Site last updated on:
  September 28, 2011

Resource Links

Children's Mental Health

• • National Technical Assistance Center for Children's M (11-01-07) -- A division of Georgetown University's Department of Pediatrics, the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development brings to bear its unique capacity on critical social issues of our time that affect children, families and individuals with disabilities of all ages.

• Autism Society of Minnesota (03-13-09) -- The Autism Society of Minnesota exists to enhance the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. AuSM seeks to realize its mission through education support, collaboration, and advocacy.

• Autism Speaks (03-13-09) -- Dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.

• CMHS' Child, Adolescent and Family Branch (11-01-08) -- The Child, Adolescent, and Family Branch of the Federal Center for Mental Health Services promotes and ensures that the mental health needs of children and their families are addressed by a "community-based system of care."

• Cognitive & electroencephalographic disturbances AD/HD (12-14-09) -- The October 23, 2009 edition of Psychiatry Research, available online, features a study titled: Cognitive and electroencephalographic disturbances in children with AD/HD.

• Mental Illness: What a Difference a Friend Makes (12-19-07) -- This site is here for people living with mental illness—and their friends. You'll find tools to help in the recovery process, and you can also learn about the different kinds of mental illnesses, read real-life stories about support and recovery, and interact with the video to see how friends can make all the difference.

• Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health (07-08-10) -- Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health new updated website! You'll find: Up to date news and resources for Professionals and Families Opportunities to serve on the MACMH Board and Volunteer A new section for Youth A new section for Infant and Early Childhood A new bookstore and event section – order and register online

• Minnesota Association of Children's Mental Health (11-01-07) -- a statewide education and advocacy organization recognized by families and professionals as the state’s primary resource for children’s mental health.

• Natl Fed of Families for Children's MH (11-01-07) -- A national family-run organization dedicated exclusively to helping children with mental health needs and their families achieve a better quality of life.

• Prevent Child Abuse (12-14-09) -- Provides "talking about Child Abuse and Neglect" toolkit.

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Cultural Competency

• Relational Worldview Model from NICWA (10-30-09) -- Developed and refined by National Indian Child Welfare Association, this model is a reflection of the Native American thought process and concept of balance as the basis for health, whether of an individual, family, or organization. This model serves as NICWA's philosophy and approach to providing technical assistance.

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Cultural Diversity

• Diversity Articles in Education Week (11-23-09) -- Articles on issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, and other types of multiculturalism in schools.

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Disabilities

• DisabilityInfo.gov (11-18-08) -- A collaboration among 22 Federal agencies, with information on cross-cutting issue areas including employment, benefits, housing, transportation, health care, education, civil rights, and technology.

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Disaster Relief/Preparedness

• Disaster Response Resource Articles (03-27-09) -- Quick access to all of our Disaster Resource Articles (including brochures, manuals, coloring books) for families, children and professionals.

• Disaster Response Resource External Links (03-27-09) -- Quick access to all of our Disaster Resource External Links for families, children and professionals.

• Minnesota Recovers (03-30-09) -- Minnesota Recovers is the state’s clearinghouse for all information about floods, tornadoes and other natural disasters that strike Minnesota communities.

• Minnesota Road Conditions (03-23-09) -- Weather Reports, Construction, Delays, Detours, and more. (Note: You can also dial 511 on your cell phone to access road conditions.)

• Minn-Kota Red Cross (03-30-09) -- Serving the MN counties of Becker, Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Ottertail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Wilkin and the ND counties of Barnes, Benson, Cass, Cavalier, Grand Forks, Griggs, Nelson, Pembina, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Towner, Traill, and Walsh. EMERGENCIES 24 Hours a day 701-364-1800 or toll free 800-252-6746

• Ready America (05-30-07) -- Ready is a national public service advertising campaign produced by The Advertising Council in partnership with Homeland Security. The Ready Campaign is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.

