Guest guest Posted February 25, 2008 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 1. OJJDP - Families Uplifted Prevention Initiative for At Risk Communities 2. Understanding Childhood MH Challenges - , NJ 3. Parents Do Have A Voice 4. HOOPIN to HELP Basketball Game- State Legislators vs. Fire Starters 5. NJPC Youth Justice Initiative and State Task Force Meeting 6. Juvenile suspects impairments won't impact charges. 7. Federal Government Needs to Improve Financing Structure for Child Abuse Prevention 8. Motivational and Client-centered Treatment in Mental Health and Substance Abuse 9. UMDMJ Learning to Leap 10. NEW Jersey Sets new Adoption Record. 11. New Jersey Immigration Policy Network 12. Special Needs Expo 13. Peer Specialist CE Webinar " What Peer Specialists Can Learn from the Coaching Movement " 14. Psychotropic Drugs and Children: A 2007 Update 15. SPAN's 20th Anniversary Conference " Strengthening Families, Building Communities " 16. Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity in Child Welfare 17. Department of Health and Senior Services: DHSS Announces Accomplishments in Strategic Plan to Eliminate Health Disparities. 18. Behavioral Program May Stabilize Stress Hormone Patterns in Children 19. Brain Matures a Few Years Late in ADHD, but Follows Normal Pattern 20. Preschoolers With Three or More Coexisting Disorders Show No Response to ADHD Medication Treatment 21. Memory-sustaining Enzyme May Help Treat PTSD, Cognitive Decline 22. A Meta-Analysis of Father Involvement in Parent Training. 23. Are Brothers and Sisters a Good Source of Support? 24. Best Practices for Increasing Meaningful Youth Participation in Collaborative Team Planning. 25. Parental Depression and Anxiety and Early Childhood Behavior Problems Across Family Types. 26. Complex Trauma in Children and Adolescents. 27. Cost Benefit Analysis of Interventions with Parents. 28. Community-Based Intervention for Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: An Efficacy Trial. 29. Prevention of Sexual Abuse Through Educational Programs Directed Toward Children. 30. National Survey Examines How Medicaid New Jersey Parents Caucus E-Resource & News January - February 2008 Issue Agencies Administer Mental Health Service. 31. OJJDP's E-mail Information Resource Youth Development Journal . 32. Autism Risk Higher in People with Gene Variant 33. Study Finds Youth Psychosis Predictable: 34. Youth Crime Prevention Conference To Address Drugs and Violence. 35. Ethnicity Predicts How Gene Variations Affect Response to Schizophrenia Medications. 36. Web Site Offers Drug Abuse Research Resources. 37. Study suggests some brain injuries reduce the likelihood of post traumatic stress disorder. 38. And the Journey Continues...Achieving Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Systems Serving Children 39. Patients Without Borders 40. NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE LAUNCHES PUBLIC SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR HISPANIC YOUTH ON THE LINK BETWEEN NON-INJECTION 41. NJPC Youth Justice Initiative 42. Gene Variants Protect Against Adult Depression Triggered by Childhood Stress. 43. FY 2008 President's Budget Request - Congressional Justification 44. Translational Approaches to Studying Repetitive Behavior and Resistance to Change in Autism 45. Music Therapy: Enhancing Community Access 46. Parent satisfaction-autism & education 47. STUDY SHOWS VARIETY OF APPROACHES HELP CHILDREN OVERCOME AUDITORY PROCESSING AND LANGUAGE PROBLEMS 48. Special kids organized recreation 49. DOES THE DESIRE FOR DRUGS BEGIN OUTSIDE AWARENESS? 50. Fact Sheets Describe Delinquency, Status, and Drug Offense Cases in Juvenile Courts 51. Reducing Maternal Depression and Its Impact on Young Children 52. Faster-Acting Medications for Bipolar Disorder's Manic Phase May Be Feasible 53. Research-based Principles May Help I prove Mental Health Recovery Following Mass Trauma. 54. Message from Commissioner 54. New Spanish Language Web Site on Neurological Disorders. 56. President's Budget Proposal Slashes Mental Health .. OJJDP - Families Uplifted Prevention Initiative for At Risk Communities Through NJPC's Families Uplifted Prevention Initiative, NJPC is offering the second FREE five-week Professional Parent Advocacy Training program to 36 parents, grandparents, foster parents, adoptive parents, and other caregivers raising children in at risk communities! Parents and caregivers attending the training are given the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of child-serving systems, their rights and responsibilities, and the advocacy, professional, and collaborative skills needed to successfully negotiate those systems. Parents will become better able to advocate for themselves and their communities, resulting in increased access to appropriate care and treatment for all children. NJPC trainings are approved by DYFS for foster, adoptive and kinship certification. The training is currently offered at Paterson Public School #10. The third Professional Parent Advocacy training is scheduled to begin on March 1 at the Hamilton Club, 32 Church Street, Paterson, 07505. To register, or for more information, please contact Todd at info@... or call 973- 989-8866. March 1 Introduction to Advocacy Empowering the Parent Voice: Motivation & Assertiveness Conflict Resolution Skills & The Power of Persuasion Empowering vs. Enabling March 8 Professionalism & Communication Skills Understanding Childhood Mental Health Challenges March 15 Navigating the Special Education System & the IEP Process Developing a Transitional Plan IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act NCLB - No Child Left Behind Act April 5 Understanding the Child Welfare System & Family Involvement in DYFS Strengthening the Juvenile Justice System through Family Involvement Cultural Competency & Diversity in the Child-Serving Community Collaborating with Agencies Dedicated to Children's Mental Health April 9- 7:00pm to 9:00pm The Role of Agencies Dedicated to Children's Mental Health: Professional Panel April 12 Empowering the Parent Trainer-Train the Trainer .. Understanding Childhood MH Challenges - , NJ The Union County Chapter of NJPC is offering its second workshop February 12 & 14, 2008, 6PM - 8PM, on Understanding Childhood MH Challenges. The workshop is free to parents and caregivers and provides them with an understanding of childhood mental health illnesses, brain development and diagnosis, childhood medications, and the DSM IV. Parents will become better able to advocate for their children and communities, resulting in increased access to appropriate care and treatment for children. NJPC trainings are approved by DYFS for foster, adoptive and kinship certification. The training will be held at the YMCA, 135 Madison Avenue, , NJ 07201. For more information, or to register please contact McConneyhead at 908-967-1824 or email at njpcunion@ aol.com. .. Parents Do Have A Voice Through NJPC's Families Uplifted Prevention Initiative, NJPC of Passaic County is offering a Peer Support Group for Families Raising Children in Paterson and the surrounding area - " Parent's Do Have A Voice. " The next meeting is February 25, 2008, 6:00 PM at the YWCA, 185 Carroll Street, Paterson, NJ 07501. Refreshments are served and Childcare is provided. Meetings are every other Monday at the YWCA. Parking is in the rear of building. For more information, contact Regana Bracey at 973-742-6114. .. HOOPIN to HELP Basketball Game- State Legislators vs. Fire Starters The Union County Chapter of NJPC is hosting a HOOPIN to HELP Basketball Game on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the Mickey Center, 800 Street, , NJ between 1PM and 5PM. The teams are the State Legislators of the 20th District & their Staff vs. the Fire Starters. The Eastwick Finest Steppers Marching Unit & Drum Corp are performing during Half Time. For more information, or to register please contact McConneyhead at 908-967-1824 or email her at njpcunion@.... 5. NJPC Youth Justice Initiative and State Task Force Meeting NJCP is collaborating with parents caregivers, organizations and other interested parties throughout the state to end the practice of trying, sentencing, and incarcerating children in the adult criminal justice system. Our next NJ youth task force meeting is schedule for March 5 at 10 AM at the NJPC of Esex County, World Impact Building, 275 Sussex Avenue, Newark, NJ. The parent of a child currently in the adult prision system will be in attendance to share her family's experience. In a recent report published by the CDC and led by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services, statistics show that youth previously tried as adults are on average, 34% more likely to commit crimes, 5 times as likely to be sexually assaulted and abused, make up 21% of all substantiated sexual violence and are 36 times more likely to commit suicide, in an adult 5 prison than in a juvenile facility. Existing data available from the National Center for Mental Health & Juvenile Justice suggests that a significant portion of youth involved in the juvenile justice system - anywhere from 65-100%- have a diagnosable mental health disorder which often goes undetected and untreated. It is our belief that through systemic change involving not only the incarceration of youth in the adult system, but the application of appropriate services and supports, youth, families and the state as a whole will benefit. As such, we are dedicated to advocating for families involved in this struggle. If you are a parent with a child, up to age 21, who is currently housed in the adult system, please contact Jerome Chestnut, Coordinator of Youth Justice Initiatives, at 973-989-8866. Through this initiative, we will be sharing information with the Juvenile Justice Commission of NJ to better serve the children and families of our state. To attend please contact Kathy Write at 973-989-8866 or kathyw@... 6. Juvenile suspects won't impact charges. According to Asbusy Park press, Prosecutors are not expected to take into consideration the alleged psychological impairments of juveniles when deciding whether to bump a juvenile to adult criminal court for more serious crimes, a state appellate panel ruled Thursday. The appellate decision stems from an appeal by Ernest J. Read III, who was charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to his role in stealing his father's gun, which he and a friend then used to rob a Hazlet gas station. Read was 17 when he committed the crime in 2001, and prosecutors moved to have him waived up to criminal court, where he was charged as an adult.http://www.app.com/apps/ pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/ NEWS01/801260370/1004/NEWS01 7. Federal Government Needs to Improve Financing Structure for Child Abuse Prevention A pair of complementary reports funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts have found that child abuse and neglect cost society $103.8 billion last year while the federal government inadequately funded programs and services known to be effective at reducing incidences of child abuse and neglect. The first report, Time for Reform: Investing in Prevention, Keeping Children Safe at Home (44 pages, PDF), was published by Kids Are Waiting. It found that the majority of dedicated federal funding for child welfare is currently reserved for placing and maintaining children in foster care and cannot be used for prevention or reunification services. The authors recommend that the federal government spend sufficient resources to help support services needed by at-risk children and families; reward states for safely reducing the number of children in foster care and achieving all forms of permanence; and make all abused and neglected children eligible for federal foster 6 care support. Prevent Child Abuse America published the second report, Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States (5 pages, PDF), which found that the cost of child abuse and neglect on society includes more than $33 billion in direct costs for foster care services, hospitalization, mental health treatment, and law enforcement. The loss of productivity and expenditures related to chronic health problems, special education, and the criminal justice system accounted for another $70 billion in indirect costs. " Taking children away from their families is a traumatic experience that will stay with them forever, " said Pew program officer Marci McCoy-Roth. " care should not be the only option available to keep children safe and help families in crisis. States and the federal government must work in partnership to prevent child abuse and neglect and ensure that all children have safe families. " http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/news/ story.jhtml?id=202400009 8. Motivational and Clientcentered Treatment in Mental Health and Substitute Abuse Wednesday, February 20 (daytime) - West Windsor - Princeton House Behavioral Health presents Motivational and Clientcentered Treatment in Mental Health and Substance Abuse, in collaboration with the RWJMS Division of Addiction Psychiatry, and the NJ Division of Addiction Services. Conference Center at Mercer County College. Contact Janine Bell. 609-497- 2605, jbell@.... 