Play Under Siege -- (03-23-04) -- No naptime in preschool, no recess in kindergarten--are schools focusing too narrowly on desk learning alone? Child development specialist Ed Zigler says that children's play is under attack as schools focus on children's reading development at the expense of their equally important (and related) physical, social and emotional development.

ECCO First Round Judging Results & Next Steps -- (06-26-09) -- Congratulations OCSI Team! The Campaign Resource Group (CRG), an advisory group to the Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health Campaign (SAMHSA) conducted its first round of judging for the 2009 Excellence in Community Communications and Outreach (ECCO) Recognition Program. We have been selected as one of 24 finalists for our website and calendar in the category of "Community Outreach: Parents and Caregivers".

Victory in Supreme Court -- (06-24-09) -- On June 22, 2009, the US Supreme Court in Forest Grove School District v. T.A. (No. 08-305) issued a 6-3 decision in favor of T.A., a student with AD/HD and related disorders. T.A. had ongoing difficulties in school but despite repeated requests was not evaluated for AD/HD by the Forest Grove (Oregon) School District.

Adolescent Mental Health: Service Setting and Reasons for Receiving Care -- (02-19-09) -- This is a a 3 page short report based on data from SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH) that provides data on rates of services adolescents received from a long list of outpatient, residential, educational, and general medical settings such as hospital, foster care home, private therapist care, in-home therapist, school counselor, etc. Also included is a long list of reasons adolescents received mental health services including suicidal thought/attempts, eating problems, depression, etc.

What Makes a Difference for Transition Age Youth with Mental Health Needs? -- (02-03-09) -- This presentation is based on a sub sample of the 59 youth participants and includes low income European American (EA) and African American (AA) transition-age youth with mental health needs.

Starting Points for Communities Developing New Transition Programs for Young People with Mental Health Difficulties -- (02-03-09) -- This document offers tips to school and agency staff involved in developing transition programs for youth with mental health difficulties.

40 Developmental Assets -- (10-16-08) -- Search Institute of Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., has identified the following building blocks of healthy development that help all young people grow up healthy, caring and responsible.

Overscheduled Child -- (06-16-05) -- Does this sound like your family…Your children are involved in several activities outside school. Consequently, you and your spouse are spending a lot of time making sure everyone gets where he or she needs to be. Most days you and your children don't have any time to relax. These are just some of the signs that your family may be overscheduled.

Bit more attention reduces tension -- (01-10-05) -- From the Star Tribune: For the past two years, the counselors and support staff at Washington and two other middle schools in St. Paul -- Battle Creek and Hazel Park -- are pushing a new approach for some of the most challenging students in this most challenging age group. Using data to identify the students who get into the most trouble, counselors have started giving them extra time and attention.

Blueprint for Change: Research on Child and Adolescent Mental Health -- (01-05-05) -- A report of the National Advisory Mental Health Council's Workgroup on child and adolescent mental health intervention development and deployment

Preparing Youth for Peer Pressure -- (11-04-04) -- Peer pressure—it's more than just a phase that young people go through. Whether it leads to pink hair or body piercing, peer pressure is a powerful reality and many adults do not realize its effects. It can be a negative force in the lives of children and adolescents, often resulting in their experimentation with tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs.

Parent-School and Community Partnerships in Children's Mental Health -- (09-24-04) -- This paper reports a qualitative investigation of the networking experiences of parents and of representatives from schools, mental health and faith-based organizations involved in services for at-risk youth in an inner-city community. Barriers to partnership are discussed together with recommendations for successful networking strategies.

Recognizing and Treating Attention Deficit Disorder -- (09-22-04) -- Kevin twists and fidgets as he tries to work on his homework. Unable to find his assignment sheet in his messy binder, he leaps up and begins to bounce off the sofa and chairs. His mother demands that he stop before he breaks something. He doesn't look at his mother, or even seem to hear her. Both Kevin and his mother are frustrated by this familiar battle. But Mom has another worry. Is her son just a very active boy or does he have attention deficit disorder (ADD)?

Kids and antidepressants: The mix raises questions -- (09-16-04) -- A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel has recommended putting a "black box" warning on antidepressants to indicate they might raise the risk of suicidal behavior in children and teens.

Children and War: How can we help? -- (06-11-04) -- International Center to Heal Our Children (ICHOC) created a fact sheet designed to help parents and teachers talk to children about war. In response to children's questions and fears about a current war, ICHOC has created a unique resource with frequently asked questions, warning signs and suggested coping mechanisms for kids.

Parents of bipolar children praise FDA warning on antidepressants, suicidality -- (04-30-04) -- The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) today praised the Food and Drug Administration for issuing a Public Health Advisory stating the potential for increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions from medications used to treat depression.

Frequent TV watching shortens kids' attention spans -- (04-09-04) -- Psychologists and media experts are concerned, but not surprised, by a landmark study suggesting that frequent TV watching by infants and toddlers may shorten their attention span by age 7.

Identifying and Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Resource for School and Home -- (03-29-04) -- We have all had one of these experiences at one time or another. Perhaps it was at the grocery store, watching frustrated parents call their children's names repeatedly and implore them to "put that down". Maybe it was a situation at school with a child who could not seem to sit still and was always in motion. Maybe we noticed a child who appears always to be daydreaming in class--the student who will not focus on an activity long enough to finish it. Possibly the child is bored with a task, seemingly as soon as it has begun, and wants to move on to something else. We all puzzle over these challenging behaviors.

ADHD Awareness -- (02-26-04) -- According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 3 to 5 percent of children in the United States. At CIGNA Behavioral Health, this disorder ranked 5th most frequently sited reason for accessing benefits/services. CIGNA Behavioral Health's years of experience in assisting practitioners and families have shown us the importance of information, planning, resources and teamwork for the successful management of this illness. In an effort to provide these to the parents and families of children living with this disorder, CIGNA Behavioral Health has developed an educational or preventive health program for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This program consists of tools for parents on understanding and managing ADHD and for providers on monitoring treatment progress, medication benefits and side effects and cultivating knowledge of ADHD.

Students With Chronic Illnesses: Guidance for Families, Schools, and Students -- (09-17-03) -- Chronic illnesses affect at least 10 to 15 percent of American children. Responding to the needs of students with chronic conditions, such as asthma, allergies, diabetes, and epilepsy (also known as seizure disorders), in the school setting requires a comprehensive, coordinated, and systematic approach.

Anxiety Disorders - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- All children feel anxious at times. Many young children, for example, show great distress when separated from their parents. Preschoolers are often frightened of strangers, thunderstorms, or the dark. These are normal and usually short-lived anxieties. But some children suffer from anxieties severe enough to interfere with the daily activities of childhood or adolescence.

Asperger's Syndrome - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (04-09-04) -- Asperger's Syndrome, a subset of the autism spectrum disorders, was first identified in the 1940's. Before knowledge of the diagnosis was expanded, the term "high functioning autism" was usually used. An increasing number of children are now being identified with this disorder.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Children and teens with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be overactive and/or unable to pay attention and stay on task. They tend to be impulsive and accident-prone. They may answer questions before raising their hand, forget things, fidget, squirm, or talk too loud. On the other hand, some students with this disorder may be quiet and "spacey" - inattentive, forgetful, and easily distracted.

Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Bipolar disorder, also known as Manic-Depressive Illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide.

Conduct Disorder - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Children and adolescents with conduct disorder are highly visible, demonstrating a complicated group of behavioral and emotional problems. Serious, repetitive, and persistent misbehavior is the essential feature of this disorder. These behaviors fall in four main groups: aggressive behavior toward people or animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft, and serious violations of rules.

Depression - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- All children feel sad or blue at times, but feelings of sadness that persist for weeks or months may be a symptom of major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder (chronic depression). These depressive disorders are more than "the blues"; they affect a young person's thoughts, feelings, behavior, and body, and can lead to school failure, alcohol or drug abuse, and even suicide. Depression is one of the most serious mental, emotional, and behavior disorders suffered by children and teens.

Eating Disorders - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- People with eating disorders experience serious disturbances in their food intake or overeating, as well as extreme concern about body shape or weight. Eating disorders usually develop during adolescence or early adulthood. Eating disorders are not due to weak willpower or bad behavior, rather, they are real, treatable illnesses. The two main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Cholesterol Seen as Potential Buffer Against Fetal Alcohol Syndrome -- (03-14-07) -- Animal studies show that small amounts of alcohol impair the ability of cholesterol to develop cells and organs in developing embryos, leading researchers to postulate that giving cholesterol supplements to alcoholic mothers could prevent alcohol-induced birth defects.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is brain damage and physical birth defects caused by a woman drinking alcohol during pregnancy. FAS can include growth deficiencies, central nervous system dysfunction that may include low IQ or mental retardation, and abnormal facial features (for example, small eye openings, small upturned nose, thin upper lip, small lower jaw, low set ears, and an overall small head circumference). Children lacking the distinguishing facial features may be labeled with fetal alcohol effects (FAE).

