CMHACY 2008 Workshops

Three sessions of concurrent 90-minute workshops covering many topics, with extensive attention to PEI. The eight focus tracks, illustrated on the table at the end of this section, are:

• Cultural Competence
• 0 – 5
• Family Driven
• Public Policy
• Youth Advocacy
• TAY
• Effective Practice
• Partnerships

Session A · 10:30 – noon, Thursday

A 1 - Strategies for Selecting Evidence-Based Practices for Prevention and Early Intervention

Lynne Marsenich, Senior Associate, California Institute for Mental Health

This workshop will provide an overview of prevention and early intervention definitions, using the framework developed by the Institute of Medicine, followed by an analysis of risk and protective factors for each of the priority populations in the State Department of Mental Health Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) guidelines. Participants learn how to use a risk and protective factors framework to identify evidence-based, culturally competent programs and practices.

A 2 – Daniel’s Place

Dave Leon and Emily James

Daniel’s place is a model for building community among young adults with serious mental illness. The drop-in center model provides innumerable opportunities for otherwise ostracized youth to come together to develop meaning and identity. This workshop will present a detailed, interactive description of the process of creating Daniel’s place and The Painted Brain, a young adult community magazine.

A 3 - Understanding Effective Services for Families

Pam Hawkins, California Institute for Mental Health, Child and Family Services Unit

This workshop will address for youth and family members the importance of being informed about the effectiveness of mental health care practices. Workshop participants will learn about the importance of an emphasis on effectiveness for all mental health care practices and will learn about starting a conversation with mental health care providers regarding the effectiveness of their own mental health care services.

A 4 - Prevention and Early Intervention: A Comprehensive Community Framework

Sam Chan, District Chief, Children, Youth, and Family Services Bureau, L.A. Co Dept. of Mental Health

Gwen Slattery, Parent Partner Coordinator, Star View Community Services Wrap Around Program, Long Beach

This workshop will explore the various evidence-based models that integrate multiple systems into a mental healthcare spectrum, with a focus on family-driven care and community integration. Strategies will be delineated to broaden community collaboration in planning and implementation, assisting counties, community-based organizations and providers. In addition, considering a chronic professional workforce shortage and the widening experience gaps, the need for concurrent and expanded investments in training and support for “natural helpers” who are indigenous to these communities are increasingly evident.

A 5 - In Our Own Words

Kristal McCoy, Communications Coordinator, The California Youth Connection

STOP! THINK! And LEARN!!! How foster youth’s opinions and life experiences can aide in creating permanent foster care solutions directly from current and former foster youth. This workshop will focus on the importance of foster youth education and engagement in the policy world.

A 6 - Infant Mental Health and Child Welfare

May Dozier, Amy E. du Pont Chair of Child Development, Dept of Psychology, University of Delaware

Carole Shauffer, Executive Director, Youth Law Center

This session presents a foster parent training program-the ABC intervention designed to address the special attachment needs of infants and young children who have been subject to trauma. Children residing in foster homes that have received training show improvements in attachment and biological and behavioral regulation. The intervention will be part of a pilot project to make child welfare services more responsive to the developmental needs of infants and young children.

A 7 - Working with Youth Who Challenge You Most: 1 Step Forward, 10 Steps Back

Lori Fryzel, Y.O.U.T.H. Training Project – Bay Area Academy/SFSU

Attend our energetic and interactive workshop facilitated by a skilled group of current and former foster youth! In our workshop you will have the opportunity to learn about behaviors that often criminalize youth and bewilder adults, as well as engage with other professionals in case planning and decision making while sharing resources with each other. This workshop will include a hands-on activity, digital stories, youth stories, youth developed best practices, evidence based practice, AND a raffle!!!

A 8 - Evaluating Program Outcomes

Todd Sosna, Senior Technical Assistance Advisor, California Institute for Mental Health

This workshop will provide a framework for evaluating program outcomes in usual care settings and provide illustrative examples from CIMH sponsored evidence-based practice projects. Workshop participants will learn how to develop concrete and practical strategies for evaluating their programs. The workshop is intended for agency administrators and managers, but may be of interest to youth, family members, and practitioners.

A 9 - PIP, EMHI and PEI

Spence Rundberg, EMHI Technical Assistance Consultant, California DMH, Benicia USD

Karen Zuk, EMHI Technical Assistance Consultant, Calif DMH, Chino Valley Unified School District

Mike Newlin, Evaluation Director Duerr Evaluation Resources

The Primary Intervention Program (PIP) model has been implemented through cooperative efforts of the DMH and California public schools since 1982, and through the Early Mental Health Initiative since 1992. It is now included in recommendations as a potential model for implementation under Prevention and Early Intervention. We’ll review this cost-effective model of implementation, its research underpinnings, evaluation results and potential applications under MHSA.

