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".

Free Braille Books Program -- (01-09-09) -- In 1997, the AAF started this program to provide blind children a free Braille book every month from a popular children's reading series. The books are for the children to keep and collect for as long as they want them. Blind youth, blind parents, teachers of the blind, schools, and libraries serving the blind are eligible to participate in this program.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

OCS Celebration Calendar -- (03-31-09) -- This calendar is a representation of life in Northwestern Minnesota, recognizing and celebrating our differences as part of what makes this such a special place to live. UPDATED to add the Braille version.

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.

Psychological First Aid (PFA) Field Operations Guide -- (10-03-06) -- The Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide was developed by the National Center for PTSD and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

Disaster Mental Health for States: Key Principles, Questions, and Issues -- (09-06-05) -- These materials represent highlights of the kinds of mental-health related information that might be beneficial in a disaster. Because of their brevity, they do not provide an exhaustive, formal review or compilation of the wealth of available knowledge on disaster mental health. This is a starting point. There are companion pieces that provide similar information for Responders and as a general primer. Sources of additional information are listed at the end of this document.

Disaster Mental Health Primer: Key Principles, Issues, and Questions -- (09-06-05) -- These materials represent highlights of the kinds of mental-health related information that might be beneficial in a disaster. Because of their brevity, they do not provide an exhaustive, formal review or compilation of the wealth of available knowledge on disaster mental health. This is a starting point. There are companion pieces that provide similar information for city, county and state Public Health officials and as a general primer. Sources of additional information are listed at the end of this document.

Disaster Mental Health for Responders: Key Principles, Issues and Questions -- (09-06-05) -- These materials represent highlights of the kinds of mental-health related information that might be beneficial in a disaster. Because of their brevity, they do not provide an exhaustive, formal review or compilation of the wealth of available knowledge on disaster mental health. This is a starting point. There are companion pieces that provide similar information for city, county and state Public Health officials and as a general primer. Sources of additional information are listed at the end of this document.

Psychological First Aid: Helping Victims in the Immediate Aftermath of Disaster -- (09-06-05) -- As a healthcare provider, first responder, leader or manager of disaster operations, this fact sheet describes an evidence-informed approach for helping victims cope in the immediate aftermath or a disaster known as Psychological First Aid, and explains how to administer it.

FEMA Evaluation Manual and Toolkit v 1.3 -- (05-01-09) -- Disaster deployment related forms from FEMA.

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.

Effective Emergency Response Requires Forethought -- (09-26-08) -- Truancy is a serious concern that affects most school districts in the United States, and school Emergency response planning is not a new concept for schools. There always have been natural disasters, such as fires, flash floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes.

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.

Hurricane Coloring Book -- (11-14-07) -- Coloring book for children who have survived a hurricane.

When Can We Go Home? -- (11-14-07) -- Children have to leave their homes for many reasons. This book is designed to help children do two things: cope with the reality of being away from their homes and develop the "emotional intelligence" skills they need to be resilient throughout life.

Pup's World -- (11-13-07) -- This interactive and educational coloring book is designed to help children understand and be prepared for disasters.

Coping with the Death of a Student or Staff Member -- (09-14-07) -- This newsletter highlights the range of impact death can have on a school community; offers suggestions for responding to a loss; and discusses strategies for recovery.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Homelessness and Traumatic Stress Training Package -- (09-30-08) -- The Homelessness and Traumatic Stress Training Package is a resource for service providers to train their staff on the relationship between homelessness and traumatic stress and how to apply trauma concepts to their day-to-day work with people experiencing homelessness.

Expert Panel on Evidence-Based Practices in Homeless Services: Summary of Proceedings -- (09-30-08) -- The purpose of the HRC Expert Panel was to discuss how to identify and implement evidence-based practices in homeless services. This report summarizes the panel discussion by highlighting key messages, conceptual issues, strategic directions and next steps.

Pandemic Influenza Newsletter - Nov/Dec 2007 -- (12-13-07) -- Get Informed ... Be Prepared. A newsletter for Minnesota organizations preparing for a possible influenza pandemic.

Pandemic Influenza Newsletter - Oct 2007 -- (11-13-07) -- Get Informed ... Be Prepared. A newsletter for Minnesota organizations preparing for a possible influenza pandemic.