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has a neurobiological basis. This means it is a biological disease of the brain, just as diabetes is a biological disease of the pancreas. OCD is not caused by bad parenting, poverty, or other environmental factors.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Students with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) seem angry much of the time. They're quick to blame others for mistakes and act in negative, hostile, and vindictive ways. All students exhibit these behaviors at times, but in those with ODD, these behaviors occur more frequently than is typical in individuals of comparable age and level of development.

April is Autism Awareness Month -- (04-03-09) -- In order to increase public awareness about autism, the United States recognizes April as National Autism Awareness Month.

Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- PDD is an acronym for pervasive developmental disorders, which includes Rett's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and Asperger's syndrome. Another disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), also belongs to this category.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Children who are involved in or witness to a traumatic event that involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror are at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The event is usually a situation where someone's life has been threatened or severe injury has occurred such as serious accidents, abuse, violence, or natural disasters. In some cases, the "event" may be a re-occurring trauma, such as continuing domestic violence.

Reactive Attachment Disorder - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- The essential feature of reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is a markedly disturbed and developmentally inappropriate social relatedness with peers and adults in most contexts. RAD begins before age five and is associated with grossly inadequate or pathological care that disregards the child's basic emotional and physical needs. In some cases, it is associated with repeated changes of a primary caregiver.

Schizophrenia - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Schizophrenia is a medical illness that causes a person to think and act strangely. It is uncommon in young children - usually striking young people between the ages of 16 and 25. This disorder affects about one percent of the population. Schizophrenia can be difficult to recognize in its early phases.

Characteristics of Juvenile Suicide in Confinement -- (02-11-09) -- This bulletin draws on data from the first national survey of suicides of youth in confinement, which was sponsored by OJJDP, to review juvenile suicides that occurred in confinement between 1995 and 1999. It describes the demographic characteristics and social history of the victims and examines the characteristics of the facilities in which the suicides occurred.

Tourette's Disorder - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Tourette's disorder is a neurological disorder that has dramatic consequences for some 200,000 Americans and affects an approximate additional two million to some degree. Boys identified with Tourette's disorder outnumber girls three to one; the disorder affects all races and ethnic groups. Researchers have traced the condition to a single abnormal gene that predisposes the individual to abnormal production or function of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. Although Tourette's disorder is classified as a mental health disorder, it is usually treated by a neurologist as well as a psychiatrist.

Booklet: Guidebook for Youth With Disabilities Aging Out of Foster Care -- (06-29-09) -- A partnership between the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities and Florida’s Children First, Inc., has produced a guide to services and information for Florida youth with disabilities who are transitioning from foster care to independent living. Passage From Youth to Adulthood provides practical information on the legal rights of students with disabilities as they transition to adulthood. While the guide is geared toward Florida students, much of the planning and information (especially about Federal laws) is applicable to youth in other States.

State Foster Youth 18-22 Policies -- (06-29-09) -- The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) has been collecting information from all 50 states and the District of Columbia about their policies for youth in foster care over 18 years old. The list includes information such as the maximum age a youth can remain in care, the legal arrangements for youth older than 18, whether reentry into the system is allowed, and the various living arrangement options.

Spotlight on.. Fertile-Beltrami Public School District #599: "The Laptop High School" -- (10-01-07) -- The mission of the laptop program was to "level the playing field" for our students. As the need for technology skills increased, the faculty was finding that there was a larger and larger gap between the "have computers at home" students and the "have nots". The school district felt that it wanted to, not only help students, but also increase the technology exposure to the community by allowing students to have their laptops at home to share with family.

Spotlight on... -- (10-01-07) -- "Spotlight on...." will focus on a particular service offered or special information about a partner within the Northwest Minnesota Council of Collaboratives.

School District Contact Information -- (09-28-04) -- Contains contact information including district #, address and telephone number as well as a link to that school's website.

Developments in School Finance: 2003 -- (09-20-04) -- This report contains papers presented at the 2003 annual National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Summer Data Conference. The scholars' papers address teacher turnover; financing urban schools; the costs of improving student performance; distinguishing good schools from bad in principle and practice; an evaluation of the efficacy of state adequacy and equity indicators; school finance reform in Vermont; and school accountability.

Decade of Data Reveals Steady Progress Made in Child Well-Being -- (04-29-04) -- Minnesota children are doing better overall than a decade ago according to an annual data book, "Minnesota Kids: A Closer Look," released today by the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Minnesota. In areas where the state made significant progress - fewer teen girls becoming pregnant and fewer youth involved in serious crimes - there has been a strong show of public commitment.

Minnesota County Map -- (03-22-04) -- Minnesota County Map

County Population Totals -- (03-22-04) -- Population totals for the counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk and Red Lake from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Data on Minnesota's Childrens' Mental Health -- (02-02-04) -- Data on Minnesota's Children's Mental Health from the Children's Mental Health Partnership.

National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Pregnancy and Substance Use -- (01-08-04) -- In 2002, 3 percent of pregnant women aged 15 to 44 used illicit drugs in the past month, 3 percent reported binge alcohol use, and 17 percent reported smoking cigarettes in the past month. Pregnant women aged 15 to 25 were more likely to use illicit drugs, binge drink, and smoke cigarettes in the past month than pregnant women aged 26 to 44. Among pregnant women 15 to 44, whites were more likely to have smoked cigarettes in the past month than blacks or Hispanics.

National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Marijuana Use and Delinquent Behaviors among Youths -- (01-08-04) -- Research suggests that among youths, frequency of marijuana use is associated with problem behaviors, including delinquent behaviors. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), formerly the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA), asks youths aged 12 to 17 to report how often they engaged in the following delinquent behaviors during the past year: (a) serious fighting at school or work, (b) taking part in a fight where a group where a group of friends fought against another group, (c) attacking someone with the intent to seriously hurt them, (d) stealing or trying to steal anything worth more than $50, (e) selling illegal drugs or (f) carrying a handgun. Youths also are asked whether they used marijuana or hashish during the past 12 months. Past year marijuana users are asked how many days they used marijuana or hashish during the past year.

Nation's Report Card: Parents' Guide to National Assessment of Educational Progress, The -- (06-12-03) -- This publication is one of a series of outreach brochures for various audiences. This brochure describes the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to parents and provides them with contact information if they have further questions.

OCS Staff Directory -- (02-18-08) -- Staff directory for the Our Children Succeed Initiative.

When Terrible Things Happen -- (03-23-09) -- Recognizing common reactions faced by survivors, and suggesting helpful and less helpful responses.

Alcohol, Medication, And Drug Use After A Disaster -- (03-23-09) -- Helping people understand and manage their use of alcohol, prescription medications, or other drugs after a disaster.

Coping with Your Emotions During Public Health Emergencies -- (03-23-09) -- Trifold brochure helping a person cope with anxiety during a public health emergency.

Helping Families Deal With the Stress of Relocation After a Disaster -- (03-23-09) -- ATSDR fact sheet to help family members of different ages deal with the stress of relocation.

Evacuation Checklist -- (03-30-09) -- If you are evacuating your neighborhood or city because of flooding or other disasters, consider taking the following items. While preparing, make sure that your vehicle has a full tank of gas or arrange for other transportation. Listen to your local radio station for updates on evacuation and shelter information. Remember to notify an emergency contact about where you are going.

Sexual Violence in Disasters: A planning guide for prevention and response -- (03-27-09) -- This guide offers readers important information about sexual violence and disasters that will help communities to understand the connection and develop better disaster responses.

Disaster "Go Kit" for Team Responders -- (03-25-09) -- Important information for team responders including an information checklist, code of conduct, safety as well as a supply list and a sample packing list.

Fact Sheets for Disasters -- (03-24-09) -- As the flood waters rise, and you are preparing your communities for flooding, we want to let you know about materials that are available from MDH regarding health threats.

FEMA Responder Knowledge Base (RKB) Toll Free Number and Email address -- (09-16-08) -- You can call 1-877-FEMA-RKB (1-877-336-2752) for live help with questions regarding the RKB, equipment, standards, available grants and many other topics from 8am - 5pm EST, Monday through Friday. Similarly, questions may be emailed at anytime to RKBMailbox@us.saic.com and will be acknowledged within 24 hours.