• Red River Flood Information (04-02-09) -- Local Red River Valley flood information site for the counties of Kittson, Marshall, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk and Red Lake. If you have information to add to the site, please send an email to floodinfo@nwmhc.org.

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Drugs and Alcohol Abuse Prevention

• AboveTheInfluence.com (07-06-07) -- This web site is created for the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign (a program of the Office of National Drug Control Policy). This campaign reflects what teens across the country say are going on in their lives. Their goal is to help teens stay above the influence. The more aware teens are of the influences around them, the better prepared they will be to stand up to the pressures that keep them down. This web site does not tell teens how to live their life, but gives another perspective and the latest facts.

• AlcoholScreening.org (07-24-07) -- AlcoholScreening.org helps individuals assess their own alcohol consumption patterns to determine if their drinking is likely to be harming their health or increasing their risk for future harm. Through education and referral, the site urges those whose drinking is harmful or hazardous to take positive action, and informs all adults who consume alcohol about guidelines and caveats for lower-risk drinking.

• DrugScreening.org (07-24-07) -- This website does not provide a diagnosis of alcohol/drug abuse or dependence. It cannot tell people for certain whether or not they have a problem. Rather, DrugScreening.org is a self-screening tool to help adults assess their own drug and alcohol use, and find out their likely risk level for experiencing harms to their health or other negative consequences. Through education and referral, it urges those whose drug and alcohol use is likely to be harmful or hazardous to seek further evaluation from a qualified professional.

• FiveMoms.com (05-17-07) -- FiveMoms.com features the blogs of five women, including a pediatric nurse practitioner, a deputy sheriff, and an accountant, whose lives have been affected by cough medicine abuse. The site includes a social networking forum for concerned parents and information on how to notice signs of cough medicine abuse in adolescents.

• Is Bad Judgment the Cause and Effect of Adolescent Bing (10-11-09) -- It is no secret that binge drinking and faulty judgment go hand in hand, but what if poor judgment lingered long after putting the bottle down and sobering up?

• Minnesota Methamphetamine Offender Registry (10-13-08) -- The purpose of this site is to enhance public safety by identifying individuals who have been convicted under state law of felony level manufacture of methamphetamine.

• National Inhalant Prevention Coalition (03-24-08) -- The NIPC serves as an inhalant referral and information clearinghouse, stimulates media coverage about inhalant issues, develops informational materials, produces ViewPoint (a quarterly newsletter), provides training and technical assistance and leads a week-long national grassroots inhalant education and awareness campaign.

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (02-15-05) -- Makes available free publications on all aspects of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Many are available in Spanish. Call, write, or search the NIAAA Web site for a list of publications and ordering information.

• Not in My House! (06-30-08) -- The "Not in My House" campaign aims to educate parents on how to limit teen access to prescription medications that are ripe for abuse. Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the Abbott pharmaceutical firm cited studies showing that more than half of teens who reported abusing prescription medications said they got the drugs at home, from a parent or relative, or from a friend.

• ParentsLEAD.org (03-04-08) -- Parents – You are the one who educates and the one who needs to discuss with your kids underage drinking is illegal and too much alcohol can kill. Society gives kids mixed messages about alcohol. Make sure that your kids get their information from the best resource available – YOU.

• SAMHSA’s Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator (11-18-08) -- This searchable directory of drug and alcohol treatment programs shows the location of facilities around the country that treat alcoholism, alcohol abuse and drug abuse problems. 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

• SAMHSA's Prevention Platform (07-14-04) -- SAMHSA's Prevention Platform is an online resource for substance abuse prevention. It is provided by the SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

• Stop Alcohol Abuse (03-26-08) -- StopAlcoholAbuse.Gov is a comprehensive portal of Federal resources for information on underage drinking and ideas for combating this issue. People interested in underage drinking prevention—including parents, educators, community-based organizations, and youth—will find a wealth of valuable information here.