9. UMDMJ Learning to Leap Piscataway - Free - Learning to L.E.A.P.! A free workshop on Xavier Amador's approach to improving communication among family members and their loved one with mental illness. Professionals invited! Speaker: Schaich, Psy.D. UMDNJ-University Behavioral HealthCare, 151 Centennial Ave., Rooms B & G. 732- 235-6184. 0. NEW Jersey Sets new adoption record. New Jersey has set a new state record for the most foster children ever adopted in a single year. In 2007, we achieved adoption for 1,540 foster children. The previous record was set in 2004 when 1,418 foster children were adopted. Over the last two years, we have achieved adoptions for nearly 3,000 foster kids - a terrific accomplishment that gives each of those kids the forever family that every child needs and deserves. Charts on this new data can be found visiting this link: http:// nj.gov/dcf/home/childdata/outcome/index. html .. New Jersey Immigration Policy Network Although research shows that parent 7 involvement is one of the key predictors of a child's success in school, immigrant parents in the U.S. are often barred from participating in their children's education because they are unable to understand the language used to provide important information such as report cards and progress reports, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), class placement decisions, and other school notices. To combat this type of discrimination, several federal and state laws have been enacted. These laws, which are described in this booklet, require key materials to be translated into the family's home language and access to interpreters for events like meetings with teachers. However, a serious problem arises when districts are either unaware of these laws or elect not to comply with them-and parents don't know their rights. New Jersey Immigration Policy Network- 89 Market Street, 8th floor, Newark, 07102 | PHONE: (973) 621-0031 | FAX: (973) 621-2297 .. Special Needs Expo The Parent Resource Center of the Riskin Children's Center, Jewish Family Services is proud to invite you to attend our Special Needs Resource Expo on February 10, 2008. The Parent Resource Center provides services to special needs families in northern NJ. We have a library where parents can take out books in a variety of areas. We are a SPAN provider and present workshops and lectures related to all areas of special needs. We have activities for families, and are connected with The Epilepsy Foundation's Family Resource Network. We are hosting this Resource Expo as a way to showcase a variety of services and equipment related to the special needs community. We are inviting you to participate as an exhibitor to share what you have to offer. The deadline for registration is January 15, 2008. We are asking that you pay a nominal fee of $25. Register by email at elistein@.... .. Peer Specialist CE Webinar " What Peer Specialists Can Learn from the Coaching Movement " Training Opportunities: Register Now for Next Peer Specialist CE Webinar " What Peer Specialists Can Learn from the Coaching Movement " - Tuesday, February 12, 2008 2:00-3:30 p.m. (CST) The newly-emerging profession of personal/ life/success coaching has many parallels to peer specialists' work. Peer specialists and personal coaches help support others in articulating specific personal goals and taking steps toward those goals. Both foster hope, personal responsibility and self-determination in those they serve. And both seek to create enthusiasm and a " can-do " spirit within others. Step outside the traditional mental health arena in this course to see what the coaching profession can teach you.Continuing Education (CE) credits are available to all course participants who successfully complete the post-course examination. Register now for this live webinar. For more information, visit www.DBSAlliance.org/events_PeerSpecialistCEprogram. .. Psychotropic Drugs and Children: A 007 Update The freshly revised Fact Sheet on Psycho8 tropic Drugs is ready for you now! The most recent facts and information have been assembled to keep you on top of this everchanging subject. Replace your old copy by clicking here: http://www.healthinschools.org/ News+Room/Fact+Sheets/Psychotropic. aspx 5. SPAN's 0th Anniversary Conference " Strengthening Families, Building Communities " Will take place on Saturday, March 1st, 2008, at the Sheraton of Eatontown (Route35) spannj.org 6. Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity Federal call for reform to reduce high number of African American children in foster care On Dec. 5, the Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity in Child Welfare held a Capitol Hill briefing on disproportionality for Congressional members and staff. Leaders and advocates voiced their support for reforms recommended in a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released in July. The GAO's 81-page report examined the overrepresentation of African American children in foster care. www.casey.org 7. Department of Health and Senior Services: DHSS Announces Accomplishments in Strategic Plan to Eliminate Health Disparities. Nine months after launching the state's first strategic plan to eliminate health disparities among minority populations, Health and Senior Services Commissioner Fred M. s, M.D., J.D., outlined the marked accomplishments statewide, including the mandatory collection of racial and ethnic data, improving access to care, and providing help in overcoming language differences. Those available to participate should obtain the permission of their supervisors. Once you have permission, please call to match with a site, complete the Pre-Registration Form and fax a copy to both NJDA as noted on the form and to my office at 609-588-7942 attention Sherman. You may also email your name and contact information with site request to Sherman (. J.Sherman@... ). Our deadline for this information is January 11th. A meeting will be scheduled this year to discuss the GKAS day activities and what will be required of volunteers with details to follow. Please email or call either Dr. Stanley at 609-588-7140 or Dr. Clifford Green at 609-588-7760 should you have any questions. 8. Behavioral Program May Stabilize Stress Hormone Patterns in Children An intervention designed to enhance family interaction and improve fos9 ter parenting skills may benefit young foster children who had experienced extreme neglect or maltreatment in early life. The intervention stabilizes the children's daily patterns of cortisol, one of several hormones controlled by the stress management system called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. www.nimh.nih.gov 9. Brain Matures a Few Years Late in ADHD, but Follows Normal Pattern In youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the brain matures in a normal pattern but is delayed three years in some regions, on average, compared to youth without the disorder, an imaging study by researchers at NIMH has revealed. The delay in ADHD was most prominent in regions at the front of the brain's outer mantle (cortex), important for the ability to control thinking, attention and planning. Read NIMH press release. www.nimh.nih.gov 0. Preschoolers With Three or More Coexisting Disorders Show No Response to ADHD Medication Treatment Preschoolers who are diagnosed with ADHD are not likely to respond to treatment with the stimulant methylphenidate, regardless of dosage, if they also have three or more coexisting disorders, according to a recent analysis of data from the NIMH-funded Preschoolers with ADHD Treatment Study (PATS). Read NIMH press release. www.nimh.nih. gov .. Memory-sustaining Enzyme May Help Treat PTSD, Cognitive Decline Chemically blocking an enzyme in a specific area in the brain's cortex, or outer mantle, erased a long-term memory of an aversive event that rats had learned, an NIMH-funded has found. The erasing occurred even if the blocking agent was administered weeks after the event and appeared to be permanent. This and related discoveries suggest that the enzyme, known as PKMzeta, may be required for sustaining memories throughout the brain. www.nimh.nih.gov .. A Meta-Analysis of Father Involvement in Parent Training. This analysis investigate (a) whether including fathers in parent training enhances outcomes and ( whether mothers and fathers benefit equally from parent training. www.childwelfare.gov .. Are Brothers and Sisters a Good Source of Support? Published: 2007 This longitudinal study investigated the effects of positive sibling relationships on the mental health of children who ex0 perience stressful life events.ttp://www. rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/dt151.pdf .. Best Practices for Increasing Meaningful Youth Participation in Collaborative Team Planning. Human service and educational agencies and systems often convene teams to work collaboratively on plans for serving children or youth. This is particularly true for ...http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/pb- AMPYouthParticipation.pdf 5. Parental Depression and Anxiety and Early Childhood Behavior Problems Across Family Types. Using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, we examine the association between parental major depressive and generalized anxiety disorders and child behavior problems across www.childwelfare. gov 6. Complex Trauma in Children and Adolescents. This article provides a core background for understanding the psychological and physiological effects of multiple traumatic stress experiences on the developing brain. Steps for assessment http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/fpW0702. pdf 7. Cost Benefit Analysis of Interventions with Parents. This report reviews existing research and policy evidence on the effectiveness of parenting interventions on improving child outcomes. The review included 144 articles that focused ...http://www.dcsf. gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSFRW008. pdf 8. Community-Based Intervention for Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: An Ef- ficacy Trial. A community-based intervention program was tested with 181 children ages 6-12 and their mothers exposed to intimate partner violence during the past year. A sequential ... PDF: http:// www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/CV170.pdf 