U study: Teens who think they'll die young live fast -- (06-29-09) -- A self-fulfilling prophecy? Teens who are less hopeful seem to engage in riskier behavior, a University of Minnesota study found. For example, they were seven times more likely to later be diagnosed with HIV or AIDS.

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.

Autism Spectrum Disorders Survey for Parents - closes Feb. 15, 2009 -- (02-02-09) -- The purpose of this survey is to collect data regarding various issues for individuals with autism in Minnesota . This data will be used by the Minnesota Autism Task Force to make recommendations to the Minnesota State Senate and Governor.

Dare to Dream America Program - Deadline 6/30/09 -- (01-15-09) -- The Dare to Dream America Program provides an opportunity for youth (23 years of age and under) to get involved in mental health awareness activities. Successful applicants are awarded a grant up to $1000 to do projects that promote mental health awareness. Application deadline is June 30, 2009.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Autism Spectrum: Curricular Adaptations & Adolescent Issues - October 16-17, 2007 -- (10-08-07) -- The Autism Spectrum is a two-day workshop that discusses Adolscent Issues with Chantal Sicile-Kira and Curricular Adaptations with Patrick Schwartz. You can attend one or both days. Different pricing is set for professionals and parents.

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

Regional LAC meeting - Save the date - Oct. 18 -- (10-02-07) -- We are looking forward to coming together again to hold our Regional Local Advisory Council for Children's Mental Health meeting. We are pleased to see the expansions of Local Advisory Councils while others are in the process of developing their Local Advisory Council. This is also an exciting time for Children's Mental Health Services with the "Our Children Succeed Initiative".

Developing Goals and Related Services to Meet Mental Health Needs - Oct. 16 -- (10-02-07) -- The Local Advisory Council is proud to collaborate with PACER on a free training coming to Crookston. This free workshop is for parents whose child has a disability and co-occuring mental health need. Topics include understanding your child's educational rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004), understanding and using the Functional Behavioral Assessment, developing strategies to help your child succeed in school, and learning how to become more involved in your child's educational experience.

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

Double Jeopardy: Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders in Young People - Oct. 18th -- (09-17-07) -- The heads of both the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will deliver addresses at the upcoming CASACONFERENCE, Double Jeopardy: Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders in Young People.

Hidden Heroes: How Deployment Impacts "Suddenly Military" Kids - 30 events through Sept. 27 -- (09-07-07) -- This free workshop is open to any member in the community—neighbors, business people, youth and family service providers, educators, counselors, clergy—-anyone who wants to become aware of how to support those families with “suddenly military” kids in your community before, during, and after deployment. Certificates for two contact hours will be available.

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

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

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

Attachment, Brain Development and Behavior: Why and What to Do About It? June 18 -- (06-13-07) -- Join popular trainer and therapist, Deena McMahon, for a afternoon of information about how attachment, brain development and trauma affect the behavior of children and the functioning of families. CEUs available.

MPLN Carolyn Nava Leadership Training - April 20 & 21 or May 18 & 19 -- (05-07-07) -- MPLN is inviting members and parents (or primary caregivers) of children with mental health disorders who are actively working in leadership roles our communities to attend an upcoming tow day training. This training will provide participants with the tools and strategies necessary for effective leadership in our ever changing environments. The training will be held April 20-21 in Hutchinson, MN and repeated May 18-19 in Brainerd, MN.

Staying Together - Many training dates -April 25 - June 26 -- (05-07-07) -- The MN Dept. of Humans Services (DHS) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-MN) are co-sponsoring a voluntary placement training entitled "Staying Together." The training is free.

Introduction to Infant Mental Health - June 4 - Aug. 6 -- (04-25-07) -- This course is designed for professionals interested in an introduction to the field of infant mental health and intervention with infants, toddlers, and their parents. Readings, video, and observational tasks are included to familiarize students with the foundations of infant mental health and direct work with infants and parents. While not a clinical class, this course attempts to introduce the role and function of the infant mental health specialist and the use of relationship and reflection in work with families.

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

ACTION ALERT FROM ANDREA AYRES, POLICY ADVOCATE, FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SERVICE -- (03-06-07) -- The anti-psychiatry group EdWatch has been attacking the bill that would fund the Columbia TeenScreen program. As many of you know, this is an excellent program that seeks to identify teenagers who are risk for suicide and potentially suffering from a mental illness to ensure that they receive a complete evaluation. It requires parental and student permission.

Recess Is At Risk, New Campaign Comes To The Rescue -- (03-30-06) -- Think recess is just child's play? Experts agree that playtime can be just as vital as classroom time to a child’s social, emotional and educational development. Earlier this month, in Washington, D.C., the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and Cartoon Network announced the launch Rescuing Recess, a campaign that champions the importance of recess for kids and works to help keep and revitalize it in schools across the country.

Social and Emotional Distress among American Indian and Alaska native Students: Research Findings -- (03-23-05) -- Many American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth are repeatedly exposed to opportunities to participate in self destructive and illegal behaviors. This Digest examines risk factors associated with the four contexts within which AI/AN students grow and develop: peer groups, families, schools, and communities.

ADHD: How to Build Your Team at School -- (04-07-08) -- You are the expert on your child. Sharing insights and techniques that seem to help your son or daughter pay attention can be valuable to your child's teacher. Children spend a large portion of their day in school. That's why it is so important to establish a good relationship with teachers and other members of the school staff.

Bipolar Youth at Higher Risk of Addiction -- (06-05-08) -- Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) say that adolescents with bipolar disorder are more likely to use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Major Depressive Episode among Youths Aged 12 to 17 in the United States: 2004 to 2006 -- (05-13-08) -- A 3 page short report based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), provides annual averages of the rate of past year major depressive episodes, depression related levels of impairment, average number of days of inability to carry out normal activities due to depression, and history of previous depressive episodes.

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.

Crookston Skatepark Grand Opening, Oct. 15 -- (10-10-07) -- Everyone is invited to see our new Crookston Skatepark located at Highland Complex, next to the clubhouse. Hot cider and treats to be served!

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.

America's Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2008 -- (07-14-08) -- Each year since 1997, the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics has published a report on the well-being of children and families.

KIDS COUNT Coffee - Oct. 30 -- (10-11-07) -- At this free community forum you will learn about the most recent data on the well-being of Minnesota children; receive specific data on children and families in your county; get updates about federal and state legislative efforts in health care, child care and early education; and discuss how to improve the lives of children in your area and beyond.

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.

Event Dropout Rates for Public School Students in Grades 9-12: 2002–03 and 2003–04 -- (05-09-07) -- The report summarizes and compares event dropout rates for public high school students, by state, for 2002-03 and 2003-04.

Measuring the Years: State Aging Trends & Indicators -- (11-19-04) -- This publication is designed to identify current trends and future directions related to an aging America, and to assist state policymakers in creating programs and policies that respond to unique needs of the people in their state

Department of Education Releases High School MCA Test Results -- (07-19-04) -- Department of Education officials released test results today from the 10th grade reading and 11th grade math Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs). The tests were given during a one-week period in April of 2004. Seventy-eight percent of all students who took the test in reading passed the test, while seventy percent passed the math test.

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.

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.

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.