Addressing Emergency Psychological Needs During Traumatic Events -- (03-18-04) -- When people experience traumatic events, we address their physical and safety needs. ATSM offers "practical tools" for addressing the wide spectrum of traumatic experiences - from mild to the most severe.

Emotional Health Issues for Victims -- (04-10-09) -- Emotional health issues for victims, from the American Red Cross.

Warning Signs -- (04-10-09) -- Warning signs of trauma-related stress, from the American Psychological Association.

Critical Incident -- (04-10-09) -- Critical incident stress information sheet, from Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.

Normalizing Emotions -- (04-10-09) -- You are not alone! Description of normal emotions following a disaster, from the American Red Cross.

Reducing Building Safety Fears -- (04-10-09) -- Reducing fear about building safety, by Dan Friedman, American Society of Home Inspectors.

Coping Suggestions -- (04-10-09) -- Coping suggestions, from Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.

Steps to Take -- (04-10-09) -- After a disaster: Steps you can take, from Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.

Helping Children After the Flood -- (03-23-09) -- Children react differently to a flood and its aftermath depending on their age, developmental level, and prior experiences.

Helping Children Cope with the Aftermath of a Hurricane -- (09-13-05) -- This brochure can help you learn to recognize the effects of stress in children after a disaster, and offer some simple things you can do to help and begin a family journey towards healing.

Understanding Child Traumatic Stress -- (03-23-05) -- We live with dangers every day. As children and adolescents grow up, they continually learn about different types of dangers. We are always looking for ways to make our lives safer. However, terrible things sometimes happen within and outside the family. They can happen suddenly without warning. Children may experience different traumas over the course of childhood and adolescence. Some traumas, such as child abuse or witnessing domestic violence, may happen repeatedly over a long period of time.

Questions to Help Children Talk About a Disaster -- (03-23-05) -- Questions to Help Children Talk About a Disaster provides examples of "open-ended" questions to encourage children to talk about their feelings and experiences following a disaster.

When Talking Doesn't Help: Other Ways to Help Children Express Their Feelings Following a Disaster -- (03-23-05) -- When Talking Doesn't Help: Other Ways to Help Children Express Their Feelings Following a Disaster provides ideas for helping children express themselves in ways other than talking to help them through the recovery process following a disaster.

The Role of Culture in Helping Children Recover from a Disaster -- (03-23-05) -- The Role of Culture in Helping Children Recover from a Disaster offers words of advice and guidance for teachers helping children from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds through the recovery process following a disaster.

After a Disaster: A Guide for Parents and Teachers -- (03-23-05) -- After a Disaster: A Guide for Parents and Teachers explains how preschool age, early childhood, and adolescent children may respond to terrorist events. The link is intended for parents and teachers to be informed, recognize problems, and respond appropriately to the needs of children.

Talking with School-Age Children about War and Terrorism -- (03-23-05) -- Talking with School-Age Children about War and Terrorism suggests that before talking with children, parents take time to think about the issue themselves and consider what it means to their family.

How Families Can Help Children Cope with Fear and Anxiety -- (03-23-05) -- How Families Can Help Children Cope with Fear and Anxiety explains how families can help children who are dealing with responses to traumatic events.

Helping Children Cope With Fear and Anxiety -- (03-23-05) -- Helping Children Cope With Fear and Anxiety provides a summary of ways to help children who are dealing with fear and anxiety.

Recognizing and Dealing with Reactions to _________ Attacks -- (03-23-05) -- The recent ____________ attack have caused many of us to have reactions such as anxiety, fear, anger, and hyperviligance. While these reactions are to be expected and normal, the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services offers the following information about typical reactions and ways to cope.

How to Help Children After a Disaster -- (03-22-05) -- # How To Help Children After a Disaster offers tips to parents on how to talk to children about terrorist events.

After Disaster: What Teens Can Do -- (03-22-05) -- After a Disaster: What Teens Can Do provides information for teens to help understand some of their reactions as well as others, to terrorist events. Suggestions are also provided to help ease the unfamiliar feelings related to the event.

Helping Families Cope with Disaster and Trauma -- (01-03-05) -- The impact of a disaster goes far beyond the immediate devastation caused by the initial destruction. Just as it takes years to reconstruct all the damaged buildings, it takes time to grieve and rebuild our lives.

Responder Self Care: Caring For Yourself in the Face of Difficult Work -- (03-23-09) -- Tips to help responders recognize stress and care for themselves while working on a traumatic event.

Psychological First Aid for First Responders -- (03-23-09) -- SAMHSA tips for emergency and disaster response workers.

Swine Influenza and You -- (04-27-09) -- Questions and answers regarding swine flu.

Key Facts about Swine Influenza -- (04-27-09) -- Questions and answers about key facts of swine flu.

INFLUENZA: Pigs, People and Public Health -- (04-27-09) -- Public health fact sheet for swine flu.

Booklet: Help Children Cope After a Hurricane -- (10-13-08) -- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network released a new children's booklet to help children who have experienced previous hurricanes to cope with rainy windy days.

Health officials address health concerns in wake of Red River flooding -- (04-05-06) -- Residents in parts of northwestern Minnesota hit by flooding can take steps to safeguard their health.

Winter Survival - An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan -- (11-28-05) -- In this lesson plan the students will learn what to do when stranded in a car during the middle of winter. From this experience my students will also learn how to construct a winter survival kit for their parents car.

Outdoor Action Guide to Hypothermia and Cold Weather Injuries -- (11-28-05) -- Traveling in cold weather conditions can be life threatening. The information provided here is designed for educational use only and is not a substitute for specific training or experience. Princeton University and the author assume no liability for any individual's use of or reliance upon any material contained or referenced herein. Medical research on hypothermia and cold injuries is always changing knowledge and treatment. When going into cold conditions it is your responsibility to learn the latest information. The material contained in this workshop may not be the most current.

Dealing with the Aftermath of Hurricane -- (09-13-05) -- This brochure can help you and your loved ones to recognize the effects of stress after a disaster, and offer some simple and safe things you can do to relieve stress and begin a journey towards healing.

Connect for Kids: Online Resources for Helping Victims of Hurricane Katrina -- (09-09-05) -- In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Connect for Kids has pulled together online resources for helping those affected. We’ve divided them into three sections: Emergency Guidelines for Helping Victims looks at how government agencies are developing procedures for helping the displaced; Giving & Getting Help is a compilation of information on donating and volunteering, also on help available to those affected; and Help with Healing offers information on supporting kids and families dealing with trauma related to Katrina. We expect to update this resource frequently.

Coping with Disasters -- (09-15-04) -- The National Mental Health Association has developed the Coping With Disaster fact sheet series to help you and your loved ones cope during crisis and loss.

Coping with Tragedy: After a Hurricane -- (09-15-04) -- The National Mental Health Association has developed the Coping With Disaster fact sheet series to help you and your loved ones cope during crisis and loss.

Springtime Stressors for Students and Staff -- (04-21-09) -- Spring time is a marker not only for new beginnings, but also for tragic events. The tragedies of past school shootings and other community acts of violence along with the flooding in northern Minnesota and the continuing economic crisis have provided students, staff and their families with many springtime stressors. While some of these pressures are “new”, there are constant factors and pressures on students and staff face each spring. School personnel should review them and be aware because these stressors may contribute to increased threats of violence and behavior problems each spring.

Mental Health Provides Guidelines to Help Students, Parents and Educators Respond and Cope with the Virginia Tech Shootings -- (04-18-07) -- Mental Health America expresses its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and classmates of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University shooting victims. As details surrounding the shootings continue to unfold, Mental Health America recognizes that this tragedy affects people across the country. It developed the below guidelines to help educators, students and parents respond and cope with this tragedy.

Talking About the News -- (03-24-05) -- The news of the school shooting that happened today can be very scary for a lot of children. The challenge in helping them cope with today’s events is that it is also scary for many adults. Here are some pointers.

When to Pay Attention -- (03-24-05) -- There are many resources that list the warning signs of potential violence. Though this information can be quite useful, it is important to note that no one behavior is a guaranteed indicator.

School Safety: Three Steps to Make the Peace -- (03-24-05) -- The recent tragic school shooting reminds us of the important role each child and each adult has in maintaining the safety of a school. Here are three actions children, youth or adults can take to improve the safety of their learning community.

Minnesota Department of Education: School Crisis Resources and Suggestions for Educators and Families/Parents -- (03-23-05) -- An 11-page document listing resources and suggestions to help students cope with a school crisis.

Marking Disaster Anniversaries in the Classroom -- (03-23-05) -- Marking Disaster Anniversaries in the Classroom suggests activities for teachers to use with students of different grade levels to commemorate disaster anniversaries.

