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

Play Under Siege -- (03-23-04) -- No naptime in preschool, no recess in kindergarten--are schools focusing too narrowly on desk learning alone? Child development specialist Ed Zigler says that children's play is under attack as schools focus on children's reading development at the expense of their equally important (and related) physical, social and emotional development.

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

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

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

ECCO First Round Judging Results & Next Steps -- (06-26-09) -- Congratulations OCSI Team! The Campaign Resource Group (CRG), an advisory group to the Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health Campaign (SAMHSA) conducted its first round of judging for the 2009 Excellence in Community Communications and Outreach (ECCO) Recognition Program. We have been selected as one of 24 finalists for our website and calendar in the category of "Community Outreach: Parents and Caregivers".

Victory in Supreme Court -- (06-24-09) -- On June 22, 2009, the US Supreme Court in Forest Grove School District v. T.A. (No. 08-305) issued a 6-3 decision in favor of T.A., a student with AD/HD and related disorders. T.A. had ongoing difficulties in school but despite repeated requests was not evaluated for AD/HD by the Forest Grove (Oregon) School District.

Financing Behavioral Health Services and Supports for Children, Youth and Families in the Child Welfare System - A Report of National Survey Findings -- (02-23-09) -- This document provides practical information to assist readers who are in a position to initiate, lead and contribute to the improvement or expansion of mental health and substance abuse services for children, youth and families involved with the child welfare system. It offers cross-state summaries of 17 different behavioral health financing strategies and also a state by state perspective.

Adolescent Mental Health: Service Setting and Reasons for Receiving Care -- (02-19-09) -- This is a a 3 page short report based on data from SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH) that provides data on rates of services adolescents received from a long list of outpatient, residential, educational, and general medical settings such as hospital, foster care home, private therapist care, in-home therapist, school counselor, etc. Also included is a long list of reasons adolescents received mental health services including suicidal thought/attempts, eating problems, depression, etc.

What Makes a Difference for Transition Age Youth with Mental Health Needs? -- (02-03-09) -- This presentation is based on a sub sample of the 59 youth participants and includes low income European American (EA) and African American (AA) transition-age youth with mental health needs.

Starting Points for Communities Developing New Transition Programs for Young People with Mental Health Difficulties -- (02-03-09) -- This document offers tips to school and agency staff involved in developing transition programs for youth with mental health difficulties.

40 Developmental Assets -- (10-16-08) -- Search Institute of Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., has identified the following building blocks of healthy development that help all young people grow up healthy, caring and responsible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blueprint for Change: A Comprehensive Model for the Identification and Treatment of Youth with Mental Health Needs in Contact with the Juvenile Justice System -- (08-01-06) -- It is now well established that the vast majority of youth in the juvenile justice system, approximately 70%, suffer from mental disorders, with 25% experiencing disorders so severe that their ability to function is significantly impaired. For some youth, contact with the juvenile justice system is often their first and only chance to get help. For others, it is the last resort after being bounced from one system to another. Frustrated juvenile justice administrators and mental health professionals are struggling to take action, yet little progress has been made due, at least in part, to the fact that there has been a lack of information available about how best to respond to these youth.

Promotion of Mental Health and Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorders -- (05-24-06) -- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Mental Health Services has launched a series on the Promotion of Mental Health and Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorders. This series will have six monographs, and each topic conveys the work of national experts in the fields of prevention science and child development.

Raising a Child with Emotional or Behavioral Difficulties: Workforce Participation and Employment Support -- (05-17-06) -- This study examines the workforce participation of primary caregivers of children receiving mental health services. The authors discuss the results of a secondary analysis of data from 2585 participants in the national evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Families (CCMHS) program. The severity of the child’s symptoms and adequacy of child care are among the factors associated with workforce participation. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

School-Based Mental Health: An Empirical Guide for Decision-Makers -- (05-12-06) -- Everyone now champions school-based mental health services, but what do they mean exactly? Until now, decision-makers had no clear answers, and instead faced a baffling array of program choices. No comprehensive blueprint has yet emerged for designing a school-based service approach to address unique community needs and capacities. The new monograph from the Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health provides practical information and advice for those engaged in developing and implementing effective evidence-based services in the school setting.

Evaluating treatment for homeless adolescents -- (04-24-06) -- This research compares treatment outcomes for a group of runaway youth randomly assigned to one of two treatment options, either ecologically based family therapy (EBFT) or services as usual (SAU) provided by a shelter for homeless youth. The results indicated that youth benefited significantly from both types of treatment. There was some evidence that substance use reduction was greater for youth receiving EBFT in cases with a history of physical or sexual abuse.

Assessing Children's Mental Health: Validity Across Cultural Groups -- (04-04-06) -- This study explores the validity of a standardized screening tool (the Behavior Problem Index) for children’s mental health. Based on analysis of data drawn from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, the authors find evidence of ethnicity-based differences in the operation of the instrument when they compare scores for children whose mothers are White, African-American, or Hispanic. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Which Comes First in Adolescence - Sex and Drugs or Depression? Does It Really Matter (Podcast) -- (03-27-06) -- This podcast features an interview with Dr. Denise Halfours, on her study of the relationship between sex, drugs, and depression. This 30-minute audio program can be enjoyed at any computer with Internet access, or can be downloaded to any personal digital listening device.

Positive Youth Development for Children with Mental Health Problems -- (03-23-06) -- The authors of this study hypothesize that participation in structured youth development activities for children receiving public mental health services will be influenced by family resources and child and family functioning. Overall, children were more likely to engage in activities if their parents had higher education levels, and less likely if they had externalizing problems. Program and research recommendations are also discussed.

Research Reveals That Eye Contact Triggers Threat Response in Autistic Children -- (03-07-05) -- The results of a new study provide additional insight into why autistic children avoid eye contact: they perceive faces as an uncomfortable threat, even if they are familiar.

Experiences of Racism Among African American Parents and the Mental Health of Their Preschool-Aged Children -- (01-24-05) -- Study participants were African-American families living in Baltimore neighborhoods. Neighborhood variables included socioeconomic status (SES), proportion African American, crime density, social cohesion, and negative social climate. Family variables included SES, parental denial of racism, racism coping strategies, and child behavior problems. Child mental health status was assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist.

Blueprint for Change: Research on Child and Adolescent Mental Health -- (01-05-05) -- A report of the National Advisory Mental Health Council's Workgroup on child and adolescent mental health intervention development and deployment

Prevalence of Mental Disorders Among Children in the Juvenile Justice System -- (12-02-04) -- Although estimates of the percentage of youth with mental disorders in the juvenile justice system vary from study to study, a consistent picture is beginning to emerge. Despite differences in methodology and instrumentation, researchers from across the country are documenting high rates of mental disorder, including substance abuse disorders and multiple co-occurring diagnoses, among children incarcerated in juvenile facilities.