Time-sensitive: Minnesota residents possibly exposed to measles at international science fair -- (05-23-07) -- Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) staff are contacting 98 individuals around the state who may have been exposed to measles while attending an international science and engineering fair last week (May 14-18) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A measles case occurred in a student from India attending the fair. The fair was attended by teachers, students, and parents from 51 countries and all but four U.S. states. Exposures may have occurred on May 12-16.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Dad's lesson: drink, drive -- (05-21-09) -- A driving lesson ended in a crash and the likelihood of alcohol-related charges against a father and his 17-year-old daughter, who police said were drinking vodka and whiskey before she got behind the wheel.

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.

National Red Ribbon Week - Oct. 23-31, 2008 -- (10-13-08) -- October 23–31, 2008, is National Red Ribbon Week, a time when millions of young people and adults show their support for healthy lifestyles by wearing or displaying a red ribbon. This nationwide celebration has become a major force for raising public awareness and mobilizing communities to combat underage drinking and illegal drug use among youth.

Latino Parents Urged to Counteract Effects of Targeted Alcohol Ads -- (08-21-08) -- With Latino/Latina youths viewing a disproportionately high number of alcohol ads compared with other young people, parents need to have open discussions with their children so they will delay drinking.

Youths Living in Permissive Households Significantly More Likely to Drink Heavily -- (08-14-08) -- Youths living in permissive households are more likely to drink heavily than those from nonpermissive Households, according to a longitudinal survey of youth attending South Dakota schools.

Navajo Council Votes to Ban Public Smoking -- (07-30-08) -- The Navajo Nation Council has voted to ban use of commercial tobacco in public buildings and shared air spaces at outdoor events, leaving it to Navajo Nation's president to decide whether to sign the measure into law.

45% of Young Drinkers Ages 12 to 14 Get Alcohol Free from Adult Family Members or Take from Home -- (07-15-08) -- Young drinkers ages 12 to 14 are more likely to get alcohol in their own home than other underage drinkers, according to a recent analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure Plummets, CDC Study Finds -- (07-14-08) -- Far fewer Americans are exposed to secondhand smoke than a decade ago, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study finds, and health advocates say that the findings show the need for more states to ban indoor smoking.

"21 for 21": Extreme Drinking by College Students to Celebrate Turning 21 -- (06-16-08) -- Four out of five college students (83%) drank to celebrate their 21st birthday, according to a longitudinal survey of students at a large midwestern university.

Call for Establishing 'World No Alcohol Day' -- (05-29-08) -- World No Tobacco Day has become an established rallying point for global tobacco prevention efforts, and now advocates would like to see a similar annual event aimed at alcohol use.

Youth Teaching Youth: Positive peer pressure -- (05-14-08) -- The program offers four to eight monthly sessions of classroom and facilitated, small-group seminars to students in 24 schools in the Fridley, Anoka-Hennepin, Columbia Heights, Spring Lake Park, St. Francis and Minnetonka districts.

Teen Smoking Lower in Towns with Bans -- (05-07-08) -- Teens living in towns with indoor-smoking bans were 40 percent less likely to become regular smokers than those living in communities that allow smokers to light up in restaurants and bars.

Parents Less Likely to Be Aware of Cigarette and Alcohol Use by Children Age 12 to 14 -- (05-07-08) -- Parents are less likely to be aware of a younger child’s cigarette and alcohol use than that of an older child.

NIDA Reports Good Results from Computer Counseling -- (04-30-08) -- A randomized controlled trial has found that addiction patients who received a computer learning program in addition to traditional counseling remained abstinent longer than those who received counseling alone.

Parent Awareness of Youth Use of Cigarettes, Alcohol, and Marijuana -- (04-24-08) -- The NSDUH Report: Parent Awareness of Youth Use of Cigarettes, Alcohol, and Marijuana, a 3 page short report, based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), provides data on substance use by youth as well as their parent's awareness of their substance use by father-only, mother-only, and two parent households.

1,600 Town Hall Meetings on Underage Drinking Scheduled -- (03-26-08) -- The federal government is cosponsoring a series of more than 1,600 town-hall meetings nationwide in March and April focused on the problem of underage drinking.

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.

More Than One-Half a Million Adolescents Use Inhalants for the First Time Each Year; Commonly Available Products Most Likely to Be Used -- (03-24-08) -- An annual average of 593,000 adolescents ages 12 to 17 use inhalants for the first time each year, according to combined data from the 2002 to 2006 National Household Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Random Student Drug Tests Banned in State of Washington -- (03-18-08) -- The Washington state Constitution prohibits random testing of student athletes for drugs, the state Supreme Court has ruled.

Alcohol prevention programs needed for 'tweens' -- (03-13-08) -- A study by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and the University of Florida suggests that "tweens" should receive alcohol prevention programs prior to sixth grade, when nearly one in six children are already alcohol users.

FY2009 Federal Drug Control Budget Released -- (03-12-08) -- Prevention continues to receive a declining share of the federal drug control budget, according to the National Drug Control Strategy FY2009 Budget Summary released earlier this month by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).

Researcher Warns of Early Addiction to Cigarettes -- (02-15-08) -- 'Very soon after that first cigarette, adolescents can experience a loss of autonomy over tobacco,' warns researcher Joseph R. DiFranza.

Prescription Drug Use Among 12th Graders -- (01-15-08) -- 15% of U.S. 12th Graders Have Used Prescription Drugs Nonmedically in the Past Year

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.

Hard Choices Comic Book -- (12-11-07) -- This special comic book, developed by SAMHSA in collaboration with Marvel Entertainment and the Elks USA, features Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four characters in a battle against underage drinking. Hard Choices urges kids to become real-life heroes by making healthy choices.

Hershey's Mints Resemble Drugs, Police Say -- (12-06-07) -- Hershey's Ice Breakers Pacs -- dissolvable pouches filled with mint-flavored powder -- are being criticized by some law-enforcement officials who say the packaging resembles pouches of illicit cocaine and heroin.

NIDA Launches Public Service Campaign for Hispanic Youth on Link Between Non-Injection Drugs and HIV -- (11-28-07) -- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), marks World AIDS Day on December 1st with the launch of its new, national public service campaign to educate Hispanic teens on the link between non-injection drug use and HIV transmission.

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

Drug Testing Has Little Effect on Student Athletes' Drug Use, Study Says -- (10-19-07) -- Drug testing has only a minimal deterrent effect on high-school athletes' use of steroids.

More Schools Using Breath Tests to Screen Students -- (10-17-07) -- A growing number of high schools nationally are using breath tests to detect alcohol use among students attending football games, dances, and other extracurricular activities.

Youth Encouraged to Host Community Briefings on Alcohol -- (10-10-07) -- Youth groups from across the country are urged to host Community Briefings as part of a national effort to inform communities about alcohol issues that are affecting youth.

Helping You to Help Your Patients: An Introduction to Medication for Alcohol Dependence -- (10-03-07) -- This free online activity presents an overview of the latest developments in alcohol dependence, focusing on its epidemiology and the effects of alcohol on the brain. It explores the available pharmacotherapeutic options, explaining how they work with the brain mechanisms involved in alcohol dependence. This activity has been made possible through an educational grant from Alkermes and Cephalon, and has been designated for up to 2.0 CEUs.

