News from MD Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health

E-newsletter
Volume 8 Issue 8

November 21, 2012

Greetings!

For the past nine months, the state has been moving to integrate mental health and substance abuse administrations and services. This is BIG!

Families who have a child with substance abuse have struggled to find help for their child, felt that their voice has not been heard and have not been part of the process. Sound familiar? This is where families in the mental health arena had been as well.

For the past two weekends, MCF has been conducting a special Family Leadership Institute for families with a youth who has substance abuse and or co-occurring mental health needs. We know what it feels like to not have a voice and MCF is happy to be helping these families gain a voice for their children with substance abuse.

We certainly have more in common than differences, and what really counts is helping our children be well, be safe and be all they can be! Right?

- Jane A. Walker, Executive Director

jwalker@mdcoalition.org

13th Annual MCF Celebration Luncheon

Friday, December 7, 2012

11:30 - 2:00 p.m.

BWI Hilton, Linthicum Heights, MD

Please join us for our annual luncheon! We will present Family Partnership Awards to David Pruitt, M.D., Professor and Director, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Maryland Child and Adolescent Mental Health Innovations Center; and Mark Riddle, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The Jan Yocum dé Calderón Award will be presented to Lori Ginley of Partners for Success, Harford County Public Schools; and the Youth Award will be presented to the group Rainbow Youth & Allies.

Our featured children's book is And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson. The book will be read by its illuatrator, Henry Cole.

Individual tickets are $45 each and sponsorships are available. The registration form may be downloaded from the MCF website. Please call 410-730-8267 for more information and to register.

Survey for Families of Youth with Co-occurring Disorders

Maryland is currently moving to integrate mental health and substance abuse services. It is critical that the voices of families are heard throughout the process. The attached survey was developed to give families an opportunity to share their experiences in finding help for a child with mental health and substance abuse disorder(s).

Please complete the survey if you are the parent or caregiver of a child:

Under age 24 with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse
disorder(s) and,
You reside in Maryland.

Click below to complete the survey in English

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NLBLXW7

Click below to complete the survey in Spanish

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8K9FGVM

If you have questions about the survey, contact Ann Geddes at ageddes@mdcoalition.org.

Thank you for your participation!

Ann Sheridan Appointed New Executive Director of Governor's Office for Children

Governor O'Malley recently announced the appointment of Anne Sheridan as Executive Director of the Governor's Office for Children (GOC), replacing Rosemary King Johnston, who retired last June.

Ms. Sheridan was the Director of Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign in Maryland for the past three years. The Governor has set an aggressive strategic goal for Maryland to become the first state to end childhood hunger within its borders by 2015. The Governor's Office for Children serves as an integral partner in the Administration's plan to eradicate childhood hunger, works to promote health and wellness among youth, and seeks to address the priorities of Maryland's children. Ms. Sheridan's experience with Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign and other partners will help the Administration meet its goal to end childhood hunger in Maryland by 2015. MCF welcomes Ms. Sheridan and looks forward to our continuing partnership with GOC.

MPT to Air Live Call-in Special on Self-Injury in Teens

As part of "Your Health 2013," Maryland Public Television (MPT) is planning to air a special presentation of "The Hurting: Cutting for Relief," an episode from the teen-family awareness series MAPLE AVE, on January 16, 2013, from 8:00pm-9:00pm. Host Yolanda Vazquez will interview local clinicians and experts on the issue of self-injury in teens. During the broadcast, viewers may call a toll-free number to get advice and referrals to self-injury help and resources in their area. Mark your calendars!

Keys to College Success for Students with Disabilities

A new study highlighted by the Parents' Place of Maryland looks at what it takes for students with special needs to be successful in higher education.

Researchers interviewed recent college graduates who have disabilities to find out what qualities or factors helped them to be successful. They found that students who earned degrees had the ability to advocate for themselves and to persevere, as well as support on campus in the form of a strong relationship with at least one faculty or staff member.

Position for Family Member to Work with Consumer Quality Team

The Consumer Quality Team (CQT) of Maryland is looking for a parent or caregiver of a child with mental health needs to help lead the development of Consumer Quality Teams for Children's Programs. CQT teams make announced and unannounced site visits to public mental health facilities in Maryland. During the visit, consumers volunteer for confidential, qualitative interviews. CQT concludes the visit with a verbal report of general comments to program staff. For additional information, contact Joanne Meekins, Director, Consumer Quality Team at JMeekins@cqtmd.org.