Incarceration of youth who are waiting for mental health services in the United States -- (08-17-04) -- This is the first national survey of youth with emotional and behavioral problems detained in secure juvenile detention centers solely because there are no inpatient, outpatient, residential, or specialized foster care services available to them.

Children and War: How can we help? -- (06-11-04) -- International Center to Heal Our Children (ICHOC) created a fact sheet designed to help parents and teachers talk to children about war. In response to children's questions and fears about a current war, ICHOC has created a unique resource with frequently asked questions, warning signs and suggested coping mechanisms for kids.

Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide -- (03-12-04) -- The Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide is designed to provide accurate, user-friendly information. First, checklists can be completed to help evaluate the adequacy of the schools' suicide prevention programs. Second, information is offered in a series of issue briefs corresponding to a specific checklist. Each brief offers a rationale for the importance of the specific topic together with a brief overview of the key points. The briefs also offer specific strategies that have proven to work in reducing the incidence of suicide, with reference that schools may then explore in greater detail. A resource section with helpful links is also included. The Guide will help to provide information to schools to assist them in the development of a framework to work in partnership with community resources and families.

Resource Mapping and Management to Address Barriers to Learning: An Intervention for Systemic Change -- (04-23-03) -- SAMHSA and HRSA have posted a technical aid packet entitled: "Resource Mapping and Management to Address Barriers to Learning: An Intervention for Systemic Change"

Anxiety Disorders -- (06-16-05) -- An anxiety disorder is a mental health problem that can affect people of all ages, including children. In fact, anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental health disorder in children, affecting as many as ten percent of young people.

Anxiety Disorders - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- All children feel anxious at times. Many young children, for example, show great distress when separated from their parents. Preschoolers are often frightened of strangers, thunderstorms, or the dark. These are normal and usually short-lived anxieties. But some children suffer from anxieties severe enough to interfere with the daily activities of childhood or adolescence.

Asperger's Syndrome - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (04-09-04) -- Asperger's Syndrome, a subset of the autism spectrum disorders, was first identified in the 1940's. Before knowledge of the diagnosis was expanded, the term "high functioning autism" was usually used. An increasing number of children are now being identified with this disorder.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) -- (06-16-05) -- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common reasons children are referred for mental health services. It affects as many as one in every 20 children. Although boys are three to four times more likely than girls to experience ADHD, the disorder affects both boys and girls.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Children and teens with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be overactive and/or unable to pay attention and stay on task. They tend to be impulsive and accident-prone. They may answer questions before raising their hand, forget things, fidget, squirm, or talk too loud. On the other hand, some students with this disorder may be quiet and "spacey" - inattentive, forgetful, and easily distracted.

Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Bipolar disorder, also known as Manic-Depressive Illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide.

Conduct Disorder - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Children and adolescents with conduct disorder are highly visible, demonstrating a complicated group of behavioral and emotional problems. Serious, repetitive, and persistent misbehavior is the essential feature of this disorder. These behaviors fall in four main groups: aggressive behavior toward people or animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft, and serious violations of rules.

Depression - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- All children feel sad or blue at times, but feelings of sadness that persist for weeks or months may be a symptom of major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder (chronic depression). These depressive disorders are more than "the blues"; they affect a young person's thoughts, feelings, behavior, and body, and can lead to school failure, alcohol or drug abuse, and even suicide. Depression is one of the most serious mental, emotional, and behavior disorders suffered by children and teens.

Eating Disorders - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- People with eating disorders experience serious disturbances in their food intake or overeating, as well as extreme concern about body shape or weight. Eating disorders usually develop during adolescence or early adulthood. Eating disorders are not due to weak willpower or bad behavior, rather, they are real, treatable illnesses. The two main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Cholesterol Seen as Potential Buffer Against Fetal Alcohol Syndrome -- (03-14-07) -- Animal studies show that small amounts of alcohol impair the ability of cholesterol to develop cells and organs in developing embryos, leading researchers to postulate that giving cholesterol supplements to alcoholic mothers could prevent alcohol-induced birth defects.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is brain damage and physical birth defects caused by a woman drinking alcohol during pregnancy. FAS can include growth deficiencies, central nervous system dysfunction that may include low IQ or mental retardation, and abnormal facial features (for example, small eye openings, small upturned nose, thin upper lip, small lower jaw, low set ears, and an overall small head circumference). Children lacking the distinguishing facial features may be labeled with fetal alcohol effects (FAE).

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has a neurobiological basis. This means it is a biological disease of the brain, just as diabetes is a biological disease of the pancreas. OCD is not caused by bad parenting, poverty, or other environmental factors.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Students with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) seem angry much of the time. They're quick to blame others for mistakes and act in negative, hostile, and vindictive ways. All students exhibit these behaviors at times, but in those with ODD, these behaviors occur more frequently than is typical in individuals of comparable age and level of development.

April is Autism Awareness Month -- (04-03-09) -- In order to increase public awareness about autism, the United States recognizes April as National Autism Awareness Month.

Autism -- (06-16-05) -- Autism is one of the mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders that appears in early childhood. Autistic children may have a serious lifelong disability. However, with appropriate treatment and training, some autistic children can develop certain aspects of independence in their lives. Parents should support their autistic children in developing those skills that use their strengths so they will feel good about themselves.

Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- PDD is an acronym for pervasive developmental disorders, which includes Rett's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and Asperger's syndrome. Another disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), also belongs to this category.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Children who are involved in or witness to a traumatic event that involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror are at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The event is usually a situation where someone's life has been threatened or severe injury has occurred such as serious accidents, abuse, violence, or natural disasters. In some cases, the "event" may be a re-occurring trauma, such as continuing domestic violence.

Reactive Attachment Disorder - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- The essential feature of reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is a markedly disturbed and developmentally inappropriate social relatedness with peers and adults in most contexts. RAD begins before age five and is associated with grossly inadequate or pathological care that disregards the child's basic emotional and physical needs. In some cases, it is associated with repeated changes of a primary caregiver.

Schizophrenia - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Schizophrenia is a medical illness that causes a person to think and act strangely. It is uncommon in young children - usually striking young people between the ages of 16 and 25. This disorder affects about one percent of the population. Schizophrenia can be difficult to recognize in its early phases.

Characteristics of Juvenile Suicide in Confinement -- (02-11-09) -- This bulletin draws on data from the first national survey of suicides of youth in confinement, which was sponsored by OJJDP, to review juvenile suicides that occurred in confinement between 1995 and 1999. It describes the demographic characteristics and social history of the victims and examines the characteristics of the facilities in which the suicides occurred.

Tourette's Disorder - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Tourette's disorder is a neurological disorder that has dramatic consequences for some 200,000 Americans and affects an approximate additional two million to some degree. Boys identified with Tourette's disorder outnumber girls three to one; the disorder affects all races and ethnic groups. Researchers have traced the condition to a single abnormal gene that predisposes the individual to abnormal production or function of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. Although Tourette's disorder is classified as a mental health disorder, it is usually treated by a neurologist as well as a psychiatrist.

