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.

Hand in Hand: Academic Success and Social Success -- (04-23-09) -- A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has shown that children's academic accomplishments are directly related to their emotional health. The report recommends that schools use the resources they already have on hand to provide mental health services for students, but need to focus on making these services a part of the mainstream academic experiences for more students.

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.

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.

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.

Impact of Trauma on the Developing Child - HANDOUTS from Feb. 13, 2008 -- (02-20-08) -- Abigail Gewirtz, Ph.D., Family Social Science faculty member at the University of Minnesota and Project Director of the Minnesota Child Response Center, will be leading this workshop on trauma and its impact on the developing child. Dr. Jodi Boerger will be hosting a follow-up discussion (12:30 – 1:30 pm) with a free box lunch regarding the content of the training.

** Newsletter Notice ** -- (12-21-07) -- There will be no newsletter the week of December 24th.

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.

Offering Technical Assistance to American Indian and Alaskan Native families: Clues From a Focus Group -- (11-14-07) -- This 24-page report provides information about the culturally specific technical assistance needs of Native American Families.

Half of Low-Income People Not Receiving Food Stamp Benefits -- (09-12-07) -- The National Priorities Projects' new analysis on 2004 county-level data and statistics focuses on the distribution of Food Stamp.

Psychological First Aid - Operation Northern Comfort -- (09-29-05) -- A disaster is a… situation that causes human suffering or creates human needs that the victim cannot alleviate without assistance. It temporarily overwhelms the ability to maintain psychosocial equilibrium.

MDH Emergency Preparedness - Chart/Map -- (05-01-08) -- Public Health, Healthcare, and Behavioral Health Preparedness Regions and Teams Three-in-one: a single chart/map showing regional RHRCs, PHPCs, and RBHCs.

2007 Minnesota Citizen Corps Conference "PARTNERS IN PREPAREDNESS" - Sept. 14 and 15 -- (09-04-07) -- The Conference is being hosted by the Minnesota Citizen Corps Council. The Conference is open to all who are interested in making their communities safer, stronger, and better prepared for all types of hazards.

September is National Preparedness Month -- (07-17-07) -- Get a Kit. Make a Plan. Be informed and get involved.

U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Sponsors Fourth Annual National Preparedness Month -- (07-06-07) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will sponsor the fourth annual National Preparedness Month this September and encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities. This year's effort has a growing coalition of more than 625 national, regional, state, and local organizations pledging support.

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.

Homeless adults and their children in Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota 2006 -- (11-05-07) -- This study gives a snapshot of the people experiencing homelessness in Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota on a single day in October 2006.

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.

Time-sensitive: Hepatitis A Outbreak -- (10-26-07) -- This is to inform you of a hepatitis A outbreak involving several cases and a number of possible exposure situations for residents of numerous Minnesota counties.

Flu Center Opens at Riverview -- (10-23-09) -- Crookston Times article on the Flu Center at RiverView 800-743-6551 x9757

Emergency News Release Polk County -- (10-23-09) -- Polk County Public Health has limited H1N1 vaccine for Pregnant Women and Children age 6 months through 4 years only.

CDC: Update on the U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection -- (06-25-09) -- As of 7:00 PM ET on June 25, 2009, CDC is reporting 27,717 confirmed and probable cases and 127 deaths in 53 states and territories (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

Talking to Children About Swine Flu (H1N1): A Parent Resource - PDF/Audio Versions -- (05-06-09) -- Handout for parents on talking with kids about the swine flu: The National Association of School Nurses (NASN), the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), and the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) have partnered to develop and disseminate a handout for parents on talking to their children about the Swine Flu virus.

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

Southern MN flooding MH staff needed -- (09-07-07) -- MDH is coordinating a possible behavioral health response for Houston, Fillmore, and Winona counties impacting by flooding. The anticipated length of response is three weeks.

Officials offer recommendations for protecting respiratory health while doing flood cleanup work -- (08-19-07) -- State health officials are recommending that people take steps to protect their respiratory health if they do flood cleanup work that releases dust into the air.