SAMHSA Releases Community Action Guide for Infants and Young Children

Supporting Infants, Toddlers, and Families Impacted by Caregiver Mental Health Problems, Substance Abuse, and Trauma: A Community Action Guide can be downloaded for free from SAMHSA. Young children whose parents or caregivers have mental health and substance abuse problems are negatively impacted, but this guide offers information, resources, and tips on how communities can better provide support to these children and their families.

Upcoming Events

High Noon WebCafe:

November 27, Noon - 1 p.m. Insurance Coverage of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment: Your Rights and Resources - Adrienne Ellis, Parity Project, Mental Health Association of Maryland

Your insurance company may provide coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatments, but what can you do if they deny reimbursement or implement policies that restrict your ability to access treatment for your child or self? This webinar will walk you through your rights to coverage and how to enforce those rights through the appeals and grievances process. The webinar will provide you information the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and the Affordable Care Act and with resources you can use to get treatment your child is entitled to.

Upcoming Webinar Topics in 2013

Disruptive Behavior Disorders: Stuart White, Ph.D., National Institute of Mental Health
Engaging Fathers: Mark Matthews, Clean Slate America

Know Your Rights for You and Your Children: Training for Parents of Children with Disabilities-November 27, 6-8 p.m., Holly Community Center, 909 Progress Circle, Suite 300, Salisbury 21804. 443-260-0822. Sponsored by Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute. RSVP to MasonA@kennedykrieger.org. Every family who attends will receive one $35 child care stipend.

CHADD Speaker Series: Powerful Parent-School Partnerships-November 27, 7:00-8:45 p.m. Karen Williams, ABCs for Life Success, LLC.Sponsored by the Greater Baltimore Area CHADD Chapter. Ellicott City Senior Center, 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 21042. Free to CHADD Members, $5 contribution requested from non-members. See www.chadd-mc.org for more information.

Taking Flight: A Panel Discussion with Peers and Parents - November 28, 6:15 p.m.

The Youth Council for the Maryland Coalition of Families, Taking Flight, will be hosting a panel for youth and their families. Our panelists will be discussing their own experiences while navigating the transition years into adulthood. They plan on sharing both their personal frustrations and successes. We want this to be a comfortable and supportive environment for youth and their families to learn, relate, and share. Miller Branch Library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City 21042. For more information, email info@taking-flight.org.

Mark Your Calendar Now for 2013 Day in Annapolis

MCF's Annual Day in Annapolis will be held on January 29, 2013, at the Miller Senate Building. It's a day to learn about important legislation and budget news in Annapolis and to meet with your legislators. It is always a fun and memorable experience.

FREE Workshop from Frederick County Public Schools Partners for Success - December 13, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Potty Training. Steven Lindauer, Ph.D., of the KKI Pediatric Developmental Disabilities Clinic, will address the behavior modification protocols that can aid parents and caregivers to achieve a positive, successful potty training experience for a child with autism. FCPS Staff Development Center, 44 W. Frederick St., Walkersville 21793.

To register or for more information, please call 240-236-8744 or 301-600-1617.

MCF Family Leadership Institute 2013

Save the Date!

6 Weekends: February 22, 23; March 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16; April 12, 13, 19, 20

Homewood Suites, Columbia, MD

A valuable, free opportunity for parents and caregivers of children with behavioral challenges to learn about leadership, collaboration, and advocacy. Contact Carol Allenza at 410-730-8267 or callenza@mdcoalition.org for more information.

Support Groups:

NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore Family Support Groups. For adult relatives of persons with mental illness. Come share wisdom and coping techniques. Call 410-435-2600 for more information. Groups are held:

Every Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m. at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, 7401 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore 21208, and
Every Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m. at Govans Boundary United Methodist Church, 5210 York Rd. (near Cold Spring), Baltimore 21212.

A Time to Share (Support, Help, and Really Encourage)-December 20, 6:30-8:00 p.m. A support group for parents of special needs children, sponsored by FCPS Partners for Success and FCDC Family Support Network. YMCA of Frederick, 1000 N. Market St., Frederick 21701. Call Susan Donoghue-Rick at 240-236-8744 for more information.

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