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My daughter is 5 years old and has had trouble in preschool leading up to kindergarten. Now she is constantly hitting and kicking other students and teachers when she gets upset she gets angry over things like clean up time or not being able to sit next to her teacher instead of sitting with other students, as well as, running out of class into the halls yelling and screaming. This has become very tiresome for me what should I do ?

November 15, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Sorry to hear your daughter is having trouble in school. Behavioral struggles can be very tiresome and stressful especially when we as parents are unsure of what we can do to help. Most children act out or get frustrated from time to time, which makes it especially challenging to decide when or if we should seek help. I am not a mental health professional, but looking at how often a behavior occurs, how long it lasts or the intensity of the mood or behavior can be helpful. If problems go on for more than a few weeks or interfere with your child’s ability to be successful at school, or make or develop friends, it may be a good idea to check in with someone to discuss your concerns.

A couple of good places to start would be your child’s pediatrician or family doctor who can also refer you to a mental health professional for an assessment if they feel that is warranted. Another option would be to talk with your child’s teacher or school about your concerns. They can also do an evaluation if you would like. More information about that process can be found by clicking here.

You can also find more information about what to do, who to ask, what to share, if you are concerned about your child’s mental health on our website by clicking here.

There are also some great resources online such as Childmind.org that have a lot of great information about children’s mental health and behavioral struggles which may also be helpful.

You are the expert on your child and know your her better than anyone, so I would follow your instincts and seek help if you think your child may need it.

Good luck to both of you and be sure to contact us if you need additional information or support!

ACMH Shares New Tools and Resources for Families

October 1, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Parenting a child with mental health challenges can be challenging as well as rewarding! Having practical tools and strategies to help you and your child be successful along the way can be very helpful.

ACMH wants to help ensure that you have access to all the tools, tips and strategies you may need so we created this page to share resources that you may find useful.

As Michigan’s Statewide Family Organization we receive a lot of information about online training and resources from community partners and others and would like to use this page to share them with you.

Resources that are helpful for one child and family may not work for another so we will share any we think may be useful and you can decide what might be helpful to you.

We hope you find something that meets your needs! Be sure to check back often as we will be adding resources and information about training opportunities as we receive them.

NEWEST RESOURCE: 8/1/2018 This week childmind.org shares expert advice about how to make sure your child is getting effective medication treatment. To learn more click here

NEW RESOURCE – 7/2/18 SAMHSA releasesAfter an Attempt– A Guide for Taking Care of Your Family Member after Treatment in the Emergency Department This pamphlet is not specifically targeted at parents but has a lot of useful information for families. You can download the guide here: After An Attempt- A Guide for Taking Care of Your Family Member after Treatment in the Emergency Department

NEW RESOURCE: The Michigan Department of Education recently released a series of Family Matters Fact Sheets which provides parents and families with information about special education and other resources.

Fact Sheets are available in English, Arabic and Spanish and topics include: Procedural Safeguards; The Special Education Process; Educational Placement and the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE); Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE); Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); and Seclusion and Restraint.

You can link to MDE’s Family Matters Page by clicking here and download the fact sheets today!

March 2018 Featured Resource: Understood.org was created by 15 nonprofit organizations who joined forces to support parents of the one in five children with learning and attention issues throughout their journey. Understood believes that with the right support, parents can help children unlock their strengths and reach their full potential. With state-of-the-art technology, personalized resources, free daily access to experts, a secure online community, practical tips and more, Understood aims to be that support.

Understood.org’s goal is to help the millions of parents whose children, ages 3–20, are struggling with learning and attention issues, by helping to empower them to understand their children’s issues and relate to their experiences. They have many great resources on their site including a Parent Toolkit that includes a Decision Guide to help you make educational decisions, information about learning and attention issues, a School and Learning section with information about partnering with your school, a You and Your Family section with information about self-care, managing everyday challenges and support for siblings and much more. Be sure to check them out today!

Michigan Alliance for Families February Newsletter has information about Accommodations and Modifications at school and upcoming free training opportunities across Michigan click here to view it now.

SAMHSA Family Educational Materials The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration created the following materials to help caregivers and youth learn about symptoms of various mental health disorders, treatment options, and support services. The materials were developed in collaboration with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Psychological Association, and the American Psychiatric Association. Youth and family leaders from around the country provided crucial input and feedback in the development process. The educational materials provide the latest scientific information about symptoms and a range of treatment options, as well as peer support groups and services. Download the Caregiver Educational Materials Today by clicking the links below:

Anxiety Disorder SMA16-5009 Anxiety

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) SMA16-5011 ADHD

Bipolar Disorder SMA16-5007 Bipolar

Depression SMA16-5003 Depression

First-Episode Psychosis SMA16-5005 First Episode Psychosis

The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health Recently shared the following resource in their January 2018 newsletter Federation on the Move:

2018 Goals Calendar- Students with executive functioning issues often have a hard time starting tasks and completing them. That can make achieving personal goals difficult. Your child might get the idea of the goal, but not clearly see or keep in mind what steps are needed to accomplish it. These printable 2018 calendar sheets may help him stay on track with common goals like getting to school on time or cleaning up his room. In addition to the calendar sheets, there are 14 goals you can download, print and cut out. Each one comes with a list of steps your child can follow to get the job done. (You and your child can also create your own goals and steps.) Together, decide which goal your child might tackle each month. Attach the goals and steps to the space on the right side of the calendar page, and have them hang it wherever it will help the most—in their room, in the kitchen or by the door. They can check off the days or weeks that they have hit the goal so you all can see the progress. Download the 2018 Goals Calendar here: 2018 Goals Calendar A Printable Planner for Tweens With Executive Functioning Issues

To learn more about the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health or to sign up for their newsletter you can visit their website at www.ffcmh.org.