Booklet: Guidebook for Youth With Disabilities Aging Out of Foster Care -- (06-29-09) -- A partnership between the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities and Florida’s Children First, Inc., has produced a guide to services and information for Florida youth with disabilities who are transitioning from foster care to independent living. Passage From Youth to Adulthood provides practical information on the legal rights of students with disabilities as they transition to adulthood. While the guide is geared toward Florida students, much of the planning and information (especially about Federal laws) is applicable to youth in other States.

Spotlight on.. Fertile-Beltrami Public School District #599: "The Laptop High School" -- (10-01-07) -- The mission of the laptop program was to "level the playing field" for our students. As the need for technology skills increased, the faculty was finding that there was a larger and larger gap between the "have computers at home" students and the "have nots". The school district felt that it wanted to, not only help students, but also increase the technology exposure to the community by allowing students to have their laptops at home to share with family.

Spotlight on... -- (10-01-07) -- "Spotlight on...." will focus on a particular service offered or special information about a partner within the Northwest Minnesota Council of Collaboratives.

Creating a Front Porch: Strategies for Improving Access to Mental Health Services -- (02-24-09) -- This report shares results of interviews conducted with personnel from selected organizations and focuses on key practices that were reported to increase accessibility of mental health services for underserved populations. It includes a description of each of the target populations served by the participating study sites, as well as information about the history and context of, and general service delivery information for each organization.

2007 Minnesota Student Survey -- (08-18-08) -- The Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) provides students, parents and their communities a dynamic vehicle for on-going communication about issues vital to the health, safety and academic success of youth. Some survey results and additional reports are available below.

NAEP 1999 Long-Term Trend Technical Analysis Report: Three Decades of Student Performance -- (05-19-05) -- NCES has just released the 'NAEP 1999 Long-Term Trend Technical Analysis Report: Three Decades of Student Performance.' This technical report describes the design and implementation of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 1999 Long-Term Trend (LTT) Assessment.

When Terrible Things Happen -- (03-23-09) -- Recognizing common reactions faced by survivors, and suggesting helpful and less helpful responses.

Alcohol, Medication, And Drug Use After A Disaster -- (03-23-09) -- Helping people understand and manage their use of alcohol, prescription medications, or other drugs after a disaster.

Coping with Your Emotions During Public Health Emergencies -- (03-23-09) -- Trifold brochure helping a person cope with anxiety during a public health emergency.

Helping Families Deal With the Stress of Relocation After a Disaster -- (03-23-09) -- ATSDR fact sheet to help family members of different ages deal with the stress of relocation.

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

Evacuation Checklist -- (03-30-09) -- If you are evacuating your neighborhood or city because of flooding or other disasters, consider taking the following items. While preparing, make sure that your vehicle has a full tank of gas or arrange for other transportation. Listen to your local radio station for updates on evacuation and shelter information. Remember to notify an emergency contact about where you are going.

Sexual Violence in Disasters: A planning guide for prevention and response -- (03-27-09) -- This guide offers readers important information about sexual violence and disasters that will help communities to understand the connection and develop better disaster responses.

Disaster "Go Kit" for Team Responders -- (03-25-09) -- Important information for team responders including an information checklist, code of conduct, safety as well as a supply list and a sample packing list.

Fact Sheets for Disasters -- (03-24-09) -- As the flood waters rise, and you are preparing your communities for flooding, we want to let you know about materials that are available from MDH regarding health threats.

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

FEMA Responder Knowledge Base (RKB) Toll Free Number and Email address -- (09-16-08) -- You can call 1-877-FEMA-RKB (1-877-336-2752) for live help with questions regarding the RKB, equipment, standards, available grants and many other topics from 8am - 5pm EST, Monday through Friday. Similarly, questions may be emailed at anytime to RKBMailbox@us.saic.com and will be acknowledged within 24 hours.

Addressing Emergency Psychological Needs During Traumatic Events -- (03-18-04) -- When people experience traumatic events, we address their physical and safety needs. ATSM offers "practical tools" for addressing the wide spectrum of traumatic experiences - from mild to the most severe.

Emotional Health Issues for Victims -- (04-10-09) -- Emotional health issues for victims, from the American Red Cross.

Warning Signs -- (04-10-09) -- Warning signs of trauma-related stress, from the American Psychological Association.

Critical Incident -- (04-10-09) -- Critical incident stress information sheet, from Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.

Normalizing Emotions -- (04-10-09) -- You are not alone! Description of normal emotions following a disaster, from the American Red Cross.

Reducing Building Safety Fears -- (04-10-09) -- Reducing fear about building safety, by Dan Friedman, American Society of Home Inspectors.

Coping Suggestions -- (04-10-09) -- Coping suggestions, from Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.

Steps to Take -- (04-10-09) -- After a disaster: Steps you can take, from Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.

Helping Children After the Flood -- (03-23-09) -- Children react differently to a flood and its aftermath depending on their age, developmental level, and prior experiences.

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

Talking with School-Age Children about War and Terrorism -- (03-23-05) -- Talking with School-Age Children about War and Terrorism suggests that before talking with children, parents take time to think about the issue themselves and consider what it means to their family.

Recognizing and Dealing with Reactions to _________ Attacks -- (03-23-05) -- The recent ____________ attack have caused many of us to have reactions such as anxiety, fear, anger, and hyperviligance. While these reactions are to be expected and normal, the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services offers the following information about typical reactions and ways to cope.

Understanding Child Traumatic Stress -- (03-23-05) -- We live with dangers every day. As children and adolescents grow up, they continually learn about different types of dangers. We are always looking for ways to make our lives safer. However, terrible things sometimes happen within and outside the family. They can happen suddenly without warning. Children may experience different traumas over the course of childhood and adolescence. Some traumas, such as child abuse or witnessing domestic violence, may happen repeatedly over a long period of time.

Questions to Help Children Talk About a Disaster -- (03-23-05) -- Questions to Help Children Talk About a Disaster provides examples of "open-ended" questions to encourage children to talk about their feelings and experiences following a disaster.

When Talking Doesn't Help: Other Ways to Help Children Express Their Feelings Following a Disaster -- (03-23-05) -- When Talking Doesn't Help: Other Ways to Help Children Express Their Feelings Following a Disaster provides ideas for helping children express themselves in ways other than talking to help them through the recovery process following a disaster.

The Role of Culture in Helping Children Recover from a Disaster -- (03-23-05) -- The Role of Culture in Helping Children Recover from a Disaster offers words of advice and guidance for teachers helping children from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds through the recovery process following a disaster.