Planning for a Pandemic: An Interactive Pilot Session -- (09-13-07) -- This pilot workshop provided a Federal update on national pandemic preparedness, a snapshot of local school- and health-based efforts to engage in pandemic planning, and a practical opportunity to participate in a tabletop activity focused on pandemic preparedness.

Bioterrorism/Emergency Readiness Competency Mapping Guide -- (05-02-05) -- The Bioterrorism/Emergency Readiness Mapping Guide was developed by staff at the University of Minnesota Center for Public Health Preparedness with partial support from a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A great number of training programs designed to help prepare the public health workforce for bioterrorism and emerging public health threats have been developed through the work of the CDC-sponsored Centers for Public Health Preparedness, state health departments and others. The intent of the process described in the guide is to assist individuals in determining which, if any, Bioterrorism/Emergency Readiness Competencies are addressed in a specific existing training. This guide is also intended to assist individuals in identifying the level of competency targeted in the training.

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.

Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Substance Abuse -- (02-14-08) -- Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Had Little Impact on Overall Substance Use and Mental Health Problems; Greatest Impact Seen on Persons Displaced from Their Homes

HHS Announces New HIPAA Privacy Decision Tool for Emergency Preparedness Planning -- (07-05-06) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today published a new Web-based interactive decision tool designed to assist emergency preparedness and recovery planners in determining how to access and use health information about persons with disabilities consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule.

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.

Hurricane Katrina: Evacuees and Refugees Mental Health and Care -- (09-06-05) -- Mental health planning and care delivery to evacuees from Hurricane Katrina and other disasters requires a 1) public health approach for populations, 2) treatment delivery for expected normal rates of all psychiatric illness in the population, 3) care for trauma related disorders, 4) care for emerging disorders such as substance withdrawal and associated medical conditions with psychological consequences and perhaps most importantly, 5) community building. The relocation of hurricane survivors from the New Orleans Superdome to the Texas Astrodome following Katrina is a primary model for this plan. This evacuation will move as many as 20-25,000 people.

Psychosocial Concerns after Hurricane Katrina - Tips for Medical Care Providers -- (09-06-05) -- Health care providers assume many roles in the midst of natural disasters: caregiver, leader, comforter, and information source. Hurricane Katrina has displaced thousands, destroyed countless homes and property, and claimed numerous lives. Although the hurricane's strength has dissipated, its aftermath will be felt for considerable time to come. As health care providers mobilize to help, they should be mindful of the losses experienced by the population they will assist. Interviewing with sensitivity is essential, and is the first step in assessing specific needs. This issue of Courage to Care provides information for health care providers after hurricanes and pays special attention to some of the issues for individuals providing support in the aftermath of Katrina.

Psychological First Aid: How You Can Support Well-Being in Disaster Victims -- (09-06-05) -- People often experience strong and unpleasant emotional and physical responses to disasters. Reactions may include combinations of confusion, fear, hopelessness, helplessness, sleeplessness, physical pain, anxiety, anger, grief, shock, aggressiveness, mistrustfulness, guilt, shame, shaken religious faith, and loss of con?dence in self or others. There is consensus among international disaster experts and researchers that psychological ?rst aid can help alleviate painful emotions and reduce further harm from initial reactions to disasters. Your actions and interactions with others can help provide psychosocial ?rst aid to people in distress. Psychological ?rst aid creates and sustains an environment of (1) safety, (2) calming, (3) connectedness to others, (4) self ef?cacy—or empowerment, and (5) hopefulness.

Disaster Counseling -- (03-23-05) -- Disaster Counseling provides suggestions for disaster counselors on establishing rapport and active listening.

Self-Care Tips for Emergency & Disaster Response Workers -- (03-23-05) -- Self-Care Tips for Emergency & Disaster Response Workers provides suggestions for those who are at the scene. It outlines facts, indicators of stress, and stress management strategies.

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.

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.

Tapping into Nontraditional Community Partners for Emergency Management -- (09-14-07) -- This newsletter discusses various partners and strategies that can be used to support school and district emergency management efforts.