Minnesota Goes "Code Ready" -- (06-13-07) -- New campaign helps Minnesotans prepare for disasters.

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.

Crisis Management Plan -- (06-19-07) -- The Crisis Management Plan is a guide for school district and building administrators, school employees, students, School Board Members and community members as to how to address a wide range of potential crisis situations in the school district.

Emergency Action Guide -- (06-19-07) -- Stephen/Argyle Central School District Waterfall Emergency Action Guide

Training Opportunity: Counseling Traumatized Students - Aug. 15-16 -- (06-12-07) -- The Safe and Drug Free Schools Program at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will sponsor a 2-day training on counseling traumatized students at the MDE Conference Center, August 15-16, 2007. Cost will be $200 per participant. The curriculum, Cognitive Behavior Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) will be presented by the CBITS authors from UCLA and the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Responding to the Children's Needs of the Returning Military - September 27 -- (09-06-07) -- Thousands of National Guard and Reserve Units are returning home to Minnesota. The impact of these deployments are felt not only on the solders but on their families and children. This briefing will discuss therapeutic approaches and coping skills with regards to the impact deployments and reunions have on children.

Army's Suicide Rate Spikes -- (08-28-07) -- The suicide rate in the U.S. Army is the highest it has been in 26 years, hitting a rate of 17.3 suicides per 100,000 soldiers in 2006.

Teaming up to fight terrorism at home -- (07-10-07) -- From the Star Tribune: At a conference in Minneapolis, experts said a collective effort is needed to prevent worst-case scenarios.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon - July 10 -- (07-05-07) -- Important seminar to help our war zone veterans and their families. The Minnesota Army National Guard offers this free seminar to help inform, equip, and empower communities to help combat veterans and their families find the support they need to face the challenge of reintegration. Please make time to attend this seminar and learn how to help. The support you provide our combat veterans and their families will result in a healthier more productive citizen who will benefit all our communities.

Healthy Generations: War and Public Health -- (06-21-07) -- The University of Minnesota's Maternal & Child Health Program School of Public Health's publication Healthy Generations latest publication with the topic of War and Public Health.

Soft Targets Awareness Course - June 20 -- (05-15-07) -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff, is committed to reaching out to the 25 million businesses and organizations that make up America's public and private sectors. To fulfill that commitment, he has asked the Department's Protective Security Coordination Division (PSCD) and the Private Sector Office to team up and offer a Soft Targets Awareness Course for both the public and private sectors.

MSSA Training of Trainers Opportunity - May 16 -- (05-07-07) -- The Minnesota National Guard in cooperation with MSSA (Minnesota Social Service Association) is hosting an all day event for professionals on the 16th of May from 8:00am to 4:00pm. The training will take place at the MCIT Building located at 100 Empire Drive, St. Paul, MN. This training is open to professionals who have a passion to personally train Combat Veterans and their families on key Reintegration issues.

Adolescent Development and Alcohol: Brain, Body, Behavior and Cultural Context - April 23, 2009 -- (03-13-09) -- In part two of our look at the interaction between alcohol and the developing adolescent brain, we will discuss not only the latest research on the pre-adolescent and adolescent brain, but also other aspects of adolescent physiology and psychosocial development and how they interact in response to alcohol exposure. This information can help enhance work with law enforcement, parents, communities and decision makers. Given developmental determinants, the question of how teens would be expected to interpret conflicting environmental messages underscores the need to be even more focused on environmental strategies.

Model Youth Drinking Prevention Program Less Effective in Urban Community -- (03-24-08) -- A model prevention program that worked well in rural communities did not achieve the same results in curbing drinking among middle-school students in an urban area.

Brief Intervention in ER Called Effective -- (01-02-08) -- About a quarter of individuals screened for alcohol misuse in hospital emergency rooms reported unsafe drinking levels, according to a study concluding that hospital-based brief interventions for alcohol problems are effective.