Hispanic Teens & Drugs: A Special Report -- (09-26-07) -- The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and local urban youth experts today announced new report regarding drug use among Hispanic youth. According to a special report issued today by the ONDCP, Hispanic teen use of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine currently outpaces White and African-American teen use.

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.

Report: Schools Can't, Shouldn't Shoulder Prevention Burden -- (09-17-07) -- Most American kids receive some drug education in the classroom, but a new report contends that schools should not be relied upon to prevent early use of alcohol and other drugs and its consequences.

N.C. Launches Media Literacy Classes on Alcohol -- (09-17-07) -- Middle-school students in North Carolina will receive media-literacy education on alcohol ads and other media that promote underage drinking under a new state initiative.

Cocaine/Crack Abuse Stable at High Levels or Increasing; Methamphetamine Abuse Continues to Be Low in East -- (08-29-07) -- For the past 30 years, NIDA's Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG) has served as a national drug abuse surveillance system. Comprised of a network of epidemiologists and researchers from 22 geographically dispersed areas of the nation, the CEWG meets twice a year to share qualitative and quantitative information on current and emerging drug abuse patterns and trends. Following are highlights from the recently released report on the proceedings of the 61st meeting, held this past January.

Treatment Episode Data Se (TEDS) 1995-2005: National Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment Services -- (08-10-07) -- This 187 page report, based on SAMHSA's Drug and Alcohol Services Information System (DASIS), provides information on the demographic and substance abuse characteristics of the 1.8 million annual admissions to treatment for abuse of alcohol and drugs in facilities that are licensed or certified by the State substance abuse agency and that report TEDS data. Trends in treatment admissions are also provided.

Prescription Tracking Programs Raise Privacy Concerns -- (08-08-07) -- Law-enforcement agencies say that tracking prescriptions of drugs containing pseudoephedrine helps prevent drug purchases intended for illicit methamphetamine production, but some say the computerized tracking systems violate the privacy rights of buyers.

Gender Differences in Alcohol Use and Alcohol Dependence or Abuse, 2004-2005 -- (08-04-07) -- This is a 3 page short report, based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), provides data on any alcohol use, binge drinking, heavy drinking, and alcohol dependence by gender among persons age 12 or older.

Majority of Youths and Adults Unaware of Chemicals in Cigarettes -- (08-01-07) -- The majority of Americans are not aware of the chemicals found in cigarettes and cigarette smoke, according to a national telephone survey.

FAS Not the Only Risk of Drinking While Pregnant -- (07-26-07) -- Not every child exposed to alcohol develops fetal alcohol syndrome, but researchers say prenatal drinking can lead to a variety of other behavioral problems among children.

Hospitals Provide Golden Opportunity for Stop-Smoking Interventions -- (07-18-07) -- A review of 33 studies on smoking-cessation interventions found that smokers who are admitted as hospital inpatients tend to be receptive to stop-smoking counseling even if their illness was not smoking-related.

Domestic Meth Production Falls After Crackdown -- (07-10-07) -- Seizures of homegrown meth labs fell 58 percent last year, and anti-drug officials credit recent crackdowns on cold medicines and other chemicals used to make the drug.

Does 'Flavored Meth' Even Make Sense? -- (07-10-07) -- At first blush, the idea of adding flavoring to methamphetamine to make the drug more appealing to young users seems to be plausible.

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction -- (07-09-07) -- How Science Has Revolutionized the Understanding of Drug Addiction

NIAAA Identifies Five Subtypes of Alcohol Dependence -- (07-02-07) -- For the first time, federal researchers have broken down the disease of alcoholism into five distinct subtypes, which experts say should help provide more targeted treatment for problem drinkers.

Study Sees Link Between Alcohol Ads, Youth Alcohol Attitudes -- (07-02-07) -- Children living in areas with large numbers of alcohol ads on billboards, storefronts, bus stops and elsewhere are more likely to look favorably upon drinking.

Alcohol Companies' Product Advertising on TV Dwarfs 'Responsibility' Ads -- (07-02-07) -- Youth 239 times more likely to see ads promoting alcohol products than industry spots discouraging underage drinking; B-Roll With Ads Available

Supreme Court Sides with School in 'Bong Hits' Case -- (06-26-07) -- Schools have the right to limit student speech that could be interpreted as advocating use of illicit drugs.

While Drug Treatment-Seeking Has Increased Among U.S. Residents, More Than Two-Thirds Still Do Not Seek Help -- (06-14-07) -- The percentage of U.S. residents seeking help for their drug use disorders increased from 1992 to 2002.

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.

Majority of Websites Selling Controlled Prescription Drugs Still Do Not Require a Prescription -- (06-08-07) -- Controlled prescription drugs continue to be widely available on the internet without a prescription, according to a study of the dispensing requirements of internet sites selling opioid, depressant, and stimulant prescription drugs.

Powdered Alcohol Marketed to Youth -- (06-07-07) -- A group of Dutch students has invented a form of powdered alcohol that they say will appeal primarily to youth.

SAMHSA: Girls Enter Treatment Younger, Use Different Drugs -- (06-06-07) -- Teenage girls tend to enter addiction treatment at a younger age than boys and are more likely to be primary users of alcohol or inhalants, whereas boys are most likely to report that marijuana is their favorite drug.

Many Kids Get First Drink from Parents, Study Says -- (05-31-07) -- Many kids get their first taste of alcohol from their parents, but it's not usually the result of raiding the family liquor cabinet.

Pediatricians Call for Stronger Steps on Movie Smoking -- (05-30-07) -- Saying that recent movie industry steps to limit youth exposure to smoking scenes don't go far enough, the American Academy of Pediatrics is calls for a ban on all non-historical portrayals of smoking in movies accessible to children and youth.

Teens Overestimate Smoking Rate -- (05-23-07) -- The vast majority of teens wrongly believe that most American adults smoke, an attitude that may adversely influence their own decisions about smoking.

Flavored Meth Worries -- (05-22-07) -- National news reports have highlighted concerns about drug dealers adding kid-friendly flavorings to methamphetamine, but actual incident reports about such concoctions have been sketchy, at best.

Supermarket Chain to Limit Access to Cough Medicine -- (05-18-07) -- Giant Food, a supermarket chain in Maryland and nearby states, announced a ban on selling cough products containing dextromethorphan (DXM) to people under 18.

More Community Underage Drinking Prevention Efforts Target Parents -- (05-18-07) -- As graduation and prom season approaches, more communities are expanding their underage drinking prevention strategies to include parental behavior.

Hawaii Teachers' Contract Requires Drug Testing -- (05-08-07) -- A 4-percent salary increase for Hawaii school teachers comes with a catch: to win the pay hike, the Hawaii State Teachers Association agreed to allow random drug testing of its members.

Depression and the Initiation of Alcohol and Other Drug Use among Youths Aged 12 to 17 -- (05-03-07) -- This is a 3 page short report, based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), presents not only the prevalence among youth of major depressive episode and the initiation of alcohol or illicit drug use, but also data indicating that youth with depression are more likely to start using alcohol and/or illicit drugs.