How to Talk to Children about the _______ -- (03-22-05) -- Experts encourage parents and teachers to talk to children about their feelings about the recent _______. To help parents and teachers, the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services offers the tips below.

Help for Parents and Teachers to Recognize Children’s Reactions to the Recent ______Attacks -- (03-22-05) -- Children of all ages may experience a wide range of reactions to the recent ______ attacks, such as feeling frightened, confused, and insecure. Knowing the signs that are common at different ages can help parents and teachers to recognize problems and respond appropriately. To help parents and teachers, the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services offers the tips below.

Coping with Tragedy: The Anniversary of 9/11 -- (09-15-04) -- The National Mental Health Association has developed the Coping With Disaster fact sheet series to help you and your loved ones cope during crisis and loss.

Coping with the Stress of Ongoing Military Operations -- (09-15-04) -- The National Mental Health Association has developed the Coping With Disaster fact sheet series to help you and your loved ones cope during crisis and loss.

Coping with Terrorism -- (09-15-04) -- The National Mental Health Association has developed the Coping With Disaster fact sheet series to help you and your loved ones cope during crisis and loss.

Coping with War -- (09-15-04) -- The National Mental Health Association has developed the Coping With Disaster fact sheet series to help you and your loved ones cope during crisis and loss.

Trends in Adolescent Inhalant Use: 2002 to 2007 -- (03-18-09) -- This is a 3 page short report based on data from SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH) that provides data on demographics and trends in inhalant use as well as on specific types of inhalants.

Keeping Youth Drug Free -- (10-07-08) -- This guide is designed for parents and caregivers of children ages 7 to 13. It focuses on six key steps that parents or caregivers can take to help their children grow up drug-free: establish and maintain good communication with their child; get involved in their child’s life; make clear rules and enforce them with consistency and appropriate consequences; be a positive role model; teach their child to choose friends wisely; and monitor their child’s activities.

Not in My House -- (06-30-08) -- The Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA) has joined with the Abbott pharmaceutical firm to sponsor a new campaign against teen prescription-drug misuse.

NAABT Patient/Physician Matching System -- (12-13-07) -- The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment has launched its National Patient/Physician Matching System to connect those addicted to opioids with doctors able to provide medical treatment with buprenorphine in the privacy of their office.

Sales of Home Drug-Test Kits Soar Despite Warnings from Experts -- (05-16-07) -- The number of parents buying home drug-test kits has increased dramatically despite warnings from treatment professionals and government officials that home-testing adolescents is not a good idea.

A Parent's Guide to Preventing Inhalant Abuse -- (04-26-07) -- Online guide for parents from the federal government.

Parental Drinking Stunts Brain Growth in Alcoholic Kids, Study Suggests -- (03-01-07) -- Alcohol-dependent individuals with a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking exhibited reduced brain growth compared to alcohol-dependent people with no family history of alcohol problems.

'Happy Bunny' Jumps into Drug Prevention -- (10-26-06) -- The Partnership for a Drug-Free Texas has inked a deal with illustrator Jim Benton to create a series of anti-drug messages using his popular 'Happy Bunny' character.

Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders, Second Edition -- (10-26-06) -- This booklet presents the updated prevention principles, an overview of program planning, and critical first steps for those learning about prevention. Selected resources and references are also provided.

Mothball Abuse Comes Out of the Closet -- (07-31-06) -- Some teenagers are using mothballs to get high, a trend that may be underreported.

Fentanyl Linked to Recent Clusters of Drug Overdoses and Deaths in U.S. -- (07-17-06) -- Illicitly manufactured fentanyl combined with heroin (and, to a lesser extent, cocaine) is believed to be the cause of a recent outbreak of overdoses and deaths reported in a number of East Coast and Midwest cities, including Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood -- (06-22-06) -- From earliest experimentation to habitual excess to full-blown abuse, twenty-four-year-old Koren Zailckas leads us through her experience of a terrifying trend among young girls, exploring how binge drinking becomes routine, how it becomes "the usual."

Anatomy of a Binge: How Alcohol Affects your Brain -- (06-12-06) -- Here's what can happen in a "power hour" - that first hour of a 21st birthday celebration in which young adults try to consume 21 drinks between midnight and 1 a.m.

Huffing Increases as Knowledge Declines -- (04-26-06) -- More kids are "huffing" household chemicals to get high, and fewer understand the risks of their behavior.

Prevention Group Focuses on Prescription Drugs, Testing -- (02-16-06) -- The drug-prevention group "notMYkid" plans to expand nationally with a program aimed at fighting prescription-drug abuse.

Airsickness Drug Dramamine Used to Get High -- (01-19-06) -- Teens have increasingly turned to prescription and over-the-counter drugs to get a buzz, including taking high doses of the airsickness drug Dramamine.

School Helps Parents Track Parties Via Internet -- (01-12-06) -- School officials in Arlington, Mass., are hoping an e-mail contact list will help parents keep track of student parties and head off underage drinking and other problems.

Parents' Anti-Drug Talk Called Effective -- (12-14-05) -- Parents who are intolerant of drug use and let their children know it are less likely to have kids who use drugs, according to researchers at Brigham Young University.

Drinking Moms Pass Problem on to Teens -- (12-02-05) -- Women who drink regularly and are depressed are more likely to have teenagers with drinking problems, according to Australian researchers.

Pocket Breath Testers Criticized -- (11-29-05) -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada and police say that pocket breathalyzers now on the market are potentially dangerous and could be inaccurate, the Canadian Press reported Nov. 27.

Australian Recovery Website Launched -- (11-21-05) -- A new government-sponsored website in Australia features inspirational stories of recovery from people formerly addicted to alcohol and other drugs.

Smoking Parents More than Double Risk of Kids Becoming Smokers -- (11-08-05) -- A study that looked at family influences on smoking found that 12-year-olds whose parents smoked were more than two times as likely to become smokers themselves by the time they hit age 21.

Movies heavily shape teen smoking -- (11-08-05) -- Nearly 40 percent of U.S. adolescents who give cigarette smoking a try do so because they saw it in movies, a study said on Monday.

Study: Kids Get Cigarettes from Friends and Family -- (11-08-05) -- A nationwide survey of students in grades eight through 12 finds that the majority of youngsters who smoke get their cigarettes from friends or family members, according to the American Cancer Society.

Marijuana and Academic Success -- (11-07-05) -- Marijuana is riskier than you think. It can limit your teen's achievement in the classroom, on standardized tests and in the future.

Asset-building tips for dealing with substance use and abuse -- (07-06-05) -- You may find it hard to believe that your teen would ever drink alcohol or use other drugs. Or if you grew up in the 60s and 70s, you may feel hypocritical telling your daughter or son not to do things you did yourself at that age. The topic can be upsetting and emotionally charged, but by avoiding a discussion about it, you do your teen a disservice. Your son or daughter needs a great deal of guidance and support to make wise choices.

Suspect Your Teen is Using Drugs or Drinking?: A Brief Guide to Action for Parents (Early Intervention Parent brochure) -- (06-20-05) -- This booklet offers parents information about talking to their teens about drug use and the steps to take to do so.

Hitting Teens' Drinking Hot Spots -- (06-20-05) -- BELLMORE, NY - Our group of 25 adults ran into a half-dozen Calhoun students guzzling ethanol in a state-owned forest behind the Brookside School last Saturday evening.

Wake Up to the Risks of Marijuana: A Guide for Parents -- (06-20-05) -- This brochure outlines the facts of using marijuana and offers tips on what parents can do to keep their children from using marijuana. It also includes parent responses to clear up false information about the drug.

Keeping Your Kids Drug Free: A How-to Guide for Parents and Caregivers -- (06-20-05) -- This booklet provides ideas and examples of the skills busy parents can use to keep their children off drugs. It details the challenges parents face, how to influence children’s behavior, how to keep children away from drugs, what to say and when to say it, and how to get others to help.

"Huffing" Can Kill Your Child -- (06-01-05) -- Abuse of inhalants by middle school children has increased by up to 44 percent over a two-year period, according to a new data analysis conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

Alcohol Merchandise Encourages Underage Drinking -- (05-18-05) -- Adolescents who collect and brandish promotional hats, shirts, bags and other merchandise displaying popular alcohol logos are far more likely to start drinking while still underage, according to a new study.

A Prescription for Danger—Use of Painkillers on the Rise -- (05-16-05) -- This article provides information and resources to help adults deal with the latest threat in teen drug abuse-prescription pain medicine. Commonly used prescription drugs and their effects are discussed.

