June 26, 2009 South Carolina Health Care Forums to be held across the state. If you are interested in telling your story or want to participate in the National Health Care debate please contact: Callie Vanderbilt cvanderbilt@scjustice.org or (803) 779-1113 ext. 105. Click here to read more.
June 26, 2009 PBIS Conference: Caring Communities = Successful Youth: Linking Families, Schools and Agencies will be held on October 9 – 10, 2009. read more.
June 25, 2009 Tell NAMI’s Child and Adolescent Action Center what services you need.
They want to hear from parents and caregivers with a child diagnosed with a mental illness, who developed the illness before age 18, about their experiences and thoughts on discussing mental health concerns about their child with primary care staff and physicians. They would like to learn: What you need and value when communicating with medical staff; and What recommendations you have for primary care staff and physicians to help ensure children's mental health treatment needs are identified early and linked to appropriate services and supports.
To access the survey please visit: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WB5taoMttSkvgubFGfq5GA_3d_3d.
The survey will be open until close of business Wednesday, July 1st. The survey is estimated to take up to 30 minutes to complete. If you have any questions or comments, contact Bianca Ruffin at biancar@nami.org.
June 17, 2009 URGENT We need your stories: In conjunction with a coalition on school mental health, the National Federation of Families chapter will soon be making visits to Capitol Hill to get our legislators to support Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). What will really strengthen any remarks is if they can bring them examples of how family members have experienced PBIS used at their child’s school. So if you would like to share your story (anonymously of course), email Andrea Barnes at abarnes@ffcmh.org.
June 17, 2009, Antipsychotics get tentative OK for kids: A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee Wednesday concluded that three newer antipsychotic drugs already widely used in children and teens are "acceptably safe" and effective in treating them for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, because of the risks involved with the drugs, several panel members expressed concerns about their inappropriate use in pediatric patients who don't have schizophrenia or bipolar disorder or are younger than the age range studied. AstraZeneca's Seroquel, Pfizer's Geodon and Eli Lilly's Zyprexa are the approved drugs. (USATODAY, 6/11//09)
Read the USA Today article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-06-10-psychiatric-drugs-children_N.htm
June 15, 2009, Save the date info: Free Parent Training coming soon. Learn more about training to get parents involved in your community.
June 15, 2009 Because of low participation, as of July 1, 2009, the chat room will no longer be active. The Federation of Families of South Carolina is now on facebook. You can get additional information, chat with other families and post your concerns on the discussion board or answer someone else’s concerns. Come and join in the discussion ever Wednesday from 12:00 pm – 1:00pm for a lunch and learn. Talk about and get information on things that are of a concern for you and your child. The first topic will be: “Where can I find support for me” If you have suggestions for topics or want information about a particular service, email us at info@fedfamsc.org and put chat in the subject line. We will devote time for each topic recommended and will create a calendar so you can see when we will up for discussion.
Join us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=93969858608
June 10, 2009 Positive Support, Not Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Educational Systems Must Not Fail Our Children, Say Advocates.
Follow this link to find out more: http://www.bazelon.org/newsroom/2009/5-19-09PBS-not-seclusion_restraint.htm
June 10, 2009 PACER’s New School Discipline Process Guide Available Online
Parents and professionals can both benefit from PACER’s “School Discipline Process for Minnesota Students with Disabilities: An Interactive Guide.” Based on federal and state law, it walks you through the process Minnesota schools must follow to determine discipline options, including expulsion, suspension, or sending a child with disabilities home before the end of the day. The guide is easy to use and share with others. Read More...
Follow this link to find out more: http://www.pacer.org/publications/specedrights.asp
June 5, 2009 President Obama Proposes a 2 Percent Increase for Mental Health Services On Thursday, May 7, President Obama released the details of his budget. Overall, the Administration proposed a $59 million increase (a roughly 2 percent increase)for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration—this was also the increase request (2 percent) for the Centers for Mental Health Services. In particular, the funding proposal for CMHS includes an increase of $17 million for the Children's Mental Health Program (Systems of Care grants) and a nearly$8.5 million increase for the homelessness program. Read more
Follow this link to find out more: http://takeaction.mentalhealthamerica.net/site/PageServer?pagename=Capitol_Hill_Update_20090508