Free Resources & an Online Learning Opportunity shared by the National Institute of Mental Health:

Bipolar Disorder in Children & Teens a Parent’s Guide

January Online Learning Opportunity – Adolescent Suicide Prevention: Recognizing Teens at Risk & Responding Effectively **This event has passed but you can still view the archived version of the webinar
Suicide is a major public health concern. Over 44,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people aged 10-24 both in the United States and worldwide. Suicide is complicated and tragic but it is often preventable. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help can save lives.

Join experts for a workshop about adolescent suicide prevention, which will include techniques for early detection and management of young people at risk.

The event will be live streamed on January 24, 2018 from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST. Please visit https://videocast.nih.gov/live.asp?live=26845&bhcp=1 to view the live event. The event will also be archived.

Youth Blog

September 2019

Check out YAC Member Brina William’s Guest Opinion Column in the Lansing State Journal by clicking here.

Williams: Don’t neglect foster care mental health, help address PTSD in displaced youth

Brina Williams, guest writer Published 8:57 a.m. ET Aug. 23, 2019 | Updated 9:05 a.m. ET Aug. 23, 2019

There is a silent epidemic facing foster youth that is going unrecognized and unaided; that epidemic is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Former foster youth are nearly twice as likely to suffer from PTSD as U.S. war veterans, and nearly half of Michigan’s 13,000 children and youth in foster care have been exposed to toxic stress and traumatic events… both known causes of PTSD.

More shocking is the lack of aid given to children in the unforgiving system of foster care.

View the entire Guest Column here.

August 2019

BANG BANG BANG! IT’S GONNA RIP THROUGH MY DULL BRAIN.

BANG BANG BANG! I’M SCRATCHING MY CHEST, I’M CRYING BEGGING FOR REST

I wore my anxiety… too afraid to tell from fear of notoriety

Wore it like a bomb vest, time starts ticking now I’m squeezing on an armrest, my chest pressed is this death row, I GUESS.

But all I want is the best but I obsess over stress.

Anxiety fashion visions of violence that I suppress.

Anxiety caused by heartbreak from the ones that I trust.

I’m so the disgust.

The fear to let it adjust to having it turn to dust.

I believe in good and I believe in trust but my heart

Holds back and my mind holds tighter thinking where’s the lighter CAUSE I’M A FIGHTER WHEN I GET TIRED.

BANG BANG BANG! NOW MY MIND IS FREE

BANG BANG BANG! NOW YOU SEE ANXIETY IS LIKE A SEED AND NOW HERE I AM, I WRIGHT FOR FREE I WANT U TO SEE THAT YEAH SOME ARE JUST LIKE ME STRUGGLING WITH THE SAME DISEASE belief!!!….

As confusing it seems at the same. Time deep down it will all be fine in the end…

I will be the one that struggles, juggles

With his troubles to break out of my bubble, remove a muscle out of the rubble.

I believe anxiety can be controlled and nourished myself easier. In that a bigger hellish cycle is made… the pain is great but I will bite the belt hard with golden grills, no pills just the will to drill till it high above the dirt hill… then may I lay still.

– Isaiah Ortiz

This piece explains anxiety and how it consumes every bit of you. Feeling weak is okay, in reality, you are strong if you comfort yourself and turn to something positive. Hiding pain won’t heal the pain. Anxiety can take you to a very deep dark hole and eat away at your happiness. Just find a place inside where there’s joy and never let it go.

Victoria Lynn Lang

April 2019

R & R

When you lose yourself in the tormenting trenches of mental illness, all hope may seem lost. You think that you’ll never be who you once were. You won’t be, but this is not a bad thing. Even if you’ve lost everything you used to know and love, there is still hope of recovery, because, recovery is you crafting your new life, your new purpose, potential and passion. Recovery is you building the person who you want to be from yourself. Everyone is capable of recovery, and my recovery was research.

My recovery began after missing two years of high school. During this time I was in and out of hospitals and losing my sense of self. There was no “Davin” anymore, I was overtaken by my mental illness. I have been permanently changed as a result of this and I am not the person I was before, but this is absolutely fine. Through that journey of struggles I have grown, it has made me stronger and more determined and I am more self aware; all which a have helped me find myself.

Everyone has passion and potential, oftentimes it takes a tragedy to spark your passion and unlock your potential. For me, my passion was learning. It started off slowly, with self teaching in various topics, and through countless hours of hard work I was able to start mathematics research with a professor. My passion gave me purpose and a sense of self, which I had gone without for so long. Anyone can pursue their passion in their own time, whatever it may be.

It seems like an insurmountable task when it comes to recovering from a tragedy, but it helps to view your past as your story and not yourself. You are the individual currently living and breathing, you deserve to have a passion and your story can help you find that. The biggest goal when it comes to finding your new self should be stability, but when you are pursuing your passion usually stability follows. It can ground you, allow you to gain traction and help you to keep moving forward.

Research was my passion it gave me purpose and this has lead to my recovery. Nothing will ever be perfect and no one will have a perfect life, but finding your passion can help you find purpose and maintain stability.

Find your new self, your life is worth the time and effort.

Davin

December 2018

Artist Statement : “This poem is important to me because my life has been affected by

suicide with me attempting and my friends. Awareness needs to be spread so

we would have less people committing suicide or even attempting. It’s a

major epidemic in this world now a days”

Cameron

November 2018

Rain Inside

By, Halley Miller

October 2018

Invisible

If I stay very still, and breathe very quietly, the magic happens:

I disappear

– and no one sees me

– and no one hears me

– and no one even thinks about me

And the teacher won’t call on me.

It’s very safe, being invisible.

I’m perfect!

