Outperforming School Districts in Minnesota, 2002-03 -- (05-01-06) -- A recent analysis by Standard & Poor's found that of the 332 school districts in Minnesota that have sufficient data for analysis, 22 school districts, or 6.6 percent, outperformed demographically similar school districts in reading and math proficiency (RaMP) for two consecutive years (2001-02 and 2002-03).

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.

The ABC's of "Ready to Learn" -- (12-15-03) -- Many parents and policy leaders agree that quality childcare and preschool are important for young children, so they come to kindergarten ready to learn. But few can explain what "quality" looks like as well as Sue Bredekamp, a child development expert who helped developed the National Association for the Education of Young Children's standards for developmentally appropriate practices for young children's programs.

Focus on Arkansas -- (09-11-03) -- School size is a critical factor in determining educational outcomes. Small size also makes other school improvements more effective.

SAT scores show "right direction" -- (09-03-03) -- AP: August 26, 2003: The nation's high school class of 2003 achieved the best score on the math section of the SAT exam in at least 36 years, while students' verbal scores hit a 16-year high.

Opportunities Available through the Red River Center for Watershed Education -- (02-12-07) -- Opportunities available through the Red River Center for Watershed Education that were mentioned at the Feb. 7, 2007, Carol M. White grant meeting.

Minutes and Agendas -- (12-13-06) -- Agendas and Meeting Minutes for the Carol M. White Grant.

In-Kind Form -- (12-13-06) -- Use this form to record the In-Kind/Match contributions for the Carol M. White Grant. Updated 12/13/06

Carol M. White Expense Reimbursement Form -- (12-13-06) -- Download and print this form to request your expense reimbursements for the Carol M. White grant.

Carol M. White Physical Education Grant Program Descriptive Report -- (05-10-06) -- Nineteen page report that describes the Carol M. White grant.

Carol M. White Grant Partners Contact Information -- (04-11-06) -- Contains name, email address, telephone number of each partner of the grant.

2004 Child Care Survey: Family, friend and neighbor care supply and demand -- (11-05-07) -- Fundamental facts from the 2004 child care survey

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Student Benefits -- (12-03-08) -- A new brief from SAMHSA reports a strong positive impact of social and emotional learning (SEL) instruction on student academic achievement. The brief reports that in addition to significantly improving a broad range of student health and behavioral outcomes, SEL improves students' school performance as well.

Gap Analysis of the Resource Synthesis Related to Integrating Mental Health in Schools into the Recommendations of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health -- (11-19-08) -- This report presents analyses of the synthesis of online, noncommercial resources that have relevance for advancing efforts to integrate mental health in schools into the New Freedom Initiative

Out-of-Home Services for Emotional or Behavioral Problems among Youths Aged 12 to 17: 2002 to 2006 -- (11-14-08) -- Combined 2002 to 2006 data from SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicate that an estimated 2.6% of youths aged 12 to 17 reported receiving out-of-home services for emotional or behavioral problems in the past 12 months in a hospital, a residential treatment center or a foster care or therapeutic foster care setting.

Mental Health Service Use among Youths Aged 12 to 17: 2005 and 2006 -- (11-14-08) -- Combined 2005 and 2006 data from SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicate that an annual average of 3.3 million youths aged 12 to 17 (13.3%) received services for emotional or behavioral problems in a specialty mental health setting in the past year.

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.

An Evaluation of Integrated Services for Children and Adolescents in the Mental Health and Juvenile Justice Systems -- (10-14-08) -- In these two articles, the authors compare outcomes for children and adolescents receiving mental health services, either through a system of care or community mental health center. The results indicate that integrated services can reduce involvement in the justice system and costs for some groups of children.

Use of Mental Health Services in the Past 12 Months by Children Aged 4-17 Years: United States, 2005-2006 -- (10-02-08) -- This report is based on the National Health Interview Survey.