9. Prevention of Sexual Abuse Through Educational Programs Directed Toward Children. This paper responds to criticism of sexual abuse prevention programs directed towards children. It begins by identifying the conceptual and empirical criticisms that argue the ...PDF: http://www.unh. edu/ccrc/pdf/CV170.pdf 0. National Survey Examines How Medicaid Agencies Administer Mental Health Service. State Medicaid Agencies Take Varying Approaches in Administration of Mental Health Services A new report released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Mental Health Services provides a state-by-state analysis of how Medicaid agencies are exercising their responsibilities for mental health services. Administration of Mental Health Services by Medicaid Agencies combines the results of a series of hour-long telephone interviews conducted in 2005- 2006 with State Medicaid directors in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report explores how state Medicaid agencies are addressing the organization, funding, policy, management and data issues that arise from increased responsibility for mental health services. www. samhsa.gov .. OJJDP's E-mail Information Resource Youth Development Journal . Now Online the latest issue of the " Journal of Youth Development: Bridging Research and Practice, " published by the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, is now online. To access the current issue, visit http:// www.nae4ha.org/directory/jyd/index.html. .. Autism Risk Higher in People with Gene Variant January 10, 2008Autism Risk Higher in People with Gene Variant: Difference in Gene Appears to Pose More Risk When Inherited from Mothers. Scientists have found a variation in a gene that may raise the risk of developing autism, especially when the variant is inherited from mothers rather than fathers. The research was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health. The gene variant does not mean that a child will inevitably develop autism. It means that a child may be more vulnerable to developing the disease than are children without the variation. http:// www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/autism- risk-higher-in-people-with-gene-variant. shtml .. Study Finds Youth Psychosis Predictable: In an article published in this month's issue of the journal Archives of General Psychiatry, scientists funded by the National Institute of Mental Health said youths who are going to develop serious mental illness can be identified before their illness becomes full-blown if they have certain risk factors. http://www.healthinschools.org .. Youth Crime Prevention Conference To Address Drugs and Violence. On March 26-29, 2008, in Miami, FL, Youth Crime Watch of America will hold the 19th National Youth Crime Prevention Conference and International Forum. Designed for youth 12-22 and the adults who work with them, the conference will address such topics as crime, drug, and violence prevention. As customary, youth participants will play a significant role. To access further information, including a registration form, visit the conference Web site at http://www.ycwa.org/youthcon/index. html. Questions may be addressed to conferences @ycwa.org or 305-670-2409. 5. Ethnicity Predicts How Gene Variations Affect Response to Schizophrenia Medications. Different variations in the same gene in- fluence how well different ethnic groups, and people within the same ethnic group, respond to various antipsychotic medications, report NIMH-funded researchers. If confirmed, their findings could one day help clinicians predict which medication is most likely to help a patient, based on his or her genetic makeup. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/sciencenews/ 2008/ethnicity-predicts-how-genevariations- affect-response-to-schizophrenia- medications.shtml 6. Web Site Offers Drug Abuse Research Resources. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has launched a Web site to serve researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The NIDA Networking Project site facilitates information sharing and research collaboration among those concerned with drug abuse through access to locations, people, expertise, and resources from NIDA's research networks. To access the NIDA Networking Project Web site, visit http://nnp.drugabuse.gov/. 7. Study suggests some brain injuries reduce the likelihood of post traumatic stress disorder. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has just released two data products from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS). Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS- and the Longitudinal 9-Month-Preschool Restricted-Use Data File and Electronic Codebook. This CD-ROM contains an electronic codebook (ECB), a restricted-use data file, and survey and ECB documentation for the first, second and third waves of data collection for the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS-. It also contains the Reading Aloud Profile-- Together supplemental data file. For information, please visit: http://nces.ed.gov/ pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2008034 8. And the Journey Continues... Achieving Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Systems Serving Children A new resource from the National Center for Cultural Competence at the town University Center for Child and Human Development (UCEDD): http://www. gucchdgeorgetown.net/NCCC/journey/. Those who strive to " own " cultural and linguistic competence and to live it are on a journey. The seeking, the learning, and the changing sustained over time are the essence of the journey. The NCCC supports organizations and individuals wherever they are along the journey, and helps them to create a roadmap for the next leg of their trip. The NCCC invites you to take an excursion, learn about the experiences of others, and consider taking some of these innovative routes on your own journey. http://www.aucd.org 9. Patients Without Borders Corbett describes the difficulties children, youth, and adults in remote areas have in accessing health care services of all kinds. According to Corbett, " Long before the dentists and the doctors got there, before the nurses, the hygienists and X-ray techs came, before anyone had flicked on the portable mammography unit or sterilized the day's first set of surgical instruments, the people who needed them showed up to wait. It was 3 a.m. at the Wise County Fairgrounds in Virginia - Friday, July 20, 2007 - the start of a rainy Appalachian morning. Outside the gates, people lay in their trucks or in tents pitched along the grassy parking lot, waiting for their chance to have their medical needs treated at no charge - part of an annual three-day " expedition " led by a volunteer medical relief corps called Remote Area Medical. " To read the story in its entirety, please click on the link below: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/ magazine/18healthcare-t.html?ei=5088 & en=458a119b930bcadf & ex=135304 2000 & partner=rssnyt & emc=rss & pagew anted=print 0. NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE LAUNCHES PUBLIC SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR HISPANIC YOUTH ON THE LINK BETWEEN NON-INJECTION DRUGS AND HIV The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), marks World AIDS Day on December 1st with the launch of its new, national public service campaign to educate Hispanic teens on the link between non-injection drug use and HIV transmission. The campaign features an innovative television spot blending English and Spanish; a " Webisode " series that will launch soon on www.hiv. drugabuse.gov; outdoor, transit and print placements; community events and partnerships. .. NJPC Youth Justice Initiative NJPC is collaborating with organizations throughout the state, to end the practice of trying, sentencing and incarcerating children in the adult criminal justice system. Our Youth Justice Initiative serves parents and caregivers raising children with emotional and behavioral challenges who are incarcerated in an adult correctional facility. In a recent report published by the CDC and led by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services, statistics show that youth previously tried as adults are on average, 34% more likely to commit crimes, 5 times as likely to be sexually assaulted and abused, make up 21% of all substantiated sexual violence and are 36 times more likely to commit suicide, in an adult prison than in a juvenile facility. Existing data available from the National Center for Mental Health & Juvenile Justice suggests that a significant portion of youth involved in the juvenile justice system - anywhere from 65-100%- have a diagnosable mental health disorder which often goes undetected and untreated. It is our belief that through systemic change involving not only the incarceration of youth in the adult system, but the application of appropriate services and supports, youth, families and the state as a whole will benefit. As such, we are dedicated to advocating for families involved in this struggle. If you are a parent with a child, up to age 21, who is currently housed in the adult system, please contact Jerome Chestnut, Coordinator of Youth Justice Initiatives, at 973-989-8866. Through this initiative, we will be sharing information with the Juvenile Justice Commission of NJ to better serve the children and families of our state. .. Gene Variants Protect Against Adult Depression Triggered by Childhood Stress. Certain variations in a gene that helps regulate response to stress tend to protect adults who were abused in childhood from developing depression, according to new research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health. Adults who had been abused but didn't have the variations in the gene had twice the symptoms of moderate to severe depression, compared to those with the protective variations. " People's biological variations set the stage for how they respond to different environmental factors, like stress, that can lead to depression, " said NIMH Director R. Insel, M.D. " Knowing what those variations are eventually could help clinicians individualize care for their patients by predicting who may be at risk or suggesting more precise avenues for treatment. " http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science- news/2008/gene-variants-protectagainst- adult-depression-triggered-bychildhood- stress.shtml 5 .. FY 008 President's Budget Request - Congressional Justification Major changes by budget mechanism and/ or budget activity detail are briefly described. Note that there may be overlap between budget mechanism and activity detail and these highlights will not sum to the total change for the FY 2008 budget request for NIMH, which is $2.8 million more than the FY 2007 Estimate, for a total of $1,405.4 million. