Keynote
Tuesday, June 23rd
9:00 am–10:30 am

Digital stories: Capturing the essence of our stories
Victor Damian, Jose Luis Garcia, Katherine Leddy      

Abstract: This presentation will showcase digital stories from San Francisco youth who share in their own words challenges, struggles, violence, barriers in the system, beauty, resiliency, strength, and love. Digital stories are a powerful way to capture experiences through a marriage of voice, pictures, music, and creativity. Marquita Jones and Jose Luis Garcia will explain how this process works and give insight into how and why digital stories are an effective tool for education, advocacy, and awareness.

Youth Summit Call to Action
Rebecca Strachan, Youth Summit Board         

Abstract: The Portland National Youth Summit will present a Call to Action that will address gaps in and propose improvements to youth-focused services and research. Youth Summit Participants are national youth leaders who have navigated their way through mental health challenges and various services such as foster care, substance recovery, and the justice system.

Session 1
Tuesday, June 23rd
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Evaluating Family Peer-to-Peer Support Programs
Elaine Slaton, Malisa Pearson, Gisela Lawson, Chris Stormann, Bill Hobstetter, LuAnn McCormick, Norin Dollard, Dianne Shaffer, Vestena Robbins 

Abstract: Program evaluation is a critical building block for Family Peer-to-Peer Support, the mantel of the family movement.  This interactive session examines the value of various kinds of measures developed and used by family-evaluator teams of the Parent Partner Assessment Workgroup.  Take away tools you can use to enhance your program.

Description: Family peer-to-peer support is the mantel of the children’s mental health family movement. However, formalized peer support programs continue to lack significant study demonstrating outcomes, best practices, and cost effectiveness. A diverse workgroup of families and evaluators representing 7 family peer-to-peer support programs have examined assessment strategies in an effort to advance the field.

A panel from the Parent Partner Assessment Workgroup (PPAW) of the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health will describe basic evaluation methodologies for developing, implementing and improving family peer-to-peer support programs and demonstrate how their own programs have used them. They will engage participants in dialogue about the value of various methodologies and, in particular, the identification and measurement of outcomes. In addition, findings from several program studies will be shared.

This interactive panel presentation has drawn overflow crowds at three other national conferences.

Session 3
Tuesday, June 23rd
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Moving New York City Community Residential Programs to the Family-driven and Youth-guided Care Arena
Bette Levy, Bernadine Meeks, Brian Lombrowski      

Abstract: This presentation will provide a description of  interventions that led to a successful system change initiative in New York City, resulting in a range of family-driven and youth-guided practices being implemented in over 26 New York State Office of Mental Health licensed community residential programs for children/youth and their families.

Description: Many out-of-home care programs across the country claim to promote ‘family partnerships’ and ‘youth empowerment’; the reality is often quite different. The New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH) implemented an initiative to change this reality.  The presentation will provide:

a) an overview of the NYS OMH systems change initiative in New York City;  specifics about youth and family input into the initiative;
b) a description of the methods utilized to assess program improvements (e.g., use of survey; verification by families, youth and staff);
c) a description of specific best family-driven and youth-guided practices, spelled out in the literature and through feedback from an ethnically/culturally diverse group of families and youth with emotional or behavioral challenges involved in NYC community residential or similar out-of-home care programs, which have been implemented in NYC community residential programs as a result of the systems change initiative;
d) a description of specific strategies (e.g., training; centralized leadership/oversight; ongoing input from youth/families) utilized in NYC for ensuring successful implementation of the best practices across a large number of community residential programs; and
e) an opportunity for discussion regarding how this successful initiative can be replicated in other cities, counties and states.

Session 4
Tuesday, June 23rd
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Ensuring Youth and Caregivers a Direct Voice in the Assessment and Service Planning Process: Use of the JIFF in a Diversion Program
Kay Hodges, Cynthia Smith, Damarko Morrison, Mary Johnson, Cynthia D. Williams, Kenyatta Stephens    

Abstract: Youth and parents deserve a “direct voice” in stating their perceptions about the youth’s needs – one unfiltered by professionals. The JIFF, a self-administered computerized interview for youth and parents, has been used as an assessment measure at intake and to evaluate services. A successful application (diversion program) will be presented.

Description: This session will describe the implementation and evaluation of a youth diversion program, Correct Course. Youth who have successfully completed the diversion program have their charges dismissed, thus avoiding further penetration into the juvenile justice system. A computerized, self-administered interview, the Juvenile Inventory for Functioning (JIFF) (Hodges, 2004), is used to assess the youth’s functioning and needs. There is a youth and caregiver version of the JIFF, both of which asks about the youth’s functioning.  In addition, the caregiver version asks the parents what types of services they think their child could benefit from, as well as gives them an opportunity to indicate which services they do not want for their family. The JIFF is used to identify the service needs of first-time offenders, match them to community-based services, and collaborate with parents in generating a service plan. The youth are assigned to an appropriate Youth Assistance Program (YAP), whose charge is to meet the family’s needs. When the youth has completed the program, both the youth and caregiver(s) take the JIFF a second time, providing pre-to-post evaluation data.

Session 5
Tuesday, June 23rd
11:00 am–12:30 pm

The 2009 Portland Youth Summit: Youth Experience, Youth Leadership, and Youth Empowerment
Rebecca Strachan, Kris Gowen, Janet Walker, Youth Summit Board       

Abstract: Youth Summit planners and participants will present the youth-voiced Call to Action identifying changes in mental health services and social support systems advocated by the group. Members of the Youth Summit advisory board also will describe strategies for how to effectively work with a nationally-based youth-led board.

Description: The 90 minutes will be divided into two sessions.  The first section will outline the Youth Summit day event and the youth-prepared Youth Call to Action.  Members of the Youth Summit Board will present:

1. Who attended the Summit: age range, geographic spread, summary of participant experience in mental health and systems
2. The themes of the day
3. Summary of Youth Summit activities
4. Identified gaps in services, research, and approaches to serving youth with mental health needs
5. Identified solutions focusing of youth empowerment and youth voice related to these gaps
6. How Summit participants will reach out into their communities to vocalize these identified needs and solutions
7. How professionals, families, and other advocates can respond to the Call to Action

The second section will outline our experiences with having a youth-led advisory board help plan the Summit. We will discuss challenges, lessons learned, as well as our success. We anticipate this to be interactive, with attendees asking questions about our experiences.