Out-of-Home Services for Emotional or Behavioral Problems among Youths Aged 12 to 17: 2002 to 2006 -- (09-25-08) -- During the past two decades, there have been marked changes in inpatient, residential, and foster care services for children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral problems.

Practice Brief: Providing Services and Supports for Youth Who Are Lgbtqi2-S -- (09-02-08) -- This Practice Brief is for policymakers,administrators, and providers seeking to learn more about (1) youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S) and (2) how to develop culturally and linguistically competent programs and services to meet their needs and preferences.

Disseminating Evidence-Based Practice for Children and Adolescents: A Systems Approach to Enhancing Care -- (08-21-08) -- Concerned that up to 75% of US children and adolescents with mental health disorders do not receive evidence-based treatment, an American Psychological Association (APA) task force is calling for greater dissemination of guidelines among mental health professionals.

Children's Perspectives of Their Mental Health Services -- (07-16-08) -- This literature review attempted to summarize research examining foster children's perspectives of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Given the dearth of information on this topic, the authors instead reviewed the literature on children's and youth's perspectives of mental health services.

Community integration of transition-age individuals: Views of young adults with mental health disorders -- (07-14-08) -- This study sought to examine what community integration means to young adults with mental health disorders. More specifically, it examined their definitions of community integration, the ways in which they strive to achieve community integration, and the barriers and supports they encounter.

Gene clues suggest autism strikes when brain can't learn properly from early life experiences -- (07-10-08) -- Harvard researchers have discovered half a dozen new genes involved in autism that suggest the disorder strikes in a brain that can't properly form new connections.

"Great Start" Project Bolsters Children's Mental Health -- (06-12-08) -- As Mental Health Month and Children's Mental Health Week (May 4 through 10) are observed this year, mental health care for young Minnesota children and their families is stronger because of the Great Start Minnesota Project.

"Great Start" Project Bolsters Children's Mental Health -- (05-21-08) -- As Mental Health Month and Children's Mental Health Week (May 4 through 10) are observed this year, mental health care for young Minnesota children and their families is stronger because of the Great Start Minnesota Project.

Homeless Youth Need Spectrum of Services, Report Says -- (05-14-08) -- Getting homeless kids off the streets requires a broad array of services including addiction and mental-health care, work opportunities, education, and medical care -- with the latter three the most important factors -- according to researchers.

Public Attitudes towards Children with Mental Health Conditions -- (05-08-08) -- These two studies examine the cultural context and public attitudes regarding children with mental health conditions and available treatments.

Disorders are more likely in adopted teenagers -- (05-06-08) -- Adolescents adopted as infants are twice as likely to have behavioral disorders as those who are not adopted, according to research published Monday that is the deepest analysis yet of the larger mental health burden carried by some adopted children.

The Wakanheza Project -- (04-26-08) -- The Wakanheza Project is a community-wide effort that provides tools and strategies to help us effectively respond in these every-day situations and prevent them from happening in the first place, by creating welcoming environments for our children, young people, and families.

Impact of Early Trauma on Residential Treatment Outcomes for Women -- (03-13-08) -- A growing body of research is demonstrating that exposure to early childhood physical and sexual abuse is associated with adult outcomes including revictimization, substance use disorders, and numerous mental and physical health problems.

Blamed and Ashamed -- (03-03-08) -- This unique monograph documents the treatment experiences of youth with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders from the perspective of youth and their families.

New Roles for Families in Systems of Care -- (03-03-08) -- Volume I of the 1998 series of monographs, Systems of Care: Promising Practices in Children's Mental Health, provides background on how families raising children with mental health needs have found and developed their voice to become strong partners and assertive leaders in developing a better system of care.

Mental Health in School & School Improvement: Current Status, Concerns, and New Directions -- (02-14-08) -- Advancing the field at this seminal time in its evolution requires widespread exploration of where we are going and how to get there. Because of the urgency for moving forward in creating a school environment that promotes mental health and reduces problems, the School Mental Health Project, UCLA - Center for Mental Health in Schools has just completed this volume which they've made accessible at no cost and with no restrictions on its use.