Minorities More Likely to Be Screened for Alcohol Use, Study Says -- (01-02-08) -- Hispanics and African-Americans rarely get superior healthcare compared to white Americans, but a new report finds one exception: primary-care physicians may be more willing to query minorities about their alcohol use than to counsel white patients.

Smoking Bans Encourage Quitting -- (11-02-07) -- Public smoking bans help smokers quit both by reducing exposure to nicotine and changing perceptions about behavior.

Red River Valley Substance Abuse Prevention Conference - Oct. 18 -- (09-24-07) -- The Red River Valley Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinators would like to invite you to the Red River Valley Substance Abuse Prevention Conference in Moorhead, Minnesota. The conference is for community coalition members, human service professionals, social workers, parents, educators, corrections and law enforcement personnel with an interest in substance abuse prevention. This will focus on presenting the hot topics that local Prevention-Focused Coalition Efforts are faced with frequently.

Tribes see FBI support for drug war dwindle -- (08-22-07) -- As federal agents focus on terrorism, Indians say drug fight on reservations suffers

Overdoses Drive Up Accidental Death Rate in U.S. -- (06-13-07) -- Over several decades, reductions in drunk driving and greater use of seat belts in cars helped lower the accidental death rate in the U.S. But now the rate is rising again, and part of the blame is being focused on accidental overdoses on legal and illicit drugs.

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.

Stimulus Guidance Spotlights Teacher Evaluations -- (04-02-09) -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today started rolling out $44 billion in economic-stimulus aid for education that comes with new teacher-quality reporting requirements for states and districts, and also with significantly more spending flexibility on school construction than many administrators had expected.

National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices Expanded -- (08-31-07) -- The National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) is a searchable online registry of mental health and substance abuse interventions that have been reviewed and rated by independent reviewers. The purpose of this registry is to assist the public in identifying approaches to preventing and treating mental and/or substance use disorders that have been scientifically tested and that can be readily disseminated to the field.

Carbon-monoxide alarms now mandatory in all homes -- (07-30-08) -- Star Tribune: A new law takes effect Friday requiring all single-family homes in Minnesota to have a carbon-monoxide detector within 10 feet of each bedroom.

Peak West Nile virus season is here: Minnesota reports first West Nile virus cases of 2008 -- (07-28-08) -- With the first human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) disease for 2008 confirmed in three Minnesota residents, state health officials today urged Minnesotans to protect themselves from mosquitoes from now through September.

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.

Use of Preventive Services Among Hispanic Sub-Groups: Does One Size Fit All? -- (01-30-08) -- The report explores the use of preventive health services among Mexicans, Puerto-Ricans, Cubans, and "other" Latinos and examined how the use of preventive services was influenced by nation of origin and by rural versus urban residence.

January is ideal time to test home for radon, health officials say -- (01-11-08) -- Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and nearly one in three Minnesota homes contain potentially harmful levels of the tasteless, odorless gas that occurs naturally in rock and soils. The only way to know for sure if your home has it is to test for it, say Minnesota health officials, and January is an ideal time to do it

How to get flu vaccine to children en masse -- (03-18-08) -- With a federal panel now urging annual flu shots for all school-aged children, Minnesota health officials are looking for new and creative ways to offer the vaccine en masse.

Applying for free weatherization aid -- (06-23-09) -- Families earning no more than 50 percent of the state median income may qualify. (That would be $40,738 or less for a family of four.) Priority is given to households with at least one elderly or disabled member, and to homes with high heating bills.

Know of a "shovel ready" pedestrian or bike project? -- (03-02-09) -- The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, often referred to as the federal stimulus act, is providing $500 million to Minnesota for "shovel-ready" transportation projects. The funding is being managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).

Public Health Funds in Economic Recovery Act -- (02-19-09) -- Information regarding funding for prevention included in the economic recovery legislation.

Medicare Mental Health Parity Approved -- (07-10-08) -- The Senate joined the House in passing the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) by a veto-proof 69-30. When enacted, the bill will end a longstanding requirement that affects Medicare beneficiaries who need outpatient mental health services.