After a Disaster: A Guide for Parents and Teachers -- (03-23-05) -- After a Disaster: A Guide for Parents and Teachers explains how preschool age, early childhood, and adolescent children may respond to terrorist events. The link is intended for parents and teachers to be informed, recognize problems, and respond appropriately to the needs of children.

How to Help Children After a Disaster -- (03-22-05) -- # How To Help Children After a Disaster offers tips to parents on how to talk to children about terrorist events.

Responder Self Care: Caring For Yourself in the Face of Difficult Work -- (03-23-09) -- Tips to help responders recognize stress and care for themselves while working on a traumatic event.

Psychological First Aid for First Responders -- (03-23-09) -- SAMHSA tips for emergency and disaster response workers.

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

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

Questions and Answers - NCLB Program Areas -- (09-07-05) -- Providing Services to Children and Youth in Homeless Situations As a Result of Hurricane Katrina

Swine Influenza and You -- (04-27-09) -- Questions and answers regarding swine flu.

Key Facts about Swine Influenza -- (04-27-09) -- Questions and answers about key facts of swine flu.

INFLUENZA: Pigs, People and Public Health -- (04-27-09) -- Public health fact sheet for swine flu.

Booklet: Help Children Cope After a Hurricane -- (10-13-08) -- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network released a new children's booklet to help children who have experienced previous hurricanes to cope with rainy windy days.

Connect for Kids: Online Resources for Helping Victims of Hurricane Katrina -- (09-09-05) -- In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Connect for Kids has pulled together online resources for helping those affected. We’ve divided them into three sections: Emergency Guidelines for Helping Victims looks at how government agencies are developing procedures for helping the displaced; Giving & Getting Help is a compilation of information on donating and volunteering, also on help available to those affected; and Help with Healing offers information on supporting kids and families dealing with trauma related to Katrina. We expect to update this resource frequently.

Springtime Stressors for Students and Staff -- (04-21-09) -- Spring time is a marker not only for new beginnings, but also for tragic events. The tragedies of past school shootings and other community acts of violence along with the flooding in northern Minnesota and the continuing economic crisis have provided students, staff and their families with many springtime stressors. While some of these pressures are “new”, there are constant factors and pressures on students and staff face each spring. School personnel should review them and be aware because these stressors may contribute to increased threats of violence and behavior problems each spring.

Mental Health Provides Guidelines to Help Students, Parents and Educators Respond and Cope with the Virginia Tech Shootings -- (04-18-07) -- Mental Health America expresses its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and classmates of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University shooting victims. As details surrounding the shootings continue to unfold, Mental Health America recognizes that this tragedy affects people across the country. It developed the below guidelines to help educators, students and parents respond and cope with this tragedy.

Talking About the News -- (03-24-05) -- The news of the school shooting that happened today can be very scary for a lot of children. The challenge in helping them cope with today’s events is that it is also scary for many adults. Here are some pointers.

School Safety: Three Steps to Make the Peace -- (03-24-05) -- The recent tragic school shooting reminds us of the important role each child and each adult has in maintaining the safety of a school. Here are three actions children, youth or adults can take to improve the safety of their learning community.

Marking Disaster Anniversaries in the Classroom -- (03-23-05) -- Marking Disaster Anniversaries in the Classroom suggests activities for teachers to use with students of different grade levels to commemorate disaster anniversaries.

Help for Parents and Teachers to Recognize Children’s Reactions to the Recent ______Attacks -- (03-22-05) -- Children of all ages may experience a wide range of reactions to the recent ______ attacks, such as feeling frightened, confused, and insecure. Knowing the signs that are common at different ages can help parents and teachers to recognize problems and respond appropriately. To help parents and teachers, the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services offers the tips below.

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

Challenge Newsletter - Volume 12, Issue 1 -- (10-18-04) -- The latest issue of The Challenge newsletter is now available. Focusing on emergency response and crisis planning, this issue discusses ways that schools can strengthen their efforts to prepare for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other unexpected tragedies.

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

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

Trends in Adolescent Inhalant Use: 2002 to 2007 -- (03-18-09) -- This is a 3 page short report based on data from SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH) that provides data on demographics and trends in inhalant use as well as on specific types of inhalants.

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

Polk County Public Health Chemical Health Resources -- (10-21-08) -- Includes PDF files listing the resource materials that can be checked out with D'Anne Johnson at Polk County Public Health.

Reclaiming Futures -- (08-11-08) -- Reclaiming Futures, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is now offering a series of reports focusing on helping youth caught in the cycle of drugs, alcohol and crime.

Not in My House -- (06-30-08) -- The Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA) has joined with the Abbott pharmaceutical firm to sponsor a new campaign against teen prescription-drug misuse.

Violence and Rural Teens: Teen Violence, Drug Use, and School-Based Prevention Services in Rural America -- (01-30-08) -- This study had three main purposes: (1) to explore the prevalence of violence-related exposures and drug use among rural teens, (2) to investigate the effects of race and gender on the risk of exposure to violence and drug use, and (3) to compare the policies and mental health care services of rural and urban schools.

Sales of Home Drug-Test Kits Soar Despite Warnings from Experts -- (05-16-07) -- The number of parents buying home drug-test kits has increased dramatically despite warnings from treatment professionals and government officials that home-testing adolescents is not a good idea.

Surgeon General Issues Call to Action on Underage Drinking -- (05-14-07) -- Underage consumption of alcohol is a widespread and persistent public health and safety problem, according to the recently released Surgeon Generals report on underage drinking. This science-based document summarizes the latest research on underage drinking, making particular note of the emerging body of research on the negative effects of underage alcohol use on adolescent brain development.

Youth Drinking Influenced by Advertising, Rand Study Says -- (05-07-07) -- Middle-school children exposed to high levels of alcohol advertising and marketing are 50 percent more likely to drink and 36 percent more likely to intend to drink than peers who were exposed to few ads.

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

Parental Drinking Stunts Brain Growth in Alcoholic Kids, Study Suggests -- (03-01-07) -- Alcohol-dependent individuals with a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking exhibited reduced brain growth compared to alcohol-dependent people with no family history of alcohol problems.

Use of Jimson Weed Peaks in Fall -- (11-07-06) -- Jimson weed, a common roadside plant that can be used as a hallucinogen, is now in bloom across the U.S., and local emergency rooms and poison-control centers are reaping an unwanted harvest.

'Happy Bunny' Jumps into Drug Prevention -- (10-26-06) -- The Partnership for a Drug-Free Texas has inked a deal with illustrator Jim Benton to create a series of anti-drug messages using his popular 'Happy Bunny' character.

DNA Damage from Smoking Causes Breast Cancer -- (08-31-06) -- Researchers say that cigarette smoke prevents breast cells from repairing their DNA, leading to cancer growth.

Few Adolescents Get Treatment; Options Lacking -- (08-17-06) -- A lack of tailored treatment means that less than 10 percent of adolescents who need addiction treatment get help, and continuing care is even more lacking.