Reviewing and Updating School Emergency Management Plans Web Cast -- (09-13-07) -- In the wake of recent school shootings and President Bush's Conference on School Safety, the U.S. Department of Education presented a one-hour Web cast to provide parents, educators, school administrators and local safety personnel with an opportunity to review key considerations related to school emergency management planning.

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.

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.

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.

Four Phases of Crisis Management -- (11-22-04) -- Prevention/Mitigation; Preparedness; Response; and Recovery

U.S. Dept of Education Releases Crisis Planning Guide -- (09-03-04) -- As part of its continuing efforts to help keep schools safe, the U.S. Department of Education recently released a new guide to assist schools in planning for any emergency, including natural disasters, violent incidents and terrorist acts.

A Practical Guide for CRISIS RESPONSE IN OUR SCHOOLS -- (03-18-04) -- A Practical Guide for Crisis Response in Our Schools conveys critical information to assist schools in responding effectively to "everyday crises" as well as school-based disasters. It is an invaluable resource for administrators, support personnel and faculty. By reaching our school families early with a comprehensive Crisis Response Plan, we can potentially prevent the acute difficulties of today from becoming the chronic problems of tomorrow.

The Dialogue, Spring 2005 -- (05-09-05) -- The Dialogue is a quarterly information bulletin providing time-sensitive, practical, and down-to-earth information for State and Territory mental health and substance abuse coordinators and their local service providers.

Stress Prevention and Management Approaches for Rescue Workers in the Aftermath of Terrorist Acts -- (03-23-05) -- Stress Prevention and Management Approaches for Rescue Workers in the Aftermath of Terrorist Acts suggests techniques that can be used by both organizations and individuals to minimize the effects of stress on rescue workers.

Helping to Heal: A Training on Mental Health Response to Terrorism MANUAL -- (03-22-05) -- This manual is part of a larger training kit that was developed to better prepare mental health professionals and paraprofessionals about the early phases of the response to a terrorist or mass trauma event. While much of the information may be applicable both to a terrorist event and to a natural disaster, this training kit is intended for use in preparation and response to an act of terrorism.

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.

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.

OAS State Report for Minnesota -- (02-19-09) -- This report contains a brief overview of the substance abuse and mental health issues within the state of (MN), including the prevalence of substance use and abuse, treatment resources, mental health indicators, and SAMHSA grant funding.

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.

Young Adults in the Military Report Lower Rates of Illicit Drug Use Than Civilians; Higher Rates of Cigarette and Heavy Alcohol Use -- (05-02-07) -- Young adults in the military report substantially different patterns of substance use than their civilian counterparts.

Decline in Youth Smoking Flattens Out -- (11-08-05) -- The long-term trend toward less smoking by middle- and high-school youth may have plateaued, according to researchers with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Early Childhood Developmental Wheel -- (11-02-07) -- In continuous child find efforts to reach Minnesota children and families on the importance of early childhood intervention, the ever-popular "Developmental Wheel - A Guide to Your Child's First Five Years" has been translated into Spanish, Hmong and Somali. The wheel describes some of the development children have by the time they reach certain ages (birth to five), as well as related nutrition, hearing, speech and language, and vision information. A new component is the list of things that families can do to help their child grow, learn and stay healthy and safe.

Northwest Minnesota Foundation -- (09-07-04) -- The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is a public charitable foundation established in 1986 to address the long-term development needs of our region. We invest resources, creates opportunities and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.

Grantseeking Resources -- (06-23-08) -- This list of resources is intended for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement by the Northwest Minnesota Council of Collaboratives.

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.

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.

Surviving Daylight Saving Switch -- (03-03-08) -- Planning ahead and following a few simple steps can help you minimize the impact of lost sleep when the clocks go ahead one hour on March 9, says the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

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.

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.

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.

The NSDUH Report: Serious Psychological Distress and Receipt of Mental Health Services -- (01-08-09) -- SAMHSA's Office of Applied Studies (OAS) has just released The NSDUH Report: Serious Psychological Distress & Receipt of Mental Health Services, a 3 page short report based on data from SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH) that provides the demographics of adults with serious psychological distress and the rates of those who received mental health services and the types of mental health services received.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Procedure Codes -- (11-06-08) -- Codes to use when billing mental health and substance abuse procedures.