Texas Set to Test Students for Steroids -- (05-02-07) -- The Texas House and Senate have both approved bills that would make the state the first to require random testing of high-school student athletes for steroids.

Marijuana Using Parents Have Trouble Delivering Straight Dope to Kids -- (04-26-07) -- Parents who use marijuana have a difficult time talking to their kids about drugs, even if they believe use of the drug should be legal.

Wisconsin is No. 1 for driving drunk; Minnesota ranks third -- (04-23-07) -- Wisconsin drivers apparently aren't heeding the message of one of America's biggest brewers, located in their own backyard. Nor are residents in some neighboring states.

Checkpoints and Interlocks to Fight Drunk Driving -- (01-04-07) -- Increased use of police checkpoints, devices to prevent convicted drunk drivers from operating their cars, and other new approaches are seen by advocates as necessary to continue cutting the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths in the U.S.

Bush Signs STOP Act into Law -- (01-02-07) -- The STOP Underage Drinking Act, called the most significant piece of underage-drinking prevention legislation passed by Congress in years, has been signed into law by President Bush.

Parents Underestimate Teens’ Concerns About Drugs -- (09-05-06) -- While drugs are the number one concern for teenagers, parents underestimate how important this issue is to teens, according to data from a national telephone survey conducted earlier this year.

Pawlenty Creates Online Meth Offender Registry and Announces Other Measures to Battle Meth -- (08-31-06) -- Continuing his effort to combat the methamphetamine epidemic, Governor Tim Pawlenty today (July 27, 2006) announced the next phase in his crackdown on meth-related crimes, including the creation of an online Meth Offender Registry.

OR: Child Abuse Rises in Wake of Addiction Program Cuts -- (06-08-06) -- Child-abuse cases in Oregon rose 19 percent after the state legislature made sharp cuts in funding for addiction-treatment programs.

Maze Teaches Teens About Consequences of Life Decisions -- (04-14-06) -- At the Fifth Annual Teen Maze event at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds on March 2 and 3, over 600 teenage students navigated a giant maze that presented them with real-life situations and the consequences of how they handled them.

Teens Report Parental Inattention to Their Important “Rites of Passage” Has High Price Tag -- (04-03-06) -- Almost half of America’s high school teens report parental inattention to what they consider to be key transitions during their adolescence, according to a new SADD/Liberty Mutual study released recently.

Study: Parents Smoke, Kids Don't -- (01-13-06) -- Parents who can't quit smoking can still take decisive action to prevent their kids from smoking, according to new research.

Senate OKs tighter controls on sales of cold pills -- (03-03-05) -- Lawmakers want to clamp down on cold medicines including Sudafed and Actifed because meth cooks stockpile the products and distill their active ingredients, psuedoephedrine or ephedrine, to make the drug. The Senate bill would reclassify pseudoephedrine and ephedrine as controlled substances — changing the landscape of how some now widely available products are sold.

Webinar: Planning for Educational Inclusion - Apr 21, 2009 -- (04-16-09) -- Parents will learn tips for including students with significant disabilities in grades K-12. Professionals are also welcome to register. Certificates of participation will be provided.

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.

Minnesota students now world-class in math and science -- (12-09-08) -- Minnesota's students have made considerable international progress in math during the past 12 years, and retained their spot near the top of the world in science, according to the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).

Parent and Family Involvement in Education, 2006-07 School Year -- (08-05-08) -- This descriptive report presents initial findings on parents' and families' involvement in their children's education from the Parent and Family Involvement in Education Survey (PFI) of the 2007 National Household Education Surveys Program (NHES).

Schools Grapple With Rising Fuel Costs -- (07-09-08) -- With gas prices soaring nationwide, reaching over $4 for each gallon of diesel fuel, school districts are struggling to supplement transportation budget shortfalls and find ways to offset the increasing cost of fuel as a new school year approaches.

Educators Get a 'Second Life' -- (06-18-08) -- For educators who think real life does not offer enough opportunities to practice their profession, there's Second Life, an Internet-based virtual environment that counts thousands of educators among its enthusiasts.

Study Finds Majority of Minnesota Five-Year-Olds Prepared for Kindergarten in Key Developmental Areas -- (04-15-08) -- The majority of Minnesota children are prepared for kindergarten, according to a study released by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).

Flagging Economy Propels Financial Education -- (02-20-08) -- Concerns about the foundering economy are helping to highlight the need to improve students' understanding of money matters.

PACER Parent Leader Update: Vacancies on MN Special Education Advisory Panel -- (02-05-08) -- The Minnesota Department of Education has opened the 2008 application process for the State Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP), formerly known as the Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC).

Bush Budget Proposes Level Funding of Education Dept. -- (02-06-08) -- The U.S. Department of Education's overall budget would remain stagnant at $59.2 billion under a fiscal year 2009 proposal released by President Bush that includes a modest boost for Title I grants to school districts, the main funding vehicle for implementing the No Child Left Behind Act.

FY 2009 Budget Amounts for Minnesota/All States -- (02-06-08) -- Funds included in the tables are from programs that allocate funds to States using a statutory formula. The totals do not reflect all Department of Education funds that flow to a State. States and other entities may also receive funds from grants that are awarded on a competitive basis. These tables also include for each State financial support from selected student aid programs that provide funds to the postsecondary institution that a student attends. Also shown for each State is the dollar amount of new federally supported loans made to students attending postsecondary institutions located in the State.

Governor Pawlenty Names Alice Seagren Commissioner of Education -- July 20, 2004 -- (07-29-04) -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today named State Representative Alice Seagren as the new commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education. Seagren, currently the Chair of the Minnesota House of Representatives Committee on Education Finance, has served as a legislator since 1992. The Governor said Representative Seagren has the experience and vision to continue to focus the Department of Education on its core mission of increasing student achievement, while still working towards innovation and reform.

Education Finance Reform Task Force Recommends New Model for Funding Schools -- (07-19-04) -- Governor Tim Pawlenty and members of the Education Finance Reform Task Force today announced recommendations for a new educational economic model for funding schools in Minnesota. The Task Force, chaired by Alexandria Superintendent Ric Dressen, has recommended a five-tiered system of funding for Minnesota schools that is based on data, analyzing the actual costs of educating a student.

Good news about Minnesota schools -- (10-02-03) -- Minnesota gets a good return on its education dollar. Here are some facts about the quality of education and educators in our state, as of July 2003.

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.

Grants for Coalitions to Prevent and Reduce Alcohol Abuse at Institutions of Higher Education -- (06-15-09) -- This program provides financial assistance for the development, expansion, or enhancement of a statewide coalition. The focus of the coalition will be on preventing and reducing the rate of underage alcohol consumption, including binge drinking, among students at institutions of higher education (IHEs), on campuses and in surrounding communities.

Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program application - Due July 1, 2009 -- (06-10-09) -- This is a reminder that the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program application is due on July 1, 2009. The ETV program provides funding to current and former foster care youth to attend accredited post-secondary educational programs.

Public safety films made for teens, by teens -- (05-13-09) -- A state competition has attracted high school filmmakers to produce commercials promoting seat belt use. The public will select the winner.