Session 6
Tuesday, June 23rd
11:00 am–12:30 pm

"21" It's the new Thirty
Jacki Hoover, Sheila Givens, John Ray, Aaron Thomas, Ashley Hartman, Justin Austin

Abstract: Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) succumbed to the hard fact that most of our professionals with direct practice to youth were hardly “youthful”. We didn’t subscribe to Facebook, or know who TI and Rhianna were.  Ergo, we were not the best individuals to attempt to engage youth or advocate the youth voice.   DHS hired a group of “alumni of services”, youth support specialists, to help guide to our next step of system integration and family engagement.  These specialists assist with our integrated Hi-Fidelity Wraparound initiatives.  These youth champions also mentored seasoned professionals on how services should best be delivered and continue drive best practices through our system.  Hear their experience in their own words on what and how they do “what they do”, as well as the efforts made to support them in this role.

Description: In 2008 DHS launched an initiative called Improving Outcomes for Children and Families in partnership with Casey Family Programs, local foundations, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW), providers, consumers, stakeholders, and community organizations. It is based on maintaining a strength-based and child- and family-centered system that partners with families and delivers the supports and care that are needed across mental health, child welfare, mental retardation, early intervention, juvenile justice, drug and alcohol programs, education, and other child- and family-serving processes and entities.

We believed the key to this new process would be the Youth Support Partners.(YSP)  DHS hired 4 youth, ages 18-25, all former recipient of child welfare, juvenile justice and/or behavioral health services.  There was no educational requirement for these positions and the true job description was for the youth to engage current system youth by using their personal experience to advocate for positive change. 

This proved to be a learning process for everyone involved.  Most of YSP’s hired were very recent recipient of services.  They continued to have needs and challenges that our Department culture was not ready for.  How do we orient them to our giant system when we have seasoned system administrators who couldn’t understand our new DHS vision?  We not only had to educate the youth and mentor professional protocol but we had to be willing be mentored and reeducated ourselves.  As system professionals, we had to acknowledge that mistakes have been made and we needed help from the YSP’s to improve outcomes for children, youth and their families.  We needed consider the YSP’s as the expert and work with them on how to better the DHS service delivery.

Not only was the YSP role in the team of Hi Fidelity Wraparound but we needed their expertise and youth engagement skills to build our Youth Advisory council. This will enable us to realize the full potential of the valuable contribution that youth with a history of involvement in our child-serving systems can provide to this initiative.  Through the Youth Advisory Council we will also provide participants with the opportunity for developing skills which will make them a valued resource to advise other youth-serving programs and providers in Allegheny County.  It is anticipated that the Youth Advisory Council will interact with peer groups state and nationwide, such as the SAMHSA national youth advisory group called “Youth Move” and the National Foster Youth Advisory Council.  The youth will also be developing skills to become the alumni that we are seeking with the expertise and system perspective to work along side us as social workers, advocates, policy makers and legal professionals as we transform our youth-serving systems.

Session 7
Tuesday, June 23rd
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Choices:  Understanding Systems of Care
Eileen Mary Grealish        

Abstract: When youth and families need help, they often turn to professional helpers and service systems.  In this symposium, participants will learn about systems of care, what they include and what young people and families can expect from them.  Some of the typical supports available will be described as well.

Description: The purpose that inspired the creation of local systems of care was to make sure that young people and families had access to needed supports and services in their communities.  This effort has been largely successful, although some communities provide more options than others and the systems are not yet fully collaborative and integrated.

In this symposium, a comprehensive list of various service options will be discussed in terms of what they provide and what youth and families can expect from them.

Session 8
Tuesday, June 23rd
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Peer Support is for You(th)!
Julie Petty        

Abstract: The Peer Support is for You(th)! Workshop is designed to teach participants about an innovative approach to helping youth achieve personal life goals by supporting each other and contributing to their community, while also utilizing the federal Individual Development Accounts (IDA) program to build individual assets.

Description: Peer support is a process through which youth identify what they have to offer and what support they need.  IDAs are matched savings accounts that allow people to save money more quickly than with traditional savings accounts.   Learn how we merge the concept of peer support with the IDA program to help youth identify their strengths, support each other, and build assets for the future! 

Facilitators will guide participants through an interactive game to discover the details of our approach.  During the game, they will take turns rolling the die and moving the game piece to learn about peer support, the IDA program, and how it all works.  Using the game to facilitate our workshop, we will share the details of our approach and discuss challenges and progress to date.  Participants will also experience other games we use to help youth identify their strengths and explore their goals.   Activities will be followed by a question and answer period. 

Session 9
Tuesday, June 23rd
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Improving Transitions to Adulthood for Youth with Mental Health Needs: Youth and Parents
Pauline Jivanjee, Jean Kruzich, Patty King, Chris Clark      

Abstract: Presenters will share findings of focus groups that explored the transition experiences of young people with mental health needs and their parents. A parent and son will describe their experiences and their advocacy activities to improve transition outcomes for other youth and families. Participants will discuss strategies to improve transition supports for youth and families.

Description: This presentation will describe findings from a participatory research project focused on the transition experiences of 16 pairs of youth and young adults aged 16-24 and their parents. A research team with family member and youth research assistants conducted focus groups with questions that addressed experiences with community integration in the transition years. Findings examined experiences with school, employment, living situation, access to and use of services, recreation, and relationships with family, friends, and the wider community. Youth and family participants reported on many challenges related to lack of understanding of their mental health needs, stigmatization, and the absence of helpful services. They also described examples of helpful supports and opportunities to pursue their goals. Youth and parents offered advice to others facing similar challenges and recommendations to service providers. A parent and youth who participated in the study will share their experiences with transitioning and examples of their advocacy and peer support activities to improve outcomes for other youth and families. This symposium will conclude with a discussion with participants about strategies to improve transition supports and services for youth with mental health needs and their families.

Session 10
Tuesday, June 23rd
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Young and Homeless in Nashville
Cheri Hoffman        

Abstract: This symposium will share research results from a dissertation project addressing youth homelessness in Nashville that sought to uncover the strengths of homeless youth, how they survive, what makes them resilient, the mental health challenges they face and how they cope. Photographs from a youth-led PhotoVoice project will be shared, providing insight to life on the streets from the perspective of the young.

Description: This symposium will share several elements from a dissertation addressing the situation of homeless youth in Nashville from a strengths-based perspective.  Research results from a survey comparing the experiences of youth who have run away or been kicked out of home but returned to stable housing and those who remained in unstable living situations or ended up on the streets will be shared. Qualitative data from youth living on the streets of Nashville will be shared for insight into their experiences, the strengths that have helped them survive, their service use, and their ideas for what would be most helpful to youth in their situation. Finally, a PhotoVoice project will be presented with photographs and narratives from street youth to provide their perspective of life on the streets and what should be done to help homeless youth.

Session 11
Tuesday, June 23rd
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Spirits Rising:  A Support Group for Teen Mothers with Depression
Lea Kirkpatrick, Maureen McGarry

Abstract: Explore the power of this group for teen mothers who share a common denominator--symptoms of depression. Through peer to peer support sessions,  they gained the benefits of a broader network of support, a collection of healthy coping strategies for mood management, and a greater ability to nurture their children.

