The Foundation awarded 36 grants totaling $2.1 million to mental health organizations to support Evidence-Based Practices and Capacity Building Opportunities programs which were announced at it’s  September 10, 2019 Board of Trustees meeting,

ACMH is thrilled to announce that it was once again among the recipients of an  Ethel and James Flinn Foundation grant.

A list of all grantees was recently shared and can be viewed by clicking here.  Please click on the following link for more detailed information.

The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation is a Detroit based private foundation established in 1976 by Ethel “Peggy” Flinn and her brother, James “Jim” Flinn, Jr. Peggy passed away in 1994. Jim Flinn, Jr., who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his early 20’s, led a remarkable life until his passing away in 2007 at the age of 91. The Foundation is committed to improving the scope, quality and delivery of mental health services in Michigan. Since inception, over $39 million in grants have been awarded.

Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency shares that the Governor just signed Raise the Age legislation.

Learn more by viewing MICCD’s & Raise the Age’s posts below:

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer just signed legislation increasing the jurisdiction of juvenile court to age 18!

We are celebrating this monumental milestone in justice reform for Michigan youth! By increasing the age of juvenile court jurisdiction, 17-year-olds will no longer be automatically treated as adults for every offense. More children, youth and young adults will be able to get age-appropriate treatment that involves their families, which will, in turn, increase their chances for success. These changes will help reduce crime, recidivism, and taxpayer costs. It is a huge win.

The new legislation also:Requires youth under age 18 in adult jails to be housed separately from adults; Prohibits transportation of youth and adults in the same vehicle; Gives greater discretion to judges and prosecutors; Provides funding for community-based treatment and services; and Requires parental notification at the time of arrest.

We know that with the proper guidance and support, young people have an incredible capacity for rehabilitation and change. Not to mention, about two-thirds of 17-year-olds who are convicted as adults in Michigan have committed nonviolent offenses.

This is a huge victory that will keep thousands of Michigan’s youth out of the adult justice system!

And, our work here is not done. The legislation allows for some youth under age 18 to still be in housed in jail or prison with adults. MCCD won’t stop until there are no Michigan kids incarcerated with adults.

Passing Raise the Age was neither fast nor easy – in fact, the law will not take effect until October 1, 2021 – but it has certainly been worthwhile. And, we couldn’t have done it without you!

Thank you again for being part of this incredible effort to improve the lives of Michigan’s young people!

In gratitude,

Mary King Executive Director, MICCD

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RAISE THE AGE POST:

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation increasing the jurisdiction of juvenile court to age 18!

This is a huge victory in our efforts to reform the justice system in a way that better protects our youth. You all helped to Raise the Age!

If you haven’t done so already, please take time to thank the governor, and then please allow us to thank you:

Because of your efforts, and the governor’s recent signature, 17-year-olds will be able to participate in age-appropriate treatment and their parents will be notified at the time of arrest. Equally important, the legislation provides funding to juvenile courts to implement the policy change, and prohibits the overwhelming majority of 17-year-olds from being held in adult facilities. The law is set to take effect on October 1, 2021.

This also takes Michigan off the notorious short list of states with antiquated laws that allow 17-year-olds to be automatically treated as adults for any offense.

That means that all of you who fought to make this happen–the legislature, coalition partners and supporters–have helped provide for the future success of Michigan’s youth and their families.

Today is a day of gratitude and celebration, in honor of this momentous juvenile justice reform.

Raise The Age just became law.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 21, 2019

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

MDHHS announces Section 298 pilots have come to an end

LANSING, Mich. – Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced the end of the Section 298 pilots following the governor’s veto and the pilot participants’ inability to reach an agreement on a path forward.

“These pilots were supposed to be built on agreement among all participants,” said Robert Gordon, MDHHS director. “After years of work to reach consensus, it has become clear that agreement will not be reached. We remain committed to making our behavioral health system work better for all Michiganders, and it is time to look for new ways to achieve this goal.”

The Section 298 Initiative was a statewide effort to improve the integration of physical health services and specialty behavioral health services in Michigan. It was based upon Section 298 in Public Act 268 of 2016. The Michigan legislature approved a revised version of Section 298 as part of Public Act 207 of 2018.

As part of the initiative, the Michigan legislature directed MDHHS to implement up to three pilots to test the financial integration of Medicaid-funded physical health and specialty behavioral health services. The pilots were announced in March 2018 and were to be implemented by Oct. 1, 2019. Implementation was delayed to Oct. 1, 2020 to allow more time to complete design of a financial integration model.

However, the parties ultimately could not agree on two fundamental issues, the automatic statewide scaling of the model and startup costs. Despite the cancellation, Gordon said much has been learned from the Section 298 pilot design development process that will inform future redesign efforts.

“In the coming weeks, I will be sharing the department’s vision for a stronger behavioral health system,” he said. “Designing a system that works for all Michiganders will take careful planning and extensive collaboration with legislators, families and individuals served by the system and stakeholders. Through this process, we can chart a commonsense path that improves Michiganders’ lives.”