Cavity Free Kids "Train the Trainer" Event - Two locations - Oct. 13 or Oct. 14, 2008 -- (09-18-08) -- A FREE comprehensive curriculum to teach oral health lessons to children and families.

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.

Social Networking Safety - A Guide for Parents -- (06-11-08) -- This practical guide was created to help parents navigate cyberspace with their teens.

Summary of Safe Drinking Water Monitoring Results for Minnesota -- (05-29-08) -- The following is a summary of drinking water monitoring test results for all public water supply systems in Minnesota for calendar year 2007. Public water supply systems include all systems that serve 25 or more people on a regular basis, or that have 15 or more service connections.

Work-Related Roadway Safety: 10 Facts Employers Must Know -- (05-28-08) -- For any organization with employees on the roadway

Lice outbreak hits 16 Dakota County schools -- (03-13-08) -- At Pinewood Community School, students won't be working in groups this week. Nor will they sit on carpeted floors. After the Minnesota Department of Health paid a visit last week, school officials wrapped furniture and students' coats in plastic.

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

National Night Out - Crookston - Aug. 7th -- (08-01-07) -- America's Night Out Against Crime - Giving neighborhood crime and drugs a gowing away party! This is a FREE event for ALL ages.

National Institutes of Health Launches New Web Site for Parents on Medical Research Studies for Children -- (10-20-08) -- A new Web site from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), "Children and Clinical Studies", offers parents and health care providers an insider's guide to children's medical research.

Breakfast benefits may differ for boys, girls -- (08-05-08) -- A new study suggests adolescents and young adults may be less attentive in school when they skip breakfast. Moreover, the effect of missing this meal is different in boys and girls, the researchers found.

Drug Tests on Newborns Frequently Wrong, Researchers Say -- (06-30-08) -- Up to 70 percent of drug tests on newborns falsely come up positive for the presence of methamphetamine, and other routine drug tests are often wrong, as well.

Parent Community Network - April 2008 Newsletter -- (04-14-08) -- The Parent Community Network is an informal system created to provide information, education and support for parents.

Report ranks states on children's health, well-being -- (04-04-08) -- A new report says the state where a child is born and raised is a major factor in whether the youngster is healthy and lives to adulthood. Children living in Louisiana, the lowest-ranking state in the study, were twice as likely to die in their first year of life compared with children in Vermont, the highest-ranking state.

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.

Trends in Uninsurance among Rural Minority Children -- (01-29-08) -- The societal and personal benefits of health insurance coverage for children are well documented. Contemporary efforts to reduce the number of children lacking health insurance, such as SCHIP, have demonstrated much success. Nonetheless, disparities in health insurance coverage for both minority and rural children persist, with children who are simultaneously minority race/ethnicity and living in rural areas being particularly disadvantaged.

Who Completes Child Maltreatment Prevention Programs? -- (01-23-08) -- Topic: While evaluation programs are important, it is also crucial to understand what influences program completion by participants. This article examines factors related to program completion among families enrolled in a child neglect preventive intervention.

Minnesota receives $1.4 million in federal funding to reduce children's exposure to lead hazards -- (09-29-07) -- A $1.4 million federal grant will allow the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), together with the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and other partners, to speed up the removal of lead paint hazards from Minnesota homes and reduce the number of children endangered by lead paint.

Family-Focused Workshop and Professional Conference: Children who have special needs - A focus on Cerebral Palsy and Related Concerns (Family Focus Nov. 1 and Professional Focus Nov. 2) -- (09-24-07) -- Minnesota Children with Special Health Needs (MCSHN) is co-sponsoring two workshops with Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare to better educate parents and professionals in providing care for children who have special needs. The family-focused workshop will take place on Nov. 1, 2007 and the professional workshop will take place on Nov. 2, 2007. Both workshops will be held in Mankato, MN.

H.R. 3162 Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act of 2007 (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by House) -- (09-21-07) -- Of significant importance is the proposed rule by which HHS would stop reimbursement to school districts for an estimated $3.6 billion in Medicaid spending over the next five years.

Peanut allergies a thing of the past? -- (08-13-07) -- Mohamed Ahmedna, an associate professor of food sciences at N.C. A&T, has found that using a certain food enzyme can deactivate peanut allergens, the chemicals that cause potentially fatal reactions in people who are allergic to peanuts.

Senate Passes Children's Health Bill, with Tobacco Tax -- (08-06-07) -- With a bipartisan 68-31 vote, the Senate approved a plan to raise federal tobacco taxes to help pay for a $35-billion expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Unique coalition launches campaign to encourage safe infant sleep -- (07-30-07) -- Goal is to reduce infant deaths that occur when someone falls asleep with a baby

MySpace finds 29,000 sex offenders on its site -- (07-25-07) -- MySpace.com has found more than 29,000 registered sex offenders with profiles on the popular social networking website -- more than four times the number cited by the company two months ago, North Carolina officials said Tuesday.

Health of America's Kids Continues to Improve -- (07-20-05) -- The federal government's annual report card on the well-being of America's children presents a generally healthy picture, with some notable exceptions.

Anabolic Steroids and Young Adults -- (11-04-04) -- Anabolic steroids are drugs that are forms of the hormone testos­terone. They are known for their effects on muscle. However, they also have effects like growth of facial hair, deepening of the voice, and changes in behavior.

Conference: Doing Juvenile Justice in western Minnesota Nov 19, 2009 Mahnomen, MN -- (10-30-09) -- Conferences sponsored by the Juvenile Justice of Minnesota are being held in several locations around the state including the one in Mahnomen on Nov 19, 2009.

Conference: Doing Juvenile Justice in Northwestern Minnesota Nov 19, 2009 Mahnomen, MN -- (10-16-09) -- The public is invited to this Juvenile Justice Coalition of Minnesota sponsored conference. There is a $20 fee. Register by Nov 12, 2009.

Moving Toward Equal Ground: Engaging the capacity of youth, families and communities to improve treatment services and outcomes in the juvenile justice system -- (09-26-07) -- Community fellows from around the nation join together to share the lessons they have learned about the crucial role families and community members can play in improving the way we help teens in the juvenile justice system who struggle with drug and alcohol use. This national report has a message for every parent, family member, community member, judge, and justice system or treatment professional working with these youth, plus success stories from around the country.

Juvenile Program Referral Form -- (12-06-06) -- This referral form is also used from the courts, probation and social services. If there are spots that aren’t filled in or questionable from the schools point of view, we will still take them and call you with any questions.

2008 ITCA Parent Leadership Award -- (06-30-08) -- The IDEA Infant and Toddler Association (ITCA) promotes mutual assistance, cooperation, and exchange of information and ideas in the administration of Part C and provides support to state and territory Part C coordinators in the administration of effective early intervention services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities and their families.

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.

Memo: FMAP and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) -- (05-18-09) -- Many of the staff here at DHS have received questions from counties concerning the increases in the federal Medical Assistance percentage (FMAP) resulting from the ARRA. Hopefully, this memo will address most of your questions. It includes new information, so if you spoke to someone prior to May 13, 2009 this memo supersedes the earlier information.