Description: This presentation will outline the elements of a support group that was initiated as part of a 3 year pilot project to enhance services of a Healthy Families Massachusetts (HFM)program.  The project was a collaborative effort between the Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund and Diversified Home Services, Inc. (DHS).

The support group was designed to foster the mothers' resilience and strengthen their ability to manage depression (including seeking treatment if needed) and to improve their parenting experience using these methods: through expressive arts, psycho-education, and peer to peer communication within a safe, supportive environment.  The workshop will use  handouts, case studies, expressive art experience, and  a video of a group participant interview.

Session 13
Tuesday, June 23rd
1:30 pm–3:00 pm

Avanza - Creating a Youth Guided Culture of Acceptance
Dana Edgull, Mayra Quezada, Violeta Romero, Juan Estrada, Michael Robles, Brian Lippincott

Abstract: Monterey County System of Care was successful in developing a youth guided approach for Transition Age Youth (TAY) and created processes to ensure youth involvement.  Youth are consistently demonstrating positive outcomes while key strategies for engaging youth at all levels of program implementation and on-going quality monitoring are in place.

Description: Monterey County System of Care was successful in developing a youth guided approach to working with Transition Age Youth (TAY) and created processes to ensure youth involvement in systemic issues.  Prior to 2003, services and supports for TAY over 18 were very limited.  Additionally, youth voice in program planning and evaluation was severely lacking.  In response to this, community stakeholders came together with Behavioral Health to develop the Avanza program and processes were created to ensure youth involvement. 

In developing Avanza, we found successful strategies to engage youth both in their own services and in systemic issues.  The foundation for Avanza is the Transition to Independence Process (TIP) Model and staff incorporate principles of Harm Reduction and Motivational Interviewing in their work with the youth.  We found that youth are actively involved in Avanza because of our youth centered approach, non-judgmental staff and opportunities for youth to share their talents and strengths.  We also developed activities with youth input which include creative outlets for expression and youth-oriented outings.  Strategies for involving youth in program implementation and evaluation include: actively seeking youth input, responding to suggestions from youth, following through on commitments, and placing control in the hands of the youth. 

Session 14
Tuesday, June 23rd
1:30 pm–3:00 pm

Anti-Stigma: Breaking the Barriers of Mental Illness
Brad Luthe, Sherri Luthe

Abstract: Stigma is one of the most significant barriers keeping youth and families from accessing resources that promote mental health and well-being.  A Kansas 17-year-old youth leader has touched many lives through a powerful anti-stigma presentation he developed in 2006.  Come see him in this uplifting, interactive workshop.

Description: Brad Luthe has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and a deep commitment to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health conditions, especially among his peers. Brad’s personal experience motivated him to share his story about living with a mental illness and educate youth and adults about what it’s like to live with a mental health condition and what stigma feels like. Brad’s message has already had a significant impact on youth, families and child-serving professionals in Kansas and has begun garnering national attention. He was the 2007 recipient of the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health Celebration of Youth Award. In 2008, Brad received the Mental Health America  empower award presented to outstanding advocates for their exceptional effort in raising awareness of mental health issues among America’s youth. Brad is joined in this presentation by his mother, Sherri Luthe, a well-established leader and advocate in her own right at local, state, and national levels. Come listen to this dynamic mother-son team as they transform your life with the inspirational message that you can live and be well in spite of living with mental illness.

Session 15
Tuesday, June 23rd
1:30 pm–3:00 pm

The National Building Bridges Initiative: Equipping Families and Youth with Information to Support Successful Outcomes in Residential Programs
JoeAnne Hust, Brian Lombrowski, Bette Levy, Euphemia Strauchn, Marvin Alexander  

Abstract: Youth and family members whose children have been in residential programs will describe the National Building Bridges Initiative (NBBI) and its importance for youth and families. Tip Sheets they have developed to provide guidance to families and youth in understanding best practices in residential programs will be shared and discussed.

Description: Families, youth, community and residential providers, advocates and policy makers from across the country have joined the National Building Bridges Initiative (NBBI) to ensure that services and supports are family-driven, youth-guided, strength-based, culturally and linguistically competent, individualized, evidence and practice-informed, and consistent with the research on sustained positive outcomes.  An ethnically and culturally diverse group of families and youth has helped lead NBBI and direct its activities; a panel of these diverse families and youth will present:

a) an overview of the NBBI (e.g., focus on collaboration/coordination; examples of best practices and programs that have transformed and achieved significant positive outcomes for youth and families);othe implications of NBBI efforts for families and youth who have been or may receive services in residential programs;

b) Family and Youth Tip Sheets – comprehensive products developed by ethnically and culturally diverse groups of families and youth to equip families and youth with knowledge about best practices in residential programs and means of actively engaging providers in the promotion of their care.

Feedback from participating families and youth regarding their perceptions of desirable and undesirable practices in residential and community programs will be solicited and collected for possible incorporation within ongoing NBBI activities.

Session 16
Tuesday, June 23rd
1:30 pm–3:00 pm

Digital stories: Capturing the essence of our stories
Victor Damian, Jose Luis Garcia, Katherine Leddy

Abstract: Experience the world of multimedia digital storytelling.  See, feel, and hear young people's stories created using their words, their experiences and told in the way that they want to tell it.  This workshop will show some digital stories, and youth will talk about the process involved in making these stories.

Session 17
Tuesday, June 23rd
1:30 pm–3:00 pm

The Schoolhouse Doors Are Open: Creating a County-wide Comprehensive System of Youth and Family Supports to Embrace our 21st Century Global Economy
Krista Allison, Carol Lichtenwalter        

Abstract: To provide and disseminate to participants a holistic and research-based approach in the creation, transformation and sustaining of a county-wide comprehensive system of asset-based supports that strengthen our youth, families and community.

Description: The schoolhouse doors have not always been inviting to our families and community.  Research has shown that in order for students to meet the challenges of our 21st Century global economy and achieve life-long success, there needs to be a focus not just only on overcoming the academic barriers to learning, but also on the non-academic barriers that are linked to risk factors such as discipline, social and emotional behavior, attendance and dropping out of school.  If such conditions are right in our schools, it will promote physical, emotional behavioral and academic success (The Ohio State University, College of Social Work; Ohio Department of Education; and UCLA, Center for Mental Health in Schools).

The Ohio Stark County CARE Team Initiative (iCARE) is a comprehensive, holistic, county-wide system of care that has coordinated and aligned resources to engage, empower, support, and educate our youth, families and community.  iCARE will demonstrate and provide evidence on the development, implementation and sustainability of a county-wide collaborative model which braids and blends fiscal and human resources through comprehensive wraparound services within the school that build assets in our youth and rebuild assets in our families which in turn benefit our community.