Download MDHHS’s complete Press Release below:

MDHHS Press Release – Section 298 Pilots Ended

 

ACMH Executive Director, Jane Shank, recently participated in a Purposeful Pitch Podcast on “Caring for Children with Mental Health Concerns” Click the link below to hear the Purposeful Pitch podcast and view Joe’s description of the podcast below.

https://anchor.fm/purposeful-pitch/episodes/Caring-for-children-with-mental-health-concerns-e5hlnf

During this episode of Purposeful Pitch, Joe speaks with Jane Shank, Executive Director of the Association for Children’s Mental Health an organization was founded 30 years ago by two mothers committed to brining help and hope to families of children and youth with severe emotional, behavioral and mental health disorders by ensuring they have access to information and support. What makes the ACMH unique is that it’s led and staffed by parents who have faced the same challenges as those who are seeking support. I encourage anyone with children—or thinking about having children—to listen and learn about existing resources, and that you are not alone.

According to a 2016 study by the University of Michigan, nearly half of the 7.7 million children and teens in the country who are living with at least one treatable mental health disorder—including ADHD or anxiety—do not receive needed treatment from a mental health professional. As the father of one such child (at that time of the report), I understand the importance of seeking support: support not only for the child, but for the parent as well.

I know that I often felt alone and didn’t know where to turn during times when I felt completely inadequate as a parent. Not only does this not make sense—as my wife was going through the same experience I was—but it was a detriment to my daughter. My stubbornness and pride didn’t allow me to seek guidance, whether from friends, family, professionals. Fortunately, my daughter’s self-awareness that she needed help broke through, and we finally sought out the treatment she needed.

What I’ve learned over the past several years is that I’m not the only parent who feels like a failure. Here’s a secret: parenting is hard. I’ve also learned that there are resources available to parents of children dealing with mental health issues.

Purposeful Pitch is a podcast facilitated by Joe DiBenedetto and is focused on initiating positive change and addressing socio-economic challenges facing communities across the country.  Conversations feature school leaders, CEOs of not-for-profit organizations and public policymakers, among others.

To discuss learn more about Lambert’s Education & Social Impact practice, contact me at jdibenedetto@lambert.com.

The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation recently shared their  2018 Annual Report which provides a summary of  grant-making activities and highlights their accomplishments from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. ACMH is very fortunate to have been a recipient of Flinn Foundation Grants for several years and is so thankful for their ongoing support and dedication to improving the quality, scope and delivery of mental health services in Michigan!

Download the entire report here: Flinn Foundation 2018-Annual-Report

Join Michigan Alliance for Families Parent Mentors for a series of FREE webinars for parents and caregivers preparing for the new school year.

All webinars take place on Thursdays. Each topic is presented twice, at noon and 7pm. Attend the entire series or just the ones that interest you most.

Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6673070609902074891 Attendance is limited to the first 100 people who sign-in at the start of each webinar.

Please share this email or the webinar flyer with others who might be interested.

In the past, we’ve had agencies and parent groups host webinar viewing sessions. If you’re thinking about doing that, I’m here to help, please contact me.

Emilie Mullins
emilie@michiganallianceforfamilies.org

2019 Back to School Webinar Series

August 22 – Back to School with an IEP with Joyce Dearhamer and Jackie Van Horn
Let’s get the school year off to a good start with practical ideas for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

August 29 – Key Parts of the IEP with Kenya Harper-Black and Diane McGraw
Take a deep dive into the IEP. Knowing the key parts are important to having better conversations while working to achieve a free appropriate public education for your student.

September 5 – Preparing for Your Next IEP Meeting with Debbie Rock and Genevieve Hecht
Get ready for your child’s next IEP. Learn tips for what to expect for each section of the IEP, and tools for writing an effective parent input letter.

September 12 – Effective Advocacy and Communication Tips with Emilie Mullins and Stephanie Nicholls
Explore the skills parents can use to become more effective advocates for their child with a disability, as well as tools to be a better communicator.

September 19 – Advocating for Inclusion with Clare Brick, Joyce Dearhamer, Emilie Mullins
Hear from fellow parents about special education services and supports that are available to ensure that children with IEPs receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.

September 26 – Do I Really Need an Advocate? with Kristen Columbus and Nicole Miller
A parent is their child’s first and best advocate. But if things aren’t working, who can you go to for help? We’ll discuss concrete steps that can be done before needing to call an advocate. Learn the difference between a mentor and an advocate.

REGISTER https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6673070609902074891
Space is limited to the first 100 people who sign-in at the start of each session.
If you require accommodations or materials in an alternative format, please let us know two weeks before the webinar.

In recognition of 2019 Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month, FREDLA, The Family-Run Executive Director Leadership Association  invited Family Leaders, Family Members, Caregivers and Colleagues to join a conversation about suicide prevention by sharing in 5 WORDS thoughts, feelings, or experiences related to suicide prevention.

They received over 160 submissions from 26 states. Each submission spoke from the heart about their experiences as survivors of suicide, or parents, relatives or community members affected by suicide.

HERE ARE THEIR WORDS:
https://youtu.be/ZsizeERiS8E

Check out FREDLA’s Preventing Youth & Young Adult Suicide Information Sheet here.