I can’t make mistakes, and if I do

– at least nobody sees them.

So nobody laughs.

~Jane Medina

Artist statement: “You are worth more than their words.” ~ Brina Williams

June 2018

Hi my name is Sarah and this month’s topic is about the LGBTQ+ community.

There is a great place called TrevorSpace or the TrevorProject.

If you ever feel alone, there’s always a resource you could go to.

You’re never alone, there’s always someone to talk to.

Someone is always there to listen you with open ears.

I know how it feels to be listened to and not be heard.

But there’s someone always there. Even me!

Keep your head up.

You are strong and I believe in you even when you don’t believe in yourself.

You can reach the Trevor Project here: thetrevorproject.org

November 20, 2017

Things That Have Inspired Me…

The Statewide Youth Advisory Committee shares books, poetry, songs and videos that have inspired them.

Maybe they will inspire you too!

“Impulse”

Author ~ Ellen Hopkins

“I chose the book because it hit close to my heart. As I understood their views, I saw myself in each one of the characters. It helped me cope with what I’ve been through. It relates to mental health because 3 teens with troubled pasts cross paths at a psych ward.

October 4, 2017

I recommended “Milk and Honey” because a lot of the things the author
chooses to talk about relate to mental illness. I really enjoy poetry and
I can relate to how the author feels on each page, even if it isn’t the
same way she relates to it. “Milk and Honey” can make me laugh, cry,
scream, dance, etc. depending on how I take what the author wrote.

Overall it’s a great quick read, daily read, read it over and over again kind of book!

July 10, 2017

Trapped

I’ve gotta run
I’ve gotta hide,
You can’t see
The beast that’s inside.

It tears me apart
Limb from limb,
Why just why
Can’t I ever win?

It plays with me
Every day,
It changes me
In every way.

It’s like a plane
It flies around,
Until finally
It hits the ground.

I jump up scared
From my seat,
And all I hear
Is my heartbeat.

It’s the big bullet
That came from behind,
The magic
That messed with my mind.

But in the end
It went away,
And in the grave
Is where I lay.

May 30, 2017

In the mental institution,
which we call home,
has some laughter,
but with mostly nightmares,
from the bleeding ears,
to the choking atmosphere,
we can not find any salvation.

The Barterer,
a soul dulled over the years,
from the abuse to being imprisoned,
she couldn’t leave,
an outside force wouldn’t let her,
or she will be taken,
to a place that is much darker.

The main host of the home,
sends lines of greed,
but destroys the ones who gives and sacrifices, tying mental tourniquets
to their freedom, self-thought, happiness.

The White Rabbit,
thin and innocent,
but so distant,
sees from eyes of the missing piece,
who can’t do anything but to stare,
at an entertainment box,
to get away from the deadly noises,
by looking at pretty colors and shapes.

Finally,
there’s the knight,
who protects from the main host,
in her bloodied, scarred armor,
she has been damaged,
her inner demons whisper,
gnawing at her common sense,
yet she protects,
although not forever.

I want to tell you what we go through everyday. Whenever I see people in
public, smiling and laughing, I can’t help but to feel jealous, because
all of us want to be truly happy someday. I love my autistic brother, but
he’s tiring us out, a lot, depleting ourselves for him or we’ll have to
pay the price. I don’t want pity, I want to be heard, because my family’s
getting restless, from not getting more help. Thank you for reading this,
and I hope that you will have a nice day.

February 28, 2017

Winter

Through the throes of winter

And when the ravish snowfall won’t surrender

Plants perish, animals slumber,

and the earth is as still as ever

Blankets of silver consume and leave frozen beauty in its wake

The trees wave in the chilled wind,

dancing to silent music winter creates

Individual flakes fall in love and merge together in their sense of forever

Ice crystals form and grow,

and before you know, it’s alluring figure goes

Time seems to slow as winter embraces us

People fear, but there’s no need when it’s apart of us

Accept its love, and I promise you

Through the throes of winter will show it’s beautiful too

Voices

They sing to me

They yell at me

They tell me i’m not okay

Seemingly small, just barely above a whisper

Sickly sweet, I start to whimper

Their berceuse encases me into a trance

They question me

They beckon me

They permeate my head with lies

Beautifully their disgust keeps me up at night

Bringing me fright, of what I might not want to hear

Lies, Myths, and other tales, my heart races

I want them out of there

How do I shut out the sibilants

To shun them and show them my resilience

Do I consume, to make my mind all fuzzy?

Do I breathe, gaining the risk of smelling musty?

Or would it be best to rest, joining the stars and the galaxy?

I don’t know what to do

They tell me one thing and soon contradict with another

Why do I even bother.

January 30, 2017

I think what people should know about mental health in teens is a really goes unnoticed A lot of people may say oh they’re just acting out or they just want attention but it goes way beyond that. Some teens get so stressed out that they end up committing suicide, but what I think a lot of people don’t know is it may just take that one word to say you can do it or I’m here for you to save a life some may think is the big things that a make someone’s day but sometimes it’s the little words like I love you or I appreciate you. I know it has worked for me. Here’s an example, My friend was at the point of committing suicide she was getting beat at home at school she was getting bullied and she just couldn’t take life anymore. When she finally told me what was going on and I got her help admittedly. Her mom didn’t know because she lived with her dad. We ended up sitting down talking to her and just the little words I love you and we are here for you changed her mine completely. After that she told us that’s all I needed to here and her mom went to the school and the bullying situation was ended and she started to feel better and went in with her life. What I think everyone should get out of this story is be on the look out and if you see things that’s unusual or not right you should definitely seek help because most teens deal with some type of mental health and sometimes it can lead to suicide but we just have to stick together and encourage one another to stay strong and continue with life. Here’s a poem that I always read and it always keeps me going even when I get down or depressed.