Family Participation in Action: Are Families Actually Involved? -- (01-23-08) -- Family participation in educational planning is believed to improve the academic success of children with disabilities. It is also a fundamental right of parents and an essential component of special education legislation. This article reports on family perceptions of their participation in educational planning for their children.

Are Brothers and Sisters a Good Source of Support? -- (01-23-08) -- This longitudinal study investigated the effects of positive sibling relationships on the mental health of children who experience stressful life events.

FosterClub's Guide for Young People in Foster Care: Getting Through the Holidays -- (12-19-07) -- Lots of people talk about how stressful the holidays can be. But it can be REALLY tough for young people in foster care. This guide includes 10 tips for youth in foster care, developed by young people who know first-hand what it's like.

Youths and Young Adults Experiencing a Major Depressive Episode in the Past Year More Likely to Initiate Alcohol and Other Drug Use -- (12-12-07) -- Youths and young adults who experienced a major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year are more likely to have also used alcohol or illicit drugs for the first time in the past year.

Prozac Can Help Teens with Co-occurring Addictions, Mental Illness, Researchers Say -- (11-16-07) -- Adolescents with co-occurring addictions and depression can benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and fluoxetine (Prozac) in cases where therapy alone does not appear to be improving their depressive symptoms.

Perceptions and Expectations of Youth with Disabilities -- (11-07-07) -- The National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), funded by the National Center for Special Education Research at the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, was initiated in 2001 to provide a national picture of the characteristics and experiences of youth with disabilities, including their perceptions of themselves, their schooling, their personal relationships, and their hopes for the future. This report presents findings drawn from the first time data were collected directly from youth on these topics; they were ages 15 through 19 at the time (2003).

Youth Fact Sheets (developed by youth with special health care needs) -- (11-06-07) -- Youth Fact Sheets are a series of six fact sheets developed and edited by youth with special health care needs. Topics include planning for technical or 4-year college, how to get supports in the workplace, how to be involved in the Individual Education Planning process and others.

Depressed Adolescents Respond Best to Combination Treatment -- (10-04-07) -- A combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication appears to be the most effective treatment for adolescents with major depressive disorder--more than medication alone or psychotherapy alone.

Understanding ADHD: Examining Racial Differences -- (09-29-07) -- This study identifies several racial differences concerning knowledge about ADHD, its treatment, and services for children with the diagnosis. It finds that African-American parents have less information about ADHD and are less likely to be aware of school-based services for children with ADHD than Caucasian parents.

The Financial Effects of Parity Laws on Families of Children with Mental Health Care Needs -- (08-15-07) -- This article examines the financial impact of state parity laws on privately-insured families seeking mental health services for their children.

Literature Review: Developmental Problems of Maltreated Children and Early Intervention Options for Maltreated Children -- (08-07-07) -- The goal of this paper is to describe the most common problems that maltreated infants and toddlers experience and to highlight the benefits of early interventions for this population. In so doing, child welfare personnel and policymakers who are responsible for assessing, referring, and advocating for maltreated children can make more informed decisions.

Qualities to Look for in Mental Health Consultation for Early Childhood Settings -- (07-11-07) -- This study found that the quality of the relationship between a mental health consultant and Head Start staff is predictive of positive perceived impact on child outcomes.

School-Based Mental Health Professionals -- (07-04-07) --

Balancing Work and Family: Challenge of Parents with Children with Mental Health Disorders -- (06-14-07) -- This study sought to examine the relations among work-family fit, flexibility in work and family arrangements, family support, and quality of parenting and work roles for caregivers who have children with emotional or behavioral disorders.