Mothball Abuse Comes Out of the Closet -- (07-31-06) -- Some teenagers are using mothballs to get high, a trend that may be underreported.

With Courts' Blessing and Federal Funds, School Drug Testing Grows -- (07-17-06) -- The Bush administration last year gave 373 public secondary schools funding for random student drug testing, up from 79 two years ago.

Meth Crackdown May Have Triggered Rise in Addiction -- (05-26-06) -- Laws that succeeded in curbing homegrown methamphetamine labs also opened the door to imports of highly pure "ice," in turn triggering a rise in meth addiction and treatment admissions.

FAVOR Unveils Strategy for Recovery 'Messaging' -- (05-22-06) -- Recovery, not "addiction," should be the focus of discussions between people with alcohol and other drug problems and the media, lawmakers, and the public.

Bad Drinking Habits Among Young Adults -- (01-07-06) -- Both college students and college-age youths not in school have similarly dangerous drinking habits.

House OKs Meth Bill; Measure Includes Treatment Component -- (12-29-05) -- A measure passed by the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the renewal of the Patriot Act would tighten controls on chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine, toughen penalties on traffickers, and authorizes funding for drug courts and treatment for pregnant and parenting women.

Parents' Anti-Drug Talk Called Effective -- (12-14-05) -- Parents who are intolerant of drug use and let their children know it are less likely to have kids who use drugs, according to researchers at Brigham Young University.

Teen Girls Use Steroids to Tone Up, Not Bulk Up -- (11-18-05) -- Up to 5 percent of middle-school girls and 7 percent of high-school girls say they have tried anabolic steroids, and experts believe that some girls use the drugs in hopes of toning their bodies, rather than adding on muscle like boys.

Study: Kids Get Cigarettes from Friends and Family -- (11-08-05) -- A nationwide survey of students in grades eight through 12 finds that the majority of youngsters who smoke get their cigarettes from friends or family members, according to the American Cancer Society.

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

How do we know we are making a difference? A community alcohol, tobacco, and drug indicators handbook -- (11-02-05) -- This is a guide to assist community leaders in using indicator reporting programs to identify their most important local substance use problems, focus their community prevention and treatment strategies, and measure the results of new policies and programs.

McGruff Comic/Activity Book - Winners Don't Use Drugs -- (07-14-05) -- This FREE McGruff comic activity book presents stories about why kids might try drugs, developed using real life kids’ opinions. The stories and added activities emphasize keeping children from using drugs. The book includes a special pullout section for parents. 6/1/2005

Coors, Ex-Pros Tackle Underage Drinking -- (07-06-05) -- Coors Brewing Co. will launch a sports-themed educational campaign today aimed at preventing underage drinking.

Wake Up to the Risks of Marijuana: A Guide for Parents -- (06-20-05) -- This brochure outlines the facts of using marijuana and offers tips on what parents can do to keep their children from using marijuana. It also includes parent responses to clear up false information about the drug.

Keeping Your Kids Drug Free: A How-to Guide for Parents and Caregivers -- (06-20-05) -- This booklet provides ideas and examples of the skills busy parents can use to keep their children off drugs. It details the challenges parents face, how to influence children’s behavior, how to keep children away from drugs, what to say and when to say it, and how to get others to help.

Suspect Your Teen is Using Drugs or Drinking?: A Brief Guide to Action for Parents (Early Intervention Parent brochure) -- (06-20-05) -- This booklet offers parents information about talking to their teens about drug use and the steps to take to do so.

Alcohol: What You Don't Know Can Harm You -- (04-05-05) -- If you are like many Americans, you may drink alcohol occasionally. Or, like others, you may drink moderate amounts of alcohol on a more regular basis. If you are a woman or someone over the age of 65, this means you have no more than one drink per day; if you are a man, this means you have no more than two drinks per day. Drinking at these levels usually is not associated with health risks and may help prevent certain forms of heart disease. But did you know that even moderate drinking, under certain circumstances, can be risky? If you drink at more than moderate levels, you may be putting yourself at risk for serious problems with your health as well as problems with family, friends, and coworkers. This booklet explains some of the problems that can be caused by drinking that you may not have considered.

More and More Children Falling Victim to Meth -- (02-24-05) -- When an Indiana girl was killed, allegedly because she had seen people cooking methamphetamines, it reinforced the image of meth users as a menace, but law enforcement and child services professionals say there are more insidious and more pervasive threats to children from the drug.

National Review of State Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs and Certification Standards -- (01-27-05) -- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) today announced the availability of A National Review of State Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs and Certification Standards for Substance Abuse Counselors and Prevention Professionals. The publication contains a national overview of state-by-state information on licensing, certification, and credentialing standards for alcohol and drug treatment facilities, programs, counselors and prevention professionals.

Key Strategies for Violence and Substance Abuse Prevention II: Working with the Classroom and the School Environment -- (09-14-04) -- The school's contribution to solving the problems of substance abuse and violence among youth lie in comprehensive approaches. Schools must implement substance abuse and violence prevention programs in the classroom. They also need to create a positive school climate by building the school's capacity to manage itself and plan for change in a democratic and collaborative fashion; create and enforce prevention policies; communicate norms inconsistent with violence, disruptive behavior, and substance abuse; and enhance classroom climate through improved instructional and management approaches. This discussion explores these strategies.

Key Strategies for Violence and Substance Abuse Prevention III: Working in the Community -- (09-14-04) -- The nature of the community in which youth live – and their relationship to this community – can have a profound effect on whether they become involved in substance abuse and violence. Prevention activities carried out in these communities can help ensure that the community is a positive influence that helps youth resist pressures toward risk behaviors. This publication describes some key strategies that communities can use to prevent substance abuse and violence among youth.

Key Strategies for Violence and Substance Abuse Prevention I: Working with Children and Families -- (09-14-04) -- Children are influenced by their families, their schools, their neighborhoods, and popular culture –especially the media. Efforts to prevent substance abuse and violence are more effective when they incorporate strategies targeting all these influences. This publication highlights key prevention strategies that target children and their families.

Methamphetamine Fact Sheet -- (12-30-03) -- Methamphetamine fact sheet-- This report provides an overview of Methamphetamine use, effects, availability, related enforcement activities and treatment data.

Severe Childhood ADHD May Predict Alcohol, Substance Use Problems in Teen Years -- (09-18-03) -- Scientists tracking the progress of children diagnosed with attention/deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as they became teenagers have shed new light on the link between ADHD and the risk of developing alcohol and substance use problems.

Proven Benefits of Early Childhood Interventions -- (02-27-06) -- As part of a recent study, RAND researchers synthesized what is known from the scientifically sound research literature about the short- and long-term benefits from early intervention programs, the features that are associated with more-effective programs, and the economic gains that accrue from investing additional resources in early childhood.