It’s Okay…

Fighting Two Battles at Once

I wake up to the obnoxious bell alarm to find it’s a chilly Tuesday morning. The daily list of reasons to stay in bed is already forming in my mind: that AP Gov test is today, I have to figure out something to wear that doesn’t make me look homeless, I have to talk to people I don’t like, I have to talk with people I do like but I somehow feel like they don’t like me even though they are a great friend, I have to either fake being happy and feel like my insides are melting into acid or don’t fake being happy and feel bad about being short tempered. The list continues to flood into my mind until I finally take a deep breath and drag myself out of bed. Autopilot kicks in and a half an hour later I’m at school.

First hour is a free period. Easy. The AP Gov test is next hour, I get down to studying. The notes taken during class are already ingrained in my brain, I start reading the book chapter again. Or rather, try to start reading the chapter again. My eyes are looking at the book, but my mind refuses to process what is written. I stare at the word “civil” while thoughts come racing in: you are going to fail the test, your grade is going to plummet, your gpa is going to sink faster than the titanic, you’ll never get scholarships, how are you going to make it through college if you can’t even take an AP Gov test. My eyes dart to the clock, 50 minutes had passed. I sigh, try to slow my pulse down, and start gathering my things.

Inside the Ap Gov classroom my stomach starts churning. I should go home, I don’t want to take this test. I get the dreaded slip of paper, and my mind goes blank. I panic. Deep breath. Ok I know this one, ok I know the next one too. After 15 minutes the paper is turned in, and it was a piece of cake. “Why do I always do this” I think to myself. The thing about anxiety and depression, you have absolutely no control over your own mind. You can’t stop worrying, you can’t stop feeling horrible. Daily tasks that should be easy turn into a difficult, gut wrenching, obstacle.

Check back each month to view a new blog post from a member of the ACMH Youth Advisory Committee

ACMH Youth Advisory Committee: Photo Project

“A picture is worth a thousand words….”

Or so the old saying goes! ACMH Statewide Youth Advisory Committee members each bring a unique story and come from different corners of the state. One of the goals of our group is to raise awareness about mental health ~ So we took to the street in our communities to snap photos that we felt represent mental health in our community. Entries may represent our personal journey; people, services or agencies that have supported us or helped us along the way; or objects or belongings that are symbolic to us or mental health. Check some of our first submissions below!

Artist Statement: “My picture may not look like much, but it was taken in my dialogues on diversity class, where we discuss various social issues, which includes mental health. I greatly contribute to that conversation and often remove the stigma and teach my classmates about mental health. My psychology binder is also in this picture, because I love psychology and I want to be a psychiatrist so I can help kids like me.” Caroline

Artist Statement: The reasons I chose the photo of my family is because I can always count of them in hard times. I know I can lean on them when ever I need them and when I just need someone by my side.”

Youth Leadership Camp

The 2016 ACMH Youth Leadership Camp was a great success! 12 youth from across Michigan attended the camp along with several ACMH staff. Over the course of the two-day event the youth learned about various aspects of leadership and explored sharing their experience with mental health. Topics like personal leadership styles, strategic storytelling, and assertive communication were discussed in hands on group activities. There was also time for fun teambuilding and self-care activities like volleyball, basketball and a campfire (complete with s’mores)!

Here is some of the feedback that participants shared about their experience:

“Great fun, felt like a family, very fun”
“This camp was really an eye opener, and has taught me so many things, not just from the activities but from the other participants.”
“I really love the experience of coming together and having fun!”

Many of the participants at the camp are also members of the ACMH Youth Advisory Committee. The camp was the kickoff event for the committee, and was the first event of a yearlong leadership experience for these youth. In the coming months, the committee will be working together to promote mental health awareness, advise ACMH and other state leaders and provide youth voice in decisions that impact young people in our state. We at ACMH are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with these incredible youth and look forward to the work that’s ahead!

Wraparound Conference

ACMH was pleased to attend the Wraparound Conference last month. It was especially great to meet and spend time with the young people at the event. Youth attendees and youth coordinators from around the state had fun exploring various forms of art, leadership and communication skills in the creative expression workshops. Youth also got to know each other and the coordinators by participating in teambuilding activities and games, such as life sized Jenga and checkers. On the last day, the youth shared the works of art they created in the workshops with conference attendees. Thank you to all the youth and youth coordinators who attended. We hope to see you next year!

Youth Leadership

The ACMH Youth Leadership Camp is coming up on August 13^th and 14^th. The camp will be held at the YMCA Storer Camps in Jackson Michigan. Youth with lived experience from around the state will come together to gain leadership skills, network with other youth and learn about opportunities for youth voice. The camp is also the kickoff event for the ACMH Youth Advisory Committee. We at ACMH are incredibly excited about the camp, and can’t wait to partner with members of the youth advisory committee! We look forward to updating you on our work soon!

_________________________________________________________________________

The 2016 ACMH Conference Was A Great Success!

On May 5^th, ACMH celebrated Children’s Mental Health Awareness by holding the 2016 ACMH Annual Conference. This year’s conference theme was “Come Together”. Families, youth providers and community members joined together to share resources, information and personal stories related to Children’s Mental Health. A highlight for many attendees- along with the time tested Beatles tunes that played, and the brightly colored decorations that evoked a special, hopeful feeling in the room- was the incredibly powerful youth presence at the event. Youth from Easter Seals in Oakland County did an amazing job speaking out sharing their experiences with mental health in the Youth Leadership workshop. Here are a few of the comments that were shared from observers:

“Fantastic!”

“Youth advisory council-WOW! I would love more information about/from them. Very powerful young people.”

