Strong Starts Newsletter

Information for the Strong Starts Partnership

 

April 2013

 

          
In This Issue
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Recent Articles Of Interest
Mental Health Services Act Advisory Committee
Workshops, Conferences

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Trainings/Conferences
       
On-line Resouces
 An independent forum with news, programs, research, events, legislation, theory, and opinion on  education, health, welfare, and justice for California's 10 million children
Focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5
 
Research and message development on child and family mental health

Promoting the health and development of infants and toddlers

Building awareness and understanding of sensory processing disorders through education and collaboration

Helping parents, teachers and health professionals to proactively manage the challenging behaviors of the 21st century child
Meeting Information

 

Next Meeting:

Tuesday, April 9, 2013, 8:30 - 10:30 A.M.

Blood Source - Community Meeting Room (upstairs)

555 Rio Lindo Avenue

 

Presentation:  Shelly Laney, of Stepping Stones, an outpatient program offering alcohol & drug treatment to pregnant woman or who are parenting young children.

 

Please Note: Parking in Blood Source lot is for clients only. Please park in lot directly across Rio Lindo or use street side parking. Thank you. 

 

 

  

teddy bear imageApril is Child Abuse Prevention Month  

 

April marks the observance of Child Abuse Prevention month, a time to focus on the protection and care of our most vulnerable and trusting people, children. Child Abuse Prevention Month has been observed each April since 1983. Since that time, individuals and organizations have joined together during April to raise the public's awareness of child abuse and its prevention.

  

Visit the National Child Abuse Prevention Month website for resources and strategies on engaging communities and supporting families. The site features:

  • Strengthening Families and Communities: Resource Guide, a guide to help service providers strengthen families by promoting key protective factors that prevent abuse.
  • Tip sheets to distribute to parents and caregivers to address particular parenting concerns or questions. Each tip sheet is available in English and Spanish.
  • An activities calendar using the Five Protective Factors. The calendar provides child welfare professionals with activities they can do with families throughout the month that support children and families.

Locally, the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Butte County is hosting their 3rd Annual Art Show at the Chico Art Center, 450 Orange Street, Saturday April 27, 2013. Art Gallery viewing will be Saturday 2:00 to 7:00 P.M., with a reception from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. There will be a raffle, silent auction, local artist and children's art display. Details here. 

 

Recent Articles Of Interest 

 

Schoolyard Bullying Associated with Mental Health Disorders in Adulthood

 

A study of 1420 subjects ages 9 to 26 found that those who were bullied as children were many times more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders as adults, while bullies were four times more likely to have antisocial personality disorder.

  

To This Day Project is a project based on a spoken word poem written by Shane Koyczan called "To This Day", to further explore the profound and lasting impact that bullying can have on an individual.

 

 

Same Genes Responsible for the Five Most Common Mental Illnesses

 

Autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression are driven by the same genes, according to new research. Scientists say the discovery could lead to better and more effective treatments for the conditions.

 

Mental Health Services Act  Advisory Committee
  

The Butte County Behavioral Health Board Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Advisory Committee is currently reorganizing. Over the years this has been a vital committee in providing input and direction as the MHSA was implemented in Butte County.  As the programs have progressed over time it has become apparent that the MHSA Advisory Committee needed a new membership of individuals who could guide the process but were not involved in the implementation of programs.  Thus we are soliciting applicants for the MHSA Advisory Committee.

 

Community input is vital to the successful implementation of the (MHSA). The committee will be working on behalf of the entire community of Butte County, bringing special expertise and/or experience in various issues related to the MHSA.  We are seeking the widest representation possible. The MHSA Advisory Committee will meet on a quarterly basis and will have additional meetings as needed to respond to MHSA directives.  Preparation for the meetings will include review of materials and keeping abreast of MHSA policies and programs. There will be a 2 hour orientation to MHSA when the board first convenes.

 

If you are interested in becoming a member of the MHSA Advisory Committee, please complete and submit the MHSA Advisory Committee application by April 15, 2013. Applications may be submitted by email or mailed to the address on the form. If you have questions regarding the committee contact Betsy Gowan, 891-2850.
  

Workshops, Conferences and Other Resources

 

 

Parenting your Aspergers Teen is a series of classes for parents of teens and young adults with Aspergers and High Functioning Aspergers. Classes will be on the second Tuesday of the month, and run through June 11, 2013. Classes begin at 6:00pm and will last for approximately an hour. Cost is $10 per person per night. Space is limited, so please reserve your seat by calling Chico Creek Counseling (530) 410-0505, ext. 105. Each class will be held at the Chico Creek Counseling office, 630 Salem Street, Suite 120, Chico.

 

 

Rowell Family Empowerment of Northern California is offering a webinar about the Positive Behavior Plan. You'll learn about the essential ingredients, how to properly write one, and how to install it successfully so your child can begin to achieve. The training is Friday, April 12, 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon. Register here.

 

  

Relax and Renew, Self-care For Adoptive Parents, is a workshop exploring a variety of self-care techniques that focus on relaxation and renewing your spirit. Learn how simple breathing techniques and body openers can help you to reduce stress and feel great. The workshop is Thursday, April 18th, 6:30 - 8:30 P.M., at 868 East 7th Street in Chico. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to get down on the floor. To reserve your space call 879-3861.

 

 

Reclaiming Futures: A Model for Communities Helping Teens Overcome Drugs, Alcohol and Crime is a webinar designed for those wanting to learn more about the Reclaiming Futures model and how the model has been adopted as a cost-effective juvenile justice reform initiative. The webinar will (1) overview the compelling need, (2) describe Reclaiming Futures, and (3) describe how the framework of Reclaiming Futures is pointing to better outcomes for youth. Tuesday, April 30th, 10:00 - 11:00 A.M.

 

 

Childhood Trauma And The Brain: The Neurosequential Model of Caregiving, is a comprehensive approach to understanding trauma and brain development in children. Presented by Dr. Brice Perry, this free training takes place May 8th, 2013, at the Neighborhood Church of Chico. Registration is required; details are here.

 

 

The National AIA Resource Center is offering a skills-building training, Breaking Intergenerational Cycles of Trauma: Building on Vulnerable Parent's Strengths, June 24-25, 2013, in Berkeley. You can also access the Center's archived training webinars for free.

 

 

NTI Upstream has announced their new webinar lineup for 2013. The focus of this year's webinars is Drug Use in Pregnancy: Focus on the Newborn. All webinars will be presented by Dr. Ira J. Chasnoff, President of NTI Upstream and Children's Research Triangle. Details are here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions or Comments?
 
Logo ImageGloria Balch, Deputy Director
Valley Oak Children's Services
287 Rio Lindo Avenue, Chico, CA 95926
(530) 899-4932
E-Mail: Gloria Balch