Costs, Benefits, and Kids -- (02-03-05) -- Back in the late 1800s, a powerful grass-roots movement spurred the creation of public kindergartens across the nation. In December 2004, at a conference put together by the Council on Economic Development, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and the PNC Financial Services Group, hundreds of men and women from the worlds of economics, business, charitable foundations, education and advocacy talked about doing the same for early childhood education.

No Child Left Behind: The Teachers' Voice -- (02-25-09) -- Teachers are on NCLB's front lines, yet research shows they have grave and pervasive doubts about the law. No Child Left Behind: The Teachers' Voice reveals those deep reservations are shared by Minnesota teachers.

New Thinking on Children, Poverty, and IQ -- (12-30-03) -- Research published this month is shedding new light on the old nature/nurture argument. In a dramatic shift from previous findings, this analysis finds that for families at the very bottom of the socio-economic scale, environmental factors have a much greater impact on the variations in children's IQ (Intelligence Quotient) then genes.

Rural Schools: an Uncertain Path to College -- (10-28-03) -- Rural schools, often a footnote in discussions about education reform, got a share of the spotlight in the 2003 Brown Center Report on American Education.

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

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

National School Bus Safety Week - October 20-24, 2008 -- (10-13-08) -- This year's theme is "Stop on Red, Kids Ahead"

Latino AIDS Awareness Day in Minnesota set for October 15 -- (10-07-08) -- To call attention to the impact HIV infection has had on Latino communities in Minnesota, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proclaimed Wednesday, Oct. 15, as Latino AIDS Awareness Day in Minnesota.

Disability Etiquette -- (10-07-08) -- A great resource for businesses, schools, organizations, staff training and disability awareness programs. This booklet provides tips for you to follow that will help create positive interactions and raise everyone's comfort levels. The publication offers advice related to a diverse number of specific disabilities.

A heads-up on concussions -- (10-18-06) -- Concerns about blows to young athletes' heads and the risks of returning too soon are getting more attention in Minnesota.

Eliminating Health Disparities -- (07-03-06) -- Public health practitioners have long championed the health needs of underserved and impoverished communities. Despite these efforts, the disparities in health among U.S. social groups continue to widen.

Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook (Interim Report) -- (07-26-04) -- The document provides a summary of the available and up-to-date statistical data on various factors assessing children exposures. These factors include drinking water consumption, soil ingestion, inhalation rates, dermal factors including skin area and soil adherence factors, consumption of fruits and vegetables, fish, meats, dairy products, homegrown foods, breast milk, activity patterns, body weight, consumer products and life expectancy.

Ready.gov - Preparing Make Sense. Get Ready Now. -- (07-26-04) -- All Americans should begin a process of learning about potential threats so we are better prepared to react during an attack. While there is no way to predict what will happen, or what your personal circumstances will be, there are simple things you can do now to prepare yourself and your loved ones.

Keeping Farm Children Safe -- (10-30-03) -- Each year, hundreds of children like Heather are hurt or killed while playing or working on the family farm. Farm accidents involving children may seem unpredictable and random. It may seem that they can't be prevented. Some people even believe they are simply "the price of farming."

Child Neglect: A Guide for Prevention, Assessment and Intervention -- (06-04-09) -- Child protective services (CPS), a division within State and local social service agencies, is at the center of every community's child protection efforts. In most jurisdictions, CPS is the agency mandated by law to conduct an initial assessment or investigation of reports of child abuse or neglect. It also offers services to families and children when maltreatment has occurred or is likely to occur.

Child Protective Services: A Guide for Caseworkers -- (06-04-09) -- This manual examines the roles and responsibilities of child protective services (CPS) workers. It describes the purposes, key decisions, and issues of each stage of the CPS process: intake, initial assessment/investigation, family assessment, case planning, service provision, evaluation of family progress and case closure. The manual also covers strategies for casework supervision, training, and support. Appendices include a glossary of terms, resource listings of selected national organizations, State toll-free telephone numbers for reporting child abuse, and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

A Coordinated Response to Child Abuse and Neglect: The Foundation for Practice -- (06-04-09) -- Written for new child protective services (CPS) caseworkers, professionals working with children and families, other professionals and concerned community members, this manual addresses the definition, scope, causes, and consequences of child abuse and neglect. It presents an overview of prevention efforts and the child protection process from identification and reporting through investigation and assessment to service provision and case closure. This manual is intended to accompany each profession-specific manual in the User Manual Series.

The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children -- (06-04-09) -- To carry out their responsibilities of protecting children at risk of maltreatment, CPS caseworkers must effectively engage families that often both present and face great challenges. These can include substance abuse, mental health problems, economic stress, unemployment, separation and divorce, inadequate housing, crime, and incarceration. Figuring out how best to work with and engage these families, always with the safety of and permanency for the child as the goal, is not easy. This manual also speaks to both the opportunities and challenges presented by one participant in the family sagas that CPS caseworkers deal with everyday: the father.

The Role of Educators in Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect -- (06-04-09) -- This manual, designed to examine the roles that teachers, school counselors, school social workers, school nurses, special education professionals, administrators, and other school personnel have in helping maltreated children, provides the basis for the involvement of educators in combating the problem of child abuse and neglect.

The Role of Professional Child Care Providers in Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect -- (06-04-09) -- This manual provides information on the roles and responsibilities of child care providers in preventing, recognizing, and reporting child abuse and neglect within and outside early childhood programs. It also presents an overview of prevention efforts, reporting laws, caring for maltreated children, and ways to support parents and professionals who work with families.

Supervising Child Protective Services Caseworkers -- (06-04-09) -- This manual provides the foundation for effective supervisory practice in child protective services (CPS). It describes the roles and responsibilities of the CPS supervisor, and it provides practice oriented advice on how to carry out supervisory responsibilities effectively. Best practices and critical issues in supervisory practice are underscored throughout.

Working with the Courts in Child Protection -- (06-04-09) -- Part of a series of manuals designed to provide guidance on child protection practices, this manual explains court processes most relevant to child abuse and neglect cases. It introduces concepts and terminology associated with the courts, describes the key court processes, and presents practical information to help child protective services caseworkers prepare for court litigation.

Family Voice & Choice Newsletter -- (01-28-09) -- This is the first edition of their quarterly newsletter.

Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms -- (10-15-08) -- The first step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. The presence of a single sign does not prove child abuse is occurring in a family; however, when these signs appear repeatedly or in combination you should take a closer look at the situation and consider the possibility of child abuse.

Kinship Care Resource Kit -- (10-06-08) -- One in 12 American children is living in a household headed by a grandparent or other relative. In many of these homes, grandparents and other relatives have become the primary caregivers or kinship caregivers, for children whose parents cannot or will not care for them due to substance abuse, illness, child abuse and neglect, economic hardship, incarceration, divorce, domestic violence or other serious problems.