House Committee Approves Addiction/Mental Health Parity Bill -- (07-24-07) -- In a historic move, the House Education and Labor Committee voted 33-9 to approve a strong mental-health and addiction parity bill, setting the stage for a possible House floor vote on the measure this fall.

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.

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.

9/11 Workers Face Chronic Mental Impairment -- (05-23-08) -- Workers and volunteers involved in recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the 9/11 terrorist attacks have much higher levels of psychological distress than the general population, new research shows.

Black and Blue: Depression Among African-Americans -- (01-18-08) -- Depression knows nothing of skin color, yet cultural influences shape how people of different races deal with the illness.

2007 Annual Community Mental Health Conference - Sept. 12th, 13th, and 14th -- (08-17-07) -- The 2007 Annual Community Mental Health Conference will be held at Duluth Entertainment Convention Center in Duluth, Minnesota, September 12-14, with pre-conference institutes on September 11 and 12.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Care Environment "Toxic" for Persons in Recovery and Those Working in the Field -- (06-19-07) -- "The environments in which behavioral health care is both given and received are toxic for persons in recovery, family members, and the workforce," according to a recent report commissioned by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

TIDE - Loads of Hope Dispatched to FM and Surrounding Area -- (04-23-09) -- Good news! We are dispatching the TIDE- Loads of Hope truck to the FM area & it will be located at the Hornbacher's-Osgood store. This is a FREE service.

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.

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) -- (12-15-08) -- VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) will be available to assist MN families again this year.

VITA Income Tax Help -- (01-07-08) -- With tax season approaching, there is a service available that will assist low to moderate income families and individuals file their taxes for free. VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) volunteers will be visiting EGF, Crookston and Warren throughout Feb., March, and April. They will e-file taxes for clients and refunds can be expected usually within 5-10 business days.

Medicaid Definition of Covered Case Mgmt Services Clarified -- (01-07-08) -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) interim final rule with comment period (IFC) implementing section 6052 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) clarifies the Medicaid definition of covered case management and targeted case management (TCM) services. The rule includes measures to address concerns about improper billing of non-Medicaid services to the Medicaid program by some states, while also including significant beneficiary protections that ensure comprehensive and coordinated services to meet the needs of beneficiaries.

National Bullying Prevention Week - Oct. 21-27, 2007 - Restorative Justice Referral Form -- (10-19-07) -- National Bullying Prevention Awareness is Oct. 21-27, 2007. Should you need any assistance in presenting materials or helping resolve conflict in your schools using Restorative Justice Practices, please find the revised referral form available within this article.

Serious Psychological Distress and Substance Use Disorder among Veterans -- (11-05-07) -- This is a 3 page short report based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provides the prevalence of serious psychological distress, substance use disorder, and co-occurring serious psychological distress among veterans by age group, gender, and family income.

24-hour hot line to open up for veterans in crisis -- (07-03-07) -- The Veterans Affairs Department is starting a suicide prevention hot line Aug. 31, with calls to be answered at a VA medical center in New York.

Recruiting Local People to Fill Health Care Needs -- (08-22-07) -- Frontier and rural health care providers looking for innovative ways to solve increasing workforce shortages are sometimes finding that help is as near as their own backyards: by recruiting and training local people to be health care professionals in their communities.

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... Win-E-Mac Public School District #2609: Project Lead the Way News -- (11-09-07) -- Something new and exciting is taking place at the Win-E-Mac School. In an effort to involve our school in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) initiatives, the Win-E-Mac School has made a commitment to the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum.

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.

Customer Relationship Management Software Offered to Nonprofits -- (03-31-08) -- MPower has announced that it will offer its open-source customer-relationship management (CRM) software free of license fees to nonprofit organizations.

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.

GoingSmokeFree.org: A Toolkit for Implementing Smoke-Free Laws -- (12-06-07) -- The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in partnership with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, has created GoingSmokeFree.org, a free online resource to help states and communities implement smoke-free laws.