• Talking to Kids about Alcohol (11-09-09) -- The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has suggestions on talking to kids about alcohol.

• Teen drinking never legal, always dangerous (10-18-09) -- Most parents are extremely concerned about their children utilizing illegal substances or drugs, but there appears to be greater leniency about underage drinking.

• The Minor League (04-14-08) -- Teens from throughout Polk County, MN working together in a youth-led, adult-guided prevention movement. They encourage and promote healthy decision-making by youth to reduce the use of alcohol/tobacco/other drugs and to reduce involvement in violence, early sexual activity, suicide, and many other risky behaviors.

• Time to Talk (02-15-08) -- Time to Talk provides parents and caregivers the tools, tips and resources they want and need for free.

• Too Smart to Start (04-07-09) -- The Too Smart To Start Web site helps youth, families, educators, and communities prevent underage alcohol use and its related problems. It provides useful programs and strategies, downloadable materials, interactive games and exercises, and other resources to support you in responding to The Surgeon General's Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking.

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Early Childhood

• Parent Aware (11-29-07) -- The Parent Aware Rating Tool is built upon the understanding that providing high-quality child care and early learning are not easy tasks and the pressures placed on our providers are many. The rating tool is designed to recognize early educators for the quality of care they deliver and build on this quality by supporting their efforts at program improvement.

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Early Childhood - Fears

• Anxiety, Fears and Phobias (01-07-08) -- Everyone, from the youngest child to the oldest adult, experiences anxieties and fears at one time or another. Feeling anxious in a particularly uncomfortable situation never feels very good. However, with children, such feelings are not only normal, they're also necessary. Experiencing and dealing with anxieties can prepare young people to handle the unsettling experiences and challenging situations of life.

• How Families Can Help Children Cope with Fear and Anxie (01-08-08) -- Whether tragic events touch your family personally or are brought into your home via newspapers and television, you can help children cope with the anxiety that violence, death, and disasters can cause.

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Early Childhood - Tantrums

• Teaching Your Child Discipline and Self-Control (01-08-08) -- Self-control means being able to express and cope with strong emotions in appropriate ways—for a toddler, this may mean saying "I’m mad at you" instead of biting.

• Temper Tantrums (01-08-08) -- Your toddler's second temper tantrum of the day shows no signs of stopping, and supersonic, ear-shattering, teeth-jarring screams pierce the air. Your first instinct is to run away and join the circus, but of course this isn't a real option. There must be a better way.

• Temper Tantrums (01-08-08) -- From the American Academy of Pediatrics: Strong emotions are hard for a young child to hold inside. When children feel frustrated, angry, or disappointed, they often express themselves by crying, screaming, or stomping up and down. As a parent, you may feel angry, helpless, or embarrassed. Temper tantrums are a normal part of your child's development as he learns self-control.

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Education

• Cellphone in Schools: Flip 'Em Open (12-14-09) -- Cheating in school has just changed a bit with the advent of cellphone and texting.

• College.gov - Preparing for College (09-22-08) -- The U.S. Department of Education recently unveiled this new Web site that aims to motivate students with inspirational stories and information about planning, preparing and paying for college.

• Curriculum Matters New Science Standards (10-18-09) -- Curriculum Matters New Science Standards from the College Board

• Hands On Banking (09-29-08) -- Hands on Banking is a free, fun financial education program that presents the basics of smart money management in an easy-to-use format. The curriculum is customized for four age groups from 4th grade through adults.

• Minnesota Department of Education (11-01-07) -- The Minnesota Department of Education strives to be an innovative education agency serving a wide range of customers. The mission is Improve educational achievement by establishing clear standards, measuring performance, assisting educators and increasing opportunities for lifelong learning.

• Researchers Try to Promote Students' Ability to Argue (10-11-09) -- Researchers Try to Promote Student's Ability to Argue. The ability to argue is getting fresh recognition as a skill that is vital to success in college and the workplace in this research.

