November 13, 2015

The Association for Children’s Mental Health recently received funding from the Ethyl and James Flinn Foundation, a private foundation that is committed to improving the scope, quality and delivery of mental health services in Michigan. The Flinn Foundation was founded in 1976 by Ethel “Peggy” Flinn and her brother James “Jim” Flinn Jr. Jim Flinn Jr. who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his early 20’s, led a remarkable life until hid passing in 2007 at the age of 91. Since the foundation’s inception over 28 million dollars in grant funds have been awarded.

ACMH was awarded a $25,000 grant to help us to build upon the virtual community of the redesigned ACMH website which was created last year, also with support from the Flinn Foundation.The new grant dollars will help us to build upon that work by supporting us to improve our social media platforms and develop new and improved marketing, outreach and educational materials. Social media has proven to be an effective tool to increase public awareness, inform families of resources and opportunities, reduce stigma and help to create effective partnerships and collaborative efforts.

Funding will also be used to support the development of a public service announcement that will address the impact of stigma on children, youth, and families and to promote the importance of the voice of families and family run organizations.

For further information about this project, please contact ACMH at 517-372-4016.

14 state lawmakers introduced a 21-bill package on October 7, 2015. With bipartisan, bicameral support, this package aims to reform Michigan’s juvenile justice system, focusing on raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction from 17 to 18 and permitting youth access to age-appropriate rehabilitative services. Other bills in the package would also prohibit youth under 18 from being placed in adult jails or prisons. Click here to read more on the National Juvenile Justice Network Webpage.

Research shows that parents and caregivers who spend at least 15 minutes a day talking with their child can build the foundation for a strong relationship and help prevent bullying.

SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, developed the free KnowBullying mobile app to help facilitate meaningful conversations about bullying anytime, anywhere.

The free App’s features include:

• Conversation starters
• Tips and strategies to prevent bullying for children ages 3–6, 7–13, and teens
• Warning signs to recognize if your child is engaging in bullying, being bullied, or witnessing bullying
• Reminders to talk with your child when the time feels right
• Section for educators: Prevent bullying in the classroom and support children who are being bullied.

Click here to learn more and download the free app today!

In response to growing concern on the treatment of youth in Michigan’s adult prison system, Representatives Harvey Santana (D-Detroit), Peter Lucido (R- Shelby), Kurt Heise (R-Plymouth), Klint Kesto (R- Commerce), and Robert Kosowski (D-Westland) announced legislation today to reduce the number of young people exposed to the dangers of adult jails and prisons and improve public safety. Over the past ten years, more than 20,000 young people under 18 have been convicted as adults in Michigan, mostly for non-violent offenses with no prior juvenile record.

To learn more about this bill package click here to link to the Raise the Age MI’s New Release.

Project Homeless Connect (PHC) events are designed as  “one-stop, one-day” community events for individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless or are already homeless. The events are collaborations of local Continuum of Care bodies, community partners and volunteers working to bring together community resources that can support individuals and families in times of economic hardship. Events are tailored to the needs of local individuals and resources available range from direct connections to  social service providers to free goods and services, health screenings, assistance with employment or foreclosures, drug and alcohol counseling, haircuts and massages. Project Connect events vary in size and resources in each community, but share a common goal  to help remedy homelessness and economic hardships of their neighbors.

To learn more about the project and view the schedule for upcoming events click here to visit the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness Website.

September’s events include:

Chippewa Project Homeless Connect on September 24th in Sault Saint Marie

and

Isabella Project Homeless Connect on September 26th in Sanilac

ACMH’s website will post flyers about individual event as we receive them.

Project Homeless Connect is part of a national initiative that supports events coordinated through local homeless coalitions. In Michigan Project Homeless Connect is supported by the Michigan Supportive Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) who will be hosting local events across Michigan in partnership with local agencies designed to connect homeless and at-risk individuals with necessary services in one convenient location.