Fifth and Final Bridging the Gap Symposium

Last symposium of five-year series to
jump start the future

Don't miss the fifth and final Bridging the Gap Symposium on November 7 and 8 at TCU. Four Day Weekend is returning by popular demand to pull all the ideas together throughout the two-day program.

On the first day, demographer Steve Murdoch will present information about the impact of census numbers on the future of mental health care in Tarrant County. The second day of the symposium will be completely interactive, facilitated by systems change expert Ellen Kagen of Washington, D.C. Over the next several months, she will be working with Mental Health Connection to apply the science and theory learned in the past five years, taking the organization to the next level.  

The result of the Symposium discussion will be the bare bones of the new Mental Health Connection strategic plan.  

Take advantage of this opportunity to have your voice heard as we move toward the future of mental health care in our community. For the 2011 Bridging the Gap Symposium registration form, click here.

Hand in Hand Issues Facilitator RFP 

  Immediate Need Exists in Hood County

 Hand in Hand has issued an RFP for a new Wraparound facilitator. Agencies interested in applying can click here. Unlike the previous RFP, this one does not specify a county. Instead, Hand in Hand is allowing for flexibility in its organization as it continues to deploy resources in Hood, Johnson, Parker, Palo Pinto and Tarrant Counties.  

If you have questions about the RFP, send them to Chuck Hoffman, Hand in Hand project director.  

Hand in Hand to Train Families as Spokespersons

Tarrant Cares Receives 1 Million Hits

 Milestone reached only four months after launch       

Tarrant Cares has already received more than 1 million hits. Over 100,000 visitors have spent time on multiple pages after reaching the site.

Tarrant Cares rack cards and magnets have been reprinted, along with new bilingual business cards.  If you would like any of these materials to distribute in the community, please contact Kay Barkin. 

Remember to tell your contacts about this great community resource, and be sure to visit the Tarrant Cares Facebook page. You can post your own agency's news on the Wall. 

Tarrant Cares

CBT Training Scheduled for Fall and Spring

 Local trainers to lead programs

Several local therapists recently completed a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy train-the-trainer session. The training was developed for Mental Health Connection with support from Peter Jensen and the REACH Institute. The new trainers are from Juvenile Services, Santa Fe Youth Services, Lena Pope Home, JPS Health Network, Catholic Charities and The Women's Center.   

Mental Health Connection is now gearing up to conduct more community CBT training in the Fall and again in the Spring. The three manuals on Disruptive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders and Depression will be offered separately so providers can focus on just one area if they wish. The ultimate goal is to be able to work effectively with those youth who come to therapy needing assistance in addressing multiple issues. All of the CBT trainings will be coupled with skills already learned in Trauma-Focused CBT classes.  

Watch your email for more information on the upcoming training.  

Stay on TRAC Pilot Expands 

Stay on TRAC (Treatment, Responsibility and Accountability on Campus), the alcohol diversion pilot program introduced in Keller ISD high schools last year, is expanding the population it serves. Students using drugs will now be able to participate in Stay on TRAC instead of being placed in the District Alternative Education Program. Students with infractions can continue to participate in advanced placement classes, as well as electives and extracurricular activities through Stay on TRAC. Otherwise, they cannot participate for 45 school days. Students who successfully complete the Stay on TRAC program do not need to take any additional actions. Those who do not will spend the full 45 days in alternative education placement.

Mental Health Connection agencies providing assessment, education, intervention and treatment pro bono for one year are ACH Child and Family Services, Lena Pope Home, Santa Fe Youth Services and MHMR of Tarrant County Youth Recovery Campus. Mental Health Connection has contracted with MHMR to evaluate the effectiveness of Stay on TRAC.  

2011 Substance Abuse Information Published  

Tarrant County Challenge has published the 2011 Tarrant County Drug Impact Index Substance Abuse Information Databank (SAID). Click here to download the publication.

Announcements

Agencies Announce Upcoming Events 

Webinar - Child Trauma and Juvenile Justice:  

   Prevalence, Impact and Treatment

 August 25, 2011, 1-2 p.m.  

 To register, click here.

Mental Health Association 5K Run 

  September 10, 2011 (9-10-11)

 Crime Victims Council 9-11 Memorial

  Good Shepherd Catholic Community

  1000 Tinker Road

  Colleyville, TX 76034

  Join a number of faith groups for a memorial service and a
  day of discussions about the healing process 

 United Way Legislative Update

   September 19, 2011
   1:30-4 p.m.

   Fort Worth Botanic Garden 

Dedication of JPS School-Based Health Clinic Southside

   September 18, 2011

   2:00 p.m.

   Southside Church of Christ

   2101 Hemphill

   Fort Worth, Texas 76110

   The dedication ceremony will be held in the Social Hall,
   followed by the ribbon cutting and tours of the clinic at
   2115 Hemphill. 

NAMIWalks Fort Worth

   October 15, 2011

   Fort Worth Botanic Garden