News Archive

ACMH Responds to Yesterday’s Events in Our Nation’s Capitol

January 7, 2021 by Leave a Comment

As a family run organization and an early leader in the family movement, ACMH has always believed in the right to have voice, express opinions, discuss and sometimes dissent and disagree in a collaborative and respectful manner. We have also always believed in the values of democracy-including the power of free and fair elections as a valid way in which to express voice and opinion. As an organization, we look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with our duly elected decision makers and leaders and will continue to speak out against violence and oppression.

Resources to talk to your kids about these or other events:

ChildMind.org
National Education Association
Sesame Street

ACMH is Accepting Applications for the ACMH Statewide Parent Advisory Committee

January 7, 2021 by Leave a Comment

The Association for Children’s Mental Health (ACMH) is currently accepting applications for it’s Statewide Parent Advisory Committee. Application for a seat on the ACMH Parent Advisory Committee is open to all parents/primary caregivers with experience raising a child with a mental health, emotional and/or behavioral challenges. Involvement is NOT limited to parents with experience in any particular system, such as public mental health, foster care, juvenile justice or special education. All parents/primary caregivers who are passionate about mental health issues and have personal experience raising a child with mental health challenges will be considered. ACMH be accepting applications until January 31, 2021 – download an application below:

To learn more see additional information below or download the PAC Flyer, application or ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Overview Documents below:

PAC Flyer 2021

Overview – ACMH Parent Advisory Committee

Application – ACMH Statewide Parent Advisory Committee – fillable

Up to 15 parents will be selected to serve on the committee. Once selected, members will be asked to serve for a minimum of one year. Committee calls will be held once monthly via technology. Face to face meetings and events will be scheduled 2 to 4 times a year. Members will be expected to attend and fully participate in committee calls, meetings and events; if unable to attend a call, meeting or event, the ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Coordinator should be notified in advance if possible. Meetings may be photographed, videotaped or recorded.

Committee Purpose and Objectives:

The purpose of the ACMH Parent Advisory Committee is to provide the opportunity for parents/primary caregivers of children with mental health challenges to have a voice in decision making that affects their lives and some of the services and supports available to their families. The committee members and other decision makers will work together to create positive changes in policies that impact children, giving them the opportunity to advise legislators, mental health administrators and community members about important issues that matter to families navigating children’s mental health services. The committee will have the following objectives:

Advising ACMH and other state leaders about the experiences and interests of families raising children with mental health challenges;
Promoting family voice in decisions impacting Michigan families regarding behavioral health;
Providing opportunities for parents to develop leadership skills, maintaining both a personal perspective as well as working toward positive statewide system change;
Fostering and supporting partnerships and relationships between parents and system partners throughout the state.

Each ACMH Parent Advisory Committee member will play an essential role in raising awareness and integrating family perspective into Michigan policies and legislation. All committee members will be asked to:

Commit to serving on the committee for a minimum of 1 year;
Represent the voice of local families raising children with mental health challenges by discussing issues that are important in their communities;
Possess and demonstrate a strong desire to advocate for positive systems change for families raising children with mental health challenges;
Attend and fully participate in monthly calls as well as scheduled meetings and events 2 to 4 times a year. If unable to attend a call, meeting or event they must contact the ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Coordinator in advance whenever possible;
Work closely and collaboratively with fellow parent committee members and system partners;
Provide feedback to ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Coordinator regularly with recommendations regarding children’s mental health related issues and committee activities.

Criteria for Participation:

Be a resident of the state of Michigan;
Have had personal experience or are currently raising a child/children with a mental health and behavioral challenges;
Possess the passion and desire to advocate for positive systems change for children’s mental health;
Have the ability to work in collaboration with fellow committee members. This includes:
- respectfully conveying their thoughts and opinions;
- listening to and integrating opinions of others;
- providing supportive feedback to others in a respectful way;
- conducting themselves in a professional and collaborative manner,
- and demonstrating an openness and willingness to create positive impact from a statewide perspective.

Benefits for Participation:

Gain leadership and advocacy skills.
Have your voice heard by system partners and decision makers as you represent families raising children with mental health challenges.
Connect with other parents and learn from their experiences
Inform and influence processes, ranging from local to statewide impact.
Create positive changes for Michigan families navigating children’s mental health systems.
And more!!

How to Get Involved:

Interested parents/primary caregivers who meet criteria for participation will follow the required steps to submit an application. By doing so, parents/primary caregivers agree to fulfill the roles and responsibilities as described.

As part of their application process, applicants will be asked to provide at least one reference.

If you have questions, please contact:

Laura Marshall, ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Coordinator Phone: 517-420-2193
Email: lmarshall@acmh-mi.org

MDHHS asks Michiganders to “Mask Up, Mask Right”

December 16, 2020 by Leave a Comment

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is launching an initiative to not only get Michiganders to mask up, but to mask right.