How to Start and Run a Double Trouble in Recovery Group - July 20, 2009 -- (07-08-09) -- This training will help you understand how Double Trouble in Recovery works, its benefits for continuing care, how to select peer leaders and facilitate their efforts to establish and sustain a group.

We Can Parent Together: Tools for engaging fathers, mothers, and others in co-parenting - Various Dates/Locations - Sept. 24 - Nov. 5, 2009 -- (07-06-09) -- When parents are consistent and support each other in the task of parenting, children benefit. This workshop presents the basics and benefits of co-parenting, and offers strategies and best practices to utilize in supporting any family working to raise children in a healthy, safe environment. Specific focus will be given to the unique challenges of divorcing and never-married parents, adolescent parents, or those with substance-abuse / dependence-related concerns.

1st Annual Northwest District Human Service Conference - June 17 & 18 -- (06-10-09) -- MSSA (Minnesota Social Service Association) offers a unique educational opportunity all walks of human service professionals. Currently MSSA hosts the largest, most comprehensive human service conference in the Midwest. We are bringing a piece of that to Moorhead on June 17 and 18 at the Courtyard by Marriott.

1st International Symposium on Restorative Justice - June 15-19, 2009 -- (06-10-09) -- This course is intended to provide experience in the circle process as well as an understanding of the foundational values and key structural elements for designing and conducting peacemaking circles.

A Special Focus on the Addicted Offender - June 4, 2009 -- (05-29-09) -- Tri-County Community Corrections' Adult Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) has put together a workshop entitled “A Special Focus on the Addicted Offender” to be held Thursday, June 4, 2009, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a 1-day workshop fee of $50.00. The workshop will be held at the Sargeant Student Center - Bede Ballroom located on the University of Minnesota Crookston Campus.

Hope for Recovery - May 16, 2009 -- (05-07-09) -- Spend a Saturday with a trained family member who will offer information, hope and practical strategies for dealing with the complexities of mental illness. Participants learn information about: mental illnesses, treatments and recovery, coping strategies, about the mental health system and local resources.

Webcast: The Fostering Connections Act: Building Supportive Pathways for Older Youth - May 15, 2009 -- (05-07-09) -- The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices is pleased to announce the third webcast related to the Fostering Connections Act. The Fostering Connections Act includes several provisions that provide opportunities for states to build supportive pathways for older youth in and transitioning out of care.

Walk for Mental Health Awareness - May 2, 2009 -- (04-23-09) -- The Mental Health Awareness Walk will launch with a brief ceremony and open microphone. It will be followed by a gentle walk around the bike path. Green is the recognized color for mental health awareness. ** If the weather does not cooperate, the Walk will move inside to the Eagle's Nest Dining Area at UMC. **

Webinar: Planning and Preparedness for Children's Needs in Public Health Emergencies -- (04-23-09) -- Children are not just small adults; their different medical needs make it essential for health care facilities to prepare for child victims of public health emergencies. To showcase resources that can support emergency preparedness planning for children, AHRQ will host a free Webcast, Planning and Preparedness for Children’s Needs in Public Health Emergencies. This event will feature a panel discussion of preparedness initiatives and insights from pediatric emergency preparedness planners.

Mom's Night Out - Apr 25 & 26, 2009 -- (04-23-09) -- For mothers of children with disabilities: Enjoy a dinner, networking, time to relax.

Mental Health First Aid Training - May 4-9, 2009 -- (04-23-09) -- This week long training is brought to you by NAMI Minnesota, The Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs, and the National Council on Behavioral Health. Funded in part by the Department of Human Service.

United for Children - Apr. 18, 2009 -- (04-17-09) -- 8th Annual Conference on Early Care and Education

Suicide Prevention for Rural Primary Care: a Toolkit for Providers - Webinar - Apr 22, 2009 -- (04-16-09) -- The presentation will include information on risk identification, prevention, and prescribing for depressed patients. It will also serve as a national launch for a new Prevention Toolkit developed for use in rural primary care settings. Provider feedback data from the pilot version of the Toolkit will be presented.