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/budget/ cj2008.pdf .. Translational Approaches to Studying Repetitive Behavior and Resistance to Change in Autism In September 2007, NIMH held a multidisciplinary workshop to identify major trends, gaps, and opportunities in clinical and basic research on repetitive behavior and resistance to change in autism. Autism is a neurobiological disorder with extreme heterogeneity in its behavioral presentation. The core symptoms of the disorder include markedly abnormal or impaired development in social interaction and communication. In addition, a third component of autism includes restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/ scientific-meetings/2007/translationalapproaches- to-studying-repetitive-behavior- and-resistance-to-change-in-autism/ summary.shtml 5. Music Therapy: Enhancing Community Access The New Jersey Association for Music Therapy invites you to attend a dinner and discussion Music Therapy: Enhancing Community Access. This event is sponsored by the MidAtlantic Region of the American Music Therapy Association. The disposition to enjoy music and music making is a gift afforded to everyone. The opportunity to participate in community music making for individuals with special needs seem to be few and far between. This event will introduce to you board-certified music therapists who work in many communities across New Jersey. These music therapists have many combined years of experience creating music experiences that are accessible for people of all ages and ability levels. We are also pleased to have Agoratus, advocate and " voice " of Family Voices of NJ as one of our speakers. Dr. Cheryl Delio, Director of the Arts and Quality of Life Research Center of Temple University, will also be joining us to speak about her work using music therapy with at-risk adolescentsWe hope that you will join us for the informative event. Registration is limited. Please reserve your space ASAP! www.MAR-AMTA.org. 6. Parent satisfaction-autism 6 & education a study Parents of children on the autism spectrum and the family's satisfaction with educational services. For more information, contact Ferraro at ferraroc@... or call her at (610)558-5577. The survey is also available online at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm =XArVOf346O3fxoH56HyiNQ_3d_3d 7. STUDY SHOWS VARIETY OF APPROACHES HELP CHILDREN OVERCOME AUDITORY PROCESSING AND LANGUAGE PROBLEMS For children who struggle to learn language, the choice between various interventions may matter less than the intensity and format of the intervention, a new study sponsored by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) suggests. The study, led by B. Gillam, Ph.D., of Utah State University is online in the February 2008 " Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research " . NIDCD is one of the National Institutes of Health. Reducing Maternal Depression and Its Impact on Young Children Maternal depression is a significant risk factor affecting the well-being and school readiness of young children. Low-income mothers of young children experience particularly high levels of depression, often in combination with other risk factors. This policy brief provides an overview of why it is so important to address maternal depression as a central part of the effort to ensure that ALL young children enter school ready to succeed.www.nccp.org. 8. Special kids organized recreation .. There will be a SKOR (Special Kids Organized Recreation) combination social skills and arts & crafts class for children at the Hamilton YMCA. For more information, contact Kathy Rhead at (609)581-9622 ext. 1114. 9. DOES THE DESIRE FOR DRUGS BEGIN OUTSIDE AWARENESS? Using a brain imaging technology called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), scientists have discovered that cocaine- related images trigger the emotional centers of the brains of patients addicted to drugs -- even when the subjects are unaware they've seen anything. The study, published Jan. 30 in the journal " PLoS One " , was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, led by Dr. Rose Childress and Dr. O'Brien, showed cocaine patients photos of drug-related cues 7 " Petitioned Status Offense Cases in Juvenile Courts, 2004 " is available at http:// ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/publications/PubAbstract. asp?pubi=243260. " Drug Offense Cases in Juvenile Courts, 1985-2004 " is available at http://ojjdp. ncjrs.gov/publications/PubAbstract. asp?pubi=243261. The OJJDP report " Juvenile Court Statistics 2003-2004 " is available at http:// ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/publications/PubAbstract. asp?pubi=240291. 5 . Reducing Maternal Depression and Its Impact on Young Children Maternal depression is a significant risk factor affecting the well-being and school readiness of young children. Low-income mothers of young children experience particularly high levels of depression, often in combination with other risk factors. This policy brief provides an overview of why it is so important to address maternal depression as a central part of the effort to ensure that ALL young children enter school ready to succeed.www.nccp.org. 5 . Faster-Acting Medications for Bipolar Disorder's Manic Phase May Be Feasible like crack pipes and chunks of cocaine. The images flashed by in just 33 milliseconds -- so quickly that the patients were not consciously aware of seeing them. Nonetheless, the unseen images stimulated activity in the limbic <http://www.nida.nih.gov/> system, a brain network involved in emotion and reward, which has been implicated in drug-seeking and craving <http://www.nida.nih.gov/> 50. Fact Sheets Describe Delinquency, Status, and Drug Offense Cases in Juvenile Courts The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has published the following 2-page fact sheets that draw on data from the OJJDP report " Juvenile Court Statistics 2003-2004. " * " Delinquency Cases in Juvenile Courts, 2004 " provides statistics on delinquency cases in U.S. juvenile courts between 1995 and 2004. * " Petitioned Status Offense Cases in Juvenile Courts, 2004 " reports on status offense cases processed in juvenile courts between 1995 and 2004. * " Drug Offense Cases in Juvenile Courts, 1985-2004 " offers data on drug offense cases handled in juvenile courts between 1985 and 2004. Resources: " Delinquency Cases in Juvenile Courts, 2004 " is available at http://ojjdp. ncjrs.gov/publications/PubAbstract. asp?pubi=243259. 8 Faster-Acting Medications for Bipolar Disorder's Manic Phase May Be Feasible http://nimhcpeaktst.nimh.nih.gov/sciencenews/ 2008/faster-acting-medicationsfor- bipolar-disorders-manic-phase-maybe- feasible.shtml 5 . Research-based Principles May Help Improve Mental Health Recovery Following Mass Trauma. Experts on trauma-related research and medical practices from around the world recently identified five principles to guide mental health care efforts immediately or shortly after a mass trauma, such as a natural disaster or terrorist attack. In a related commentary, NIMH scientist Farris Tuma, Sc.D., MHS, discusses how these principles may help determine effective mental health care for large numbers of people following an emergency, and how best to deliver it. The article and commentary were published in the Winter 2007 issue of Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/sciencenews/ 2008/research-based-principlesmay- help-improve-mental-health-recoveryfollowing- mass-trauma.shtml 5 . Message from Commissioner I write this afternoon to share with you that I am stepping down as commissioner of the Department of Children and Families at the end of February. Over the past 6 years, it has been my great privilege to serve New Jersey and partner with you to make a difference in the lives of children, youth and families. I am particularly grateful to Governor Jon Corzine for his friendship and trust, and most especially his deep and abiding commitment to the children and families we serve. He has been there time and again for us as we labored to give birth to real and lasting reform. That work is far from over and there is hard work ahead, but it has now taken hold in an unprecedented fashion, with record achievements in adoptions, new foster families, case load reductions, and expansions in new behavioral health services and new family success programs across the state. I have enormous confi- dence that the leadership team and staff at DCF will carry on the reform with community leaders with the same focus and skill they have exhibited repeatedly. 55. New Spanish Language Web Site on Neurological Disorders. Free, accurate information on many neurological disorders is now available on a new Spanish language website from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The website is available by clicking here or by visiting http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/. 9 56. President's Budget Proposal Slashes Mental Health The year 2009 has generated outrage on all sides, from states with revenue shortages to nonprofits working for lowincome populations. People with mental disabilities would suffer greatly if the President's proposals were enacted as presented. Community mental health services are hit hard and the Administration's campaign to cut Medicaid is reattached up. Congress is reacting, however. It's up to you and other mental health advocates to explain to Senators how the Administration's proposals would create hardships for individuals and families.and ultimately cost the nation more.Read the full Reporter with details on these issues at: http://www.bazelon.org/newsroom/reporter/ 2008/2-8-08PolicyReporter.htm Phone: 202-467-5730 Fax: 202-223-0409 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2008 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 Everyone - The Division of Prevention & Community Partnerships and the NJ Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect is developing a comprehensive Statewide Prevention Plan that is critical to Strengthening Families throughout New Jersey. This is a tremendous opportunity for Parents Voices to be heard and to provide input to an initiative that will directly impact their children and families. Please take the time to complete the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=j0gQ01X1_2fn7DhE0A3mcBQg_3d_3d. Organizational leaders should facilitate their families accessing the survey to ensure the inclusion of their voice in this very important endeavor. Copies of the survey can be downloaded at http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/prevention/survey.pdf, with questions 22 to 39 specific to parents and family members. As leaders in the family movement, each of us needs to commit to providing local opportunities within our communities to ensure that the survey results reflect the needs of the communities that we collectively serve. The Division will be posting a Spanish version of the survey this week at http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/prevention/. Copies of the completed surveys can be mailed to Michellana Jester, 44 Battle Street, 4th Fl, Cambridge, MA, 02138. In addition, the Division is hosting a series of public meetings to ensure that the plan is comprehensive, encompasses all voices, and provides a regional opportunity for a direct dialogue. At the meetings you will learn about the planning process, some of the early feedback from the survey tool and statewide prevention plans currently used in other states. Your comments and insights are imperative to the process, so please make every effort to attend one of the meetings in your area. To attend RSVP by e-mailing lewanna.jones@... or by phoning Lewanna at 609-984-0678. The Division will be posting the finalized regional locations this week at http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/prevention/. Regional Meetings Schedule (Locations to be finalized) Further details about these regional meetings will be posted on the DCF web site at http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/prevention/. Tuesday, February 26th (2:30-4:30pm & 6:30-8:30pm) Southern Regional Meeting for the following counties - Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem Thursday, February 28th (2:30-4:30pm & 6:30-8rec:30pm) Central Regional Meeting for the following counties - Burlington, Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth, Middlesex, Ocean, Somerset Tuesday, March 4th (2:30-4:30pm & 6:30-8:30pm) Northern Regional Meeting for the following counties - Bergen, Passaic, , Sussex, Warren Thursday, March 6th (2:30-4:30pm & 6:30-8:30pm) Metro Regional Meeting for the following counties - Essex, Hudson, Union Kathy Executive Director New Jersey Parents Caucus www.newjerseyparentscaucus.