“The teen group was the best they gave me so much information. Great job to the teens. Glad they were here!

“I actually understood how my son may be feeling. I now can go back to him with what I learned.” ”

We are very thankful to these youth for attending the event. Your willingness to “come together” for Children’s Mental Health made all the difference!

Youth Peer Support at Michigan Annual Peer Conference

The 2016 Michigan Annual Peer Conference was held May 24^th-26^th in Lansing. ACMH was honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the “Unity and Community” and delivered a workshop on peer support for youth and families. We would like to give special thanks and recognition to the YPSSs who attended the conference this year. Here are some of the ways they helped spread the word about Youth Peer Support:

Sharing their experiences and providing the YPSS perspective on a Youth and Parent Support Panel
Facilitating and leading the Youth Involvement Vs. Youth Peer Support: What’s the Difference workshop
Facilitating and leading the Self-Care support group
Representing Youth Peer Support and attending conference workshops

Thank you again YPSSs for all that you do. We are so excited to have YPS as a part of the continuum of peer delivered services in Michigan!

Wraparound Conference

Wraparound is pleased to announce that the Eighteenth Annual Wraparound Conference will be held June 29^th-July 1^st at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire Michigan. The theme of the conference this year is “Help for today; Hope for tomorrow”. The purpose of this conference is to build on successes and enhance Wraparound by exploring new resources and innovations. Special announcement to young people: don’t miss the youth track at this year’s event! Youth attendees are invited to participate in these interactive workshops that will bring youth together and provide meaningful skill building opportunities. We look forward to seeing you there and will update you about all of the exciting happenings after the event.

May is here and that marks the start of something special:

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month

This annual event helps raise awareness about issues and causes related to children’s mental health. The National Federation of Families has announced the theme for 2016 as “Healthy Families, Resilient Children: Mental Health is a Family Affair!” We at ACMH agree that children’s mental health affects all family members in unique ways. We were excited to hear youth speak out on the importance of mental health in their own words. Here is how young people from Saginaw and Kalamazoo told us they are helping raise awareness in their communities and why this week matters to them.

Kalamazoo:

On May 5^th, Calling All Youth M.O.V.E will host a booth at Kalamazoo Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (KCMHSAS)’s 11^th Annual Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day Carnival. Carnival goers will be able to “Dunk Out Stigma” at CAY M.O.V.E’s dunk tank, where participants will wear T-shirts specially made by members of the group. Tasha Beischl talks about the significance of the activity: “We decorated shirts with a negative stigma on the front so people could come and dunk the stigma,” she explains. “It’s a visual for people helping people get rid of stigma”.

Youth and family members who visit the CAY M.O.V.E booth will also have the opportunity to create beautiful tissue paper flowers. The flowers will be used as centerpieces for the KCMHSAS annual Mental Health Breakfast the following week. CAY M.O.V.E member Arrion Hill is excited about the event. “The breakfast brings people together in the community to show that everyone is working together for one purpose,” she says.

When asked about the importance of the May events, Elmahdi Sprague says: “It’s important for people to be aware of it, to know other people out there are just like them and dealing with the same challenges. It brings them together to share a day and have fun and forget about some of their worries.” Elmahdi, Tasha and Arrion have made incredible contributions to children’s mental health awareness as long time members of CAY M.O.V.E. They are graduating from the program this spring.

Saginaw:

Saginaw MAX System of Care and the youth of Youth Breaking Boundaries (YBB) have planned a variety of activities and events for children and families this May including Fun on the Run, Show Me Nutrition and the Children’s Mental Health Awareness Celebration. Kolby Holden, President of YBB explains the importance of raising awareness for Children’s Mental Health: “It gives people with mental health challenges the opportunity to be to be noticed. And for us to show that we love them and that we embrace them as individuals… It shows appreciation and love and that we do see them.” YBB member Sierra Cortez also says “It is important that other people are aware because it lets kids know that they are appreciated and they are not any difference than we are.”

Long time YBB member Gaven Mersha is especially excited about the Show Me Nutrition class for youth. “People can come together and learn how to cook, and that is a great skill that is needed in the community,” he says. “If we eat better we can help improve the self-esteem of the community and come together more- we can see the inner sides of people instead of people being afraid. Everyone has something great inside them.”

TJ Holden, Transitional Peer with YBB talks about how YBB is making an impact in the community, saying “YBB is powerful because it shows that we are trying to break down barriers of stigma of people who are different, such as gender, race, and sexuality. We are bringing together people as one people. We are human. It is a powerful way to reach out and show people that we are all one at the end of the day.”

We at ACMH want to give huge props to all the youth leaders who are helping raise awareness for Children’s Mental Health, and a special thanks to the youth who shared voices and work with us this May. To learn more about activities mentioned here, please visit the links below.

https://www.facebook.com/SaginawMAX

Saginaw Max System of Care Website

Advocacy Services for Kids

Advocacy Services for Kids Facebook Page

Visit ACMH’s Tools and Resources for Families Page

May 20, 2018 by Terri Henrizi Leave a Comment

ACMH wants to help ensure that you have access to all the tools, tips and strategies you may need so we created this page to share resources that you may find useful.

Resources that are helpful for one child and family may not work for another so we will share any we think may be useful and you can decide what might be helpful to you.

We hope you find something that meets your needs! Be sure to check back often as we will be adding resources and information about training opportunities as we receive them.

ACMH is Accepting Applications for a Statewide Family/Partnership Support Coordinator

August 28, 2017 by Leave a Comment

To apply, mail or email a cover letter and resume by September 15 to: Jane Shank, ACMH Executive Director, 6017 W. St. Joe Hwy, Suite 200 Lansing, MI 48917 e-mail to: [email protected].