A 10 - How DPSS Partners with Mental Health & other Community Partners Through the Annie E. Casey Family to Family Team Decision Making process

Juana Hoevertsz, Riverside County Dept. of Public Social Services

Greg Dinsmore, Riverside County Dept. of Mental Health Agency

Agency collaboration and partnering with local community partners through the Team Decision Making process has helped keep children in their homes has reduced children being detained by CPS, foster placement failures and the number of times a child is moved. This workshop will highlight the Annie E. Casey Family to Family program and how it has assisting child welfare agencies rethink how they serve children and families.

A 11 –Service Area Navigation Teams: Promoting Community Partnerships and Access to Mental Health Services

Kara Taguchi, Mental Health Clinical Program Head, LA County DMH

Debbie Innes-Gomberg, Mental Health Clinical District Chief , LA County- DMH

Funded through the Mental Health Services Act- Community Services and Supports Plan, Navigation teams are located in each of Los Angeles County’s 8 Service Planning Areas. Teams outreach, engage and navigate families and individuals of all ages to the most appropriate mental health services as well as enhance local provider networks to enhance continuity of care.

A 12 - Different Locks – One Key

Keith Johnson

Our children are faced with issues of past pains and current paralysis and are unable or unwilling to take positive steps to improve the status of their lives. Participants will gain and understanding of the mindset of today’s children, and learn new skills needed to move kids from past pain to power. Participants will participate in role-playing exercises and hand on exercises.

Session B · 1:15 – 2:45 pm, Thursday

B 1 - Culturally & Spiritually-Centered Collaboration among Latino Mental Health Populations

Randall A. Ramírez, Head of Direct Services, Rebekah Children’s Services, Gilroy

Jaime Galindo, Psychologist / Clinical Program Manager, Rebekah Children’s Services

Rosalva Vargas, Bilingual Therapist, Rebekah Children’s Services

Presenters describe effective methods of treatment, community engagement, and collaboration that mental health practitioners can utilize when serving Latino youth and families. Interventions focus on addressing acculturation stress, strengthening the family unit, and transfer of culture. An ecological approach involving natural peer leaders, elders, and spiritual guides will be discussed.

B 2 - Response Ability Pathways [RAP]

Larry Brendtro

Children show pain-based behavior when their needs are unmet. Reactive behavior management only fuels conflict and coercion. Adults need the ability to respond to needs rather than react to problems. Response Ability Pathways or RAP draws from emerging research about resilience, the brain, and positive psychology. RAP teaches practical strategies to connect with challenging youth, clarify problems, and restore bonds of respect. This session presents key principles of RAP interventions.

B 3 - Family Participation in the Mental Health Services Act

Kristi Williams, Parent Involvement Coordinator, Families First Inc

Deborah Ellis, Parent Partner, Families First Inc, Fresno

Family Partnership Council of California & Families First Inc.have shown that family participation is critical for success! Participants will receive a brief historical overview of the Mental Health Services Act, learn about the progress on the components, and gain concrete ideas for collaboration with counties and the state for continued transformation and success of the mental health system.

B 4 - Workforce Development: Family Members and Parent Partners ~ Re-Tool for Transformation.

Warren Hayes, Chief of Workforce Education and Training, State Department of Mental Health

Debbie Van Dunk, Advocacy Program Coordinator and Trainer, United Advocates for Children and Families

Vickie Mendoza, Parent Partner, Merced Aspira Wrap Around Services

This workshop will focus on equipping family members, both existing and prospective, to work in the mental healthcare system. Strategies will be shared to recruit, hire, train and support parent partners in county and community-based organization environments. Information will be provided on how the State and County Offices can use MHSA (Prop 63) funds to transform the workforce by providing effective tools and strategies that both meet the demands of family members as employees and addresses some of the major personnel and policy issues anticipated as the workforce transitions.

B 5 - The MHSA’s Prevention and Early Intervention Component: The First Wave of Implementation

Emily Nahat, Chief, PEI Section, California Department of Mental Health

Michelle Lawson, Staff Mental Health Specialist, PEI Section, Calif Dept of Mental Health

The MHSA Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) component provides an exciting opportunity to build resiliency in children and youth and identify and intervene at the earliest stages of emotional issues or mental illness. This workshop will provide an overview of PEI Guidelines, progress and next steps emphasizing children and youth.