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living. info at nj causus > 1. OJJDP - Families Uplifted Prevention > Initiative for At Risk Communities > 2. Understanding Childhood MH Challenges > - , NJ > 3. Parents Do Have A Voice > 4. HOOPIN to HELP Basketball Game- State > Legislators vs. Fire Starters > 5. NJPC Youth Justice Initiative and State > Task Force Meeting > 6. Juvenile suspects impairments won't impact > charges. > 7. Federal Government Needs to Improve Financing > Structure for Child Abuse Prevention > 8. Motivational and Client-centered Treatment > in Mental Health and Substance Abuse > 9. UMDMJ Learning to Leap > 10. NEW Jersey Sets new Adoption Record. > 11. New Jersey Immigration Policy Network > 12. Special Needs Expo > 13. Peer Specialist CE Webinar " What Peer > Specialists Can Learn from the Coaching > Movement " > 14. Psychotropic Drugs and Children: A 2007 > Update > 15. SPAN's 20th Anniversary Conference > " Strengthening Families, Building Communities " > 16. Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity in > Child Welfare > 17. Department of Health and Senior Services: > DHSS Announces Accomplishments in > Strategic Plan to Eliminate Health Disparities. > 18. Behavioral Program May Stabilize Stress > Hormone Patterns in Children > 19. Brain Matures a Few Years Late in ADHD, > but Follows Normal Pattern > 20. Preschoolers With Three or More Coexisting > Disorders Show No Response to ADHD > Medication Treatment > 21. Memory-sustaining Enzyme May Help > Treat PTSD, Cognitive Decline > 22. A Meta-Analysis of Father Involvement in > Parent Training. > 23. Are Brothers and Sisters a Good Source > of Support? > 24. Best Practices for Increasing Meaningful > Youth Participation in Collaborative Team > Planning. > 25. Parental Depression and Anxiety and > Early Childhood Behavior Problems Across > Family Types. > 26. Complex Trauma in Children and Adolescents. > 27. Cost Benefit Analysis of Interventions > with Parents. > 28. Community-Based Intervention for Children > Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: > An Efficacy Trial. > 29. Prevention of Sexual Abuse Through Educational > Programs Directed Toward Children. > 30. National Survey Examines How Medicaid > New Jersey Parents Caucus > E-Resource & News > January - February 2008 Issue > Agencies Administer Mental Health Service. > 31. OJJDP's E-mail Information Resource > Youth Development Journal . > 32. Autism Risk Higher in People with Gene > Variant > 33. Study Finds Youth Psychosis Predictable: > 34. Youth Crime Prevention Conference To Address > Drugs and Violence. > 35. Ethnicity Predicts How Gene Variations > Affect Response to Schizophrenia Medications. > 36. Web Site Offers Drug Abuse Research > Resources. > 37. Study suggests some brain injuries reduce > the likelihood of post traumatic stress > disorder. > 38. And the Journey Continues...Achieving > Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Systems > Serving Children > 39. Patients Without Borders > 40. NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE > LAUNCHES PUBLIC SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR > HISPANIC YOUTH ON THE LINK BETWEEN > NON-INJECTION > 41. NJPC Youth Justice Initiative > 42. Gene Variants Protect Against Adult Depression > Triggered by Childhood Stress. > 43. FY 2008 President's Budget Request > - Congressional Justification > 44. Translational Approaches to Studying > Repetitive Behavior and Resistance to Change > in Autism > 45. Music Therapy: Enhancing Community Access > 46. Parent satisfaction-autism & education > 47. STUDY SHOWS VARIETY OF APPROACHES > HELP CHILDREN OVERCOME AUDITORY > PROCESSING AND LANGUAGE PROBLEMS > 48. Special kids organized recreation > 49. DOES THE DESIRE FOR DRUGS BEGIN > OUTSIDE AWARENESS? > 50. Fact Sheets Describe Delinquency, Status, > and Drug Offense Cases in Juvenile Courts > 51. Reducing Maternal Depression and Its > Impact on Young Children > 52. Faster-Acting Medications for Bipolar > Disorder's Manic Phase May Be Feasible > 53. Research-based Principles May Help I > prove Mental Health Recovery Following Mass > Trauma. > 54. Message from Commissioner > 54. New Spanish Language Web Site on Neurological > Disorders. > 56. President's Budget Proposal Slashes > Mental Health > . OJJDP - Families Uplifted > Prevention Initiative for At Risk > Communities > Through NJPC's Families Uplifted Prevention > Initiative, NJPC is offering the second > FREE five-week Professional Parent Advocacy > Training program to 36 parents, > grandparents, foster parents, adoptive > parents, and other caregivers raising > children in at risk communities! Parents > and caregivers attending the training are > given the opportunity to strengthen their > knowledge of child-serving systems, their > rights and responsibilities, and the advocacy, > professional, and collaborative skills > needed to successfully negotiate those > systems. Parents will become better able > to advocate for themselves and their communities, > resulting in increased access > to appropriate care and treatment for all > children. NJPC trainings are approved by > DYFS for foster, adoptive and kinship certification. > The training is currently offered > at Paterson Public School #10. > The third Professional Parent Advocacy > training is scheduled to begin on March 1 > at the Hamilton Club, 32 Church Street, > Paterson, 07505. To register, or for more > information, please contact Todd > at info@... or call 973- > 989-8866. > March 1 > Introduction to Advocacy > Empowering the Parent Voice: Motivation & > Assertiveness > Conflict Resolution Skills & The Power of > Persuasion > Empowering vs. Enabling > March 8 > Professionalism & Communication Skills > Understanding Childhood Mental Health > Challenges > March 15 > Navigating the Special Education System > & the IEP Process > Developing a Transitional Plan > IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education > Act > NCLB - No Child Left Behind Act > April 5 > Understanding the Child Welfare System & > Family Involvement in DYFS > Strengthening the Juvenile Justice System > through Family Involvement > Cultural Competency & Diversity in the > Child-Serving Community > Collaborating with Agencies Dedicated to > Children's Mental Health > April 9- 7:00pm to 9:00pm > The Role of Agencies Dedicated to Children's > Mental Health: Professional Panel > April 12 > Empowering the Parent Trainer-Train the > Trainer > . Understanding Childhood MH > Challenges - , NJ > The Union County Chapter of NJPC is offering > its second workshop February 12 & > 14, 2008, 6PM - 8PM, on Understanding > Childhood MH Challenges. The workshop > is free to parents and caregivers and provides > them with an understanding of childhood > mental health illnesses, brain development > and diagnosis, childhood medications, > and the DSM IV. Parents will become better > able to advocate for their children and > communities, resulting in increased access > to appropriate care and treatment for > children. NJPC trainings are approved by > DYFS for foster, adoptive and kinship certification. > The training will be held at the > YMCA, 135 Madison Avenue, , NJ > 07201. For more information, or to register > please contact McConneyhead at > 908-967-1824 or email at njpcunion@ > aol.com. > . Parents Do Have A Voice > Through NJPC's Families Uplifted Prevention > Initiative, NJPC of Passaic County is > offering a Peer Support Group for Families > Raising Children in Paterson and the > surrounding area - " Parent's Do Have A > Voice. " The next meeting is February 25, > 2008, 6:00 PM at the YWCA, 185 Carroll > Street, Paterson, NJ 07501. Refreshments > are served and Childcare is provided. > Meetings are every other Monday at the > YWCA. Parking is in the rear of building. For > more information, contact Regana Bracey > at 973-742-6114. > . HOOPIN to HELP Basketball > Game- State Legislators vs. > Fire Starters > The Union County Chapter of NJPC is hosting > a HOOPIN to HELP Basketball Game > on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the > Mickey Center, 800 Street, > , NJ between 1PM and 5PM. The > teams are the State Legislators of the > 20th District & their Staff vs. the > Fire Starters. The Eastwick Finest > Steppers Marching Unit & Drum Corp are > performing during Half Time. For more > information, or to register please contact > McConneyhead at 908-967-1824 > or email her at njpcunion@.... > 5. NJPC Youth Justice Initiative > and State Task Force Meeting > NJCP is collaborating with parents caregivers, > organizations and other interested > parties throughout the state to end the > practice of trying, sentencing, and incarcerating > children in the adult criminal justice > system. Our next NJ youth task force > meeting is schedule for March 5 at 10 AM > at the NJPC of Esex County, World Impact > Building, 275 Sussex Avenue, Newark, NJ. > The parent of a child currently in the adult > prision system will be in attendance to > share her family's experience. > In a recent report published by the CDC > and led by the Task Force on Community > Preventive Services, statistics show that > youth previously tried as adults are on > average, 34% more likely to commit crimes, > 5 times as likely to be sexually assaulted > and abused, make up 21% of all substantiated > sexual violence and are 36 times > more likely to commit suicide, in an adult > 5 > prison than in a juvenile facility. Existing > data available from the National Center for > Mental Health & Juvenile Justice suggests > that a significant portion of youth involved > in the juvenile justice system - anywhere > from 65-100%- have a diagnosable mental > health disorder which often goes undetected > and untreated. > It is our belief that through systemic > change involving not only the incarceration > of youth in the adult system, but the > application of appropriate services and > supports, youth, families and the state as > a whole will benefit. As such, we are dedicated > to advocating for families involved > in this struggle. If you are a parent with a > child, up to age 21, who is currently housed > in the adult system, please contact Jerome > Chestnut, Coordinator of Youth > Justice Initiatives, at 973-989-8866. > Through this initiative, we will be sharing > information with the Juvenile Justice Commission > of NJ to better serve the children > and families of our state. To attend please > contact Kathy Write at 973-989-8866 > or kathyw@... > 6. Juvenile suspects won't impact > charges. > According to Asbusy Park press, Prosecutors > are not expected to take into consideration > the alleged psychological impairments > of juveniles when deciding whether > to bump a juvenile to adult criminal court > for more serious crimes, a state appellate > panel ruled Thursday. > The appellate decision stems from an appeal > by Ernest J. Read III, who was charged > and subsequently pleaded guilty to his > role in stealing his father's gun, which he > and a friend then used to rob a Hazlet > gas station. Read was 17 when he committed > the crime in 2001, and prosecutors > moved to have him waived up > to criminal court, where he was charged > as an adult.http://www.app.com/apps/ > pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/ > NEWS01/801260370/1004/NEWS01 > 7. Federal Government Needs to > Improve Financing Structure for > Child Abuse Prevention > A pair of complementary reports funded > by the Pew Charitable Trusts have found > that child abuse and neglect cost society > $103.8 billion last year while the federal > government inadequately funded programs > and services known to be effective at reducing > incidences of child abuse and neglect. > The first report, Time for Reform: Investing > in