Transition Planning and Community Resources: What You Need to Know - Apr. 16, 2009 -- (04-09-09) -- This workshop is designed for parents of transition aged youth with disabilities. Students, teachers, and other professionals are also welcome to attend.

Creating High Quality Youth Development Programs - Apr. 8, 2009 -- (04-03-09) -- Building relationships with young people is key to their development and program quality. This class will highlight recent research in youth engagement and experiential learning, look at key barriers and challenges to youth-adult partnerships and apply the ideas to your work with youth. Come network with other youth workers and volunteers!

Medical and Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault - Apr. 2 & 3, 2009 -- (03-26-09) -- This free 1-1/2 day course is designed for law enforcement, nurses, doctors and advocates. The objective of this course is to enhance the knowledge and skills of participants who respond to sexual assault crimes with emphasis on non-stranger assaults.

Boys Council Facilitator Training - Mar. 27 & 28, 2009 -- (03-18-09) -- In an effort to improve services for boys, we would like to extend an invitation to the Juvenile Justice divisions in the state of Minnesota to attend the Boys Council Facilitator Training in St Paul on March 27-28.

Culturally Responsive Youth Work Matters: Exploring Cultures, Values & Identities - May 6, 2009 -- (03-09-09) -- Cultural differences are often at the root of miscommunication, misunderstanding and hurt feelings between youth and adults of different backgrounds. This six-hour class guides youth workers, educators and community leaders in exploring differing cultural values, beliefs and identies, and examining how these critical elements impact our work with youth.

Surviving Parenthood - Apr. 2, 2009 -- (03-09-09) -- Parenting is a difficult job! An adoptive mom of 12 children, most with special needs, shares how she and her husband have used a sense of humor to make it through the first twelve years of parenting.

Treatment of Depressive Disorders in Youth - Mar. 13, 2009 -- (03-09-09) -- Separations and Losses in Children Workshops

The Center for Data-Driven Reform in Education - April 17-18, 2009 -- (03-06-09) -- During this intense, two-day institute, district and school leaders will join leading educational researchers and practitioners to learn how to recognize, evaluate, and implement the best research-proven programs and practices for their schools. They will see how existing schools have successfully used these same interventions to achieve unprecedented student achievement...and how they can duplicate those same results in their own schools.

Inside the Mind of a Predator - Apr. 2, 2009 -- (03-04-09) -- This free workshop will discuss how sexual predators think and offer advice on how to keep your children safe.

Parenting Native American Teens Who Have Experienced Trauma and Violence in the Home - Feb. 25, 2009 -- (02-11-09) -- This workshop is for parents, community members and professionals to gain insights and ideas for walking with Native Teens who have experienced trauma or violence in the home on their path of resilience. You can have a positive influence in their lives in spite of what they have experienced and what problematic behaviors you see them doing. This workshop will provide some practical tools as well as increase the knowledge and understanding of our roles as adults in the teens' lives.

National Federation of Families Training - Feb. 9 and 10, 2008 -- (01-10-09) -- This free day and a half, interactive training that examines the context and emergence of "family-driven care" as recommended in 2003 Final Report the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health.

Minnesota Fatherhood Summit - Jan. 12-13, 2009 -- (01-06-09) -- A training conference for practitioners, policy makers, professionals, and parents interested in working with fathers, families, and children.

How Aspergers Changes from Early Childhood to Young Adult - Jan. 16, 2009 -- (01-05-09) -- Learn the signs and symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome and the impact of the disorder on a child and his family at different stages of development from early childhood through young adulthood.

National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health 20th Annual Conference - Nov. 20-23, 2008 -- (10-28-08) -- The National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health has the title of "Hope on the Horizon for Children, Youth and Families" as the centerpiece for their 20th annual conference.

Understanding and Planning for School Bomb Threat Incidents - Free 1/2 Day Workshop - Several Scheduled for Oct/Nov 2008 -- (09-25-08) -- Deciding what to do with bomb threats is a challenge to any school administrator and their school safety partners. In an attempt to provide the most current information and training regarding bomb threats, the Minnesota School Safety Center in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Education will conduct a series of regional workshops on practical strategies for handling bomb threat incidents.