Session 18
Tuesday, June 23rd
1:30 pm–3:00 pm

Utilizing a Theory of Change Process to sustain your youth movement on a community and national level
Brianne Masselli, Robert Salazar, Ralphaelle Richardson      

Abstract: This workshop aims to show how applying a theory of change can improve and ease implementation to sustain youth voice in systems of care.  The theory of change planning process will be explained and illustrated from  local level youth coordinators who partnered with youth, professional and evaluators to map out what youth voice would look like in their communities and how youth engagement can support system transformation on both the local and national level.

Description: The presentation will explain how the logic modeling process has been used as a framework to engage youth. It will also outline strategies to assist communities in achieving goals, track progress and the importance of inclusion of youth voice in systems transformation. Participants will hear from two local communities who have utilized the theory of change approach to shaping the youth voice in their community as well as hearing about Youth MOVE National history mission, vision, and organizational development. Youth MOVE National will also share their process of utilizing a theory of change approach to map out how they coordinate and support local communities with integrated approaches for authentic youth engagement.

Participants will learn:

1. How using a theory of change process will allow youth to develop meaningful ways they would like to participate in community change
2. How to structure youth voice activities so that they are useful, practical and applicable for improving services and systems
3. How partnering with evaluators and using data can support sustainability in your youth movement
4. How your community can be supported by Youth Move National in creating opportunities for authentic youth engagement

Session 19
Tuesday, June 23rd
1:30 pm–3:00 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Mapping the Participatory Process
Barbara Friesen, Terry Cross, Pauline Jivanjee, Kris Gowen, Abby Bandurraga, Cori Matthew    

Abstract: This presentation describes a participatory research project for building practice-based evidence within culturally-based programs. Partner organizations, a community-based organization serving Native youth and families, a national Indian child welfare advocacy organization, and a university research center, collaborated to create a comprehensive tool for assessing Native youth well-being.

Description: This presentation describes a participatory research project for building practice-based evidence within culturally-based programs. Partners in this project are three organizations based in Portland, Oregon, the NAYA Youth and Family Center, a culturally specific direct service non-profit youth development organization, the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA), and the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children’s Mental Health (RTC). Each of the partners brings a unique set of resources, skills and perspectives to the project. The presentation will describe the development and testing of a culturally responsive tool for assessing and planning with Native American/Alaska Native youth.

Session 20
Tuesday, June 23rd
1:30 pm–3:00 pm

A First-person Journey of Bipolar Disorder: Insight, Resources, Hope
Cinda Johnson, Linea Johnson        

Abstract: Cinda Johnson is a special education professor. Her daughter Linea is a college student and musician. They share a powerful story of Linea’s journey through a crushing depression, manic episodes, suicide attempts, hospitalizations and diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Their story provides resources and hope for young people and their families.

Description: Dr. Johnson is a professor and program director at Seattle University in special education. She is nationally known for her work in transition services and follow-up studies with youth in special education that have graduated or dropped out of high. She has been particularly interested and involved in youth with behavior and mental health conditions. Her daughter received a scholarship to study music in Chicago. Two years later Linea was suicidal, hospitalized and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This session will provide information on bipolar disorder and the importance of youth empowerment. Linea and Cinda are writing a book that chronicles their struggles and provides insight into the mind of a young adult as she struggles to understand and ultimately manage her mental illness. Linea will share her writings from the journals she has kept. Cinda will share her efforts to find services and support while trying to save her daughter’s life.

From a first person perspective the session participant will increase his or her:

1. Understanding of bipolar disorder.
2. Insight into depressive and manic episodes.
3. Understanding of family involvement, support and services.
4. Gain information to support and provide wrap-around services as a major component of transition services.

Session 21
Tuesday, June 23rd
1:30 pm–3:00 pm

I'm Cool with Who I Am: Voices of Youth Coping with Mental Health Challenges
Brandon Chambers, Christina Peirsol, David (DJ) Depew, Chase Moody, Riley Warman

Abstract: A panel of youth will discuss their experiences with mental health diagnosis.  They will provide a youth point of view on how it feels to be stigmatized and provide insight about needed services and support.  All presenters are members of the Oregon Family Support Network Lane County Youth Leadership Committee.

Description: A panel of youth will discuss their experiences with mental health diagnosis.  They will provide a youth point of view on how it feels to be stigmatized and provide insight about needed services and support.  The presentation includes each youth sharing their life experience along with a series of recommendations for services and support.  These youth are very open and honest and invite questions and discussion from the participants of the training.  The following topics will be addressed in the presentation:

1) Stigma effects on relationships with peers and adults
2) Past experience with mental health services
3) Youth participation in treatment and services planning
4) Youth recommended mental health services
5) Community services utilized outside of mental

Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN) provides support groups and recreation opportunities for youth ages ten through twenty-four and coordinates a Youth Leadership Committee that serves as an advisory board; policy advocates and plans all youth events and activities.  The Youth Leadership Committee mission is youth working in cooperation with adults to improve mental health services, reduce stigma, support each other and better our community in a safe and welcoming environment.  They are dedicated to their mission and seek out opportunities to share their work with other community and youth groups through project partnerships, presentations, committee/council member representation and volunteering their time on service projects.  Youth leaders have identified the great need of reducing stigma and raising awareness around mental health for young people as their #1 priority.

Session 22
Tuesday, June 23rd
1:30 pm–3:00 pm

School-based Child & Family Support Teams
Elizabeth Gifford, Rebecca Wells, Yu Bai, Shari Miller-Johnson, Audrey Foster, Joel Rosch, Tony Troop, Leslie Babinski  

Abstract: The North Carolina School-Based Child and Family Support Team Initiative (CFST) places nurse-social worker teams into 103 high needs schools to prevent academic failure and out of home placement by connecting students and families with appropriate community services.  This paper presents the first results from the CFST evaluation.

Description: A child's success in school is impacted by host of factors including mental health, physical health, and family factors.  While many communities are developing wraparound and other community-based supports for children and families, schools often have no effective way to access those services.  In addition, there is little systematic analysis of how accessing the impact of those services on academic achievement and rate of out-of-home placement.

In 2005, North Carolina passed legislation establishing the School-Based Child and Family Support Team Initiative (CFST) which places nurse-social worker teams into 103 schools in 21 school districts.  CFST uses child and family teams (a form of family group conferencing) to connect students and their families with appropriate strengths-based community services.  The authorizing legislation uniquely holds multiple agencies accountable for the success of this school-based program, including the Departments of Public Instruction (DPI), Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (DJJDP), and the Divisions of Public Health, Social Services and Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse.