B 6 - Promoting Well-being Through Partnerships

Cindy Sutcliffe, Program Manager, Humboldt Dept of Health & Human Services, Social Services Branch, Child Welfare Division

Chere Kane, Mental Health Clinician, Humboldt Department of Health & Human Services, Mental Health Branch, Alcohol and Other Drugs Programs, Healthy Moms

Annie Howell, Public Health Nurse, Humboldt Dept of Health & Human Services, Public Health Branch

FRC Staff

Promoting safety, stability and well-being for children and families drives Humboldt’s evidence-based practice movement, beginning with the implementation of Incredible Years (IY) in 2004. Experienced IY Facilitators partnered recently with Family Resource Center staff to move IY out into Humboldt County’s rural communities. Learn how they did it.

B 8 - Placer County Crisis Resolution Center - A Collaboration Preventing Youth from Entering the Probation, Child Welfare, and Mental Health Systems

Michael Lombardo, Assistant Director, Placer County Children’s System of Care

Bill Ryland, Group Home Administrator, Koinonia Family Services

Koinonia Family Services and the County of Placer are collaborating in a team effort to prevent youth from entering into the Probation, Child Welfare, and Mental Health systems. Since 2002, Placer County Probation and Children System’s of Care have offered short term residential and community based family services to assist youth and their families.

The Crisis Resolution Center was established in 2002 through funding from the Placer County Probation Department’s Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act allocation. This funding established multiple agency collaboration between Koinonia Family Services, Placer County Probation Department, and Placer County Children’s System of Care. The goal of this collaboration was to prevent youth from entering into the Juvenile Justice System. To most effectively achieve this goal the Probation Dept began this collaboration.

B 9 - Evaluating Wraparound Services: Collaborative Strategies, Suggestions & Examples

Karyn Dresser - Director of Research and Program Practices

Ontson Placide - Administrator, TEAMMATES, Star View Community Services

Sandy Villano - Director of Parent Partners, TEAMMATES, Star View Community Services

Michael Rauso - Division Chief, Wraparound Services, Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services

This presentation is about conducting collaborative evaluations of wraparound services, based on national and LA county best practice standards. While the content is particularly focused on wraparound, the principles and practices are sufficiently generic to be of interest to any governmental entity or service provider accountable for demonstrating program results

B 10 – Building the Capacity and Infrastructure of Family Strengthening Organizations

Conni Wells and Gayle Wiler, United Advocates for Children and Families National Center for Organizational Development and Sustainability

Organizations across the nation face challenges as funds become insufficient, service demands increase, and the pressure to serve expanding roles and responsibilities to a diverse and changing population. The family strengthening organization will need to take a critical look at its capacity and needs, and develop a targeted path to ensure its longevity. This session promotes a healthy organizational infrastructure and builds the capacity of leaders to create environments that contribute to their mission, vision, and overall sustainability.

B 11 - Mental Health & Early Childhood Education: “Strengthening the Bridge to School Readiness through Partnership”

Jan Jacobsen, Director of Prevention and Early Intervention Programs, San Diego Center for Children

Rebecca Speer, District Counselor, San Diego Center for Children

Early education and mental health should be inseparable partners when working with challenging children ages 0-5 and their families. Evidence shows mental health consultation, “working hand-in-hand with education”, reduces the risks of expulsion. This workshop will exam ways to fully involve teacher/caregivers, along with family; treat children at the “point of performance” ; reach out to potential partners; train and provide consultation liaison services; and strengthen mental health services to young children within schools/childcare.

B 12 - The Magill Project: A multidimensional approach to Wellness using collaborations between health professionals in high school environments.

Scott Plymale, Edgewood Center for Children and Families

The Magill Project partners with schools to create a culture of multidimensional wellness to foster adolescent well-being by building capacities and utilizing the strengths of students, families and their communities. The goal is to support schools in creating an environment that supports a holistic approach to wellness including: emotional; social; physical; intellectual; occupational; and spiritual well-being.

Session C · 3:00 – 4:30 pm, Thursday

C 1 - Promoting Wellbeing Through Prevention Programs: From ethnic specific best practices to multiethnic strategies

C. Rocco Cheng, Corporate Director of Prevention and Early Intervention Services Pacific Clinics, Other panelists invited.

Moderator: Jim Preis, Executive Director, Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc.

As the planning process gears up for the Prevention and Early Intervention component of the MHSA, the importance of adequately developing true prevention programs in the face of the compelling need for early intervention and other treatment services has become the topic of heated discussion. This panel will explore this issue in light of the challenges of the existing state PEI guidelines. Particular focus will be placed on prevention practices that have worked in diverse ethnic communities (Asian, Latino, and other groups) and will also address prevention strategies that will be needed in multi-ethnic communities.