• Science Panel Seeks Ways to Fan Student Innovation (10-09-09) -- Science Panel Seeks Ways to Fan Student Innovations. How can schools produce more mathematics and science students with a distinct and harder-to-define skill: the ability to innovate and become future innovators in American business, science, medicine and other areas?

• States Said to Be Progressing on Data Systems (11-23-09) -- A new report finds that 44 states, up from 21 in 2005, have built systems that can track students' progress over time.

• Suitable Assessment Instruments for Delinquent Girls (10-30-09) -- Risk assessment instruments are often used to determine the programs and services that best serve the needs of youth within the juvenile justice system. Part of OJJDP's Girls Study Group series, the bulletin provides a comprehensive guide for juvenile justice practitioners to assist them in selecting an instrument suitable for assessing the needs of delinquent girls.

• Testing Accountability Articles in Education Week (11-23-09) -- Testing and Accountability Articles covering the application of education standards for both students and teachers.

• U.S. Department of Education (11-01-07) -- The U.S. Department of Education is the agency of the federal government that establishes policy for, administers, and coordinates most federal assistance to education.

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Financial Assistance

• Emergency General Assistance Program (06-23-09) -- The General Assistance (GA) Program serves as Minnesota's primary safety net for single adults and childless couples. The GA program provides monthly cash grants for vulnerable persons whose income and resources are less than program limits. The grants can be used to pay for utility bills. For urgent, short term emergency needs, the Emergency General Assistance (EGA) program can provide one-time grants for basic needs including utility connection charges, repairs to home heating systems, or shut-off notices.

• Energy Assistance Program (06-23-09) -- Low income households may be eligible for the Energy Assistance Program. The Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. EAP is designed to assist with energy bills, primarily in the form of grants to the energy provider on the behalf of the household. Funding is limited for this program, so consumers are encouraged to sign up early.

• Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Loans (06-23-09) -- Minnesota Housing offers affordable home improvement programs to residents of Minnesota that can be used for energy efficiency projects. There are three opportunities for loans. The Fix-up Fund is a statewide program that offers affordable, low-interest fixed rate loans that can be used for energy efficiency improvements. The Community Fix-up Fund (CFUF) is available to help communities address their home improvement needs and objectives (including energy efficiency) under geographically targeted initiatives. The Rehabilitation Loan program assists low income homeowners in financing basic home improvements that directly affect the safety, habitability, energy efficiency or accessibility of their homes.

• HeatShare from the Salvation Army (06-23-09) -- HeatShare provides emergency assistance with heating and utility bills on a year-round basis. Funds are used for natural gas, oil, propane, wood, electricity and emergency furnace repairs. Celebrating 25 years of keeping Minnesotans warm, HeatShare is a voluntary nongovernmental program of The Salvation Army.

• The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) (06-23-09) -- The Minnesota Family Investment Program, or MFIP, is the state's welfare reform program for low-income families with children. MFIP helps families meet their basic needs while working to achieve economic self-sufficiency. MFIP assistance payments include both cash and food assistance. MFIP participants are also provided employment services and work supports. In addition, MFIP families may be eligible for crisis funds through the MFIP Consolidated Fund that can be used to pay utility bills. Families can apply for these services at their local county human services office.

• Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program (06-23-09) -- The UI Program provides temporary benefits to qualified persons out of work through no fault of their own. The purpose of the program is to help maintain the economic stability within a community. The UI fund is financed entirely by a special tax paid by employers.

• Weatherization Program (06-23-09) -- The Minnesota Department of Commerce administers this federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Energy. The program assists households by doing energy conservation audits and safety inspections, as well as assessing furnaces and air quality for low income households throughout the state. The program also works with both regulated and non-regulated utilities in expanded partnerships for additional conservation measures for eligible families.