President Recommends ZEROING OUT the State Grants Portion of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Program -- (05-13-09) -- In his fiscal year 2010 budget request, President Obama recommends eliminating the entire State Grants portion of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities (SDFSC) program. His budget also proposes adding $100 million to the National Programs portion of SDFSC for competitive grants to LEAs. This new program would result in a limited number of LEAs being funded.

Your voice and support is needed for making early education and child care a priority this session -- (05-11-09) -- Child care advocates have four House/Senate conference committees to track over the weekend as the legislative session nears adjournment on May 18. Child Care Works is maintaining a steady presence at the Capitol as these committees negotiate, but your voice and support is even more important at this moment.

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.

PACER Parent Survey/Due August 15th -- (08-14-08) -- We need your help by August 15th! Since there has been considerable attention being focused on special education since the 2007 legislative session, we are requesting your help to gather information from parents about specific laws and rules for children with disabilities.

Education Begins at Home Act (EBAH)H.R. 2343 -- (07-28-08) -- The Education Begins at Home Act (EBAH) is intended to give many more children a quality early childhood experience with the help of home visitation services. The funds will help states expand quality home visitation programs in communities, and will target some specific groups of children and families for assistance.

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.

Governor unveil's initiative to attract and retain the best teachers -- (11-03-03) -- At a Saint Paul charter school widely recognized for its outstanding student performance and unique approach to teacher compensation, Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced a bold teacher quality initiative, aimed at attracting and retaining the best teachers possible.

Starting A NAMI Crookston Area Affiliate - Dec. 10, 2008 -- (12-04-08) -- Local NAMI affiliates improve the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families by providing education, support and advocacy in their communities.

New Report on the Mental Health Reimbursement Policy -- (11-06-08) -- A new report released by three agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposes strategies to overcome barriers associated with the reimbursement of mental health services provided in primary care settings. Key actions recommended focus on a variety of stakeholders, including primary care providers, state Medicaid officials, and others billing for mental health services in the public sector, working together to promote a greater understanding of mental health reimbursement policy.

Depression: Out of the Shadows - May 21, 2008 -- (05-14-08) -- A PBS report on depression, including treatment options. Jane Pauley moderates a discussion after the film.

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.

AIMHAC 2007: Reclaiming Cultural Healing in Mental Health - June 13-15 -- (06-05-07) -- A conference for professionals and non-professionals, both Indian and non-Indians interested in Indian Mental Health.

Barriers to Mental Health Care in Low-Income Mothers -- (05-30-07) -- This qualitative study examines why a sample of low-income mothers with significant mood and anxiety disorders did not seek care despite the fact that their own children were receiving mental health services.

Crisis Services 2007 Resource Guide -- (05-30-07) -- This is the resource guide for state operated Central Pre-Admissions (CPA). This is for all staff who are involved with crisis services

DHS Bulletin on requirements for transition planning for older youth in foster care -- (05-18-09) -- Legal requirements, best practices and resources for local social service agencies when planning for the transition of youth expected to leave foster care at age 18.

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.

Stimulus Aid to Schools a Management Challenge -- (02-17-09) -- The $787 billion economic-stimulus bill that President Barack Obama signed into law today presents an unprecedented opportunity—and an unprecedented management challenge—for new U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

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

Morris K. Udall Foundation Scholarship Program -- (12-09-08) -- This program awards eighty $5,000 merit-based scholarships for college sophomores and juniors seeking a career in tribal health, tribal public policy or the environment.

Native American Congressional Internship Program -- (12-08-08) -- This is a ten-week summer internship in Washington, DC, for Native American and Alaska Native undergraduate, graduate and law students. Students are placed in Congressional offices, committees, or select agencies to experience an insider's view of the federal government and learn more about the federal government's trust relationship with tribes.

The Child Defender - Dec. 2008 -- (12-03-08) -- The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Minnesota newsletter discusses the latest happenings at CDF Minnesota, including their goals for the new year in light of the historic 2008 elections, and their upcoming efforts at the State Capitol to enact the new "Minnesota Health Security Act," which would provide health coverage to all Minnesotans, starting with children.

Sustaining Grassroots Community-Based Programs: A Tool Kit for Community-and Faith-Based Service Providers -- (08-18-08) -- Grassroots community and faith-based treatment and recovery providers are concerned about continuing critical services for people affected by substance abuse and mental health disorders. This tool kit by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is designed to help these organizations plan for long-term survival.

CHCS Launches Online "ROI Forecasting Calculator for Quality Initiatives in Medicaid" -- (04-24-08) -- The Return on Investment Forecasting Calculator for Quality Initiatives is a new web-based tool designed to help Medicaid stakeholders identify programs with the potential to both improve health care quality and control costs. The Center for Health Care Strategies developed this practical tool with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).

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.

It's My Life: A Framework for Youth Transitioning from Foster Care to Successful Adulthood -- (08-08-07) -- A holistic approach for those who play a role in how young adults envision and achieve success in adulthood.

Minnesota tests day care ratings -- (07-17-07) -- Pilot programs aimed at needy families in St. Paul, 3 other communities

Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #1 - Out-of-School Research Meets After-School Policy -- (08-02-04) -- The past five years have seen a ground swell in public attention and public policy aimed at increasing the availability of after-school programs for children and young teens during the "risk" hours when safety, supervision and homework are of top concern.

Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #2 - High School After-School: What Is It? What Might It Be? Why Is It Important? -- (08-02-04) -- High school is becoming the next frontier for after-school advocates. The conceptual and practical leaps from programming for elementary and middle school students to high school students are significant, and the marketing challenges are huge. Arguing persuasively for investments in this population requires revisiting almost every strategic decision made, from public education to policy framing to partnership development.

Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #3 - Reflections on System Building: Lessons from the After-School Movement -- (08-02-04) -- This commentary addresses the potential for, and threats to, the development of a healthy, connected out-of-school time system.

Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #4 - After-School for All? Exploring Access and Equity in After-School Programs -- (08-02-04) -- While significant progress has occurred over the past several years in terms of expanding both the quantity and quality of after-school opportunities, the ambitious idea of after-school for all remains a distant goal. In this commentary, we push beyond some of the basic numbers to take a close look at questions related to access and equity.

Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #5 - Inside the Black Box: Exploring the "Content" of After-School -- (08-02-04) -- Program content is closely linked with our understandings about the purpose of after-school programming. As discussions continue about whether or not after-school programs should support academic achievement and calls for accountability continue shaping our understanding of the purpose of after-school, several questions emerge to help us uncover what's inside the "black box" of after-school programs.

Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #6 - Participation during Out-of-School Time: Taking a Closer Look -- (08-02-04) -- This commentary examines the issue of youth participation in out-of-school time programs from two perspectives. It begins broadly and with a youth-centered lens, by asking how children and youth spend their discretionary time and how time use patterns relate to outcomes. After painting a picture of the full out-of-school time landscape, it looks specifically at structured program participation and provides at least partial answers to some basic questions.

Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #7 - School's Out: A Look at Summer Learning and Engagement -- (08-02-04) -- The seventh in our Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary Series examines the issue of summer learning. We look at how children and youth spend their summers; the programmatic landscape of summer; the research behind the usefulness of summer learning opportunities; and some policy opportunities and challenges.

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.