“The science is now settled: Masks protect others from COVID – and they protect the wearer,” said Robert Gordon, MDHHS director. “It’s important to wear the right mask and wear it the right way. We want all Michiganders to Mask Up, Mask Right as we continue to battle the virus in our state.”

Masking right includes wearing one of three options of masks that provide stronger protection: three-layered washable cloth face coverings, medical-grade disposable masks or approved KN95 masks. It also includes wearing the approved mask correctly and having it secured over the nose and face and tightly fitting without gaps.

Mask Up, Mask Right

CDC has recommended the use of masks to protect the community by reducing emission of the virus and to protect the wearer by reducing inhalation. CDC cites a number of studies showing that masks have been effective. For example, one study showed that use of masks onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt was associated with a 70% reduced risk of COVID; another showed that, in a contact tracing investigation, those who reported wearing masks had a 70% lower risk of infection than those who did not. Published researchby Beaumont Hospital in Southeast Michigan also showed that mask wearing was associated with lower levels of infection by COVID and, among those infected, lower levels of symptoms.

Bandanas, gaiters and face shields without masks do not provide adequate protection for the wearer or others and are not recommended.

“The delivery of the first COVID-19 vaccines in Michigan means there will be an end to this pandemic,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “However, it will take several months before we are able to have enough vaccine to widely distribute it to all Michiganders. Until then, and even for individuals who receive the vaccine, we should all be doing our part to slow the spread of this virus by wearing masks correctly, avoiding large gatherings, and washing hands.”

Residents in need of masks can pick one up from partner sites across the state, which includes most MDHHS local offices and Community Action Agencies. Find a distribution site at Michigan.gov/MaskUpMichigan or call the COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

MDHHS Shares Covid-19 Vaccine Interim Prioritization Guidance

December 14, 2020 by Leave a Comment

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has set an initial goal of vaccinating 70 percent of individuals 16 years of age or older, or about 5.6 million people, for COVID-19 in our state by the end of 2021. Today they shared information about their Covid-19 Vaccine Prioritization Plan through an Interim Guidance Document which you can download here: COVID-19 VACCINE PRIORITIZATION GUIDANCE

You can learn more about the vaccines and how Michigan plans to prioritize vaccinations in phases by visiting their vaccination page here.

You can also view the answers to many frequently asked questions such as ‘Is the vaccine safe?’ or ‘Will there be a cost?’ by downloading the following document: COVID-19 Vaccine Public FAQ or by clicking here.

Michigan Family Connections Shares Fall 2020 Newsletter

December 14, 2020 by Leave a Comment

The Fall 2020 Michigan Family Connections Newsletter is a combined publication of the Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center and the Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs. They hope you enjoy it and encourage you to share it with others.

You can download the Newsletter here: Michigan Family Connections Newsletter Fall 2020

You may also view or share the newsletter on the MI Family to Family website by clicking the following link.

Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center (MI F2F) is a federally funded project. They share information and resources on disability and health issues with families of children and youth with special health care needs. MI F2F also works with health and other professionals. MI F2F helps families make educated decisions and supports families to partner with professionals. They work to make services for children and youth with special health care needs better. You can learn more by visiting www.f2fmichigan.org.

The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (Family Center) is the statewide parent-directed center within Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The primary role of the Family Center is to offer emotional support, information and connections to community-based resources to families of children and youth with special health care needs, including all children who have, or are at an increased risk for: physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions. You can reach them by call the Family Phone Line at 800-359-3722.

ACMH is a 2020 Ethel and James Flinn Foundation Grant Recipient

December 6, 2020 by Leave a Comment

ACMH is thrilled to announce that it was recently awarded an Ethel and James Flinn Foundation grant. The $10,000 award was awarded to support the work and operations of Association for Children’s Mental Health. We are so thankful to receive the grant and look forward to sharing our accomplishments.

The Foundation awarded grants to mental health and other organizations to improve the capacity of mental health providers; increase awareness and education; support consumer and policy research advocacy; and advance early screening and assessment.

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 $37 million in grants have been awarded. The Foundation’s geographic focus is primarily Southeast Michigan, defined as the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw.

For more information, contact: Andrea M. Cole, Executive Director and CEO of the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation at (313) 309-3436 or visit our website at www.flinnfoundation.org.

MDHHS Shares Covid-19 Guidance for Holiday Travel & Gatherings

October 22, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 21, 2020

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

MDHHS provides COVID-19 guidance for holiday travel and gatherings

LANSING, Mich. – The holiday season will be different for Michiganders this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure families do not miss out on being together during the holidays, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued guidance on how to travel and gather safely during the holidays.