Session 23
Tuesday, June 23rd
1:30 pm–3:00 pm

Breaking the Silence: Putting an End to Name-Calling
Silvia C. Pastor, Tammarra Jones, Roxane Nassirpour      

Abstract: Breaking the Silence: Putting an End to Name-Calling outlines the implications that bullying has on students, educators, and communities. Psychological, educational, and physiological outcomes are compared for racial and LGBT youth. This symposium will provide empirically-based interventions for policy, programming and practice issues in order to increase school safety.

Description: Breaking the Silence: Putting an End to Name-Calling outlines the implications that bullying has on students, educators, and communities. Psychological, educational, and physiological outcomes are compared for racial and LGBT youth. This symposium will provide empirically-based interventions for policy, programming and practice issues in order to increase school safety.

Session 24
Tuesday, June 23rd
1:30 pm–3:00 pm

Building Dreams, A Mentoring Program for Children of Incarcerated Parents
Robin Kimbrough-Melton, Chardae Anderson, Tricia Motes      

Abstract: This session will provide an overview of Building Dreams, a state-wide mentoring initiative based on principles of positive youth development and building supportive and inclusive communities. The initiative builds one-on-one mentoring relationships between trained adult volunteers and children of incarcerated parents.  The principles and practices that shape this work will be highlighted.

Description: Building Dreams works with children and youth, ages 4-17, who have a parent in state or federal prison. With the assistance of local faith- and community-based partners, the program recruits and matches eligible children and youth with volunteer adult mentors. The program also assists families and siblings of children in Building Dreams by providing connections to supportive services (e.g., respite and/or child care, legal services, job training, economic assistance, counseling, etc.) and social networks. The principles of positive youth development undergird the direct assistance to children and youth.

Building Dreams is a partnership of Clemson University.

Session 25
Tuesday, June 23rd
3:20 pm–4:05 pm

OPT4College:  Youth-centered Participatory Action Research in the Design of an On-line Educational Transition Curriculum
Myra Reynoso        

Abstract: This curriculum is aimed at supporting urban youth with disabilities and/or special health care needs apply to post-secondary educational opportunities and establish self-advocacy skills.  There will be a discussion of the steps taken in this project from how we created a youth advisory board, to forming collaborations with grassroots organizations.

Description: This project is a randomized control design study of an activity-based curriculum designed to help urban youth with disabilities or special health care needs transition to post-secondary education.   The curriculum is accessible via the internet and consists of six lessons with videos, animated PowerPoint presentation, PDF documents to download, resource pages and links. These six lessons range from making the decision to go to college, to financing college, and advocating for the accommodations needed on campus.  Each lesson concludes with four action steps and guidance on how to complete these steps. This project is currently in its first year and has baseline data as well as important methodology data to present.

Session 26
Tuesday, June 23rd
3:20 pm–4:05 pm

Are We Moving Yet?  Gains and Barriers to Advancing the Family Voice in Policy  Lessons from Unclaimed Children Revisited.
Janice Cooper, Yumiko Aratani        

Abstract: This 50-state study includes findings on the role of the family and youth voice in children’s mental health policy.  Investigators describe states’ efforts to strengthen family and youth-directed policy; funding for advocacy, fiscal policies that support family and youth engagement; and continuing challenges to family and youth-oriented care and policies.

Description: Unclaimed Children Revisited: The Status of Children of Children’s Mental Health Policy in the United States documents states’ policy choices on a host of child mental health related issues from family and youth engagement to implementation of evidence-based practices.  Forty-nine states reported that they have strategies designed to increase the family voice in policy.  This presentation reviews the major strategies that states reported they use to promote family and youth engagement including fiscal policies that support family-centered treatment and supports.  Some states use Medicaid and state funding to support families in various professional roles, these are presented.  Drawing on two sub-studies, data is also shared on family and youth knowledge and attitudes on evidence-based practices and state advocates’ perspectives on the role of family and youth voice in child mental health policy.
Major recommendations and their policy implications are advanced.

Session 27
Tuesday, June 23rd
3:20 pm–4:05 pm

Mental Health Treatment and Prescribing Practices Among Pediatricians in Systems of Care Communities
Sylvia Fisher        

Abstract: This session presents findings from a survey of pediatricians in funded system of care communities regarding treatment and medication prescribing practices for child mental health problems. Treatment and medication prescribing are associated with race/ethnicity of patients and pediatricians, payment sources, other practice characteristics, and attitudes about the role of physicians.

Description: The role of pediatricians in youth mental health treatment has been a concern for caregivers, youth, and providers in system of care communities. Many youth entering systems of care are prescribed medication by a physician outside the system of care, and caregivers, youth and mental health providers require a better understanding of pediatricians.

Session 28
Tuesday, June 23rd
3:20 pm–4:05 pm

Wisdom from Parents of Our Most Challenging Children
Kathy Savicki, Jan Urton, Tammy Brister      

Abstract: Parents of children with emotional and behavioral challenges use a logic model and personal stories to describe their experiences of stigmatization from family, friends and professionals as they search for help and support.  Learn from parent experts what increases family resilience and strength and improved outcomes for children.

Description: Popular culture often views children with severe behavior problems as products of “messed” up parents with poor parenting skills.  Parents of children with challenging behaviors and mental health needs know it’s more complex, and significantly impacted by a family’s social environment.  In this presentation, parents use a logic model to present information about the causes and consequences of stigmatization.  Presenters outline a complex interaction of pre-existing family stressors and infant/toddler biological indicators and the resulting effect on the parent child relationship.  Problems often compound with reactions and advice from extended family, friends and the professional community decreasing a parent’s overall sense of well being and willingness to seek treatment.  Furthermore, what happens between a parent and child is replicated in the parent and professional relationship.  Parents will share impossible choices encountered in an effort to help their children and what from their perspective families need most from professionals to increase resiliency and strengths.

Session 29
Tuesday, June 23rd
3:20 pm–4:05 pm

Youth Driven Program Evaluation: Transformation through Evaluation
Tamara Johnson, Jean Kruzich, Chris Clark      

Abstract: Social Service programs are often evaluated through the use of administrative data and client satisfaction surveys. These data sources do not illuminate the lived experience of the people they serve. Youth ‘N Action members will share tools and strategies to engage youth in all aspects of the evaluation process.

Description: Youth N’ Action (YNA) is a Washington State wide youth advocacy program that brings youth voice to public policy and empowers at risk youth ages 14-24 to make differences in their lives, communities and systems that serve youth. In 2008, we applied for and received a mini-grant through the Washington Institute of Mental Health Research and Training (WIMHRT) to complete a 6 month youth driven program evaluation. A youth ad hoc committee was formed that was instrumental in all aspects of the evaluation including developing a pre-focus questionnaire, focus group guide, questions and ground rules, data analysis, interpretation and report writing. The audio-taped focus groups were transcribed and analyzed by youth leaders involved in the ad hoc committee along with their research partner and other key stakeholders in Youth ‘N Action. In the presentation we will share the tools and strategies we used to engage youth in evaluation and an opportunity to have a discussion with a panel of youth and professionals who were involved in the evaluation to talk about their experience.