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

Health Groups Raise Immigrant Child Care Fears -- (11-02-06) -- Several health groups are concerned that babies born to illegal immigrants could be denied essential medical care such as immunizations and physicals because of recent changes to Medicaid.

Pediatricians Endorse Needle Exchange -- (02-06-06) -- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is calling on its members to support the establishment of needle-exchange programs to prevent the spread of AIDS among IV-drug users.

New Economics of Preschool (The): New Findings, Methods and Strategies for Increasing Economic Investments in Early Care and Education. -- (01-04-05) -- This report presents research and strategies for increasing economic investments in early care and education. A chart presents an overview of research on the economic impact of early care and education. The benefits of economic development research to the field of early care and education include: (1) increased credibility and investment, (2) better data collection, and (3) new partnerships. Practical applications and next steps are listed. It is concluded from this research that investment in early childhood development is a wise strategy. The benefit is seen both immediately and in the long-term; crime rates are lowered, graduation rates are raised, businesses benefit from educated and committed workers, and the city sees a huge return in tax revenue from the increase in the workforce. A glossary of terms is included. Contains 24 references.

Broad plan seeks to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in state by 2010 -- (08-25-04) -- A plan to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Minnesota by 2010 has been completed by a multi-agency workgroup and endorsed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Resilience-based prevention: A multi-year multi-site program evaluation -- (08-06-04) -- This paper reports the results of a four-year evaluation of Al’s Pals, a prevention program for children 3-8 years, designed to promote social and emotional competence. Results from teacher ratings indicated increases in prosocial behavior and positive coping among the participants, but no significant change in the level of behavior problems in the classroom.

Tapping the Power of Community: Building Assets to Strengthen Substance Abuse Prevention -- (07-29-04) -- (March 2004, Volume 2, Number 1) - Building "developmental assets" can play an important role in reducing many forms of youth substance use, particularly as when asset building engages the whole community in contributing to young people's healthy development. Young people with low levels of developmental assets are two to four times as likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs than those who have above-average asset levels, according to a new report from Search Institute. This relationship is true for young people from all racial/ethnic, family, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Boosting Student Achievement: New Research on the Power of Developmental Assets -- (07-28-04) -- (October 2003, Volume 1, Number 1) - New studies suggest that developmental assets play a significant role in students' academic achievement across a wide range of students. In fact, developmental assets appear to have as much or more influence on student achievement as other demographic factors and school reform strategies. Thus, building developmental assets has great promise as a strategy for boosting student achievement.

Unique Strengths, Shared Strengths: Developmental Assets Among Youth of Color -- (07-28-04) -- (November 2003, Volume 1, Number 2) - New Search Institute research shows that African American, American Indian, Asian American, Latino/Latina, White, and Multiracial youth all benefit similarly from experiencing more of the 40 developmental assets in their lives, regardless of their socioeconomic status. At the same time, the importance of particular categories of assets varies by race/ethnicity, suggesting the need for focused, ongoing dialogue within communities of color about their unique strengths and opportunities for nurturing healthy children and youth.

New Data Stresses Importance of After-School Programs for Children and Their Parents -- (06-11-04) -- Three recent reports come together to emphasize the importance of additional investments in quality after-school programs for children and youth and their parents.

5 Steps to Choosing Quality Child Care -- (01-12-04) -- Steps to assist you with choosing a quality child care provider.

Power of Parental Influence -- (10-09-03) -- Parenting Newsletter--CSAP's Western Capt through funding from the U.S. department of Education is creating a monthly newsletter for parents during the school year.

Juvenile Justice Matters! Online Radio Program - Thursdays - 3:30-4:00 PM CST -- (02-23-09) -- Sponsored by the Campaign for Youth Justice, these weekly online radio programs feature live presentations and discussions from experts, young people, and parents focused on the reform of the juvenile justice system. Listeners are encouraged to ask questions and spark discussion during the sessions.

The Right to Education in the Juvenile and Criminal Justice Systems in the United States -- (02-11-09) -- This report documents the school to prison pipeline; demographic and educational characteristics of the juvenile and adult incarcerated populations; the lack of adequate access to quality education programs in juvenile facilities and state and federal prisons; and examples of youth detention facilities in New York, Texas, and Louisiana that violate the rights of youth to education and to be treated with dignity.

Breaking the Cycle of Abuse in Juvenile Facilities -- (02-11-09) -- A special account of abuse of youth in custody in California, Texas, Florida, and Indiana and recommendations for reform by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency.

An Insider's Look at Juvenille Justice -- (12-05-03) -- Over the past two decades, the push to treat youngsters charged with serious crimes as adults has led to the growth of a new inmate population: juveniles doing time in adult facilities. Currently, 46 states have laws allowing for the transfer of juvenile criminal cases to adult courts under certain conditions.

Females in the Criminal Justice System -- (09-24-03) -- As Americans stand on the threshold of the 21st century, the increasing criminalization of women and girls and the reality that they are now pouring into prisons, jails, and detention centers faster than their male counterparts must spark a major public response.

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

Suicidality and help-seeking behaviors in American Indian youth -- (05-22-07) -- Three recent articles point to the importance of considering the cultural contexts of suicidality and subsequent help-seeking behaviors in Native-American youth.

New Co-Occurring Disorders Publications Available at SAMHSA -- (07-03-06) -- Co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders affect approximately 4.6 million individuals in the United States. However, only a small percentage of these individuals receive treatment that addresses both disorders. Many receive no treatment of any kind. To better educate states, communities and behavioral healthcare providers, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Co-Occurring Center for Excellence (COCE) has just released in print the first of a series of brief publications for treatment professionals on co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders.

Informational update addressing discrimination and stigma associated with mental illness -- (08-23-04) -- A new Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) promises to dramatically advance the goal of full community integration for persons with psychiatric disabilities.

Nickels, Dimes and Big Bucks - Predatory Lending -- (10-08-08) -- It started small--a $60 loan from a local payday advance outlet. Pretty soon, Lisa Engelkins was caught in a spiral of debt that would take three years to escape.

Minnesota Data on Children in Poverty -- (01-28-04) -- MN Data on children in poverty from the National Center for Children in Poverty

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

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

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

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

The Invisible Children's Project: An Example of a Promising Program -- (02-10-09) -- In 1993, the Mental Health Association (MHA) in Orange County, N.Y., began an effort to raise awareness of the needs of families in which a parent has a mental illness or co-occurring disorder. The MHA developed the Invisible Children's Project (ICP), a program that aims to integrate essential services for these parents, to increase their ability to function as parents and assist them in creating a safe and nurturing environment for their children.

Get Minnesota Ready for Kindergarten Initiative Announced at State Capitol -- (02-07-07) -- On February 1st at the State Capitol, Todd Otis, President of Ready 4 K, along with State Senator Tarryl Clark and State Representative Nora Slawik, spoke to the media about the importance of investing in high quality early education.