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Health and Safety

• Emergency & Community Health Outreach (ECHO) (05-30-07) -- ECHO (Emergency and Community Health Outreach) exists to ensure that people with limited English proficiency receive life-saving health and safety information—in some of the languages they understand best.

• Stay Healthy Minnesota (12-20-07) -- Stay Healthy Minnesota is a collaborative health initiative between Park Nicollet Health Services, the Star Tribune and WCCO-TV. The purpose of the campaign is to promote community health education and awareness to allow consumers to make well informed decisions regarding their health.

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Homelessness

• SAMHSA Homelessness Resource Center (10-30-09) -- Homelessness Resource Center. Includes articles, facts, best practices and training

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Infants, Children, Adolescent Health

• Children and Clinical Studies (10-20-08) -- This website offers parents and health care providers an insider's guide to children's medical research.

• First Bridge to Benefits Conference (10-02-09) -- First Bridge to Benefits Conference registration and information

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

• National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Info (11-27-07) -- The Clearinghouse connects professionals and concerned citizens to timely and well-balanced information on programs, research, legislation, and statistics regarding the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families.

• Parents Know (07-17-07) -- Minnesota Parents Know is a resource filled with convenient and trusted child development, health and parenting information.

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Juvenile Justice

• National Institute of Justice (11-01-07) -- NIJ is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice and is dedicated to researching crime control and justice issues. NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of crime and justice, particularly at the State and local levels.

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Local, State and Federal

• Minnesota Attorney General's Office (06-24-04) -- The Attorney General is the chief legal officer for the state and is the legal advisor to the Governor and all the constitutional officers. The AG represents and advocates for consumer protection, charities oversite, antitrust enforcement and utilities regulation.

• Minnesota Constitutional Officers (06-24-04) -- Lists the name, address, telephone number(s), email address and web addresses for the Attorney General, State Auditor, Governor, and Secretary of State.

• Minnesota House of Representatives Members (06-24-04) -- The Governor is responsible for the administration of state government, the proposal of biennial budgets, appointments, proposal and review of legislation and the preparation of comprehensive long-range plans for state growth.

• Minnesota Lieutenant Governor's Office (06-24-04) -- As Minnesota's second-in-command, the lieutenant governor is prepared to assume the governor's duties any time the governor is unable to perform them. The lieutenant governor represents the governor and the State of Minnesota within the state, nationally and internationally.

• Minnesota Members of Congress (06-24-04) -- A list of the Minnesota's eight U.S. Representatives and two U.S. Senators. Included are links to their web sites and e-mail addresses.

• Minnesota Senate Members in District Number Order (06-24-04) -- List of Senate Members include District Number, Party, Name, Room, Telephone, and Email address.

• Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy (02-09-08) -- Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.

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Mental Health

• American Psychological Association (11-01-08) -- The mission of the APA is to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives.

• Campaign for Mental Health Recovery (12-18-07) -- SAMHSA's Campaign for Mental Health Recovery is a three-year, national, public education campaign to educate the general public about mental health problems. The CMHR has produced television, radio, and print public service announcements (PSAs) accessible via the Campaign Web site.

• Minds on Edge: Facing Mental Illness Toolkit (10-19-09) -- Toolkit to accompany PBS Special Minds on Edge: Facing Mental Illness

• Minds on the Edge: Facing Mental Illness (PBS) (10-19-09) -- This program effectively illuminates challenging ethical issues as well as systemic flaws that are contributing to a mental health system that is widely acknowledged to be broken.

• Real Life Conversations (05-18-09) -- Real Life Conversations is designed to share real life stories of people living with mental illness, provide ways to help adults engage in a conversation with someone with mental illness, and educate consumers on mental illness to reduce the stigma of mental illness.

• SAMHSA’s ADS Center (12-18-07) -- SAMHSA recently launched its re-designed ADS Center Web site that features a new library with more than 600 resources to help individuals and organizations counter discrimination and stigma associated with mental illness.

