Dear Professional...
Being a parent is hard work! You have a job, school, celebrations, homework, parent/teacher
meetings, family time, household chores, paying bills, vacations, doctor appointments, baths,
parent/teacher meetings, holidays, birthdays and so on. Caregivers who have youth with mental health
needs and consumers often have all of that and then some: therapies, medication evaluations, IEP
meetings, discipline issues, missing work, friends/family who don't want to visit, abuse/neglect
reports, safety concerns, running away, substance abuse, violence, destruction of home, suicide
concerns...
Caregivers and consumers don't always have the (time, information, empowerment, self-esteem,
strength, ability, skill, whatever) to advocate for their own needs. Sometimes, a little support can go a
LONG way in an individual's ability to become "self-sufficient". Understand that the person(s) that you
work with may have extra needs that they haven't discussed with you. Try to develop the kind of
relationship that they are comfortable sharing stuff with you; not just information about the "case".
Empower them by always ensuring they have what is necessary to locate what they need--with or
without you. (Chances are that you won't be around forever.) Put together a "self advocacy plan" into
a folder/binder/box and include information about the diagnoses, medications, care plan, crisis plan,
overview of the program they are participating, etc. Also:
Chances are you came into this field to make a difference. Regardless of whether you feel that you are
most of the time, I can assure that you probably have and didn't even realize it. I will be the first to
say "Thank you!"
meetings, family time, household chores, paying bills, vacations, doctor appointments, baths,
parent/teacher meetings, holidays, birthdays and so on. Caregivers who have youth with mental health
needs and consumers often have all of that and then some: therapies, medication evaluations, IEP
meetings, discipline issues, missing work, friends/family who don't want to visit, abuse/neglect
reports, safety concerns, running away, substance abuse, violence, destruction of home, suicide
concerns...
Caregivers and consumers don't always have the (time, information, empowerment, self-esteem,
strength, ability, skill, whatever) to advocate for their own needs. Sometimes, a little support can go a
LONG way in an individual's ability to become "self-sufficient". Understand that the person(s) that you
work with may have extra needs that they haven't discussed with you. Try to develop the kind of
relationship that they are comfortable sharing stuff with you; not just information about the "case".
Empower them by always ensuring they have what is necessary to locate what they need--with or
without you. (Chances are that you won't be around forever.) Put together a "self advocacy plan" into
a folder/binder/box and include information about the diagnoses, medications, care plan, crisis plan,
overview of the program they are participating, etc. Also:
- Encourage caregivers who have children that are receiving special education or who may qualify
for special education to read the parent guide for Indiana Special Education (Article 7) Navigating
the Course. You may also direct them to the complete regulations for Indiana's special education
law (Article 7). Copies of Navigating the Course or Article 7 would be a great addition to their
"self advocacy plan" can be requested by calling Indiana Department of Education at 877-851-
4106 or InSource at 800-332-4433. - Youth with developmental delays and/or diagnosis of autism, should be placed on the Medicaid
Waiver waiting list. The waiting list may take from 8 or 10 years so, it is important to start the
process now. The GPCPD Waiver Programs: A Guide for Consumers is a great way to learn more
about them. You can obtain a copy for "the plan" by calling 317-232-7770. - *Hint: Request copies of both to keep on hand for yourself and families/individuals. It is a great
way to ensure that you always have access to the information. - A directory of state and local resources can assist caregivers and consumers with just about
anything. In this day and age, all it takes is a few calls to find what you are looking for or who
you need to talk. - Information on caregiver/family/consumer support groups or peer mentoring programs. They will
not only receive some supportive social interaction and probably information on a lot of
programs that can be beneficial. - Safe Families for Children-Provides volunteers who open their homes to children whose parents
are experiencing a short-term emergency, such as hospitalization or a longer-term crisis such as
drug abuse. Designed to extend and strengthen the community safety net for at risk families.
Chances are you came into this field to make a difference. Regardless of whether you feel that you are
most of the time, I can assure that you probably have and didn't even realize it. I will be the first to
say "Thank you!"
Check out Training Providers for information for specific learning opportunities
Agency Self-Assessment (ASA) is a free, strengths-based and comprehensive reporting tool for public and private child welfare
agencies, community-based organizations, program administrators, juvenile justice systems, and others concerned with positive
youth development. Based on the Child Welfare League of America's Standards of Excellence for Transition, Independent Living, and
Self-Sufficiency Services.
California Department of Social Services (CEBC) helps to identify and disseminate information regarding evidence-based practices
relevant to child welfare.