Prevention, Keeping Children Safe at > Home (44 pages, PDF), was published by > Kids Are Waiting. It found that the majority > of dedicated federal funding for child > welfare is currently reserved for placing > and maintaining children in foster care and > cannot be used for prevention or reunification > services. The authors recommend that > the federal government spend sufficient resources > to help support services needed by > at-risk children and families; reward states > for safely reducing the number of children > in foster care and achieving all forms of > permanence; and make all abused and neglected > children eligible for federal foster > 6 > care support. > Prevent Child Abuse America published > the second report, Total Estimated Cost > of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United > States (5 pages, PDF), which found that > the cost of child abuse and neglect on > society includes more than $33 billion in > direct costs for foster care services, hospitalization, > mental health treatment, and > law enforcement. The loss of productivity > and expenditures related to chronic health > problems, special education, and the criminal > justice system accounted for another > $70 billion in indirect costs. > " Taking children away from their families is > a traumatic experience that will stay with > them forever, " said Pew program officer > Marci McCoy-Roth. " care should > not be the only option available to keep children > safe and help families in crisis. States > and the federal government must work in > partnership to prevent child abuse and neglect > and ensure that all children have safe > families. " > http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/news/ > story.jhtml?id=202400009 > 8. Motivational and Clientcentered > Treatment in Mental > Health and Substitute Abuse > Wednesday, February 20 (daytime) - West > Windsor - Princeton House Behavioral > Health presents Motivational and Clientcentered > Treatment in Mental Health and > Substance Abuse, in collaboration with the > RWJMS Division of Addiction Psychiatry, > and the NJ Division of Addiction Services. > Conference Center at Mercer County > College. Contact Janine Bell. 609-497- > 2605, jbell@.... > 9. UMDMJ Learning to Leap > Piscataway - Free - Learning to L.E.A.P.! A > free workshop on Xavier Amador's approach > to improving communication among family > members and their loved one with mental > illness. Professionals invited! Speaker: > Schaich, Psy.D. UMDNJ-University > Behavioral HealthCare, 151 Centennial > Ave., Rooms B & G. 732- 235-6184. > 0. NEW Jersey Sets new > adoption record. > New Jersey has set a new state record for > the most foster children ever adopted in a > single year. In 2007, we achieved adoption > for 1,540 foster children. The previous > record was set in 2004 when 1,418 foster > children were adopted. Over the last > two years, we have achieved adoptions for > nearly 3,000 foster kids - a terrific accomplishment > that gives each of those > kids the forever family that every child > needs and deserves. Charts on this new > data can be found visiting this link: http:// > nj.gov/dcf/home/childdata/outcome/index. > html > . New Jersey Immigration > Policy Network > Although research shows that parent > 7 > involvement is one of the key predictors > of a child's success in school, immigrant > parents in the U.S. are often barred from > participating in their children's education > because they are unable to understand the > language used to provide important information > such as report cards and progress > reports, Individualized Education Programs > (IEPs), class placement decisions, and > other school notices. To combat this type > of discrimination, several federal and state > laws have been enacted. These laws, which > are described in this booklet, require key > materials to be translated into the family's > home language and access to interpreters > for events like meetings with teachers. > However, a serious problem arises when > districts are either unaware of these laws > or elect not to comply with them-and > parents don't know their rights. > New Jersey Immigration Policy Network- > 89 Market Street, 8th floor, Newark, > 07102 | PHONE: (973) 621-0031 | FAX: > (973) 621-2297 > . Special Needs Expo > The Parent Resource Center of the Riskin > Children's Center, Jewish Family Services > is proud to invite you to attend our Special > Needs Resource Expo on February 10, > 2008. The Parent Resource Center provides > services to special needs families > in northern NJ. We have a library where > parents can take out books in a variety of > areas. We are a SPAN provider and present > workshops and lectures related to all areas > of special needs. We have activities for > families, and are connected with The Epilepsy > Foundation's Family Resource Network. > We are hosting this Resource Expo > as a way to showcase a variety of services > and equipment related to the special needs > community. We are inviting you to participate > as an exhibitor to share what you > have to offer. The deadline for registration > is January 15, 2008. We are asking that > you pay a nominal fee of $25. Register by > email at elistein@.... > . Peer Specialist CE Webinar > " What Peer Specialists Can > Learn from the Coaching Movement " > Training Opportunities: Register Now for > Next Peer Specialist CE Webinar " What > Peer Specialists Can Learn from the Coaching > Movement " - Tuesday, February 12, > 2008 2:00-3:30 p.m. (CST) > The newly-emerging profession of personal/ > life/success coaching has many parallels > to peer specialists' work. Peer specialists > and personal coaches help support others > in articulating specific personal goals > and taking steps toward those goals. Both > foster hope, personal responsibility and > self-determination in those they serve. > And both seek to create enthusiasm and a > " can-do " spirit within others. Step outside > the traditional mental health arena in this > course to see what the coaching profession > can teach you.Continuing Education > (CE) credits are available to all course participants > who successfully complete the > post-course examination. Register now for > this live webinar. For more information, visit > www.DBSAlliance.org/events_PeerSpecialistCEprogram. > . Psychotropic Drugs and > Children: A 007 Update > The freshly revised Fact Sheet on Psycho8 > tropic Drugs is ready for you now! The most > recent facts and information have been > assembled to keep you on top of this everchanging > subject. Replace your old copy by > clicking here: > http://www.healthinschools.org/ > News+Room/Fact+Sheets/Psychotropic. > aspx > 5. SPAN's 0th Anniversary > Conference " Strengthening > Families, Building Communities " > Will take place on Saturday, March 1st, > 2008, at the Sheraton of Eatontown > (Route35) spannj.org > 6. Casey-CSSP Alliance for > Racial Equity > Federal call for reform to reduce high > number of African American children in > foster care On Dec. 5, the Casey-CSSP > Alliance for Racial Equity in Child Welfare > held a Capitol Hill briefing on disproportionality > for Congressional members > and staff. Leaders and advocates voiced > their support for reforms recommended > in a Government Accountability Office > (GAO) report released in July. The GAO's > 81-page report examined the overrepresentation > of African American children > in foster care. www.casey.org > 7. Department of Health and > Senior Services: DHSS Announces > Accomplishments in > Strategic Plan to Eliminate > Health Disparities. > Nine months after launching the state's > first strategic plan to eliminate health > disparities among minority populations, > Health and Senior Services Commissioner > Fred M. s, M.D., J.D., > outlined the marked accomplishments > statewide, including the mandatory > collection of racial and ethnic data, improving > access to care, and providing > help in overcoming language differences. > Those available to participate should > obtain the permission of their supervisors. > Once you have permission, please > call to match with a site, complete the > Pre-Registration Form and fax a copy to > both NJDA as noted on the form and to > my office at 609-588-7942 attention > Sherman. You may also email > your name and contact information with > site request to Sherman (. > J.Sherman@... ). Our > deadline for this information is January > 11th. A meeting will be scheduled this > year to discuss the GKAS day activities > and what will be required of volunteers > with details to follow. Please email or call > either Dr. Stanley at 609-588-7140 > or Dr. Clifford Green at 609-588-7760 > should you have any questions. > 8. Behavioral Program May > Stabilize Stress Hormone Patterns > in Children > An intervention designed to enhance > family interaction and improve fos9 > ter parenting skills may benefit young > foster children who had experienced > extreme neglect or maltreatment in > early life. The intervention stabilizes the > children's daily patterns of cortisol, one > of several hormones controlled by the > stress management system called the > hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) > axis. www.nimh.nih.gov > 9. Brain Matures a Few Years > Late in ADHD, but Follows Normal > Pattern > In youth with attention deficit hyperactivity > disorder (ADHD), the brain matures > in a normal pattern but is delayed > three years in some regions, on average, > compared to youth without the disorder, > an imaging study by researchers at > NIMH has revealed. The delay in ADHD > was most prominent in regions at the > front of the brain's outer mantle (cortex), > important for the ability to control > thinking, attention and planning. Read > NIMH press release. www.nimh.nih.gov > 0. Preschoolers With Three > or More Coexisting Disorders > Show No Response to ADHD > Medication Treatment > Preschoolers who are diagnosed with > ADHD are not likely to respond to treatment > with the stimulant methylphenidate, > regardless of dosage, if they also > have three or more coexisting disorders, > according to a recent analysis of data > from the NIMH-funded Preschoolers > with ADHD Treatment Study (PATS). > Read NIMH press release. www.nimh.nih. > gov > . Memory-sustaining Enzyme > May Help Treat PTSD, Cognitive > Decline > Chemically blocking an enzyme in a specific > area in the brain's cortex, or outer > mantle, erased a long-term memory of > an aversive event that rats had learned, > an NIMH-funded has found. The erasing > occurred even if the blocking agent > was administered weeks after the event > and appeared to be permanent. This and > related discoveries suggest that the > enzyme, known as PKMzeta, may be required > for sustaining memories throughout > the brain. www.nimh.nih.gov > . A Meta-Analysis of Father > Involvement in Parent Training. > This analysis investigate (a) whether > including fathers in parent training enhances > outcomes and ( whether mothers > and fathers benefit equally from > parent training. www.childwelfare.gov > . Are Brothers and Sisters a > Good Source of Support? > Published: 2007 > This longitudinal study investigated the > effects of positive sibling relationships > on the mental health of children who ex0 > perience stressful life events.ttp://www. > rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/dt151.pdf > . Best Practices for Increasing > Meaningful Youth Participation > in Collaborative Team Planning. > Human service and educational agencies > and systems often convene teams to > work collaboratively on plans for serving > children or youth. This is particularly > true for ...http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/pb- > AMPYouthParticipation.pdf > 5. Parental Depression and > Anxiety and Early Childhood Behavior > Problems Across Family > Types. > Using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing > Study, we examine the association > between parental major depressive and > generalized anxiety disorders and child > behavior problems across www.childwelfare. > gov > 6. Complex Trauma in Children > and Adolescents. > This article provides a core background > for understanding the psychological > and physiological effects of multiple > traumatic stress experiences on the > developing brain. Steps for assessment > http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/fpW0702. > pdf > 7. Cost Benefit Analysis of > Interventions with Parents. > This report reviews existing research > and policy evidence on the effectiveness > of parenting interventions on improving > child outcomes. The review included 144 > articles that focused ...http://www.dcsf. > gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSFRW008. > pdf > 8. Community-Based Intervention > for Children Exposed to > Intimate Partner Violence: An Ef- > ficacy Trial. > A community-based intervention program > was tested with 181 children > ages 6-12 and their mothers exposed > to intimate partner violence during the > past year. A sequential ... PDF: http:// > www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/CV170.pdf > 9. Prevention of Sexual Abuse > Through Educational Programs > Directed Toward Children. > This paper responds to criticism of sexual > abuse prevention programs directed > towards children. It begins by identifying > the conceptual and empirical criticisms > that argue the ...PDF: http://www.unh. > edu/ccrc/pdf/CV170.pdf > 0. National Survey Examines > How Medicaid Agencies Administer > Mental Health Service. > State Medicaid Agencies Take Varying > Approaches in Administration of Mental > Health Services > A new report released today by the Substance > Abuse and Mental Health Services > Administration's Center for Mental Health > Services provides a state-by-state analysis > of how Medicaid agencies are exercising > their responsibilities for mental health > services. Administration of Mental Health > Services by Medicaid Agencies combines > the results of a series of hour-long telephone > interviews conducted in 2005- > 2006 with State Medicaid directors in all > 50 states and the District of Columbia. > The report explores how state Medicaid > agencies are addressing the organization, > funding, policy, management and data issues > that arise from increased responsibility > for mental health services. www. > samhsa.gov > . OJJDP's E-mail Information > Resource Youth Development > Journal . > Now Online the latest issue of the " Journal > of Youth Development: Bridging Research > and Practice, " published by the National > Association of Extension 4-H Agents, is > now online. > To access the current issue, visit http:// > www.nae4ha.org/directory/jyd/index.html. > . Autism Risk Higher in People > with Gene Variant > January 10, 2008Autism Risk Higher > in People with Gene Variant: Difference > in Gene Appears to Pose More Risk When > Inherited from Mothers. Scientists have > found a variation in a gene that may raise > the risk of developing autism, especially > when the variant is inherited from mothers > rather than fathers. The research was > funded by the National Institute of Mental > Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes > of Health. The gene variant does not > mean that a child will inevitably develop > autism. It means that a child may be more > vulnerable to developing the disease than > are children without the variation. http:// > www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/autism- > risk-higher-in-people-with-gene-variant. > shtml > . Study Finds Youth Psychosis > Predictable: > In an article published in this month's issue > of the journal Archives of General Psychiatry, > scientists funded by the National > Institute of Mental Health said youths > who are going to develop serious mental > illness can be identified before their illness > becomes full-blown if they have certain risk > factors. http://www.healthinschools.org > . Youth Crime Prevention > Conference To Address Drugs > and Violence. > On March 26-29, 2008, in Miami, FL, > Youth Crime Watch of America will hold > the 19th National Youth Crime Prevention > Conference and International Forum. > Designed for youth 12-22 and the adults > who work with them, the conference will > address such topics as crime, drug, and > violence prevention. As customary, youth > participants will play a significant role. > To access further information, including a > registration form, visit the conference Web > site at http://www.ycwa.org/youthcon/index. > html. > Questions may be addressed to conferences > @ycwa.org or 305-670-2409. > 5. Ethnicity Predicts How > Gene Variations Affect Response > to Schizophrenia Medications. > Different variations in the same gene in- > fluence how well different ethnic groups, > and people within the same ethnic group, > respond to various antipsychotic medications, > report NIMH-funded researchers. > If confirmed, their findings could one > day help clinicians predict which medication > is most likely to help a patient, > based on his or her genetic makeup. > http://www.nimh.nih.gov/sciencenews/ > 2008/ethnicity-predicts-how-genevariations- > affect-response-to-schizophrenia- > medications.shtml > 6. Web Site Offers Drug Abuse > Research Resources. > The National Institute on Drug Abuse > (NIDA) has launched a Web site to serve > researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. > The NIDA Networking Project site facilitates > information sharing and research > collaboration among those concerned > with drug abuse through access to locations, > people, expertise, and resources > from NIDA's research networks. To access > the NIDA Networking Project Web > site, visit http://nnp.drugabuse.gov/. > 7. Study suggests some brain > injuries reduce the likelihood of > post traumatic stress disorder. > The National Center for Education Statistics > (NCES) has just released two data > products from the Early Childhood Longitudinal > Study (ECLS). Early Childhood > Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS- > and the Longitudinal 9-Month-Preschool > Restricted-Use Data File and Electronic > Codebook. This CD-ROM contains an electronic > codebook (ECB), a restricted-use > data file, and survey and ECB documentation > for the first, second and third waves > of data collection for the Early Childhood > Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS-. > It also contains the Reading Aloud Profile-- > Together supplemental data file. For information, > please visit: http://nces.ed.gov/ > pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2008034 > 8. And the Journey Continues... > Achieving Cultural and Linguistic > Competence in Systems > Serving Children > A new resource from the National Center > for Cultural Competence at the town > University Center for Child and Human > Development (UCEDD): http://www. > gucchdgeorgetown.net/NCCC/journey/. > Those who strive to " own " cultural and > linguistic competence and to live it are on > a journey. The seeking, the learning, and the > changing sustained over time are the essence > of the journey. The NCCC supports > organizations and individuals wherever > they are along the journey, and helps them > to create a roadmap for the next leg of > their trip. The NCCC invites you to take an > excursion, learn about the experiences of > others, and consider taking some of these > innovative routes on your own journey. > http://www.aucd.org > 9. Patients Without Borders > Corbett describes the difficulties > children, youth, and adults in remote > areas have in accessing health care services > of all kinds. According to Corbett, > " Long before the dentists and the doctors > got there, before the nurses, the > hygienists and X-ray techs came, before > anyone had flicked on the portable mammography > unit or sterilized the day's > first set of surgical instruments, the > people who needed them showed up to > wait. It was 3 a.m. at the Wise County > Fairgrounds in Virginia - Friday, July > 20, 2007 - the start of a rainy Appalachian > morning. Outside the gates, people > lay in their trucks or in tents pitched > along the grassy parking lot, waiting for > their chance to have their medical needs > treated at no charge - part of an annual > three-day " expedition " led by a volunteer > medical relief corps called Remote > Area Medical. " > To read the story in its entirety, please > click on the link below: > http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/ > magazine/18healthcare-t.html?ei=5088 > & en=458a119b930bcadf & ex=135304 > 2000 & partner=rssnyt & emc=rss & pagew > anted=print > 0. NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON > DRUG ABUSE LAUNCHES PUBLIC > SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR > HISPANIC YOUTH ON THE LINK BETWEEN NON-INJECTION > DRUGS AND HIV > The National Institute on Drug Abuse > (NIDA), part of the National Institutes > of Health (NIH), marks World AIDS Day > on December 1st with the launch of its > new, national public service campaign > to educate Hispanic teens on the link > between non-injection drug use and HIV > transmission. The campaign features > an innovative television spot blending > English and Spanish; a " Webisode " > series that will launch soon on www.hiv. > drugabuse.gov; outdoor, transit and print > placements; community events and > partnerships. > . NJPC Youth Justice Initiative > NJPC is collaborating with organizations > throughout the state, to end the practice > of trying, sentencing and incarcerating children > in the adult criminal justice system. > Our Youth Justice Initiative serves parents > and caregivers raising children with emotional > and behavioral challenges who are > incarcerated in an adult correctional facility. > In a recent report published by the CDC > and led by the Task Force on Community > Preventive Services, statistics show that > youth previously tried as adults are on > average, 34% more likely to commit crimes, > 5 times as likely to be sexually assaulted > and abused, make up 21% of all substantiated > sexual violence and are 36 times > more likely to commit suicide, in an adult > prison than in a juvenile facility. Existing > data available from the National Center for > Mental Health & Juvenile Justice suggests > that a significant portion of youth involved > in the juvenile justice system - anywhere > from 65-100%- have a diagnosable mental > health disorder which often goes undetected > and untreated. > It is our belief that through systemic > change involving not only the incarceration > of youth in the adult system, but the > application of appropriate services and > supports, youth, families and the state as > a whole will benefit. As such, we are dedicated > to advocating for families involved > in this struggle. If you are a parent with a > child, up to age 21, who is currently housed > in the adult system, please contact Jerome > Chestnut, Coordinator of Youth > Justice Initiatives, at 973-989-8866. > Through this initiative, we will be sharing > information with the Juvenile Justice Commission > of NJ to better serve the children > and families of our state. > . Gene Variants Protect > Against Adult Depression Triggered > by Childhood Stress. > Certain variations in a gene that helps regulate > response to stress tend to protect > adults who were abused in childhood from > developing depression, according to new research > funded by the National Institute of > Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National > Institutes of Health. Adults who had been > abused but didn't have the variations in the > gene had twice the symptoms of moderate > to severe