• SAMHSA’s Mental Health Services Locator (11-18-08) -- This Locator provides you with comprehensive information about mental health services and resources and is useful for professionals, consumers and their families, and the public. 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

• ULIfeline (12-18-07) -- A program of the Jed Foundation, ULifeline is an anonymous, confidential, online resource center where college students can search for information regarding mental health and suicide prevention. Their Web site has enhanced student features, and a new component called Counseling Central, built exclusively for college mental health and student affairs professionals.

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Other

• Minnesota Adopt (11-23-09) -- MN ADOPT is dedicated to finding permanence for Minnesota children who need families and to sustaining the families who adopt. Provides training and other resources.

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Poverty

• Minnesota sliding backwards in 2000s (10-05-09) -- – income down, poverty up

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Programs and Services

• Bridge to Benefits (08-06-08) -- Bridge to Benefits is a multi-state project by Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota to improve the well-being of low-income families and individuals by linking them to public work support programs and tax credits. A core component of the project is an online screening tool designed to help families and individuals understand if they are eligible for seven public work support programs and two income tax credits. Work support programs and tax credits were implemented by federal and state governments to help low-income workers meet basic needs. Yet, in Minnesota, thousands of eligible families are not participating in these programs or claiming the tax credits that could provide increased economic stability for their families.

• Deaf Blind Services Minnesota (04-14-08) -- DeafBlind Services Minnesota is dedicated to serving deafblind children, adults and their families throughout the state of Minnesota to achieve their highest level of independence.

• Exploiting a Minor Is a Major Offense (12-17-08) -- Created by INOBTR, the PSA titled “Exploiting a Minor Is a Major Offense” delivers a clear message to potential online predators—stop and think about the consequences of this serious crime. Elements of this campaign include television, radio, Web banner, print dissemination, and movie theater PSAs.

• Explotando a un Menor de edad es una Ofensa Importante (12-17-08) -- Creado por INOBTR, el PSA titulado "Explotando a un Menor de edad es una Ofensa Importante" entrega un mensaje claro a en línea potencial depredador-para y piensa en las consecuencias de este crimen serio. Los elementos de esta campaña incluyen la televisión, la radio, la bandera del Web, la difusión de la impresión, y el cine PSAs.

• Know Where They Go (12-17-08) -- The PSA titled "Know Where They Go" reminds parents that the Internet can be an unsafe place for children and that children should be supervised when online. Elements of this campaign include television, radio, Web, and print dissemination.

• Minnesota Hands & Voices (04-15-08) -- MN Hands & Voices is a private not-for-profit program funded by United Way. Our mission is to provide a variety of support services to families of children who have been recently diagnosed as deaf or hard of hearing. We also provide a variety of services to families who have known of their child's hearing loss for some time.

• North Country Food Banks, Inc. (12-08-08) -- They are the sole distributor of surplus food products to over 150 charitable food programs in NW Minnesota, including our soup kitchens, food shelves and homeless shelters. Other recipients include low-income individuals in need of supplemental assistance, group homes, senior programs, youth programs, addiction treatment centers and domestic abuse programs. Find local food shelves in your area.

• Project C3 (05-28-09) -- Connecting youth to community and careers

• Sepa Dónde Ellos Go (12-17-08) -- El PSA tituló el "Sepa Dónde Ellos Go" recuerda a padres que el Internet puede ser un lugar inseguro para los niños y que los niños deben ser supervisados cuando en línea. Los elementos de esta campaña incluyen la televisión, la radio, el Web, y la difusión de la impresión.

• Transit Systems in Minnesota (12-08-08) -- Find transit systems by county.

• What is Public Health? (01-04-06) -- Intended for a general audience, the site gives an overview of public health and emphasizes the relevance of public health to everyone's lives. It features several 30-second Flash animations about public health as well as a number of resources for learning more about public health, such as a quiz and an interactive exploration game.