Detail on Mental Health Parity Legislation -- (10-14-08) -- The APA Practice Organization has provided a summary of the new parity legislation that answers questions for clinical providers.

New Report Calls For Mental Health To Be Better Integrated Into Primary Care -- (10-08-08) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) and The World Organization of Family Doctors (Wonca) released a joint report that aims to offer help to hundreds of millions of people who are affected by mental disorders but cannot receive the care and treatment they need.

NIMH Mental Health Strategic Plan -- (08-04-08) -- This document represents the culmination of a year-long initiative launched by NIMH to develop a new Strategic Plan that will serve as a guide to the Institute for advancing mental health science over the next 5 years. Its development has been a collaborative effort among scientific experts, advocacy groups, Institute staff and more than 500 members of public who provided input.

PRESS RELEASE: School Districts Under Homeland Security Grant -- (09-13-07) -- In June of 2006, school districts in Polk and Norman Counties signed under a Homeland Security grant called Emergency Response and Crisis Management (ERCM). A Safety Coordinator for the two counties was hired in December of 2006 to work with the schools to develop and update their emergency crisis plans. These plans contain steps on what to do in case of an emergency situation ranging from severe weather to an intruder with a weapon. School staff is trained in each of these areas.

PRESS RELEASE: Northwest Minnesota Council of Collaboratives Receives Major Grant Awards -- (09-21-06) -- The Northwest Minnesota Council of Collaboratives, a coalition of 45 schools and agencies in northwestern Minnesota, is proud to announce receipt of two major grant awards.

PRESS RELEASE: Annual Community Mental Health Awards Announced -- (11-14-05) -- The Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs, Inc. is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2005 awards. These annual awards spotlight excellence, express our core values, and publicly say "thank you" to those that make substantial contributions to the field. The awards were presented before about 550 participants at the association's Annual Community Mental Health Conference held September 28-30, 2005 in Duluth, Minnesota.

PRESS RELEASE: Carol M. White Physical Education Grant Awarded to Partners in the Northwest Minnesota Council of Collaboratives -- (10-11-05) -- $490,278 Carol M. White Physical Education grant awarded to partners in the Northwest Minnesota Council of Collaboratives

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.

PSAs Educate Parents and Target Potential Predators -- (12-17-08) -- The U.S. Department of Justice has announced four new public service announcements (PSAs) to help prevent online crimes against children.

PSAs Educate Parents and Target Potential Predators -- (12-17-08) -- The U.S. Department of Justice has announced four new public service announcements (PSAs) to help prevent online crimes against 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.

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.

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

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... Norman-Mahnomen Public Health -- (12-14-07) -- The Norman-Mahnomen Public Health is working hard at getting the word out to the public about getting their flu shots!

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... Stephen/Argyle School District #2856: Minnesota Education Rural Leadership Program -- (10-12-07) -- The Minnesota Rural Educational Leadership Program, funded in part by the Blandin Foundation, was developed and presented to 12 rural school districts in Minnesota. The MRELP is intended to build strategic leadership within rural schools.

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... Polk County Public Health receives grant -- (01-25-07) -- Recently Polk County Public Health received notice that they have been awarded a grant through the MN Dept. of Human Services Chemical Health Division to fund a Regional Prevention Center.

Spotlight on... Prairie Winds: Carol M. White Physical Education Grant -- (10-10-05) -- Minnesota legislators have been notified of a $490,278 grant awarded to the Northwest Service Cooperative on behalf of 19 partners in the Northwest Minnesota Council of Collaboratives. Total project costs will approach $668,000. Grant partners will provide the cash and in-kind match to fully fund the Prairie Winds Physical Education project. This grant is renewable for up to three years for a total award of approximately $1.5 million.

Spotlight on... Local collaborative efforts highlighted on national stage -- (08-31-05) -- Inner-city, metro and suburban agencies that deal with at-risk youth and other under-served populations certainly have a lot on their plate, and many major hurdles to clear each and every day. But at the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools National Conference in Washington, D.C. a couple weeks ago, people representing those various inner-city, metro and suburban agencies heard firsthand about some challenges with which they're unfamiliar, courtesy of Crookston's own Colleen MacRae and Melissa Perreault.