depression, compared to those > with the protective variations. > " People's biological variations set the > stage for how they respond to different > environmental factors, like stress, that > can lead to depression, " said NIMH Director > R. Insel, M.D. " Knowing what > those variations are eventually could help > clinicians individualize care for their patients > by predicting who may be at risk > or suggesting more precise avenues for > treatment. " http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science- > news/2008/gene-variants-protectagainst- > adult-depression-triggered-bychildhood- > stress.shtml > 5 > . FY 008 President's Budget > Request - Congressional > Justification > Major changes by budget mechanism and/ > or budget activity detail are briefly described. > Note that there may be overlap > between budget mechanism and activity > detail and these highlights will not sum to > the total change for the FY 2008 budget > request for NIMH, which is $2.8 million > more than the FY 2007 Estimate, for a > total of $1,405.4 million. > http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/budget/ > cj2008.pdf > . Translational Approaches > to Studying Repetitive Behavior > and Resistance to Change in > Autism > In September 2007, NIMH held a multidisciplinary > workshop to identify major > trends, gaps, and opportunities in clinical > and basic research on repetitive behavior > and resistance to change in autism. > Autism is a neurobiological disorder with > extreme heterogeneity in its behavioral > presentation. The core symptoms of the > disorder include markedly abnormal or > impaired development in social interaction > and communication. In addition, a third > component of autism includes restricted, > repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of > behavior, interests, and activities. > http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/ > scientific-meetings/2007/translationalapproaches- > to-studying-repetitive-behavior- > and-resistance-to-change-in-autism/ > summary.shtml > 5. Music Therapy: Enhancing > Community Access > The New Jersey Association for Music > Therapy invites you to attend a dinner and > discussion Music Therapy: Enhancing Community > Access. This event is sponsored by > the MidAtlantic Region of the American > Music Therapy Association. The disposition > to enjoy music and music making is a gift > afforded to everyone. The opportunity to > participate in community > music making for individuals with special > needs seem to be few and far between. This > event will introduce to you board-certified > music therapists who work in many communities > across New Jersey. These music > therapists have many combined years of > experience creating music experiences > that are accessible for people of all ages > and ability levels. We are also pleased to > have Agoratus, advocate and " voice " > of > Family Voices of NJ as one of our speakers. > Dr. Cheryl Delio, Director of the Arts and > Quality of Life Research Center of Temple > University, will also be joining us to speak > about her work using music therapy with > at-risk adolescentsWe hope that you will > join us for the informative event. Registration > is limited. Please reserve your space > ASAP! www.MAR-AMTA.org. > 6. Parent satisfaction-autism > 6 > & education a study > Parents of children on the autism spectrum > and the family's satisfaction with > educational services. For more information, > contact > Ferraro at ferraroc@... or call > her at (610)558-5577. The > survey is also available online at: > http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm > =XArVOf346O3fxoH56HyiNQ_3d_3d > 7. STUDY SHOWS VARIETY > OF APPROACHES HELP CHILDREN > OVERCOME AUDITORY > PROCESSING AND LANGUAGE > PROBLEMS > For children who struggle to learn language, > the choice between various interventions > may matter less than the intensity > and format of the intervention, a new > study sponsored by the National Institute > on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders > (NIDCD) suggests. The study, led > by B. Gillam, Ph.D., of Utah State > University is online in the February 2008 > " Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing > Research " . NIDCD is one of the National > Institutes of Health. Reducing Maternal > Depression and Its Impact on Young Children > Maternal depression is a significant risk > factor affecting the well-being and school > readiness of young children. Low-income > mothers of young children experience particularly > high levels of depression, often in > combination with other risk factors. This > policy brief provides an overview of why it is > so important to address maternal depression > as a central part of the effort to ensure > that ALL young children enter school > ready to succeed.www.nccp.org. > 8. Special kids organized recreation > . > There will be a SKOR (Special Kids Organized > Recreation) combination > social skills and arts & crafts class for > children at the Hamilton > YMCA. For more information, contact > Kathy Rhead at (609)581-9622 ext. > 1114. > 9. DOES THE DESIRE FOR > DRUGS BEGIN OUTSIDE > AWARENESS? > Using a brain imaging technology called > functional magnetic resonance imaging > (fMRI), scientists have discovered that cocaine- > related images trigger the emotional > centers of the brains of patients addicted > to drugs -- even when the subjects are > unaware they've seen anything. The study, > published Jan. 30 in the journal " PLoS > One " , was funded by the National Institute > on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National > Institutes of Health (NIH). > A team of researchers at the University > of Pennsylvania, led by Dr. Rose Childress > and Dr. O'Brien, showed cocaine > patients photos of drug-related cues > 7 > " Petitioned Status Offense Cases in Juvenile > Courts, 2004 " is available at http:// > ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/publications/PubAbstract. > asp?pubi=243260. > " Drug Offense Cases in Juvenile Courts, > 1985-2004 " is available at http://ojjdp. > ncjrs.gov/publications/PubAbstract. > asp?pubi=243261. > The OJJDP report " Juvenile Court Statistics > 2003-2004 " is available at http:// > ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/publications/PubAbstract. > asp?pubi=240291. > 5 . Reducing Maternal Depression > and Its Impact on Young > Children > Maternal depression is a significant risk > factor affecting the well-being and school > readiness of young children. Low-income > mothers of young children experience particularly > high levels of depression, often in > combination with other risk factors. This > policy brief provides an overview of why it is > so important to address maternal depression > as a central part of the effort to ensure > that ALL young children enter school > ready to succeed.www.nccp.org. > 5 . Faster-Acting Medications > for Bipolar Disorder's Manic > Phase May Be Feasible > like crack pipes and chunks of cocaine. The > images flashed by in just 33 milliseconds > -- so quickly that the patients were not > consciously aware of seeing them. Nonetheless, > the unseen images stimulated > activity in the limbic > <http://www.nida.nih.gov/> system, a brain > network involved in emotion and reward, > which has been implicated in drug-seeking > and craving <http://www.nida.nih.gov/> > 50. Fact Sheets Describe Delinquency, > Status, and Drug Offense > Cases in Juvenile Courts > The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency > Prevention (OJJDP) has published > the following 2-page fact sheets that draw > on data from the OJJDP report " Juvenile > Court Statistics 2003-2004. " > * " Delinquency Cases in Juvenile Courts, > 2004 " provides statistics on delinquency > cases in U.S. juvenile courts between > 1995 and 2004. > * " Petitioned Status Offense Cases in > Juvenile Courts, 2004 " reports on status > offense cases processed in juvenile courts > between 1995 and 2004. > * " Drug Offense Cases in Juvenile Courts, > 1985-2004 " offers data on drug offense > cases handled in juvenile courts between > 1985 and 2004. > Resources: > " Delinquency Cases in Juvenile Courts, > 2004 " is available at http://ojjdp. > ncjrs.gov/publications/PubAbstract. > asp?pubi=243259. > 8 > Faster-Acting Medications for Bipolar > Disorder's Manic Phase May Be Feasible > http://nimhcpeaktst.nimh.nih.gov/sciencenews/ > 2008/faster-acting-medicationsfor- > bipolar-disorders-manic-phase-maybe- > feasible.shtml > 5 . Research-based Principles > May Help Improve Mental Health > Recovery Following Mass Trauma. > Experts on trauma-related research and > medical practices from around the world > recently identified five principles to guide > mental health care efforts immediately > or shortly after a mass trauma, such as > a natural disaster or terrorist attack. In > a related commentary, NIMH scientist > Farris Tuma, Sc.D., MHS, discusses how > these principles may help determine effective > mental health care for large numbers > of people following an emergency, and how > best to deliver it. The article and commentary > were published in the Winter 2007 > issue of Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological > Processes. > http://www.nimh.nih.gov/sciencenews/ > 2008/research-based-principlesmay- > help-improve-mental-health-recoveryfollowing- > mass-trauma.shtml > 5 . Message from Commissioner > > I write this afternoon to share with you > that I am stepping down as commissioner > of the Department of Children and Families > at the end of February. > Over the past 6 years, it has been my great > privilege to serve New Jersey and partner > with you to make a difference in the lives > of children, youth and families. I am particularly > grateful to Governor Jon Corzine > for his friendship and trust, and most > especially his deep and abiding commitment > to the children and families we serve. > He has been there time and again for us as > we labored to give birth to real and lasting > reform. That work is far from over and there > is hard work ahead, but it has now taken > hold in an unprecedented fashion, with record > achievements in adoptions, new foster > families, case load reductions, and > expansions in new behavioral health services > and new family success programs > across the state. I have enormous confi- > dence that the leadership team and staff > at DCF will carry on the reform with community > leaders with the same focus and > skill they have exhibited repeatedly. > 55. New Spanish Language Web > Site on Neurological Disorders. > Free, accurate information on many neurological > disorders is now available on a new > Spanish language website from the National > Institute of Neurological Disorders and > Stroke (NINDS), part of the National > Institutes of Health (NIH). The website is > available by clicking here > or by visiting http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/. > 9 > 56. President's Budget Proposal > Slashes Mental Health > The year 2009 has generated outrage > on all sides, from states with revenue > shortages to nonprofits working for lowincome > populations. People with mental > disabilities would suffer greatly if the > President's proposals were enacted as > presented. Community mental health > services are hit hard and the Administration's > campaign to cut Medicaid is reattached > up. Congress is reacting, however. > It's up to you and other mental health > advocates to explain to Senators how the > Administration's proposals would create > hardships for individuals and families.and > ultimately cost the nation more.Read the > full Reporter with details on these issues > at: http://www.bazelon.org/newsroom/reporter/ > 2008/2-8-08PolicyReporter.htm > Phone: 202-467-5730 > Fax: 202-223-0409 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.