Economic Scope and Impact of 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organizations in NW MN, The -- (08-23-04) -- The objective of this research is to estimate the economic impact of nonprofit organizations in the northwest region of Minnesota and to contribute a unique perspective to the dialogue.

Veterans' Resource Guide -- (11-18-08) -- You fought for the American way of life. Now improve your quality of life by getting the help you need. Referrals and information on mental health, substance abuse, and other services for you and your family are now available, many of them anonymous, many of them free of charge.

Rural Families Choose Home-Based Child Care for their Preschool-Age Children -- (07-24-06) -- Rural preschoolers of employed mothers are more likely than their urban peers to be cared for by informal non-related providers like in-home babysitters, neighbors, or friends.

Alcohol Abuse Remains the Leading Substance Abuse Problem in Rural America -- (07-24-06) -- A new report from The Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire shows that alcohol abuse in rural America exceeds illicit drug abuse and that excessive drinking is a serious problem among rural youth, particularly in homes where parents are absent.

What is Rural? Rural by the Numbers -- (08-15-05) -- Rural by the Numbers consists of the most current and relevant information about rural America. The information is presented in concise bullets, and is well documented.

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

National Recommended Best Practices for Serving LGBT Homeless Youth -- (04-27-09) -- This policy brief by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, Lambda Legal, the National Network for Youth, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights provides a brief overview of homelessness among LBGT youth. It makes recommendations about improving practice, improving organizational culture, and improving residential services.

Resources from 4/22/09 TA - LGBTQI2-S Learning Community Call -- (04-27-09) -- On April 22, 2009, the TA Partnership's learning community hosted an especially rich TA session on the topic of rural areas particularly struggling with effective outreach and service to youth with a range of sexual orientations.

Providing Services and Supports for Youth who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex or Two-Spirit -- (02-11-09) -- This Practice Brief from the National Center for Cultural Competence offers helpful knowledge about youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S) as well as information on how to develop culturally and linguistically competent programs and services to meet their needs.

Spotlight on... U.S. Office of Special Education Programs Technical Assistance Center on School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports -- (09-08-08) -- Eight universities and four educational agencies collaborating to assist states in large-scale implementation of School-wide Positive Behavior Support to achieve both reduction in problem behavior and enhanced learning environments.

Spotlight on... Northwest Regional Corrections and Justice Center -- (03-03-08) -- Being incarcerated is far from a pleasant experience, as anyone who's ever been in jail can attest to. The education program at the Northwest Regional Corrections Center, however, aims to provide a bright spot in its inmates' days.

Spotlight On... Crookston School District #593: Prime Time Program -- (02-08-08) -- Crookston High School has started a new program called "Prime Time" this school year. The goal of Prime Time is to form positive relationships between students and teachers and also between other students.

Spotlight on... the Local Advisory Council for Children's Mental Health -- (01-25-08) -- Local mental health advisory councils (LAC) provide on of the best opportunities for you to participate at a local level in the development of mental health programs and policies. You will gain information on support services, organizations and resources.

Spotlight on... Our Children Succeed Initiative Enrollment Process Begins! -- (12-21-07) -- The Our Children Succeed Initiative formally started (the intake process of ) enrolling children on December 5, 2007. There were 17 referrals received in the first week.

Spotlight On.. Mahnomen County School District #432: School Home Interventionist - A Necessity in Schools -- (11-30-07) -- School home interventionist - a necessity in a school. The interventionist is a valuable person in a school to assist the students, parents, teachers and administration. This position has many components.

Spotlight On... Marshall County -- (10-26-07) -- Marshall County has been very proactive in the past year regarding the preservation of the county courthouse.

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

Spotlight On.. Red Lake Falls School District #630: J.A. Hughes Elementary School -- (10-02-07) -- When most people think of a classroom, they think of a teacher lecturing in front of a group of kids. But J.A. Hughes Elementary School in Red Lake Falls, Minn., is exploring a new classroom format that leverages HP technology within an interdisciplinary, project-based curriculum. The new approach re-casts teachers in the role of facilitator and encourages students to take fuller responsibility for their assignments.

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

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

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

Spotlight on... Tri-Valley's 40th Anniversary! -- (05-27-05) -- Everyone is invited to participate in the activities listed - June 21-23, 2005.

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

Spotlight on... the NEW Northwest Minnesota Connections website -- (11-03-04) -- The Council of Collaboratives is pleased to announce the launching of our "sister" website, the Northwest Minnesota Connections website.

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

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

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

IN OUR SCHOOLS: Keeping track of grants -- (09-13-04) -- Because of a nearly $340,000 multi-year grant, 11 small public and private schools in northwestern Minnesota will join the growing number of area schools using sophisticated computer programs to keep track of student test scores and other data.

Creating Safer Schools and Communities -- (02-24-09) -- This series offers five newly revised guidebooks for key components of creating safe, positive schools. They feature a combination of fresh research, best practices, and planning tools to help educators and administrators make effective decisions and create successful programming.

Providing Quality Youth Mentoring in Schools and Communities -- (02-24-09) -- This series provides school staff and youth development professionals with a comprehensive set of tools to plan and implement a safe and supportive youth mentoring program. These resources are based on the latest research into mentoring best practices and will improve both program design and the mentoring relationships formed between adult volunteers and young people in need.

OJJDP Tool Kit for Creating Your Own Truancy Reduction Program -- (09-22-08) -- Communities are always searching for early signs of a child's decision that school isn't worthwhile. Poor school attendance is one such marker that a young person may be headed for trouble. It is an indicator of a disposition to give up that is both reversible and preventable. Children who skip school are telling their parents, teachers, and principals that it is time to take action to keep them on track. This tool kit is designed to be a resource for doing just that.

Tackling Meth Toolkit -- (07-25-06) -- The Tackling Meth toolkit provides community coalitions, business leaders, faith-based organizations, parent groups, schools, law enforcement, health care professionals, civic groups and other community leaders with proven and effective prevention practices, and techniques for neighborhood involvement and community action. It also offers assistance to families dealing with drug addiction and a link to resources. It is, in short, one-stop shopping for those involved in the fight against meth, and can make all the difference as you mobilize your community.

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

Community Coalition Toolkit -- (06-12-03) -- The problems parents face in coping with a child's substance abuse can affect them where they spend the most time: at work. Building on the important role parents play in preventing youth substance abuse, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign developed the @Work Program to help employers bring information about this issue to working parents.

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

Student Truancy -- (09-22-08) -- Truancy has been labeled one of the top ten major problems in this country's schools, negatively affecting the future of our youth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Returning Home From War: Tips for the Troops -- (04-21-09) -- The National Mental Health Association has developed the Coping With Disaster fact sheet series to help you and your loved ones cope during crisis and loss.

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