Legal but Lethal: The Danger of Abusing Over-the-Counter Drugs -- (05-16-05) -- A growing number of youth are abusing over-the-counter products like cold medicine. This article talks about the health risks associated with such abuse and what parents can do to keep children safe.

How Do Kids Get Prescription Drugs? -- (05-16-05) -- How do youth get prescription drugs illegally? What can adults do to limit this access? This article provides some answers for parents and caregivers.

Raising kids who don't smoke (Volume 1: Issue 1) -- (04-25-05) -- This brochure—the first in the series—was created to provide parents a resource with tips, tools, and information to help make conversations with their kids about not smoking easier and more effective. English and Spanish version.

Peer pressure & smoking (Volume 1: Issue 2) -- (04-25-05) -- Studies show that kids who have friends that smoke are 9 times more likely to smoke than those kids who do not have any friends that smoke.This brochure was created to offer parents information and tips to help their kids resist peer pressure to smoke.

Alcohol: What You Don't Know Can Harm You -- (04-05-05) -- If you are like many Americans, you may drink alcohol occasionally. Or, like others, you may drink moderate amounts of alcohol on a more regular basis. If you are a woman or someone over the age of 65, this means you have no more than one drink per day; if you are a man, this means you have no more than two drinks per day. Drinking at these levels usually is not associated with health risks and may help prevent certain forms of heart disease. But did you know that even moderate drinking, under certain circumstances, can be risky? If you drink at more than moderate levels, you may be putting yourself at risk for serious problems with your health as well as problems with family, friends, and coworkers. This booklet explains some of the problems that can be caused by drinking that you may not have considered.

It's Not Your Fault -- (04-05-05) -- Are you worried that your Mom or Dad drinks too much or uses drugs? You are right to be concerned about their safety and health, about what will happen to you, about their embarrassing you or criticizing you unfairly, about breaking promises, about driving under the influence, and about lots of other things that create unpredictability and confusion. While you cannot stop your parent from drinking or using drugs, you can take steps to make things better for yourself.

The Role of Parents in Preventing and Addressing Underage Drinking -- (04-05-05) -- During adolescence, young people begin to take risks and test limits. They do so because they are moving from a family-centered world to the larger community, within which they will begin to define their own identity. It is also during this time that parents have an especially important role in preventing and addressing underage drinking.

More and More Children Falling Victim to Meth -- (02-24-05) -- When an Indiana girl was killed, allegedly because she had seen people cooking methamphetamines, it reinforced the image of meth users as a menace, but law enforcement and child services professionals say there are more insidious and more pervasive threats to children from the drug.

Marijuana affects blood vessels -- (02-08-05) -- Marijuana has a long-term effect on blood flow to the brain, potentially increasing the risk of memory damage and stroke, research finds.

'Meth mouth' plagues many state prisoners -- (01-06-05) -- Article in the Star Tribune that discusses the affect of meth use on a person's mouth. (Tooth loss, decay)

Teens and Meth: A parents' survival guide -- (01-04-05) -- A free Extension fact sheet on Teens and Meth, written by Family Relations Educator Ellie McCann, is now available to download. Methamphetamine use typically starts during the teen years. In 2002, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that more than 12 million people age 12 and older reported that they had used methamphetamine at least once in their lifetime. Parents have a critical role in communicating with their teen about the use of meth.

Red Ribbon Week - October 23-31 -- (10-11-04) -- The Red Ribbon Campaign was started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered Kiki Camarena, a DEA agent, in 1985. This began the continuing tradition of wearing and displaying red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment toward the creation of a DRUG-FREE AMERICA.

Making Friends in Middle School -- (09-22-04) -- Making good grades probably tops your list of goals for your middle school student, but making friends is also important. Middle school marks a new chapter in your child’s life. She’s moving away from childhood and into the beginning of adolescence. Your middle schooler’s friends will help shape many of her values and actions—including what she thinks about alcohol and whether she drinks before her 21st birthday.

Meth News: Additive will leave pink stain on fertilizer thieves -- (08-31-04) -- A new additive in farm fertilizer is designed not to help crops - but to deter methamphetamine makers from stealing the fertilizer for their drug recipes.

Meth a Growing Menace in Rural America -- (08-16-04) -- One of the nation's most dangerous drugs is increasingly found in the most unexpected places. The government's latest studies indicate the production and use of methamphetamine -- an addictive stimulant also known as speed -- is escalating, especially in rural areas.

Tobacco Use Predictive Factors and School-Based Program -- (07-26-04) -- Based on Dr. Cheryl Perry's work, this two-page chart lists the predictive factors related to youth tobacco use, interventions strategies and school components that address each strategy.

Alcoholism Signs -- (06-11-04) -- Signs of an Alcoholic

Tips for Teens: Drug Fact Sheets for Families and Teens -- (06-11-04) -- Drug facts for Families and Teens on: Alcohol, Club Drugs, Cocaine, Hallucinogens, Heroin, Inhalants, Marijuna, Methamphetamine, Steroids and Tobacco.

Alcohol Fact Sheet -- (04-30-04) -- Alcohol Fact Sheet from the Child Welfare League of America.

Binge Drinking Among Underage Persons -- (03-29-04) -- The 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) questioned more than 70,000 persons aged 12 or older nationwide, including almost 35,000 persons aged 12 to 20, regarding their frequency and quantity of drinking or use of any illicit drug during the month before the survey. Binge drinking was defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least 1 day in the past 30 days. By "occasion" is meant at the same time or within a couple of hours of each other. "Any illicit drug" refers to use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin or any prescription-type psychotherapeutic used nonmedically during the 30 days before the survey. Respondents aged 18 to 22 were also asked about their college enrollment status.

Substance Use, Abuse and Dependence among Youths Who Have Been in a Jail or a Detention Center -- (03-09-04) -- The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) formerly the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) asks persons aged 12 or older to report their use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs during the year prior to the interview. "Any illicit drug" refers to marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack) inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin, or prescription-type drugs used nonmedically. The survey also asks youths aged 12 to 17 if they have ever been in jail or in a detention center. Past research has shown that rates of substance use and dependence are substantial among youths with criminal justice experience.

The Human and Economic Cost of Alcohol Use in Minnesota -- (01-12-04) -- Consequences of alcohol use: - Alcohol use and misuse is the third leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. according to the last national study in 1993. - Alcohol contributes to injuries resulting from motor-vehicle crashes, fires, falls, and drowning. Alcohol also contributes to violence such as child abuse, homicide, suicide and personal assault. - Many chronic conditions are attributable to alcohol use, including digestive diseases, certain cancers, mental disorders, and certain cardiovascular diseases.

Methamphetamine Fact Sheet -- (12-30-03) -- Methamphetamine fact sheet-- This report provides an overview of Methamphetamine use, effects, availability, related enforcement activities and treatment data.

"Smoking and Toking" -- (12-10-03) -- The fact sheet and article highlight key research about the dangers of smoking cigarettes and marijuana, such as addictive and carcinogenic qualities, youth rates of smoking and toking and the importance of parents in preventing kids from starting to smoke.

OCS/EC Referral Sources -- (01-01-08) -- Our Children Succeed Early Childhood Referral Sources

Long before the ABCs, babies getting acquainted with ASL -- (10-17-06) -- More child care providers are teaching American Sign Language and reaping the benefits of babies who can communicate before they're old enough to speak.

Family Education Network Listserv -- (06-01-05) -- Family Education Network (FEN) is a moderated listserv focusing on strengthening families and school-age (K-12) parent education. The listserv is developed by University of Minnesota Extension Service Family Relations Specialists from across the state.

Nation's Report Card: An Introduction to The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) -- (03-09-05) -- The Nation's Report Card: An Introduction to The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) explains the major features of NAEP in a non-technical manner. It highlights the history and development of NAEP, how the data are collected, scored, and analyzed, and how the results are reported. This introductory guide to NAEP is designed to meet the information needs of teachers, parents, and other members of the general public about the nation's premier assessment of what America's elementary and secondary students know and can do.

Beyond the College Mainstream -- (01-11-05) -- From the Star Tribune: The college search is a time of high anxiety for most high school seniors and their families. But concerns about finding the right school are magnified for the 135,000 Minnesota students, who have diagnosed learning disabilities (LD) or who have been in special education. Today's LD students are both better prepared for college and more demanding of special services. And schools are, in turn, responding to those demands.

New standards open new books in Minnesota schools -- (11-15-04) -- The state's new rules for what students need to know in language arts, math and arts -- plus new course credit requirements -- have brought a host of changes to many schools. More kids will have to take more math and science. More will be reciting poetry and studying Latin and Greek root words.