13th Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health - Sept. 25-27, 2008 -- (09-17-08) -- This annual conference on school-based mental health continues to evolve via a community of practice framework that allows conference attendees to stay connected throughout the year.

Community Leadership Institutes - Sept. 21-24, 2008 -- (08-24-08) -- The Community Leadership Institute provides personalized, dynamic leadership training. Some of the key topics for the conference include leadership styles and choices; formal and informal leadership; "Thriving in chaos: building a toolkit," and creating a shared vision.

10th Annual National Leadership Conference - August 21-23, 2008 -- (08-14-08) -- The theme for the 2008 conference, to be held in Nashville, Tennessee, is "A Notable History: Forging the Future". The site will be the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel at: 1-866-972-6779 and mentioning the National Leadership Conference to receive the special discounted rate. Registration fees are as follows: Early Bird: $150, Regular: $199 and Youth: $50.

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's 2008 Mid-Year Training Institute - July 28-31, 2008 -- (07-10-08) -- The 2008 Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Mid-Year Training Institute will provide in depth sessions on a variety of topic areas relevant to established as well as emerging coalitions.

Honoring Our Differences (Diversity)Through Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drug (ATOD) Abuse Prevention - July 15 & July 16, 2008 -- (07-10-08) -- Features Don Coyhis. The same presentation is offered on two different days in two different locations.

5th Annual Multidisciplinary Conference on Child Abuse - July 16-18, 2008 -- (07-10-08) -- The Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Center is sponsoring this conference featuring more than 25 speakers and workshops. Participants will benefit from both high quality training and tremendous networking opportunities.

National Institute of Justice’s 2008 Annual Conference - July 21-23, 2008 -- (06-18-08) -- The National Institute of Justice’s 2008 Annual Conference will showcase what works, what does not, and what research shows as promising. New developments in technology that increase public safety will be featured. The conference emphasizes benefits to researchers and practitioners who work together to develop effective evidence-based policies and practices. The event will also feature several panels related to youth issues, including sessions on youth gangs, best practices, and school-based prevention programs.

White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Conferences - Aug. 5, 2008 -- (06-18-08) -- The White House is housing a new series of regional conferences in a joint venture with States across the country. The event is designed to unite effective social service organizations with resources that can fortify and expand the services they offer to people they serve. Exceptional emphasis will be placed on opportunities for partnership at the State and local level. These opportunities range from funding provided through grants and contracts and non-financial partnerships like mutual-referral relationships with local government agencies to government services that can supplement the aid nonprofits provide to their clients. The conferences work to make both nonprofit organizations and government more effective at meeting human needs.

What Data Can Tell You About Drug Patterns in your Community, Fundraising Basics and Dynamic Presentation Techniques - June 25, 2008 -- (06-11-08) -- Presented by Red River Valley ATOD Prevention Conference

Say Yes to No - August 26th, 2008 -- (06-10-08) -- David Walsh, Ph. D. has emerged as one of the world’s leading authorities on parenting and the impact of media on children’s health and development.

Northwestern Mental Health Center Open House - May 15th, 2008 -- (05-07-08) -- Enjoy a tour of the building and a brief ceremony. Refreshments will be served!

Serving Diverse Families: Strategies for Early Childhood Service Providers - May 8 or May 9, 2008 -- (05-01-08) -- A new, live, interactive online training opportunity for early childhood intervention and ECSE professionals across Minnesota! (FREE)

Cass and Clay County Children's Mental Health Fair - May 8, 2008 -- (05-01-08) -- Learn about children's mental health services available in our area. Children's mental health information, interactive games, prizes, resources and more!

Children's Mental Health Information Series - May 8, 15 and 22, 2008 -- (04-23-08) -- For parents, child care providers, teachers, social workers and other interested community members. Sessions are free of charge, registration is limited. Attendance certificates are available at the conclusion of each session fulfilling MN/ND teacher, child care and social work training requirements. Free, limited childcare available by reservation only. Food will be provided to registered attendees.