Coping With Multiple Suicides Among Middle School Students -- (04-23-07) -- This article is part of Lessons Learned series of the Emergency Response Crisis Management Technical Assistance Center which recounts actual school emergencies and highlights what worked and what did not so that all schools can strengthen their emergency management activities.

Talk, Listen, Connect: Helping Families During Military Deployment -- (04-02-07) -- This free, bilingual kit helps families with 3- to 5-year-olds cope with challenges and concerns related to pre-deployment, deployment, and homecoming. Including a DVD with the beloved Muppets from Sesame Street, and a magazine and poster for parents or caregivers.

The Effectiveness of Strength-Based Treatment for Youth with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders -- (03-31-07) -- This article assesses the effectiveness of strength-based approaches to treating youth with emotional or behavioral disorders, focusing on the importance of practitioner beliefs and attitudes regarding strength-based practice. The influence of fidelity on strength-based treatment is also explored.

The Availability and Accessibility of Transition-to-Adulthood Services for Youth with Serious Mental Health Conditions -- (03-05-07) -- This article assesses the availability and nature of transition-to-adulthood service programs in child and adult state mental health systems across the United States . Results from this research emphasize that transition-to-adulthood service programs are lacking in both availability and accessibility, signaling the need for increased awareness and funding to best assist young people with mental illness undergo this transition.

Comparing the Academic, Social, and Behavioral Competences of High School Students with Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disorders -- (02-07-07) -- This article found that students with emotional disturbance scored lower on social and behavioral performance measures than students with learning disabilities. In addition, students with ED scored lower on academic performance as measured by their teachers than students with LD, despite scoring equally well on standardized tests.

Guide to Early Childhood Mental Health -- (01-18-07) -- This guide examines the common, everyday concerns that caregivers address (such as aggressive behavior, eating, and temper tantrums), and provides detailed information about what to do when a child might be exhibiting symptoms of a mental health problem. Although written primarily for early childhood care providers, parents and other caregivers may also find it useful, especially the "Common Concerns" sections and the 10 fact sheets that describe the most common mental health disorders of early childhood

CMS Grants will help states design alternatives to institutions for children with mental illness -- (01-04-07) -- With the proper supports, children institutionalized with mental illness that could thrive in their homes and communities will now have the opportunity to do so in 10 states that today received grants from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to design innovative new programs for such children.

Teens With 'Natural' Mentors Have Higher Sense Of Self, Study Says -- (01-02-07) -- Teens who identify at least one influential, 'natural' mentor in their life -- a person not assigned by a formal mentoring program -- report that they have a higher sense of self and are more likely to take risks that affect their lives positively, according to the 2006 SADD and Liberty Mutual Teens Today study.

Teenage trouble? Blame it on their brains -- (12-20-06) -- Researchers discover clues that help explain why teen years can be so difficult.

The Influence of Gender and Parent Attitudes on Teen Perceptions of Mental Health Care -- (12-19-06) -- A recent study shows that perceived stigma and parental attitudes play essential roles in children's willingness to seek support and mental health services when faced with emotional concerns. Implications indicate that it is important for parents to be aware of the messages they give to their children – especially boys – about mental health conditions and those who treat them.

Teens Prescribed Multiple Psychiatric Drugs -- (11-29-06) -- More children and adolescents in the U.S. are being prescribed multiple psychiatric drugs to treat problems like depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

No downtime for reading -- (10-14-06) -- Only a fraction of teenagers read for recreation, but the author of "500 Great Books for Teens" has ideas on how to change that.

Organized activities can be overdone, doctors say -- (10-10-06) -- Some advice for parents: Time for your kids to be kids is just as important for good health as academics and sports, researchers report.

New ADHD links to lead, smoke found -- (09-19-06) -- About one-third of attention deficit cases among U.S. children may be linked to tobacco smoke before birth or to lead exposure afterward

Blueprint for Change: A Comprehensive Model for the Identification and Treatment of Youth with Mental Health Needs in Contact with the Juvenile Justice System --