Family-Partnership Support Coordinator Job Posting 2017 Final

The ACMH Statewide Family/Partnership Support Coordinator (FSC) will provide information and referral, support, encouragement, community linkages and assistance by phone and online to families of children with emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorders; In addition the FSC will support parents and caregivers to fully participate in family-driven practices, treatment and supports by helping families to better understand and manage their child’s mental health challenges, the public and private mental health systems, available treatments, supports and resources, and by assisting families to negotiate, problem solve and navigate community agencies.

The FSC will also provide outreach and help to identify families who have an interest in participating in systems reform and leadership activities; manage social media presence on platforms including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and provide administrative assistance and support for the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and ACMH data collection.

**Applicants for this position must have experience parenting a child or youth with emotional, behavioral, and/or mental health challenges who has received mental health services. Experience with child serving systems including CMH, DHS, Court, School is preferred.

This position is a full-time office based position in ACMH’s state office in Lansing.

Work hours will be M-F 8:00 a.m. til 4:30 p.m. with a 30 minute lunch.

If you are interested in this position or know someone who would be a good candidate please download the job posting for a complete list of qualifications and job duties today!

Family-Partnership Support Coordinator Job Posting 2017 Final

Governmental Affairs Update

January 31, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Click here to link directly to the January 2017 Governmental Affairs Update shared by the ARC Michigan and RWC Advocacy or view it below:

January 2017

Government Affairs Update

The 99th Michigan Legislature convened on Wednesday, January 11. There was no committee or floor activity (other than bill introductions), in anticipation of the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference on January 12, the Governor’s State of the State address on January 17, and the completion of House committee assignments (see below for more on all three). Activity in both chambers will pick up the week of January 23.

Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference

The State Treasurer and other state fiscal leaders gathered on January 12 to finalize revenue projections for the coming year (Fiscal Year 2017-2018). In general, the state’s economy continues to climb slowly and it does not appear that any cuts will be needed in the current fiscal year (due in part to $478 million in one-time revenue from the last fiscal year that will carry forward). Legislative leaders and incoming State Budget Director Al Pscholka stressed that the FY 2018 budget will be “cautious” in light of the forecast and other potential influences on revenue collections, such a declining housing market due to higher interest rates or an unexpected business tax refund. Overall, there is projected revenue growth of $613 million combined for the General Fund and School Aid Fund in FY 2017; combined growth of $558 million in FH 2018; and combined growth of $415 million in FY 2019.Click Here for Consensus Revenue Agreement Executive Summary Economic and Revenue Forecasts Fiscal Years 2017, 2018 and 2019

State of the State Address

Governor Snyder delivered his 7th, and second-to-last, State of the State address on January 17. The address was primarily a rundown of numerous issues before the state, such as job growth and infrastructure needs, but contained very few new proposals or initiatives. In contrast to last year’s address, there was very little mention of Flint. The Governor did note the success of the Heathy Michigan Plan and announced that he will be joining other Republican Governors later this week to urge that Congress not dismantle Medicaid expansion as part of any Affordable Care Act revisions.
The Governor began his speech by touting the recent economic development growth announced in Michigan recently. The Governor reiterated his support and success of the Healthy Michigan Plan (Medicaid expansion). It was announced earlier today that the Governor will be in Washington DC this week urging members of Congress to maintain Medicaid expansion.

The Governor announced a crowd sourcing challenge urging creative minds to find a solution to the looming Asian carp crisis in the Great Lakes. For more information, please see www.mi.gov/carpchallenge.
The “vocational village” program in the Ionia prison aimed at giving inmates job skills will be expanded to the Jackson prison and the Huron Valley women’s correctional facility.
The 21st Century Infrastructure Commission recommendations were highlighted, focusing on funding and the asset management component of the commission’s recommendations.
“Place making” was previewed as an item the Governor will recommend for additional resources in the upcoming budget.
The Governor applauded the legislature for adopting autonomous vehicle regulations and touted “Planet M,” which is the overall brand for automotive mobility.
Michigan’s population should again grow above 10 million people – we are only 70,000 shy at this point.

Key documents from the Governor on accomplishments in the past 6 years and initiatives the Governor discussed during the address are available at:
http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277–402543–,00.html

The full transcript of the address can be found here.

House of Representatives Committee Assignments

House Speaker Tom Leonard is expected to announce House committee assignments sometime the week of January 23. The full House has adopted its Standing Rules in House Resolution 1, which establishes the names and number of members for standing committees for the coming session. There are numerous changes in both from last session, among them: the Education Committee has been renamed the Education Reform Committee and will have 12 members; the Criminal Justice Committee was renamed the Law and Justice Committee and will have 12 members; and the Elections Committee will now be called the Elections and Ethics Committee.
Click Here for STANDING RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION ARTICLE IV, SECTION 16

Legislation

Senate Bill 35 – Reintroduction of legislation to regulate charitable gaming millionaire parties. Introduced by Senator Rick Jones, referred to the Senate Committee on Regulatory Reform.

Senate Bills 29 – 32 – Legislation to further modify the deadline for eliminating the Health Insurance Claims Assessment (HICA), from July 1, 2020 to May 31, 2017 unless the federal government provides written notification and explanation that HICA is impermissible and that federal Medicaid funding would be reduced. The bills also create a Health Services Fund in the Department of Treasury to Introduced by Senator Horn (SB 29), referred to the Senate Committee on Health Policy.

Senate Bills 36 and 38 – Legislation to allow inclusion of fingerprint/photograph of a person with special health care needs in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System and statewide network of photos upon request of parent or guardian. Introduced by Senator Rick Jones, referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary. Hearing scheduled for January 24.