C 2 - What Dr Phil (and others) Should Not Have Said About Britney Spears: Youth perspectives on Privacy Violations and Protecting the Dignity of Mental Health Consumers.

Youth In Mind members

In this workshop youth consumers will analyze the recent media hailstorm about the mental health of young celebrities and use this analysis as a jumping off point to better understand the importance of privacy protection. Youth will share the successes and struggles of their (mental health) “coming out” process and make recommendations on how mental health clinicians, families and friends can support and help to de-stigmatize youth consumers.

C 3 - Family Driven Care What’s it really about?

Deborah Baucox, Parent Involvement Coordinator, Eastfield-Ming Quong Children and Family Services

Laura Champion, Santa Clara County Division Director, EMQ Children and Family Services. We’ve all heard a lot about Family Driven Care through WrapAround programs and in MHSA planning, but what does it all mean in a residential or out patient program? The presenters will provide concrete examples on how to measure Family Driven Care and how to integrate into a continuum of care.

C 4 - Understanding the Potential of Family Strengthening Organizations for the Transformation of the Mental Health System

Arnulfo Medina, California Family Resource Association

Prevention efforts in the MHSA/PEI guidelines for the transformation of California’s mental health system are described as needing to be “integrated, accessible, culturally competent, strengths-based, effective, and that target investments with the aim of avoiding costs (in human suffering and resources) for treatment services”. This workshop describes the efforts that four Family Strengthening Organizations undertook to develop action plans that describe implementation strategies for sustainable, prevention and community-based mental health services for children and families utilizing a Family Strengthening approach.

C 7 - Programs for Early Intervention in Psychosis

Shelley Levin, Telecare Corporation,

Stephen Wilson, Telecare Corporation

The peak period for onset of psychotic disorders, between ages 15-25, is also the time when individuals develop their personal identity and critical life skills. With the passage of the Mental Health Services Act, California has the opportunity to demonstrate how these programs can improve the outcomes for these individuals and spur systems change towards a comprehensive recovery focus.

C 8 - Families as Partners in Service Delivery, Not Service Recipients

Morgen Humes, Seneca Center

The workshop will discuss models of family partnership to provide quality child welfare interventions. The presentation will include a description of Seneca's values and how this informed the selection of evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for children and families through changing the power dynamic between practitioner and client from one of control to consultation.

C 9 Implementing Triple P: Sublime, Ridiculous & Everything In Between

Nina deCordova, Program Officer, FIRST 5 Mendocino

Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) effectively prevents and treats social-emotional problems in children. Beyond 35 successful clinical trials, an eighteen-county population-level trial has shown that Triple P dramatically reduces child maltreatment rates community-wide. This workshop highlights lessons learned in Mendocino County, the first in California to broadly implement Triple P.

C 10 - Creating a Child and Family Process in L.A. Within the Context of Katie A. and AB 1453.

Greg Lecklitner, District Chief, Department of Mental Health

Michael Rauso, Division Chief, Department of Children and Family Services (LA County)

Joeanne Hust, Parent Partner lead, Hathaway-Sycamores

This presentation will review the efforts of Los Angeles County’s Department of Child and Family Services and Mental Health efforts to meet the requirements of the Katie A. settlement agreement and to implement AB 1453. The presentation will focus on the county’s efforts to reduce reliance on group home care (43% reduction since 2003) and create a Child and Family Team process as the primary decision making process for children with identified intensive mental health needs.

C 11 Children Who Fail in School But Succeed in Life: Recent Advances in Our Understanding of Human Resilience and of the Limits of Emotional Endurance

Mark Katz

A number of people currently enjoy meaningful and successful lives, thanks in large measure to their earlier school experiences. And a number of other people currently enjoy meaningful and successful lives, in spite of their earlier school experiences. During this presentation, we will explore the sources of resilience, important protective influences and wide ranging turning point experiences in the lives of successful individuals who struggled during their years in school. We will also share specific ways in which their life experiences can be used to help children, youth and young adults who currently struggle with similar school related problems.

C 12 “It Takes a Community” - Reducing Stigma and Promoting Social and Emotional Development in Young Children

Sam Chan, District Chief, LA County Dept of Mental Health, Children and Family Services Bureau

Ilean Rabens, Los Angeles County Mental Health Commission

Marcia Taborga, Prenatal to Five Program, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

Victoria Gonzalez, Mental Health Service Coordinator, Prenatal to Five Program, LA County Department of Mental Health

While promoting social skills and emotional development in young children, the It Takes a Community project reduces the stigma often associated with ethnically diverse children who have serious mental health needs and/or other disabilities. ITC incorporates a unique collaborative public mental health approach that includes culturally appropriate curricula developed for families, caregivers, and teachers of preschool-age children.