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... Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. -- (02-18-05) -- Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. (TVOC) is a private, not-for-profit corporation sponsoring numerous programs to help low-income individuals, families, senior citizens or other vulnerable persons in local communities.

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.

Spotlight on... North Star Summer Program -- (09-22-04) -- The North Star Summer Program is designed to meet the needs of children in the Elementary School Setting, who have completed Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. The goal is to provide opportunities for children to learn more about and build life skills in various areas.

Spotlight on... RRV Juvenile Center -- (08-19-04) -- Located in Crookston, MN, the Center is in its sixth year of providing Shelter Care, Residential Evaluation/Treatment and Secure/Non-Secure Detention.

Spotlight on... First Call 2-1-1 -- (07-16-04) -- First Call 2-1-1 is a 24 hour, 7 days a week Information and Referral service which helps people find the programs they need. ALL CALLS ARE CONFIDENTIAL, ANONYMOUS AND FREE.

What Constitutes Youth Involvement in Systems of Care? -- (09-08-07) -- This qualitative study is among the first to elicit youth perspectives of the benefits of their involvement in systems of care. Results point to the need to increase awareness of ways in which youth can participate.

Web tool gives students voice to share hopes and dreams -- (03-20-09) -- Creating video clips with Tel*A*Vision helps kids learn more about themselves and their peers, schools say.

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: An Evaluation Toolkit -- (03-06-08) -- This web-based resource combines a brief review of the literature and current research addressing the effectiveness of early childhood mental health consultation with guidance for designing and implementing program evaluation. It will help states, communities, and programs increase their capacity for high-quality evaluation of early childhood mental health consultation in community-based settings.

Crisis Communication Guide and Toolkit -- (08-26-05) -- Save precious time in the midst of a crisis - review, customize, and study the resources provided in this crisis kit today to avoid having to do so in the midst of a crisis. The importance of advance thinking and preparation cannot be emphasized enough. The relatively short amount of time it will take to seriously consider the five points that follow will pay big dividends in the event of a crisis.

Training/Conferences/Workshops -- (07-04-07) -- Upcoming training and workshop opportunities.

Returning Home From War: Tips for the Troops -- (04-21-09) -- 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.

Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Military Personnel -- (04-21-09) -- This guide is for services members returning from deployment. It contains information to help military personnel understand what to expect when returning from a war zone, and to help them to better adapt back to home life.

Transition Assistance for Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom Veterans -- (04-21-09) -- Discusses VA's Transition Centers and lists some resources for further information.

Warzone-Related Stress Reactions: What Veterans Need to Know -- (04-21-09) -- Most reactions to traumatic war experiencesare temporary, but sometimes the reactions continue after service members return home. Here you will find out what these reactions look like and how to get help.

Warzone-Related Stress Reactions: What Families Need to Know -- (04-21-09) -- Talks about how traumatic stress reactions affect families and also how important the family is in recovery.

Families in the Military -- (04-21-09) -- Deployment can lead to different affects for different family members. This sheet describes different reactions for various ages and provides tips to ease the stress.

Homecoming: Dealing with Changes and Expectations -- (04-21-09) -- Homecoming can be a joyful and also stressful time. This sheet reviews what reactions to expect of the service member, the spouse and children, as well as provides tips to help you have the best possible reunion.

Homecoming: Tips for Reunion -- (04-21-09) -- A brief list of tips for soldiers, spouses and children.

Coloring Book Pages for Kids -- (04-21-09) -- This is a coloring book for military kids dealing with deployment. It was written and illustrated by Deborah Butler.

Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Families of Military Personnel -- (04-20-09) -- This guide is for services members and their families. It contains information to help military family members understand what to expect during the reintegration following time in a war zone, and to help them adapt back to home life with their loved one.

Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2007 -- (12-03-07) -- The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has just released the report "Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2007." A joint effort by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and National Center for Education Statistics, this annual report examines crime occurring in school as well as on the way to and from school.

SAMHSA Announces New Suicide Hotline -- (01-04-05) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced the launch of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK.

Bill would legally protect Minn. students from bullying -- (03-18-09) -- From the Star Tribune: Students throughout Minnesota would be legally protected from bullying under a bill that would expand the state's human rights protections to harassment in school.