House Bill 4051 – Legislation to require lead screening for all children under age six who are enrolled in Medicaid or MI Child. Introduced by Representative Schor, referred to the House Health Policy Committee.

**Direct links to all the bills mentioned above can be found using the link at the top of the page.

Other

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services submitted its Section 298 Initiative interim to the Michigan Legislative on January 13, as required in the FY 2017 budget act. The reports calls, among other things, continuing the separation of payment operations for physical and behavioral health services. It also recommends that any change to the status quo be “partly informed and guided” by integration demonstration and pilot projects. Further, the report recommends steps to end coverage gaps and to incentivize screening for substance use disorders. The report does acknowledge that significant changes in federal policy and funding could affect the recommendations. A second phase of the Initiative is now underway and will focus on the development of recommendations on models and benchmarks for implementation. A second, final report will be presented to the Legislative in mid-March.
Click the following link for the MDHHS Interim 298 Report: Final Interim Report of the 298 Facilitation Workgroup – Final Version

My 13 year old son has severe ADHD and severe anxiety. He has not been treated properly until he entered into a partial inpatient program. He is now on three medications and I feel he is handling himself much better. I am not saying he will walk in to school and be the class A student, but he is in a better place than he was. He has been labeled a bad kid for so long he truly feels he is, he has a lot of hopeless feelings. He goes to therapy twice a week and has a long road ahead of him to get things turned around. He has had a very rough past with school, suspended multiple times for being disruptive and any other thing they can say he was bad for. He was definitely targeted as a bad kid and they didn’t want to deal with him. I am trying to get him into a different school to give him a positive start. He was denied from a private christian school, and it looks like he is on his way for denial into a public school. I have no idea as to what I can do for my son’s education at this point.

September 2, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Dear Concerned Parent,

I am so glad to hear you feel your son is doing better since participating in the partial inpatient program. I know it can be quite a challenge to find the right educational environment to meet your child’s needs and I wish you luck in your search.

In regard to your concern about your son being ‘refused’ by schools it might be helpful to review the School of Choice Guidelines in the State School Aid Act (which outlines when and for what reasons a school district may refuse a school of choice application) if you are looking outside of your district of residence.

The school of choice guidelines can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(kyuk3ajwqbcn5b32kchwp1fz))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-388-1705c

If you instead choose to stay in the same district or cannot find another school for him to attend you could request that they revisit his IEP (I am assuming he has one) in order to put additional supports and services (including a positive behavior support plan if necessary) in place to help him be more successful this year.

If you need additional assistance, please feel free to call our toll free phone line at 888-2264543. Another resource that may be helpful is Michigan Alliance for Families which is the Michigan’s statewide Parent Training and Information Center who helps families of students involved in special education to better understand and navigate the education system. Their phone number is 1-800-552-4821 when you call that number their system will automatically route your call to a local Parent Mentor who can assist you. Their website also has many great resources- click here to check it out.

Good luck and please feel free to call if you need additional help!

Happy New Year! Welcome 2016!

January 1, 2016 by Terri Henrizi Leave a Comment

January 05, 2016 by Terri Henrizi Leave a Comment (Edit)

It has been almost a full year now since we first launched ACMH’s new website and we hope that you have found at least some portion of it useful! We are excited to have met last’s year goal for the website which was to create a ‘sense of community and connectedness’ for families of children & youth with mental health challenges across Michigan and enhance their access to timely, relevant information that meets their needs.

We have learned a lot over the last year and are excited to be bringing new features to the site in the upcoming year including new content, regular blog posts, family leadership & advocacy tools, an updated Youth Page, additional training & interactive options and much, much more!

Remember ~ we need you to continue to make the site a success so please feel free to make posts, ask an expert, share your wisdom and provide hope and inspiration to others! Thank you again to all of the parents, youth and community partners who have interacted with and made suggestions for the site. We could not have success without your input, ideas and interaction! We would also like to thank the Flinn Foundation for providing the funding for this online adventure and Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services, the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration for their ongoing support and funding of ACMH activities including ACMH’s electronic resources!

The launching of the new ACMH website was not the only exciting thing happening in 2015 however… We also saw the birth of Youth Peer Support as a Medicaid reimbursable public mental health service in Michigan! Michigan’s Youth Peer Support Project is a Statewide Initiative in partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and provides Medicaid reimbursable Youth Peer Support to eligible youth as a part of their treatment plan. ACMH is the Statewide Coordinator & Training Partner for the project and provides initial training and ongoing coaching, supervision, support and technical assistance.

The goals of Youth Peer Support include supporting youth empowerment, assisting youth in developing skills to improve their overall functioning and quality of life, and, working collaboratively with others involved in their youth care. Youth Peer Support services can be in the form of direct support, information sharing and skill building.

The Youth Peer Support service is provided by trained youth peer support specialist. Youth Peer Support Specialists must have lived experience navigating behavioral health systems and must participate in and complete the approved Michigan Department Health and Human Services training curriculum.

ACMH has been a long time supporter of family peer-to-peer support and know the value of this unique type of support. We are excited to see enhanced opportunities and outcomes for the youth involved in public mental health services as this service and support grows across Michigan! For a first hand introduction to this new initiative click Intro to Youth Peer Support to download a blog entry from one of our Youth Peer Support Project Trainers. To learn more details about the project and youth peer support click here.

We hope that you and your families also had a successful and happy 2015 and are excited as we are to see what 2016 has in store.

Happy New Year!