“Celebrating the holiday season with family and friends is one of our most cherished traditions,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “Even though the way we celebrate may have to be different, the guidance issued today shows there are still many ways to spend quality time with family and friends safely during this festive season.”

Traveling and in-person gatherings increase the chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. However, if you decide to travel for the holidays, follow these safety measures to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

Wear a mask and keep your nose and mouth covered when in public places.
Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart from anyone who is not from your household.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

In addition to the MDHHS guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the following resources to help determine if you should travel during the holidays:

Individuals who should avoid attending or hosting in-person holiday celebrations with people who do not live in their household, include those who:

Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have not met the criteria for when it is safe to be around others.
Have symptoms of COVID-19 or are waiting for COVID-19 viral test results.
May have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
Are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, or live or work with someone at increased risk of severe illness.

The new guidance also urges Michiganders to consider hosting virtual festivities instead of in-person holiday gatherings if there is a risk of community spread based on the risk identified in the MI Safe Start map. If an in-person gathering is hosted, it should be held outdoors if possible. Indoor festivities should avoid crowded, poorly ventilated or fully enclosed indoor spaces, and should be limited to 10 people or less per MDHHS Oct. 9 Emergency Epidemic Order. In addition, attendees of indoor or outdoor festivities should:

Social distance.
Wear cloth masks.
Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Keep safe around food drinks, including following good hygiene and limiting the amount of people in areas where food is prepared.
Bring food and drinks for themselves and members of their household. Avoid potluck gatherings.
Have one person serve all shareable food and consider using single-use items for condiments, plates and utensils.

Read the full “Celebrating the Holidays During COVID-19” guidance for additional tips to consider before, during and after a gathering to stay safe this holiday season.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

# # #

MDHHS issues holiday guidance for travel and gatherings NR.pdf

STAY CONNECTED:

ACMH Youth & Parent Advisories Help Create Video to Enhance Primary Care Physicians Engagement with Youth an Families

October 6, 2020 by Leave a Comment

The ACMH Statewide Youth and Parent Advisory Committees recently partnered with Michigan Child Care Connect (MC3) to share their expertise and feedback as MC3 worked to create a on video designed to support Primary Care Physicians to better engage and support youth with mental health challenges and their families. Click on the link below to check out the video today!

Engaging With Parents and Youth in the Primary Care Setting – Words Matter

The MC3 program offers psychiatry support to primary care providers in Michigan who are managing patients with behavioral health problems. This includes children, adolescents, young adults through age 26, and women who are contemplating pregnancy, pregnant or postpartum (up to one year).

MDHHS Offers Free MI Parenting Resource

September 15, 2020 by Leave a Comment

MI Parenting Resource is a free, online program meant to support caregivers across the state of Michigan in strengthening their parent-child relationships and gaining new tools for enhancing positive child behaviors.

Download the documents below to learn more or find out how to register today.

MI Parenting Resource Flyer

MI Parenting Resource Flyer_V2

Governor Whitmer Declares September 6-12th Suicide Prevention Week!

September 9, 2020 by Leave a Comment

MDHHS Press Release

MDHHS reminds Michiganders of resources available during Suicide Prevention Week.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Michigan Association for Suicide Prevention and national and local suicide prevention organizations have been working tirelessly to halt the growth of suicide rates in Michigan. As part of the effort, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared Sept. 6-12 Suicide Prevention Week.

“Michiganders may be experiencing increased levels of emotional distress due to the pandemic and, therefore, it’s critical for people to know there are resources available and help raise awareness about suicide prevention,” said Dr. Debra Pinals, MDHHS Medical Director for Behavioral Health.

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in both Michigan and the nation, and a top five leading cause among individuals who are 10-54 years old.

Michigan has higher rates of suicide among people who are 10-19 and 25-44 years of age compared to the nation as a whole. Michiganders can help lower these rates by knowing the warning signs of suicide, encouraging those at risk to seek help, and having open and honest conversations about suicide.

“Suicide is a major public health concern across Michigan,” sad Dr. Brian Ahmedani, Chair of the Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission. “On behalf of the Suicide Prevention Commission, we applaud Governor Whitmer’s declaration to support suicide prevention week. Our Commission is working hard with leaders and partners from across our great state to gain a better understanding of this problem as well as determine the best ways to leverage key opportunities and resources to prevent suicide across Michigan.”

Warning signs for those at risk of suicide include:

Feelings of hopelessness.
Threatening to or talking about wanting to hurt oneself.
Loss of interest in activities.
Withdrawal from friends and family.
Change in eating and sleeping habits.

If you are in a crisis, or know someone who needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or visit the MDHHS Suicide Prevention website for more information.

Additional emotional-support services for those who are feeling emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic are available at Michigan.gov/StayWell or by calling Michigan Stay Well Counseling via the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 and pressing “8” to talk to a counselor 24/7.