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Research Tools

• Child Stats .Gov (11-01-09) -- The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics (Forum) is a collection of 22 Federal government agencies involved in research and activities related to children and families. The mission of the Forum is to foster coordination and collaboration and to enhance and improve consistency in the collection and reporting of Federal data on children and families.

• Children Trends Databank (11-01-09) -- Data bank of information on children's health, social & emotional development, education and skills and much more

• Spanish Accent Codes (01-16-08) -- Almost all applications support Spanish accents. Guidelines for typing and using accents are given.

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Search Engine

• MinnesotaHelp.info (01-15-08) -- An online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota identify resources such as human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of aid and assistance within Minnesota. It is especially rich in resource information for seniors and their caregivers; people with disabilities and their caregivers; parents and families; and low income people.

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Sexual Minority

• Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (05-11-09) -- The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition works to ensure that classrooms, communities, and workplaces are safe for everyone to learn, grow, and succeed - whether or not they meet expectations for masculinity and femininity.

• Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services (iSM (01-14-09) -- The Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services opened in January 2008. It serves the entire University of Alberta community and the larger community from its home in the Faculty of Education.

• National Center for Lesbian Rights (01-14-09) -- The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.

• National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (01-14-09) -- The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the grassroots power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. We do this by training activists, equipping state and local organizations with the skills needed to organize broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation, and building the organizational capacity of our movement. Our Policy Institute, the movement’s premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality and to counter right-wing lies. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all.

• Outfront Minnesota (06-16-09) -- Leading Minnesota towards LGBT equality.

• SMYAL - Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (05-11-09) -- The Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) is the only Washington, DC metro area service organization solely dedicated to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

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Suicide Prevention

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (09-29-08) -- AFSP is dedicated to advancing theknowledge of suicide and the ability to prevent it.

• Lifeline Gallery: Stories of Hope and Recovery (09-29-08) -- The Lifeline Gallery uses speaking avatar products to enable suicide survivors, attempt survivors, and suicide prevention supporters to share their stories of hope and recovery. The compilation of stories illustrates the many ways in which suicide affects others and offers comfort to those who may be suffering alone.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (10-03-06) -- 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. The national hotline is part of the National Suicide Prevention Initiative (NSPI)—a collaborative effort led by SAMHSA that incorporates the best practices and research findings in suicide prevention and intervention with the goal of reducing the incidence of suicide nationwide.

• National Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) (09-29-08) -- SPRC provides prevention support, training, and resources to assist organizations and individuals to develop suicide prevention programs, interventions and policies, and to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

• Suicide Prevention Action Network USA, Inc. (03-17-04) -- SPAN USA is a not-for-profit national organization dedicated to creating an effective national suicide prevention strategy. SPAN USA links the energy of those bereaved by suicide with the expertise of leaders in science, business, government and public service to achieve the goal of significantly reducing the national rate of suicide by the year 2010.

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Technology

• bNetS@vvy (02-18-09) -- Tools for adults to help kids connect safely.

• Tel.A.Vision (03-20-09) -- Tel*A*Vision is a Web tool that helps students assemble "vision statements" in short video clips, then puts them online. The videos consist of uploaded pictures, clip art and written statements; the system also provides a selection of background music to play along with the visual elements.

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Transition to Adulthood

• Connect for Kids/Child Advocacy 360/Youth Policy Action (10-26-09) -- Connect for Kids and Child Advocacy 360 work to connect concerned adults and young people; help child- and youth-focused organizations effectively reach a broad audience. Provide research articles, and links to other organizations.

• National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (11-07-07) -- The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures.

• The Forum for Youth Investment (10-26-09) -- The Forum for Youth Investment is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "action tank" dedicated to helping communities and the nation make sure all young people are Ready by 21®: ready for college, work and life. Provides webinar training and tools, research resources, innovative ideas, and strategies.