Emergency Preparedness 2008: Partners in Preparedness - April 16-18, 2008 -- (04-04-08) -- Topics include pandemic influenza, psychological first aid, and chempack.

2007-08 Lessons from the Field Series - Workshop #2 - Impact of Family Violence Videoconference - March 24, 2008 -- (03-20-08) -- Dr. Oliver Williams, professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota and Executive Director of the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community, will be presenting on the consequences of exposure to domestic violence on children and families as well as lessons learned from stories of success in promoting the healthy development and resilience of children exposed to domestic violence.

Minnesota School Safety Conference - Feb. 20-21, 2008 -- (02-15-08) -- The conference will cover Threat Assessment in Schools (day-long training) as well as Workshops on cyber bullying, marketing school safety, planning for effective drills, suicide clusters, data privacy, school safety "tools" developed by Minnesota school districts, school liaison officer session, Project SERV grants, student assistance teams, National Incident Management System, and many more!

2008 Joint Meeting on Adolescent Treatment Effectiveness (JMATE) - Addressing Diversity - March 25-27, 2008 -- (01-23-08) -- The theme of the 2008 Joint Meeting on Adolescent Treatment Effectiveness (JMATE) is "Addressing Diversity." This theme encompasses a wide range of topics from addressing the broad diversity of adolescents in treatment and recovery to meeting the needs of stakeholders from different disciplines.

Psychological First Aid Training - FREE - January 24, 2008 -- (01-18-08) -- This free presentation provides a basic overview of the concept of Psychological First Aid. Psychological First Aid includes a set of skills that helps communities care for their families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and themselves by providing basic psychological support to manage stress in the aftermath of traumatic events.

16th Annual VistA Community Meeting, January 10-13, 2008 -- (01-03-08) -- Learn more about VistA Office Health Record (EHR). There will be a special track on Community Health Centers. This meeting will bring together users, developers and others interested in this system.

Behavior & Inclusion on the Autism Spectrum - Nov. 6 and 7, 2007 -- (10-30-07) -- Attend one or both days of training. Increase understanding of the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) that impact behavior and can foster communication breakdowns and feelings of being overwhelmed. Participants will learn practical ways of supporting students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other significant disabilities. These sessions are for parents and professionals.

More Than a Few Good Men - Nov. 12 -- (10-25-07) -- Join national violence prevention activist Jackson Katz for a compelling evening on ending violence. Alerus Financial and CVIC are co-sponsoring a week to promote healthy relationships in our community. This is a FREE event and open to the public.

Teens, Sex & Safety - Nov. 15 -- (10-25-07) -- Join leading dating relationship expert Mike Domitrz for an entertaining hour designed specially for parents. Alerus Financial and CVIC are co-sponsoring a week to promote healthy relationships in our community. This is a FREE event and open to the public.

Psychological First Aid (PFA) Training, Oct. 31, 2007 -- (10-24-07) -- Psychological First Aid is a set of skills that helps first responders and other community responder’s care for their clients, co-workers, families, friends and neighbors.PFA has become the standard in helping others cope in times of crisis. As the centerpiece of many communities, hospital staff, county services, law enforcement, and other emergency service providers are in a unique position to see and assist in monitoring the public during and after an event. PFA will add to the skills you already possess in effectively helping ourselves and others.

Addiction, Depression Hit Soldiers Months After Returning from Combat -- (11-15-07) -- Soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan report worse symptoms of addiction and depression months after they leave the combat zone than when they initially get home.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network Answers One Millionth Call -- (11-17-08) -- The Lifeline reached this significant milestone because more people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis are becoming aware that help is available just by picking up the telephone and dialing 1-800-273-TALK.

Wear Blue Day - April 25, 2008 -- (03-31-08) -- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month & we have selected Friday, April 25 as WEAR BLUE DAY throughout Polk County. Mark your calendars!!!

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.

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.