Session 30
Tuesday, June 23rd
3:20 pm–4:05 pm

Building Bridges Self-Assessment Framework: Shared Responsibilities for Integrating Residential Treatment and Community Services
Robert Lieberman, Sandy Heine, Brenda Reed      

Abstract: The Building Bridges Initiative promotes family-driven, youth-guided, culturally/ linguistically competent practices that integrate residential treatment and community systems.  This presentation will describe a matrix of performance guidelines and a self-assessment instrument designed to identify opportunities for improvement for communities and agencies, along with one agency's experience in field-testing these tools.

Description: This symposium will describe the Building Bridges Initiative, a national effort to promote the creation of more comprehensive family-driven, youth-guided service arrays for children, youth, and families through the integration of residential treatment and community service systems.  It will focus particularly on the "Framework for Self-Assessment" being developed through the extensive efforts of workgroups consisting of residential and community-based providers, family members and youth. The two primary components of the framework are a Matrix of Performance Guidelines and Indicators and a companion Self-Assessment Tool.  The two instruments are designed to assist residential treatment organizations and community partners in assessing the degree to which they are operationalizing the principles and practices of the initiative.  Field testing of the Self-Assessment Tool is currently underway and the preliminary findings will be reviewed and discussed.  The experience of one southern Oregon agency that field-tested the tool will be described, with particular attention on the family member participation and input.  The improvement recommendations that emanated from use of the tool and the organization's response to date will be reviewed.

Session 31
Tuesday, June 23rd
3:20 pm–4:05 pm

Acting Mad: Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviors
Telma Marques        

Abstract: Challenging behaviors are difficult for everyone and preschoolers may engage in severe aggressive behaviors. Too often, parents and caregivers feel they are "in it alone."  Prevention and positive intervention nourish emotional development in social settings. Our presentation focuses on a successful comprehensive early intervention approach that includes parents, caregivers, and mental health professionals to promote social/emotional competence.

Description: Young children can present challenging behaviors as they are exposed to socialization and learn to behave appropriately in the educational setting. Positive behavioral intervention strategies are used in guiding and managing behavior of children in classrooms, encouraging children to recognize appropriate behavior; and clearly stating expectations for appropriate behavior. Planning and classroom management will promote positive social/emotional skills, foster mutual respect, strengthen self-esteem, and support a positive learning and safe environment.

Occasionally, young children present dangerous behavior in the educational setting, with the potential to injure themselves or others. In such circumstances, children may need more assertive behavioral strategies to help them learn appropriate behavior. The implementation of the Second Step Curriculum developed by the Committee for Children promotes developmentally appropriate social/emotional skills to reduce impulsive and aggressive behavior in pre-schoolers, increasing level of social competence. The curriculum teaches empathy, impulse control, and anger management, providing opportunities for modeling, practice, and reinforcement of the new skills. The theoretical approach is based in the developmental tasks involved in the social and emotional development of children and teenagers which continues into adulthood developed by psychiatrist, Erik Erikson in 1956; Eight Stages of Development.

Session 32
Tuesday, June 23rd
3:20 pm–4:05 pm

Youth Leaving Foster Care: Prepared for the Real World from the Perspective of Foster Care Youth and Parents with Special Emphasis on Needs of LGBTQ Youth
Maria Scannapieco        

Abstract: This presentation presents foster youth and their circle of support (foster parents, child welfare workers, and others) perspectives on their experiences in the foster care system and what supports and services they feel they need to thrive as they enter interdependent Living.

Description: The number of children in foster care increased from 302,000 in 1980 to 556,000 in 2008. Teenagers make up about 30% of all foster care youth. About 20,000 adolescents leave foster care each year because they reach eighteen years of age, with 30 percent being in care for over 9 years without a permanent placement (DHHS, 2005). An overview of the empirical research will be presented and then compared to focus group data collected from foster youth getting ready to age out, foster care youth who have graduated, and foster parents who care for older foster care youth.  Findings from the literature as well as the focus groups with special emphasis on the different challenges LGBTQ Youth face will be discussed and it's implications for practice and policy will be presented.

Session 33
Tuesday, June 23rd
3:20 pm–4:05 pm

Bridging the Gap Between Mental Health and Child Welfare: What Mental Health Providers Need to Know When Working with Children and Families in the Foster Care System
Antonio Garcia, Maureen Marcenko        

Abstract: Collaboration between mental health providers and child welfare caseworkers remains to be a daunting challenge due to systemic and institutional barriers. Consequently, the mental health needs of children in foster care, especially for children of color, continue to go unmet.  Using data from the National Survey of Child & Adolescent Well-being, this presentation highlights children’s behavioral outcomes and depressive symptomatology between those placed and not placed in out of home care. Implications for working with youth and families in the foster care system are discussed.

Description: This presentation highlights findings from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being database, a longitudinal study examining experiences of families who received a CPS investigation. Utilizing data from Wave 1, the purpose of the current analysis is to examine predictors of placement by race/ethnicity. Independent variables include demographics, type of abuse, child mental health, and parental stressors.

The study sample consists of children seven to fifteen years of age whose parents were the focus of a CPS investigation between October 1999 and December 2000 (n=2156). The sample includes 714 African American, 1,057 Caucasian, and 385 Hispanic children. Out-of-home placement occurred for over 25% (n=557) of the sample.

The NSCAW study collected data from child interviews, teachers, social workers, foster parents, and caregivers, using a variety of instruments. In the current analysis data were collected from the 1) Child Depression Inventory (CDI), a 27 item questionnaire, which asks children about their  mood, interpersonal problems, ineffectiveness, anhedonia, and self-esteem (Kovacs, 1985), and the 2) Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), which assesses their competencies and problem behaviors (Achenbach, 1991). Social workers provided data on parental risk factors and type of maltreatment that lead to CPS involvement.

Session 34
Tuesday, June 23rd
3:20 pm–4:05 pm

Building Community Capacity for Evaluation
Karen L. Peterson        

Abstract: This session will examine a successful community/individual partner/university collaborative (the C.A.D.R.E. initiative) whose mission is to develop community-focused capacity for providing evaluation services for grant-funded social/human service projects.  Essential elements for success, criteria for project selection, and the collaborative framework will be discussed.