• The Serpentine Project (05-18-09) -- The Serpentine Project empowers youth transitioning out of foster care to reach for their dreams by opening the door to possibilities. We accomplish this through personalized mentorship, life skills training, job shadowing and financial support. We strive to create capable and confident young adults who see themselves as their most valuable asset.

• The Youthhood (11-07-07) -- This site is a place for you, your friends, and other teens. It's a welcoming community for all youth and a place where all youth belong. We want you to be here. This is your place, your space. The Youthhood Web site is a dynamic, curriculum-based tool that can help young adults plan for life after high school. It was designed by a talented group of staff at the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition, which is located at the University of Minnesota.

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Veterans and their Families

• America’s Heroes at Work (11-18-08) -- An online resource from the U.S. Department of Labor designed to help employers in their employment of veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), two increasingly common battlefield conditions.

• Army Family Readiness Group (02-03-09) -- The Virtual Family Readiness Group (vFRG) web system provides all of the functionality of a traditional FRG in an ad-hoc and on-line setting to meet the needs of geographically dispersed units and families across all components of the Army.

• Army Family Readiness Group for Kids (02-03-09) -- The ArmyFRG has something for everybody. Deployments are especially difficult for kids. Our online Kids center has several tools and activities that your little ones can use to stay connected to their Soldier abroad.

• Army Family Readiness Group for Teens (02-03-09) -- Parenting a teen through deployments can be extremely difficult. The teenage years bring anxiety and new pressures that are challenging even without deployments. ArmyFRG is sensitive to this and offers several tools for both teens and their parents.

• Army Family Readiness Group for Tweens (02-03-09) -- A Tween is a child between childhood and adolesence, around the age of 8 to 12. The online Tweens section has tools and activities for Tweens dealing with deployed family members.

• Military One (11-18-08) -- Source A 24/7 resource for military personnel and their families on a variety of topics, including health,legal, and family concerns. 1-800-342-9647

• Military OneSource (04-02-07) -- Whether its help with child care, personal finances, emotional support during deployments, relocation information, or resources needed for special circumstances, Military OneSource is there for military personnel and their families... 24/7/365! The service is available by phone, online and face-to-face through private counseling sessions in the local community. Highly qualified, master’s prepared consultants provide the service. Personalized consultations on specific issues such as education, special needs, and finances are provided. Customized research detailing community resources and appropriate military referrals are offered. Clients can even get help with simultaneous language interpretation and document translation. Our interactive Web site includes locators for education, child care, and elder care, online articles, referrals to military and community resources, financial calculators, live online workshops called Webinars, and “Email a consultant.” Additional resources include brief videos of consultants addressing common issues such as communicating as a couple, budgeting and managing anger. Face-to-face counseling sessions focus on issues such as normal reactions to abnormal situations (e.g. combat), couples concerns, work/life balance, grief and loss, adjustment to deployment, stress management, and parenting. Persons seeking counseling will receive up to six counseling sessions per issue at no cost to them. To access a counselor in their local community, individuals may call a Military OneSource consultant directly. Service is available in CONUS as well as Hawaii, Alaska, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Military OneSource is provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to active duty, Guard and Reserve (regardless of activation status) and their families.

• SAMHSA Veteran Resource page (11-18-08) -- Various links to resources for veterans.

• Veterans Mental Health (09-29-08) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Mental Health Services mission is to maintain and improve the health and well-being of veterans through excellence in health care, social services, education, and research.

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Violence Prevention

• Center for Effective Discipline (04-14-08) -- The Center for Effective Discipline (CED) is a non-profit organization which provides educational information to the public on the effects of corporal punishment of children and alternatives to its use. It is currently the headquarters for and coordinates both National Coalition to Abolish Corporal Punishment in Schools (NCACPS) and End Physical Punishment of Children (EPOCH-USA).

• Transforming Communities to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse (10-12-09) -- This brief outlines the most promising local prevention strategies and policy changes to prevent child sexual abuse from happening in the first place.

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