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and blind or low vision.
School Engagement and Avoidance: What to do when your child is struggling
Date: Tuesday, December 4, 2018 Time: 6:30-8:00pm

This training will help parents and others consider positive approaches to working with a child’s school to increase school engagement when attendance becomes a concern. Special attention will be paid to children struggling with mental health needs and challenging behaviors.
Shout, Stomp, Slam! How to Communicate and Connect with a Child Who Doesn't Want to Talk
Date: Wednesday, December 5, 2018 Time: 1:00-2:00pm

How do you connect with a child or teen who doesn’t want to talk with you — and who is defensive, angry, or unresponsive? How can you de-escalate these situations and re-establish domestic tranquility? ADHD Expert Kirk Martin offers practical strategies for building a trusting relationship with your child.
Adolescent Intersections: Depressive Disorders, Developmental Trauma, and Psychoactive Substances
Date: Friday, December 7, 2018 Time: 11:00am-12:30pm EST

This 90-minute Learning Community is presented from the specialized perspective of providing clinical services to youth with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders – with careful attention included regarding the high prevalence of interwoven trauma and developmental trauma experiences.
Adapting Wraparound for Older Youth and Young Adults
Date: Tuesday, December 11, 2018 Time: 1:00-2:00pm EST

Wraparound providers generally find that it's essential to adapt their process in order to engage and retain older youth and young adults in Wraparound, and to having success in meeting their needs. This webinar describes the ways in which providers are adapting Wraparound and challenges related to making adaptations. The webinar also outlines key research and practice questions that will need attention in the future.
Direct Connect LC: Creating a Career Ladder for Youth Positions
Date: Wednesday, December 12, 2018 Time: 2:30-4:00pm EST

Led by Youth M.O.V.E. National, this LC is a virtual forum for youth and young adults to develop professional skill sets via virtual training opportunities, connect as a community to share and gather new resources, and unite with other youth advocates and professional peers from across the country. Participants will learn how to create, identify, and support youth advancement within organizations.
System of Care Expansion Leadership LC: Operationalizing Social Marketing, Strategic Communications, and National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
Date: Wednesday, December 12, 2018 Time: 2:00-4:30pm EST

This webinar will focus on how to strategically use social marketing to achieve system of care (SOC) expansion goals. The TA Network will provide an overview of technical assistance and resources on social marketing that will be available this year. Presenters will then focus on National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day in May 2019. Current plans for the national event will be shared, along with examples highlighting effective approaches in states, communities, and tribes to use Awareness Day activities and materials to engage stakeholders and generate support for children’s behavioral health and SOCs.
Resources and Opportunities
Parent Peer Leadership Institute Training Curriculum
The Parent Peer Leadership Institute is intended to provide standardized training to parent peers with the lived experience raising children/youth who have behavioral health concerns. The goal of training is for parent peers to gain the knowledge and essential skills to mentor, support and advocate for resources, and also be an effective partner in all aspects of the children’s systems of care.
The Parent Peer Leadership Institute provides the essential knowledge and skill development in Four Modules :
  1. Children’s Systems of Care
  2. The Parent/Family Voice
  3. Professionalism
  4. Support, Networking and the Parent Support Provider Role

The Institute’s curriculum was developed by G.E.A.R. Parent Network’s parent peer staff with consultation and shared materials from the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, their state organizations and chapters and is typically presented in 3 full days, which include activities and standardized tests. Learn more here . Contact G.E.A.R. here .
From the Center for Disease Control
New CDC Suicide Report; what can those with a lived expertise take away from the data? 
(CNN) Life expectancy in the United States declined from 2016 to 2017, yet the 10 leading causes of death remained the same, according to three government reports released Thursday. Increasing deaths due to drug overdoses and suicides explain this slight downtick in life expectancy, the US Centers for Disease Control says. Read the report here .
From The Youth Mental Health Project
The Youth Mental Health Project developed its Understanding and Supporting Youth Mental Health booklet to provide general guidance for a better understanding of youth mental health development. It can be a very helpful tool for parents - especially those who are new to or early in their journey. View it here .