The Wet'suwet'en Unlocking Aboriginal Justice Program: Restorative Practices in British Columbia, Canada -- (10-22-03) -- The Wet'suwet'en Unlocking Aboriginal Justice Program (WUAJ) is a community-driven restorative justice project initiated and operated by members of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation, in northwest British Columbia, Canada.

Poverty, Stress, and Violent Disagreements in the Home among Rural Families -- (01-30-08) -- Violence in the home is not an "adults only" issue. Studies have shown that witnessing domestic violence increases a child’s chance of having emotional/ behavioral problems and being in abusive relationships in adulthood, even without co-occurring child maltreatment. The study reported here used information from a large, nationally representative telephone survey of households with children, carried out by the National Center for Health Statistics, to explore the prevalence of violent disagreements in the home.

High School Football Teams Reflect Changes in Rural Life -- (09-14-07) -- The northwestern Minnesota towns of Stephen and Argyle, populations 708 and 656 respectively, are separated by nine flat miles of soybean and wheat. The highest point between them is the mounded dirt that elevates the railroad tracks connecting their grain elevators. Since consolidating their schools in 1996, they have dominated nine-man football, never missing a state semifinal.The impact of changing demographics and farming technology in this region is apparent in the student body and, on Friday nights, on the football field.

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.

Annual rural health conference focuses on healthy communities - June 18 and 19 -- (05-09-07) -- Health care professionals, state and local policymakers and students will gather for a two-day event in Duluth, Minnesota, to discuss how to strengthen health care in Minnesota's rural communities. The Minnesota Critical Access Hospital Conference and the Rural Minnesota Forum is June 18, and the Minnesota Rural Health Conference, "Growing Healthy Rural Communities," is June 19. Both days will focus on access, quality, technology and workforce issues in rural Minnesota health care.

Creating a Safe and Supportive Healthy Environment for GLBTQ Youth in our Community Training Oct 27, 2009 -- (10-11-09) -- Training is at the Stillwater High School Auditorium, Oak Park Heights, MN. Training is free but registration is required.

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.

TA Partnership Webinar - Leadership in Systems of Care: June 11, 2008 -- (06-02-08) -- This Webinar will help you to understand the role of leadership in change and transformation. The presentation will foster an understanding of the difference between a leader and leadership, as well as the distinction of leadership from authority.

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.

Parent and Teen Internet Use -- (02-15-08) -- Parents today are less likely to say that the internet has been a good thing for their children than they were in 2004.

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.

Workshop: Engaging the Faith Community in Substance Abuse Nov 5, 2009 Stillwater, MN -- (10-19-09) -- People of Faith: Partners in Prevention is putting on this workshop to assist leaders to identify the role of the faith community in substance abuse prevention, identifying opportunities and learn about a model for developing a Congregational Team Approach to Substance Abuse.

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.

14th Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health - Nov. 2-4, 2009 -- (07-07-09) -- The theme for the conference held in Minneapolis is "School Mental Health: Promoting Success for All Students".

Webinar: Extending Foster Care to Age 21: Benefits, Costs, and Opportunities for States - July 15, 2009 -- (07-06-09) -- This webinar examines this fast evolving area of child welfare policy and practice. Panelists will analyze short- and long-term financial implications of extending care to age 21 and will share research findings about what we know--and don't know--about programming designed to help foster youth make the transition to adulthood.

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.

Creating Change Conference 2010 - Feb. 3-7, 2010 -- (07-06-09) -- The 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change will be held at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in beautiful downtown Dallas, Texas, February 3 - 7, 2010.

CADCA's Mid-Year Training Camp - July 27-30, 2009 -- (07-06-09) -- Want to learn how to develop a strategic plan or how to implement "grand slam" strategies to prevent alcohol and drug use in your community? Then, don't miss CADCA's 2009 Mid-Year Training Camp, being held July 27-30, 2009, in the home of the Louisville Slugger!

WEBINAR: Mental Health Screening and Assessment in Juvenile Justice: How to Do It - June 30, 2009 -- (06-17-09) -- The webinar will describe the purpose, process, and implementation of mental health screening for youth entering juvenile justice settings.

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.

Drugs, Music & the Internet: Understanding the Challenging Issues that Youth Face - May 29 (Jamestown) and May 30 (Moorhead), 2009 -- (05-29-09) -- To provide community members, human service professionals, social workers, parents, educators, corrections, and law enforcement personnel with an increased understanding of the roles of drugs, music & the internet in youth today. This conference will leave participants with the skills needed to develop action plans to improve their services to youth and their families by applying the principles and exercises in this conference.

2009 Mental Health America Centennial Conference - Jun 10-13, 2009 -- (05-29-09) -- The theme of Mental Health America’s 100th annual conference is “Celebrating the Legacy, Forging the Future.”

Webinar: Best Practices for Working With LGBTQ Youth - May 27, 2009 -- (05-20-09) -- Provides an overview of the issues that the youth face who are homeless and Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning (LGBTQ).

The Probation and Judicial Response: Moving Down the Continuum for the Enforcement of Underage Drinking Laws - -- (05-12-09) -- This program is the second in a series of audio-teleconference presentations produced by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) and the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) in cooperation with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) with a focus on the relationship of the judicial and probation communities and the issues related to underage alcohol abuse.

Wellness and Recover Conference, May 19 & 20, 2009 -- (05-07-09) -- The 2009 Wellness and Recovery Conference will provide a significant opportunity for consumers to network with other consumers and expand their support circle of peers, thereby increasing the vitality of consumer/survivor community. It will also provide an opportunity for providers to meet and discuss ideas, new programs and successes with other providers in addition, the conference will offer an environment where the barrier between provider and consumer is removed, permitting honest, open exchange between those experiencing mental illness and those trained to treat it.

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.

2008-09 Lessons from the Field: Autism Series - Workshop #4 - Integrative Medicine - May 13, 2009 -- (05-06-09) -- The fourth workshop in the 2008-09 Lessons from the Field Series on Autism Spectrum Disorders will focus on Integrative Medicine, featuring Dr. Lawrence Rosen, a board-certified general pediatrician committed to family-centered, holistic child health care. He practices primary care at the Whole Child Center in Oradell, NJ and consults at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center, serving as Chief of Pediatric Integrative Medicine.

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. **

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.

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.

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

Quality 101 - Free Lunch & Learn - Two locations: Apr. 28 or Apr 28 -- (04-16-09) -- Want to know why program quality helps youth programs return to what we know matters most? Don't miss this FREE training: Quality "101" a Lunch & Learn Class for youth development professionals and volunteers

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.

Generational Poverty Seminar - Mar. 24, 2009 -- (03-17-09) -- This class will examine the differences in resources, language, family structure, discipline, and hidden rules that can and do affect achievement.

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.

American School Counselors Association Annual Conference - Jun 28-Jul 1, 2009 -- (03-05-09) -- This conference will bring together approximately 2,000 pre-kindergarten to post-secondary professional school counselors, counselor educators, supervisors and graduate students.

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.

National Early Childhood Conference - Mar 22-25, 2009 -- (03-04-09) -- "Addressing Challenging Behavior" offers intensive workshops, practical strategies, and real solutions that speak to behavior challenges in early childhood settings.

