February 26, 2021
Preparing Mental Health & Well-being for Children
The Children’s Mental Health Collaborative (CMHC), is collecting and sharing resources, training ideas, & supports for children and youth in anticipation of potential re-traumatization and increased mental health needs during Derek Chauvin’s trial for the murder of George Floyd. The CMHC anticipates many young people, especially our Black families, will have increased mental health needs as the trial begins on March 8, 2021 and increased media attention returns to racial violence.
Recognizing the need in being prepared to help families manage through the trial. In seeing the importance in being proactive in committing collaborative resources to children and youth mental health needs here are a broad list of ideas discussed thus far.
- Talking Circles: Having difficult conversations with students and staff.
- Provide additional mental health staff for students
- Ensure staff are supported and have the tools to be able to support our kids. Recognize the signs of anxiety in children.
- Understand you do not need to be a therapist to be a safe adult for children to talk to.
- National Childhood Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) *CORRECTION
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Trainings are taking place within communities and organizations to help prepare families and adults working with children and youth. Two trainings are highlighted below.
- Children’s Mental Health providers and families may also request scholarship funds to attend trainings or host a training. Please click here for more information on the 2020-2021 scholarship requirements
How to Talk about Race with Students Virtual Training
Dakota County Safe and Drug-Free Schools & the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) are pleased to host two multicultural trainings for local educators and student support personnel.
About the Training Series: Providing information & tools on the constructive conversations about race and racism and how educators cam work together as allies to support secondary students on these difficult topics.
Next Session: Friday, March 5, 2021 8-10 AM
Register for FREE HERE!
Registration is required to receive Zoom meeting link & to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.
For information Contact Shannon Bailey.
Healing School Communities in the Context of Racial Violence Training
Healing School Communities in the Context of Racial Violence Training
This two-part learning series is intended for students, families, educators and school mental health professionals who are navigating the ongoing impact of racial violence in all forms on student mental health. This series is hosted by the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network. Learning focuses on:
- Navigating discussions which are grounded in advancing racial equity and inclusion both in and out of school;
- Elevating strategies for communicating and engaging in the ongoing work to support the mental health of students and school mental health professionals which are grounded in community wisdom and build upon protective factors, both in and out of school;
- Developing spaces which engender opportunities for the field to improve its commitment to fostering a workforce ready, able and willing to hold racial violence as a mental health issue in a way that is founded in community strengths and wisdom while supporting and building protective factors.
Session 2
Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 11am PT / 2pm ET | REGISTER HERE!
Parent Spotlight
In February, PCLG launched their new “Let’s Talk About It” workshop series, one hour workshops where parents and caregivers are invited to ask their questions – and no question is too basic. Their first guest was a Children’s Mental Health Case Manager, who described what case managers do and answered many questions from participants on topics ranging from getting their child assessed to finding services. Next month, Erin Sunderland from the Minnesota Disability Law Center will join us on Tuesday, March 16th at 7pm to discuss the work they do and answer parents’ questions.
To learn more about PCLG’s “Let’s Talk About It” mini-workshop series contact Margaret Sullivan.
Children Mental Health Data Dashboard
- Overall youth well-being (education, supportive relationships, etc.)
- Families and communities (economics, housing, safety, etc.)
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
- Prevalence of mental health and substance use concerns
- Accessibility of mental health services/supports
- Service use and outcomes
The dashboard relies on information available through public sources and data provided by the County. We know that information is not readily available to address many of our most important questions – such as how many children and youth access community-based services? How do services align with cultural needs and values? Are children, youth, and parents satisfied with the quality of services received? What do children and youth most need that they do not receive? Over time, we plan on engaging our partners to improve the quality and completeness of the information available.
In addition to a full dashboard, we are expecting to release a number of products over the coming year. Watch for summaries or infographics that highlight key dashboard sections, or which dive deeper into historical trends or equity issues. We will also be providing quick data points for reflection and discussion in upcoming newsletters.
We are having or 2021 “Kick Off” meeting in early March, and plan on beginning to share key data later in the month.
System of Care Planning Updates & Opportunities for Engagement
The CMHC began planning efforts to implement a System of Care in Hennepin County using system of care values (family and youth centered children’s mental health services, prevention focused services, coordination across the CMH system, etc.).
Please consider joining one of our planning teams in 2021. Meeting dates and contacts are listed below, click on the names below for more information.