Zero Tolerance -- (06-11-04) -- These reported incidents of suspensions and expulsions have not only sparked criticism of the swift, uniform policies of zero tolerance, but have also brought increased lawsuits against schools regarding unfairness and inequities in zero tolerance. Zero tolerance policies fail to apply to the same consequences to all children, as the policies have a disproportionate impact on African-American and Latino students.

Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide -- (03-23-04) -- School violence occurs in a unique context in every school, making a one-size-fits-all approach ineffective. This Action Guide helps schools develop and carry out a violence prevention and response plan that can be customized to fit each school's particular strengths.

VMB Fund -- (10-27-04) -- The VMB Fund is an anonymous, philanthropic fund that can be accessed by low-income people in Minnesota with emergency expenses. If you know families with emergency expenses that can't be paid for through other sources, they may be eligible for funding. Eligible requests include one-time per year, per person emergency expenses such as overdue medical bills, etc. in the $1,000 to $5,000 range.

National School Bus Safety Week - October 20-24, 2008 -- (10-13-08) -- This year's theme is "Stop on Red, Kids Ahead"

Latino AIDS Awareness Day in Minnesota set for October 15 -- (10-07-08) -- To call attention to the impact HIV infection has had on Latino communities in Minnesota, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proclaimed Wednesday, Oct. 15, as Latino AIDS Awareness Day in Minnesota.

Disability Etiquette -- (10-07-08) -- A great resource for businesses, schools, organizations, staff training and disability awareness programs. This booklet provides tips for you to follow that will help create positive interactions and raise everyone's comfort levels. The publication offers advice related to a diverse number of specific disabilities.

Minnesota Department of Health publishes annual report on adverse events in Minnesota hospitals and surgical centers -- (01-17-07) -- The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today released the third annual report on preventable adverse events in Minnesota hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and regional treatment centers. Preventable adverse events include such things as wrong-site surgeries, pressure ulcers, retained objects after surgery, death or serious disability from a medication error, and death from a fall.

Surviving the Cold, or Even the Not So Cold -- (01-09-07) -- Hypothermia, a condition in which the body's core temperature drops below 95 degrees, is the No. 1 killer of outdoor recreationists. It is also an often unrecognized killer of infants and the elderly, although the most frequent victims are homeless people, alcoholics and drug addicts.

A heads-up on concussions -- (10-18-06) -- Concerns about blows to young athletes' heads and the risks of returning too soon are getting more attention in Minnesota.

Tips for Living in the Heat -- (07-13-06) -- Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness and general care for all heat emergencies.

U.S. Living Will Registry -- (03-22-05) -- The mission of the U.S. Living Will Registry is to promote the use of advance directives through educational programs, and to make people's health care choices available to their caregivers and families whenever and wherever they are needed, while maintaining the confidentiality of their information and documents.

Minnesota Road Traveler Information Service -- (10-19-04) -- The Minnesota Department of Transportation introduces 511, a service to help commuters and travelers access information regarding weather-related road conditions, construction and congestion, via the web or phone – 24/7.

Health facility investigation reports now available online -- (10-13-04) -- The public can now view the results of complaint investigations involving certain Minnesota health care providers at a new Web site maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

Influenza Information Hotline Number -- (09-03-04) -- The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has established a new hotline number for public inquiries concerning influenza, influenza vaccination clinic locations and times, and related information. The new number is: 612-627-3950.

Minnesota Health Info Website -- (08-25-04) -- Gov. Pawlenty's Health Cabinet launched a new Web site designed to provide consumers, providers and purchasers of health care with access to a wealth of information about health and health care in Minnesota. Visitors to the site will be able to compare certain health providers, learn how to be a wise health care consumer, and get tips on managing their personal health.

Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook (Interim Report) -- (07-26-04) -- The document provides a summary of the available and up-to-date statistical data on various factors assessing children exposures. These factors include drinking water consumption, soil ingestion, inhalation rates, dermal factors including skin area and soil adherence factors, consumption of fruits and vegetables, fish, meats, dairy products, homegrown foods, breast milk, activity patterns, body weight, consumer products and life expectancy.

Ready.gov - Preparing Make Sense. Get Ready Now. -- (07-26-04) -- All Americans should begin a process of learning about potential threats so we are better prepared to react during an attack. While there is no way to predict what will happen, or what your personal circumstances will be, there are simple things you can do now to prepare yourself and your loved ones.

Tips For A Healthier New Year -- (12-31-03) -- The following New Year's tips are from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Schools and Terrorism -- A Supplement to the Report of the National Advisory Committee on Children and Terrorism -- (12-31-03) -- Schools may or may not be the targets of terrorism, but they are certain to be affected by terrorism, whether directly or indirectly. The likelihood that one or more schools will be in the vicinity of terrrorist targets is demonstrated by the events of September 11, 2001.

Protecting Children is Everyone's Business: 25 Things Individuals, Organizations and Businesses Can Do to Help Protect Children -- (12-30-03) -- There seems to be a new tragedy every day. Children are hurt, abandoned, and even killed. We become so overwhelmed by the scope of child abuse and neglect in our communities, it is easy to believe there is nothing we can do to help protect children when, in truth...

Keeping Farm Children Safe -- (10-30-03) -- Each year, hundreds of children like Heather are hurt or killed while playing or working on the family farm. Farm accidents involving children may seem unpredictable and random. It may seem that they can't be prevented. Some people even believe they are simply "the price of farming."

Winter Hazard Awareness Week - November 3-7, 2003 -- (10-29-03) -- Winter weather can be a killer in Minnesota - literally. Each year, adults and children in our state suffer injuries or death because they aren't aware of essential safety measures. Winter Hazard Awareness Week is about helping adults behave safely and teaching children to protect themselves.

I'M SCARED, WHAT IF THE NEXT SHOOTING IS AT MY SCHOOL? -- (10-29-03) -- How big is this problem? Even though the news has been filled with reports of school shootings lately, murders in schools are actually lower than in previous years. It is more likely that your child will get killed by lightning than murdered at school.

New publications show injuries kill more than five million a year -- (10-02-03) -- Road crashes account for 1 of 5 injury-related deaths

Family Voice & Choice Newsletter -- (01-28-09) -- This is the first edition of their quarterly newsletter.

Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms -- (10-15-08) -- The first step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. The presence of a single sign does not prove child abuse is occurring in a family; however, when these signs appear repeatedly or in combination you should take a closer look at the situation and consider the possibility of child abuse.

Kinship Care Resource Kit -- (10-06-08) -- One in 12 American children is living in a household headed by a grandparent or other relative. In many of these homes, grandparents and other relatives have become the primary caregivers or kinship caregivers, for children whose parents cannot or will not care for them due to substance abuse, illness, child abuse and neglect, economic hardship, incarceration, divorce, domestic violence or other serious problems.

National Children's Study Kick-Off -- (01-18-08) -- The National Children’s Study will examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of more than 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21. The goal of the study is to improve the health and well-being of children. This is the largest and most comprehensive study of child and human health ever conducted in the United States.

DDT Linked to Developmental Delays in Babies -- (07-06-06) -- New research out of California suggests that DDT causes developmental delays in infants whose mothers were exposed to the pesticide.

Carcinogens Found in Infant Children of Smokers -- (05-16-06) -- Researchers have found that infants as young as three months old accumulate nicotine and carcinogens in their bodies when they are exposed to tobacco smoke.

Children and The Media: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Oct. 11, Crookston FREE -- (10-04-05) -- This is a FREE one hour seminar on children and the media sponsored by Parents Helping Parents on October 11 from 7:00-8:00 PM at the Community Family Service Center in Crookston.

New NHLBI-Sponsored Study Shows Programs Can Teach Children to Eat Healthier -- (06-06-05) -- Parents, take heart: You can teach your child to eat healthier. A study of preadolescent children found that those who attended a behaviorally oriented nutrition education program and were taught to follow a diet low in saturated fat and dietary cholesterol adopted significantly better dietary habits over several years compared to their peers who received only general nutritional information.

Protective Parenting: Preventing Child Sexual Abuse -- (05-10-05) -- Sexual abuse: It happens more often than you might think. About one out of four females and one out of six males are sexually abused as children or adolescents. This pamphlet has been prepared to help parents communicate with their children about sexual abuse — because it is a real threat.

Early Childhood Education: Follow Along Program -- (03-22-05) -- Let the Follow Along Program help you know if your child is playing, talking, growing, moving, and acting like other children the same age.