Description: Evaluation of agency and grant-funded projects and initiatives is an essential component to program development and sustainability in all human service agencies.  However, agencies with a small staff focused on direct service work, may not have the capacity (personnel or financial) to engage in assessment and evaluation efforts, especially when grant project and awards are small and the hiring of external evaluators is prohibitive. 

Capacity for conducting evaluation of human service projects entails having expertise that reflects the real-life needs of engaging in community work, having personnel to carry out one of more evaluation efforts, and having the ability to conduct assessments with limited funding.  One solution to this predicament is the building of local expertise, using well-prepared “independent contractors” to serve as project evaluators.  The C.A.D.R.E. (Community, Assessment, Development, and Resource Evaluation) collaborative, developed in 2008, uses and builds the expertise of university faculty AND skilled individuals in the community to build a cadre of skilled professionals who work to increase community capacity to conduct and support evaluation efforts.  Guidelines for understanding university interface, establishing criteria for project acceptance, funding, working in a collaborative structure, as well as successes and pitfalls, will be discussed in this interactive session.

Session 36
Tuesday, June 23rd
3:20 pm–4:05 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Developing Intensive Home and Community Based Services Using Systems of Care Principles
Betty Walton, John Pavlack, Shweta Chandra      

Abstract: The community alternative to psychiatric residential treatment Medicaid demonstration grant is being used to develop effective intensive community based services through child and family wraparound teams. Evaluation information (CANS, WFI_4, Youth Services Survey and services) monitors progress and identifies areas for quality improvement.

Description: The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 included a Medicaid grant to demonstrate that intensive community based services are a cost effective alternative to psychiatric residential treatment facilities. Five year grants were awarded to ten states. The intensive home and community based services may be an alternative to or transition from residential treatment. Strategies and tactics to develop and implement diversion and transitional services managed through wraparound teams in Indiana will be shared: building on developing systems of care, provider recruitment, navigating the Medicaid system, training, coaching, using information to support decisions, monitor progress and improve services.

Session 37
Tuesday, June 23rd
4:15 pm–5:00 pm

Coaching in Advanced Child Management Skill-Building: Parents Leading the Way
Barbara Hull, Luann Gray, Sharlene McBride-Wicklund, James Wotring, Kay Hodges, Lisa Martin    

Abstract: This presentation describes two initiatives in which parents use a self-report measure of parenting skills to design their own coaching plan.  The Caregiver Wish List (CWL) enables parents to identify the advanced child management skills they would like to develop through individualized practice with a practitioner-coach.

Description: This presentation is based on the results of two research projects in which parents participate in a parent management training (PMT) program. Both initiatives provide parents with a strengths-oriented, empirically-based PMT program. One project is a state, sponsored training program for mental health workers in Parent Management Training – Oregon (PMTO; Marion Forgatch & Gerald Patterson). The second is a PMT program offered to parents who were reunified with their children, after out-of-home placement. This program is administered by a child welfare agency in Kansas. Both programs model a respectful, strengths-based, and skills-building approach to supervising and training their staff, and teach staff to approach parents in the same manner. The two programs have used the Caregiver Wish List (CWL; Hodges, 2002) as a means of engaging parents and evaluating the effectiveness of the programs. The Caregiver Wish List is a self-assessment in which parents identify their own parenting strengths and growth opportunities. The CWL generates a coaching plan, based on the parent’s answers, that delineates skills that the parent may want to improve, given the specific challenges presented by their child. This “coaching plan” forms the basis of the work that the parents and coaches do together.

Session 38
Tuesday, June 23rd
4:15 pm–5:00 pm

Using Resource Mapping to Build a Youth Movement
Brian Lombrowski, Ewelina Wiecek        

Abstract: The presenters will discuss how they successfully held a large cross-systems Youth Forum & Speak Out with limited direct funds by successfully utilizing the principles of resource mapping.

Description: The New York City metropolitan area is rich with social service resources, and yet there have been few well coordinated efforts to hold cross-systems forums for the youth who receive services in the city.  Thanks to a number of resources that came together, in January of this year a Youth Forum & Speak Out was held with youth and service providers from the mental health, child welfare, and juvenile justice systems which was attended by 150 people.  Such an event would not have been possible without an understanding of all of the resources available to youth prior to planning the event.  The presenters will take the audience step-by-step through the successes and challenges of planning the Youth Forum, and highlight strategies for successful organizing of events such as the Youth Forum that was held as well as other goals.

Session 39
Tuesday, June 23rd
4:15 pm–5:00 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Parenting Skills Training As Preparation For Parents Using Wellness & Recovery Management With Their Youth
Frances Purdy, Kyle Cox        

Abstract: Presentation of  follow-up data, analysis of cross parenting and youth wellness skills and distance training and delivery of

Description: Presentation of the follow-up data (3, 6 and 12 months) of an enhanced version of the seven week (21 hours) Parenting with Love and Logic class serried used for two years in Alaska with parents who have children with severe emotional or neurobehavioral disorders showing consistent reduction in number of crises experienced by the child or youth.  Crises before the class is generally 5 per week and remains stable at less than 1 per week on follow-up.  Two years of data is based on 77 parents with 3 different instructors.  Some parents (12%) were court ordered from the child protection agency.  All paid according to a sliding fee scale. The class assignments are geared to fit the needs of differing ages and diagnostic characteristic as well as preparing parents to apply the concepts of wellness and recovery management taught to youth coming to support groups in the family network.  Difficulties of distance delivery of the classes  done through video and audio teleconferencing will be discussed.  Slides of distance training of trainers will be described and essential cross parenting-wellness management components analyzed by the youth and family presenters.

Session 40
Tuesday, June 23rd
4:15 pm–5:00 pm

The effectiveness of arts-based methods in communicating research on pathways to care for youth experiencing first episode psychosis
Katherine Boydell        

Abstract: This presentation focuses on the use of dance to communicate empirical research results from qualitative data on youth experiences of seeking help for first episode psychosis. A DVD of the performance will be shown. Results of the effectiveness of using this approach to knowledge translation will be shared.

Description: A senior scientist and choreographer partnered to co-create a dance performance based on the study “Youth Experiencing First Episode Psychosis:A Comprehensive Examination of Pathways to Care”. The evocative representation of textual research results through dance can communicate mood as well as facts and has the advantage of allowing the audience to engage in the phenomena in a deeper, more sensitive, open and meaningful way. This performance focuses on the subjective, everyday experience of help seeking described in a series of case studies with youth aged 16-24 and presents their responses to the first signs of psychosis, factors that motivated their response and the role of others in help seeking.  It highlights both the particularity and the universality of their stories. Audience feedback showed consistently high mean scores from evaluation questionnaires and the open-ended ‘graffiti wall’, indicating that dance is a highly efficacious, engaging method of knowledge transfer, particularly regarding complex material that deals with human emotion and interpersonal relationships. Participants also identified its potential to educate and sensitize individuals about psychosis. This presentation provides clips from the performance and focuses on the results of measurement of the impact of this research-based dance on academic, service provider and youth audiences.