Financial Education Clearinghouse supports the delivery of community-level financial literacy programs to teach and motivate
underserved segments of society, (including the newly employed, young workers, individuals moving from welfare to work, and
immigrants) to make changes in financial behaviors that will lead to economic independence. The Clearinghouse is a listing of classroom
and self-help educational materials. These resources have been used successfully for a variety of diverse populations with special
needs, such as cultural sensitivity, low income, low literacy, and challenging life circumstances.
FindYouthInfo-is the U.S. government website that helps you create, maintain, and strengthen effective youth programs. Included are
youth facts, funding information, and tools to help you assess community assets, generate maps of local and federal resources,
search for evidence-based youth programs, and keep up-to-date on the latest, youth-related news.
Heartland Truly Moving Pictures offers free, downloadable curriculum of award-winning films that were adapted from a book for those
who work with youth and youth groups.
Indiana Youth Institute promotes the healthy development of children and youth by serving the institutions and people of Indiana who
work on their behalf.
National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) from SAMHSA is a searchable online registry of more than 160
interventions supporting mental health promotion, substance abuse prevention, and mental health and substance abuse treatment.
SparkAction is your one-stop shop for news and tools to make a difference in the lives of children and youth. We gather, synthesize
and promote the best information on a range of child and youth issues across the development spectrum, from organizations and
leaders across the country.
Literature:
Agency Self-Assessment (ASA) is a free, strengths-based and comprehensive reporting tool for public and private child welfare
agencies, community-based organizations, program administrators, juvenile justice systems, and others concerned with positive
youth development. Based on the Child Welfare League of America's Standards of Excellence for Transition, Independent Living, and
Self-Sufficiency Services.
California Department of Social Services (CEBC) helps to identify and disseminate information regarding evidence-based practices
relevant to child welfare.
Financial Education Clearinghouse supports the delivery of community-level financial literacy programs to teach and motivate
underserved segments of society, (including the newly employed, young workers, individuals moving from welfare to work, and
immigrants) to make changes in financial behaviors that will lead to economic independence. The Clearinghouse is a listing of classroom
and self-help educational materials. These resources have been used successfully for a variety of diverse populations with special
needs, such as cultural sensitivity, low income, low literacy, and challenging life circumstances.
FindYouthInfo-is the U.S. government website that helps you create, maintain, and strengthen effective youth programs. Included are
youth facts, funding information, and tools to help you assess community assets, generate maps of local and federal resources,
search for evidence-based youth programs, and keep up-to-date on the latest, youth-related news.
- Map My Community is a tool designed specifically to assist you in locating resources in your community to help you build and
strengthen your youth program. - Program Directory features evidence-based programs whose purpose is to prevent and/or reduce delinquency or other problem
behaviors in young people. - Funding Information Center provides tools to help you build and sustain your programs and activities.
- Collaboration Center provides resources to help federal, state, and local partnerships thrive. Learn about forming, managing, and
sustaining strong collaborations; and connecting with your peers. - Data Resources provides links to reliable federal data on youth topics.
- Federal Links navigation tool enables you to identify federal programs and resources, such as youth employment, underage
drinking prevention, or positive youth development, and more.
Heartland Truly Moving Pictures offers free, downloadable curriculum of award-winning films that were adapted from a book for those
who work with youth and youth groups.
Indiana Youth Institute promotes the healthy development of children and youth by serving the institutions and people of Indiana who
work on their behalf.
National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) from SAMHSA is a searchable online registry of more than 160
interventions supporting mental health promotion, substance abuse prevention, and mental health and substance abuse treatment.
SparkAction is your one-stop shop for news and tools to make a difference in the lives of children and youth. We gather, synthesize
and promote the best information on a range of child and youth issues across the development spectrum, from organizations and
leaders across the country.
Literature:
- SAMHSA Practice Guidelines: Core Elements in Responding to Mental Health Crisis
- IPAS: Basic Understanding of Individuals with Mental Illness.
- COPI: When A Parent Has Mental Illness-Helping Children Cope
- National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities-Webcasts and teleseminars.
- 4
- 5
Professional Development Options
Staff behaviors that
consumers feel are most
important to individuals in a
mental health crisis
Sheets, J, Miccio, S., &
Ross, R. (2003) What do
consumers say they want
and need during a
psychiatricemergency?
Journal of Psychiatric
Practice (9) 1, 39-58.
consumers feel are most
important to individuals in a
mental health crisis
- Having the staff listen
to me, my story and
my version of events - Being asked about
what treatment I want - Trying to help me
calm down before
resorting to forced
treatment - Being asked about
what treatments were
helpful and not helpful
to me in the past
Sheets, J, Miccio, S., &
Ross, R. (2003) What do
consumers say they want
and need during a
psychiatricemergency?
Journal of Psychiatric
Practice (9) 1, 39-58.