Early Childhood Services: A Directory of Services Available to Children With Disabilities in Minnesota -- (11-10-04) -- "Early Childhood Services: A Directory of Services Available to Children With Disabilities in Minnesota," provides information on resources that may help families, providers and others working with children with special health needs or disabilities. It is arranged with general resource descriptions up front, specific local resources listed by the county or reservation the child lives in and by the school district the child would attend.

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Oct. 24-30th -- (10-19-04) -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Minnesota Health Commissioner Dianne Mandernach today called on parents and other Minnesotans to take an active role in protecting children against lead poisoning, offering some tips on what to do. “Despite recent progress in reducing childhood lead poisoning rates, lead exposure remains one of the leading environmental health risks facing our state's children. As part of an effort to raise awareness of lead in the environment, the governor has signed a proclamation designating Oct. 24-30 as "Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week" in the state.

National School Backpack Awareness Day - September 22, 2004 -- (09-27-04) -- "Pack it Light, Wear it Right" is the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA) advice to the more than 40 million students who return to school in September. As part of its National School Backpack Awareness Day, AOTA wants to educate parents, teachers and students about the proper weight and fit of school backpacks to avoid health problems.

Positive Discipline - A Guide for Parents -- (09-03-04) -- This easy to read 52 page booklet looks at common parenting challenges with children birth through early elementary years. Written by the University of Minnesota Extension Service and Children’s Hospitals and Clinics, this helpful guide gives parents ways to address behavior using positive discipline techniques to guide and teach their child.

Broad plan seeks to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in state by 2010 -- (08-25-04) -- A plan to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Minnesota by 2010 has been completed by a multi-agency workgroup and endorsed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Effects of Having a Child with ADHD on Family Members and Family Management, The -- (07-14-04) -- Reports the results of a qualitative study of how 15 families experienced their lives when the family included a child with ADHD. They call for services that address the needs of the whole family, rather than just focusing on an individual child's disorder.

New Data Stresses Importance of After-School Programs for Children and Their Parents -- (06-11-04) -- Three recent reports come together to emphasize the importance of additional investments in quality after-school programs for children and youth and their parents.

10 Tips for talking with kids about tough issues -- (06-11-04) -- Raising a child is probably the most gratifying job any of us will ever have--and one of the toughest. In large part, that's because times have changed. We live in an increasingly complex world that challenges us everyday with a wide range of disturbing issues that are difficult for children to understand and for adults to explain.

Before and After School Care, Programs, and Activities of Children in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade: 2001 -- (06-11-04) -- This report provides insight into the complex and varied ways kindergarten through eighth graders in the nation spend their time out of school.

Top Ten Father Facts -- (04-29-04) -- Research and Statistics from the National Fatherhood Initiative.

Improving Care for Children with ADHD -- (03-18-04) -- Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their families experience tremendous challenges in their daily lives. School performance, friendships, familly routines and function all are jeopardized by the characteristic inattentiveness, disorganization and (often) impulsivity that define this disorder. The societal skepticism about the scientific basis of ADHD exacerbates these challenges. Finally, the gaping chasm in the quality of care that the health care system offers adds to rather than eases these difficulties.

Child-Care Centers Have Positive Impact, Study Concludes -- (02-20-04) -- Preschoolers from low-income families who attend center-based child-care programs have stronger school-readiness skills than those cared for in home-based settings, according to new findings from an ongoing study of families affected by the 1996 welfare overhaul.

U.S. Teens more overweight than youth in 14 other Countries -- (02-02-04) -- U.S. teens are more likely to be overweight than are teens from 14 other industrialized nations, according to survey information collected in 1997 and 1998 by two agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services as well as institutions in 13 European countries and in Israel. The study appears in the January issue of "The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine".

Children Need Greater Amounts of Physical Activity In 2004 -- (01-13-04) -- Five years after releasing the first physical activity guidelines for children five to 12 years of age, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is increasing the recommended amount. The first of four new guidelines recommends at least 60 minutes, and up to several hours of physical activity per day. This is not surprising given the fact that inactivity has contributed to the recent obesity epidemic and sedentary living is a known threat to health.

5 Steps to Choosing Quality Child Care -- (01-12-04) -- Steps to assist you with choosing a quality child care provider.

Health Department adopts new school immunization rules adding chicken pox, pneumococcal vaccines -- (10-31-03) -- The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has adopted rules that set out new immunization requirements and make several modifications to the current school immunization requirements.

Building Gateways to Prevention in Your Community -- (10-27-03) -- We all have a role to play in building strong communities in which families and children are valued and supported. It is in these kinds of communities that children are safest from abuse and neglect.

Power of Parental Influence -- (10-09-03) -- Parenting Newsletter--CSAP's Western Capt through funding from the U.S. department of Education is creating a monthly newsletter for parents during the school year.

Juvenile Justice Matters! Online Radio Program - Thursdays - 3:30-4:00 PM CST -- (02-23-09) -- Sponsored by the Campaign for Youth Justice, these weekly online radio programs feature live presentations and discussions from experts, young people, and parents focused on the reform of the juvenile justice system. Listeners are encouraged to ask questions and spark discussion during the sessions.

Children in Adult Jails -- (06-11-04) -- Research demonstrates that children in adult jails and lockups are five times as likely to be sexually assaulted, twice as likely to be beaten by staff, 50 percent more likely to be attacked with a weapon and eight times as likely to commit suicide as children confined in juvenile facilities. In addition, the research shows that transferring children from juvenile court to adult court does not decrease recidivism, and in fact actually increases crime.

Abstinence-Only Debate Heating Up -- (02-20-04) -- President Bush's proposal to almost double the amount of money the federal government spends on abstinence education to $273 million in fiscal 2005 has raised the stakes in the battle over what to teach children and adolescents about sex.

How well do your members of Congress protect children? -- (02-18-04) -- How well do your members of Congress protect kids? The Children's Defense Fund's nonpartisan 2003 Congressional Scorecard has the answer. The eleven key votes scored in 2003 include No Child Left Behind, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act reauthorization, gun industry immunity, 21st Century Commmunity Learning Centers after-school programs, children's access to health care, child-care, the Child Tax Credit and housing assistance.

Military Directs Services to At-Risk Troops -- (07-03-06) -- Therapists are working to combat stress and trauma among soldiers almost from the moment they leave the battlefield in Iraq, and military officials say the interventions have prevented many soldiers from developing persistent psychological problems.

Information for Individuals and Families about Suicide Prevention -- (03-09-05) -- Mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder can make some people so ill they begin to see death as the only way to escape their pain. Remember, suicidal thoughts are symptoms of an illness. With appropriate treatment and knowledge, the risk of suicide can be greatly reduced. The risk of a suicide attempt, however, is difficult to predict. There is no test to tell us that a person is suicidal or assure us that they are not. Fortunately, asking someone if they are having thoughts about suicide does not cause them to act on these thoughts. Do not be afraid to ask.

Informational update addressing discrimination and stigma associated with mental illness -- (08-23-04) -- A new Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) promises to dramatically advance the goal of full community integration for persons with psychiatric disabilities.

Depression Traced to Overactive Brain Circuit -- (08-05-04) -- A brain imaging study by the NIH's National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has found that an emotion-regulating brain circuit is overactive in people prone to depression - even when they are not depressed.

Some Facts about Suicide in the U.S.A. -- (04-19-04) -- Facts about Suicide from the American Association of Suicidology.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health -- (01-07-04) -- Mental health is how people think, feel, and act as they face life's situations. It affects how people handle stress, relate to one another, and make decisions. Mental health influences the ways individuals look at themselves, their lives, and others in their lives. Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life. All aspects of our lives are affected by our mental health. Caring for and protecting our children is an obligation and is critical to their daily lives and their independence.

Stress (psychology) -- (01-07-04) -- Stress (psychology), an unpleasant state of emotional and physiological arousal that people experience in situations that they perceive as dangerous or threatening to their well-being. The word stress means different things to different people. Some people define stress as events or situations that cause them to feel tension, pressure, or negative emotions such as anxiety and anger. Others view stress as the response to these situations. This response includes physiological changes--such as increased heart rate and muscle tension-as well as emotional and behavioral changes. However, most psychologists regard stress as a process involving a person's interpretation and response to a threatening event.

Widespread Effects of Depression, The -- (10-02-03) -- Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. That's the word from NIH's National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the component of the federal government that studies depression and other mental illnesses.

Helping Children Cope: Worries About War -- (03-24-03) -- Helping Children Cope: Worries About War is a pamphlet for downloading in Word and PDF.