Process to Hire and Train a Youth Peer Support Specialist (YPSS) in your Community

STEP ONE: Complete the Readiness Documents

Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans/Community Mental Health Agencies interested in bringing Youth Peer Support to their community can begin the process by completing & submitting the following documents:

YPS Readiness Plan

YPS Organizational Readiness Checklist

Hiring a Parent Support Partner or Youth Peer Support Specialist

Directions: Open, complete and save the above documents and forward the completed documents to Krissy Dristy, Youth Peer Support Project Manger at: [email protected]. Once Krissy has received and reviewed the documents she will contact you and then forward the training registration packet. For tips on hiring a Youth Peer Support Specialist, please refer to Hiring a Parent Support Partner or Youth Peer Support Specialist.

STEP TWO: Complete the Registration Packet

The following registration packet must be completed and submitted to Mandy Gernand at [email protected] by the designated deadline in order to register a Youth Support Specialist to attend the initial training:

YPS Registration Packet

What is involved in the Youth Peer Support Specialist Certification Process?

YPSS Certification Requirements

Youth Peer Support Supervisors and Administration Manual

Youth Peer Support Training Requirements:

The Youth Peer Support Specialist training model requires 100% attendance and participation in the full classroom-style training, 11 months of individual & group coaching, and Quarterly Professional Development/ Technical Assistance (PD/TA) meetings.

The YPSS Supervisor is also required to attend the final day of the initial training.

Professional Development & Technical Assistance Meetings are held quarterly and Youth Peer Support Specialists meet face to face for on-going learning. Quarterly meetings provide an opportunity for networking with other YPSS’s and technical assistance around barriers with implementation of the model.

Youth Peer Support Specialist Supervision Requirements:

Supervision of the Youth Peer Support Specialist is provided by a CMHSP Child Mental Health Provider who:

Has direct knowledge and contact with youth receiving Youth Peer Support service.
Provides clinical direction related to treatment goals.
Supports clinical staff to integrate YPSS’s into treatment team, development of goals, etc.

Agency Expectations of the Youth Peer Support Project:

It is a requirement that:

The YPSS be hired and employed by the CMH or contract agency before they attend the initial part one training. The initial training is intended only for YPSS who will be providing this Medicaid service.
All pre-training paperwork be completed by the given deadlines (registration, supervisor contact information, media release and emergency contact).
All MDHHS requirements for initial training and follow-up technical assistance and coaching for the YPSS and supervisors will be met (coaching calls, quarterly meetings, and joint supervision).
YPSSs actively work directly with and provide YPS services to youth with SED who are authorized to receive services in the public mental health system during the certification process.
The agency will assure that YPSS have equipment and all technology to perform their job.
All supervisors will attend the designated portion of the YPSS training for each YPSS they send to training (which could include the CMHSP, contract and/or Youth Peer Supervisor). Supervisors will continue to participate in additional TA/training as required by the YPSS model or requested by the Statewide Coordinator.
Regular individual supervision will be provided by a qualified children’s mental health professional (CMHP) identified by the agency on a bi-weekly basis at a minimum.
If the YPSS is employed through a family or contract organization, a supervisor from that organization will be identified and will participate in a minimum of monthly supervision with the CMH and YPSS.
The agency will ensure that the YPSS will be an active member of the treatment team and will participate in team and planning meetings.

It is strongly recommended that:

A minimum of two YPSS be hired per agency as they will offer additional support to one another, which contributes to improved retention rates for the YPSS and offers choice by broadening the range of strengths, skills, and experiences from which to draw in providing support for youth.
Employers establish a consistent work schedule that includes a minimum number of hours of work per week (i.e. 20 hours per week).
The workload will be individualized to assure that youth receive a high quality YPS service.

Questions?

For more information about how to bring the Youth Peer Support service to your Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan/Community Mental Health or to learn more about the Youth Peer Support training process, contact Sara Reynolds, Youth Peer Support Statewide Coordinator at: [email protected] or 517-643-3544 or Kristina Dristy, YPS & PSP Program Manager at: [email protected] or 517-643-3314.

Youth Peer Support State Contacts:

Sara Reynolds, Youth Peer Support Statewide Coordinator, [email protected] or 517-643-3544

Kristina Dristy, Program Manager, YPS & PSP, [email protected] or 517-643-3314

Justin Tate, Manager of Programs for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbance in the Division of Mental Health Services to Children and Families, MDHHS [email protected] or 517-241-1497.

Carla Pretto, Executive Director, Association for Children’s Mental Health [email protected] or 517-599-6269.

ACMH 2015 Conference

This year’s conference was a great success. Thank you to the 100+ families, professionals and community partners who shared their time and expertise with us for an incredible day of learning and networking!

This year we asked participants to share what they learned, their ah-ha moments or their ‘take aways’ from the event. Comments included:

“If you don’t speak- someone else will for you.” “Speak out for what’s right for our families.” “Learn from your failures.” “Turn mistakes into disasters.” “Only those who risk going too far find out just how far they can go.” “Family voice = family driven” “I appreciate the honesty of Kinetic Effect.” “Family voice is important and can make impact.” “Our voices raised together are POWER!” ” I was empowered and educated on the tools to help families with difficult school issues.” “I learned that culture goes deeper than the media depicts.” “I’m going to speak for my son’s needs because no one else is going to speak for him!” “It is so powerful to hear Barbara and Scott’s story of origin. I feel inspired and motivated to keep pushing forward”. “NEVER GIVE UP!” “Our scars should be seen as beauty marks.” “I learned the power of 25″ ” Push my local CMH to understand the importance of service driven care and the need for advocacy- creating a balance.” “How to enhance parent voice when parents can’t be honest with system partners due to fear for no longer being considered a “good parent”. “YES! Family voice matters!

View this year’s conference program here: ACMH Conference Program.

Materials from some of this year’s presentations can be found below:

Children’s Mental Health 101

Parent Support Partner Project Conference PSP
MDCH Children’s Trauma Initiative Presentation

What’s New with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services What s New At MDHHS