Webinar: Non-Federal Match: The Rules and How to Raise It - Mar. 11, 2009 -- (03-03-09) -- This Webinar will provide a summary of federal rules on raising the necessary match for the SAMHSA cooperative agreement and will offer examples of innovative ways that grantees can do this.

A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base - Mar 1-4, 2009 -- (02-23-09) -- The annual Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health’s conference will include topics of interest like "Family Driven, Youth Guided Systems Planning" and "Role of Public Sector Agencies in SOC."

National Association of School Resource Officers - Jun 28-Jul 3, 2009 -- (02-18-09) -- Keynote speakers address bullying, drug recognition, constitutional law regarding FERPA, IDEA and other issues, and adolescent brain development. Special SRO training classes will be offered during the conference.

36th National Conference on Juvenile Justice -- (02-18-09) -- This conference offers juvenile justice professionals a national perspective on the issues they face in their day-to-day efforts to make a difference in the lives of children and families. The sessions at the conferences will highlight effective practice and programs, offer tips and tools, provide an opportunity for networking, and inspire and invigorate participants. With breakout sessions on a wide variety of topics, from truancy and safe schools, to gangs, to family violence, to child abuse and neglect, to juvenile sex offenders, to substance abuse, there is sure to be something for everyone!

Building Rural Youth-Adult Partnerships Webinar - Feb. 18, 2009 -- (02-13-09) -- Participants will learn strategies for developing effective youth and adult partnerships to improve the systems that provide mental health services to children and their families in rural communities.

Hard to Handle Mental Health Disorders in Children and Adolescents - Feb. 13, 2009 -- (02-11-09) -- Dr. Myklebust will explain what's going on in the brains of children and adolescents who have oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, AD/HD, and bipolar disorder and will share practical interventions for at home and at school.

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.

2008-09 Lessons from the Field Workshop #2 - Early Identification and Intervention - Feb. 12, 2009 -- (02-04-09) -- The focus of this workshop will be early identification and intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Quality Matters - Feb. 9, 10 and 17, 2009 -- (02-03-09) -- Quality Matters is an eight-month assessment and learning project that provides participants with information, skills, and hands-on support to improve the quality of their youth programs and provide positive experiences for youth.

Minnesota School Safety Conference - Feb. 11-13, 2009 -- (02-03-09) -- The 2009 Minnesota School Safety Conference is an opportunity to gather practical information and resources on current trends and best practice in school safety to prepare stakeholders in providing a safe and healthy environment for students to learn and staff to work.Designed for K-12 educators, school administrators, emergency managers, law enforcement and others concerned with school safety.

Culturally & Ethically Bound to Consideration (Video Conference) - Feb. 9, 2009 -- (01-28-09) -- On February 9, 2009 an ITV Mental Health core training designed to help facilitate better understanding of working relationships between the Tribes, Counties, State, and Federal governments--as well as other issues--will be offered.

Building and Maintaining Relationships with Youth - Feb. 25, 2009 -- (01-28-09) -- A 3-hour Course for people who work with youth

Intro to the DC: 0-3™ Diagnosing Mental Health and Developmental Disorders in Very Young Children - Jan. 27-28, 2009 -- (01-22-09) -- Who should attend? Professionals working within the infant-family field, who have experience with diagnostic procedures using DSM-IV or ICD-10 and a strong background in child development.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Jan. 26, 2009 -- (01-20-09) -- An opportunity to learn more about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder will take place at the University of Minnesota, Crookston on Monday, January 26, 2009. This compelling topic is the subject of a presentation by Jody Allen Crowe, an educator and author of the book The Fatal Link, to take place in Kiehle Auditorium at 2 p.m. The presentation, sponsored by the Office of Disability Services, is open to the public and free of charge.

Identifying and Addressing Childhood Trauma - Mar. 29, 2009 - Daytime -- (01-20-09) -- For: Therapists, Early Childhood Specialists, Mental Health Specialists, Public Health and Social Services Practitioners

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.

Unclaimed Children Revisited: The Status of Children's Mental Health Policy in the United States - Conference Call Presentation - Jan. 15, 2009 -- (01-09-09) -- In November 2008, the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) released a report, Unclaimed Children Revisited: The Status of Children's Mental Health Policy in the United States. Janice L. Cooper, PhD, will present on the report and lead a discussion on the implications of the study's findings and proposed recommendations for the children's mental health field.

February National Electronic Seminar - School Substance Abuse Policy - Feb. 19, 2009 -- (01-06-09) -- Underage drinking by high school and university students continues to be a significant problem. When schools establish alcohol policies that clearly state expectations and penalties regarding alcohol use by students, they help reinforce the unacceptability of underage drinking.

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.

Hard to Handle Mental Health Disorders in Children and Adolescents - Jan. 9, 2009 -- (01-05-09) -- Find out what's going on in the brains of children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, ADHD, and Bipolar Disorder and practical interventions for at home and at school.

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.

JJ and MH Assessment Findings by Chris Bray, MNDOC - December 12th, 2008 -- (12-10-08) -- Chris Bray and Kathy Jefferson will be in Crookston on Friday, Dec. 12th, 10:00 - 12:00 noon to review findings of Juvenile Justice and Mental Health needs, recommendations, and implementation.

Promoting Youth Development: A Community Approach - Course starts Jan. 13 -- (12-08-08) -- This is a comprehensive, 30-hour course that will meet once a month for five months on the NDSU Campus beginning in January 2009. An array of learning experiences will be provided throughout this course to meet the needs of every youth professional.

SS/HS Webinar – Coordinating Events With Relevant Observances - Dec. 17, 2008 -- (12-03-08) -- Linking events to relevant observances and holidays can raise the profile of your initiative, increase media attention, and attract new community partners.

2008-09 Lessons from the Field: Autism Series - Workshop #1 - Foundations of Autism - Nov. 21, 2008 -- (11-12-08) -- Dr. Scott Selleck and a panel of University faculty and community professionals with expertise in the field of autism will present on "what the research is telling us and is not telling us" regarding emerging issues in the field of autism. Recently, concerns around the incidence and causes of autism have placed autism in the spotlight. Misconceptions and myths have abounded and professionals as well as families are faced with sorting through what is fact vs. myth. The presentation will focus on the current research and what it can and can't tell us about the many facets of autism causation and resulting presentations and interventions.

MN Early Childhood Transition Teleconference Series presents Amy Schulting - Nov. 12, 2008 -- (11-04-08) -- Join us, as Amy leads an interactive conversation around the transition to kindergarten.

Internet Safety for Families - Nov. 11, 2008 -- (11-03-08) -- This event is free to the public. Parents of teenagers, tweens and area adults are encouraged to attend. There will be door prizes. You have seen articles in the newspaper and segments on the news. Now come and hear first hand about cyber bullying, safety on the Internet and improper usage of a cell phone.

2008 Fall Regional ATOD Forums (Various Dates/Locations Oct. 29 - Nov. 20, 2008) -- (10-29-08) -- Changing the Environment to Reduce Alcohol Use and Tips to Get Your Community Involved: Zero Adult Provider (ZAP) Program

National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health 20th Annual Conference - Nov. 20-23, 2008 -- (10-28-08) -- The National Federa