Family Voice & Choice Newsletter - Quarter Three -- (07-08-09) --

Family Voice & Choice Newsletter - Quarter 2 -- (05-01-09) --

Check 21 Federal Banking Law -- (10-11-04) -- A new federal banking law, Check 21, will go into effect on October 28. The Office of the State Auditor has worked with Minnesota’s local government units to make sure they are aware of the ramifications of the new law. The law will affect more than just governments, however. Because the law changes the way banks are allowed to process checks, any citizen that writes or receives checks is likely to be affected.

Nickels, Dimes and Big Bucks - Predatory Lending -- (10-08-08) -- It started small--a $60 loan from a local payday advance outlet. Pretty soon, Lisa Engelkins was caught in a spiral of debt that would take three years to escape.

Cost of Living in Minnesota Family Wage & Budget Calculator, The -- (06-15-04) -- Since 1995 JOBS NOW's ground-breaking research has been answering two key questions: "How much does it cost to meet a family's basic needs?" and "What are my chances of finding a family-supporting wage?" JOBS NOW Wage & Budget Calculator Click here to see JOBS NOW's family budgets and wage requirements in a new and innovative Wage & Budget Calculator! In our research, "The Cost of Living in Minnesota," we identify what a family's basic needs are and what it costs to meet them. The costs are based upon monthly budget requirements necessary to achieve a "no frills" standard of living. No money is included for debt payments or skills training. There is no entertainment budget, no restaurant meals, no vacation, and nothing is set aside for emergencies, retirement or children's college education. The basic needs standard falls short of what's usually called a middle-class standard of living.

FEELING THE PAIN--The Emerging Impact of Minnesota's $86 Million Cut to Child Care -- (02-19-04) -- Minnesota lawmakers entered last year's legislative session with a $4.2 billion budget deficit to resolve. Rather than taking a balanced approach that included tax increases and spending cuts, they temporarily closed the gap with drastic cuts to state funded services over the next two years. The true community effects of these cuts are only beginning to become apparent. This report examines the emerging impact of the cuts made to child care assistance programs.

PRESIDENT'S BUDGET WOULD SLASH MAJOR HOUSING PROGRAM BY 40 PERCENT BY 2009 Cut Could Cause Hundreds of Thousands of Families to Lose Housing Assistance or Face Large Rent Hikes -- (02-18-04) -- The President's new budget proposes cutting the housing voucher program, the nation's principal low-income housing assistance program, by 40 percent or 800,000 families in 2009, a new Center report explains. If approved, this would represent one of the deepest cuts made in any major program to help low-income families and elderly and disabled people in recent decades.

NCCP/Low-Income Families in Connecticut: Working More Yet Struggling to Get Ahead -- (02-18-04) -- In the 1990's, increased public supports for working families along with a booming economy led to a dramatic increase in the employment of low-income parents. While many low-income parents succeeded in increasing their earnings, making ends meet has often been difficult. As earnings increase-- particularly as they rise above the official poverty level-- families begin to lose eligibility for work supports that help them get ahead. At the same time, work-related expenses, such as child care and transportation, increase. This means that parents may earn more without a family experiencing more financial security.

The Invisible Children's Project: An Example of a Promising Program -- (02-10-09) -- In 1993, the Mental Health Association (MHA) in Orange County, N.Y., began an effort to raise awareness of the needs of families in which a parent has a mental illness or co-occurring disorder. The MHA developed the Invisible Children's Project (ICP), a program that aims to integrate essential services for these parents, to increase their ability to function as parents and assist them in creating a safe and nurturing environment for their children.

1-888-LINKVET (546-5838) -- (08-15-07) -- The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a New hotline. Provides comprehensive assistance and crisis intervention for veterans.

Handbook on Child Support Enforcement -- (06-16-05) -- This Handbook on Child Support Enforcement is a guide to help you get the child support payments your children need and deserve. Although it is written for people who are working through Child Support Enforcement (CSE) offices, it will also be useful to parents who are working with private attorneys.

Veterans' Resource Guide -- (11-18-08) -- You fought for the American way of life. Now improve your quality of life by getting the help you need. Referrals and information on mental health, substance abuse, and other services for you and your family are now available, many of them anonymous, many of them free of charge.

2005 North Star Summer Program -- (08-24-05) -- Check out pictures from one of the North Star Camp Days at Trinity Point.

Alcohol Use and the Elderly -- (04-16-04) -- The "golden years" are considered a milestone that many older people look forward to with joy and anticipation. Plans are often made to fill these years with family and friends, travel and relaxation - free from a boss and a time clock. Sadly, in an economy where many struggle and fewer get ahead, the reality of retirement becomes more of a fantasy for many, and years once looked forward to can become anything but golden.

Poverty Rate Falls Dramatically for Minnesota's Elderly -- (02-23-04) -- Incomes for people over age 65 have risen and poverty rates have fallen dramtically, according to a new report from the Minnesota Department of Administration.

A Profile of Older Americans: 2003 -- (02-19-04) -- The older population--persons 65 years or older--numbered 35.6 million in 2002 (the most recent year for which data are available). They represented 12.3% of the U.S. population, about one in every eight Americans. The number of older Americans increased by 3.3 million or 10.2% since 1992, compared to an increase of 13.5% for the under-65 population. However, the number of Americans aged 45-64 - who will reach 65 over the next two decades-increased by 38% during this period.

June is LGBT Pride Month -- (06-16-09) -- President Obama has declared June to be Lesbian, Gay, BIsexual and Transgender Pride Month.

National Recommended Best Practices for Serving LGBT Homeless Youth -- (04-27-09) -- This policy brief by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, Lambda Legal, the National Network for Youth, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights provides a brief overview of homelessness among LBGT youth. It makes recommendations about improving practice, improving organizational culture, and improving residential services.

Asset-Based Research and a Public Health Approach to Addressing the Needs of LGBTQI2-S Youth and Families -- (04-27-09) -- This discussion will focus on asset-based research (i.e., resiliency, social support models, cultural competence capacity models, participatory research), utilizing a public health approach within a system of care to meet the needs of youth and other family members who are LGBTQI2-S and their families.

Resources from 4/22/09 TA - LGBTQI2-S Learning Community Call -- (04-27-09) -- On April 22, 2009, the TA Partnership's learning community hosted an especially rich TA session on the topic of rural areas particularly struggling with effective outreach and service to youth with a range of sexual orientations.

Spotlight on... U.S. Office of Special Education Programs Technical Assistance Center on School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports -- (09-08-08) -- Eight universities and four educational agencies collaborating to assist states in large-scale implementation of School-wide Positive Behavior Support to achieve both reduction in problem behavior and enhanced learning environments.

Spotlight on... Northwest Regional Corrections and Justice Center -- (03-03-08) -- Being incarcerated is far from a pleasant experience, as anyone who's ever been in jail can attest to. The education program at the Northwest Regional Corrections Center, however, aims to provide a bright spot in its inmates' days.

Spotlight On... Crookston School District #593: Prime Time Program -- (02-08-08) -- Crookston High School has started a new program called "Prime Time" this school year. The goal of Prime Time is to form positive relationships between students and teachers and also between other students.

Spotlight on... the Local Advisory Council for Children's Mental Health -- (01-25-08) -- Local mental health advisory councils (LAC) provide on of the best opportunities for you to participate at a local level in the development of mental health programs and policies. You will gain information on support services, organizations and resources.

Spotlight on... Our Children Succeed Initiative Enrollment Process Begins! -- (12-21-07) -- The Our Children Succeed Initiative formally started (the intake process of ) enrolling children on December 5, 2007. There were 17 referrals received in the first week.

Spotlight On.. Mahnomen County School District #432: School Home Interventionist - A Necessity in Schools -- (11-30-07) -- School home interventionist - a necessity in a school. The interventionist is a valuable person in a school to assist the students, parents, teachers and administration. This position has many components.

Spotlight On... Marshall County -- (10-26-07) -- Marshall County has been very proactive in the past year regarding the preservation of the county courthouse.

Spotlight On.. Red Lake Falls School District #630: J.A. Hughes Elementary School -- (10-02-07) -- When most people think of a classroom, they think of a teacher lecturing in front of a group of kids. But J.A. Hughes Elementary School in Red Lake Falls, Minn., is exploring a new classroom format that leverages HP technology within an interdisciplinary, project-based curriculum. The new approach re-casts teachers in the role of facilitator and encourages students to take fuller responsibility for their assignments.

Spotlight on... Tri-Valley's 40th Anniversary! -- (05-27-05) -- Everyone is invited to participate in the activities listed - June 21-23, 2005.

Spotlight on... the NEW Northwest Minnesota Connections website -- (11-03-04) -- The Council of Collaboratives is pleased to announce the launching of our "sister" website, the Northwest Minnesota Connections website.