Session 41
Tuesday, June 23rd
4:15 pm–5:00 pm

Creating Opportunities for Youth Peer Support
Laura Rariden, Natalie York, Christina Peirsol, Brandon Chambers, David (DJ) Depew, Devon Gibson, Martin Rafferty  

Abstract: Youth peer support has been identified by the youth in Oregon as a preferred method for delivering mental health services to transitional aged youth.  Learn about our youth driven process of developing the position and training for the delivery of youth peer support in Lane County, Oregon.

Description: Youth peer support has been identified by the youth in Oregon as a preferred method for delivering mental health services to transitional aged youth.  During this session participants will learn about our youth driven process of creating the job description and training for delivery of youth peer support in Lane County, Oregon.   

This is a pilot project for delivering youth peer support and we have just hired our first Youth Peer Support Specialist (YPSS).  This process has been completely driven and guided by the youth.  After deciding youth want to learn and share with their peers, the concept of an YPSS position was created.  We have spent the last year developing our ideas, created a job description, training and have hired our first YPSS. 

This session would allow the participants to learn more about starting a program in their area and how to include youth in every step of the planning and implementation of peer delivered services.  This pilot project was created by the OFSN Lane County Youth Leadership Committee along with much support from their adult allies.  Our newly hired, first ever, YPSS will be presenting at this workshop and will be available to answer any questions.

Session 42
Tuesday, June 23rd
4:15 pm–5:00 pm

Identifying Family Resilience and Its Positive Impact on Youth
James Coyle        

Abstract: Resilient families are able to effectively respond to significantt risk or adversity, demonstrating positive family functioning and improved outcomes for youth.  Findings from a study of at-risk families that identified family resilience can guide interventions for helping families and youth.

Description: A study of diverse families from the U.S. and Canada demonstrated a pattern of family resilience that was associated with positive youth outcomes.  These families all had pre-teen children and a parental alcohol problem.  Both parents and children provided information about family functioning and resilience.  Resilient families were characterized by above average family functioning and demonstrated above average parenting skills and improved child self esteem. These results suggest a method for improving family resilience in families experiencing significant risk or adversity.  They also suggest a positive impact of these improvements on child outcomes.  This presentation will explain how family resilience helps families and children.  It will also discuss elements of family functioning and interventions that can improve this resilience. Participant brainstorming and stories of family resilience will be used as examples.

Session 43
Tuesday, June 23rd
4:15 pm–5:00 pm

Using State Data to Activate Mental Health Services System Change for Youth and Families
Scott Stumbo        

Abstract: This session provides concrete examples to jump start mental health services policy and system improvements for youth and families. Instruction and access to national and state-level findings on quality and equity of mental health care services for all children/youth and for CYSHCN will be demonstrated with a user-friendly, online data source.

Description: The 2007 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) and 2005/06 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN) will be introduced. This presentation will teach participants to easily access hundreds of findings from these datasets regardless of their current level of experience with using data. It will deepen their knowledge about using data to advocate for youth health and community services improvement. Successful improvement efforts require engaged partners who understand the need for improvement. National and state-specific findings on youth and children/youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) arm advocacy workers with the evidence to demonstrate a variety of health and system needs and disparities. A myriad of factors that influence youths'
success in the world including volunteering, working, school and community engagement, physical activity, parent/youth communication, health/healthcare and disparities, to name a few, are covered in these datasets. Information about children with a number of ongoing health conditions and disorders can be found in the NS-CSHCN and used for improving the quality and equity of care for CYSHCN. Participants will leave feeling data rich and data savvy and with the ability to obtain and share cutting edge data on youth and CYSHCN to advance their improvement goals.

Session 44
Tuesday, June 23rd
4:15 pm–5:00 pm

Strategies to Build Positive Connections with Children
Keith King, Donald Wagner        

Abstract: This presentation will provide participants with practical strategies they can use to build positive connections with children.  Research indicates that children who feel positively connected to their family, school, peers and community are significantly more likely to become involved in positive behaviors.  This presentation will explore various evidence-based techniques to foster positive connections in youth.

Description: Positive social connections prevent child involvement in various types of risky behavior including bullying, violence, depression, drug use and other risky behaviors.  Students who feel positively connected to their family, school and peers tend to engage in healthier behaviors, possess higher self-esteem, have higher levels of academic readiness and are more likely to use effective social skills.  Research studies have highlighted the importance of positive connections on child health behaviors.  Such support comes from the self-esteem research, the social development model, resiliency literature, parenting research, psychological development literature, child health research, mentoring studies and others.  has also confirmed the importance of positive social connectedness.  Our Center for Prevention Studies focus group and survey studies have found that children who feel positively connected to their parents and to their school are significantly less likely to become involved in negative health behaviors.  Findings from our research studies have revealed that effective youth development programs and effective violence/drug prevention programs involve three levels: 1) Family, 2) School, and 3) Community.  Connection-building at each level is critically needed.  This presentation will provide an array of specific teaching and parenting strategies to increase positive connections among children.  The presentation will also provide participants with a synopsis of the  multidisciplinary research on the efficacy of connection-building in positive youth development.

Session 45
Tuesday, June 23rd
4:15 pm–5:00 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Peer Mentoring: Real Recovery for Young Adults
Michelle Butman, Justin Drakos        

Abstract: TRACS includes young adult peer mentors on staff who offer their firsthand experiences of living with and overcoming mental health issues to support and assist others. In 1:1 mentoring, mentors meet weekly with young adultsin the community to provide a model of recovery and to support young adults in reaching their goals.

Description: The TRACS program serves young adults age 16-25 with mental health or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. TRACS includes young adult peer mentors on staff. The peer mentors offer their firsthand experiences of living with and overcoming mental health issues to support and assist the young adults they are teamed up with on their road to recovery. The peer mentors facilitate peer support groups for young adults and also provide 1:1 peer mentoring. In 1:1 mentoring, mentors meet weekly with young adults in the community for about six months and provide support to help them reach goals of the young adults.

Session 46
Tuesday, June 23rd
4:15 pm–5:00 pm

Youth Becoming Evaluators: Perspectives on the Process from Start to Finish
Sara Plachta-Elliott, Renee St. Germain, Alan Jensen, Melissa Goodman, Eric Frederick

Abstract: Young adult evaluators and their evaluation trainers will share a collaborative process, from start to finish, for designing and conducting a qualitative evaluation of a young adult resource center. Young adult evaluator perspectives will be emphasized, and trainers will share tips for facilitating a youth-led evaluation process.

Description: How can youth be involved from start to finish in the evaluation of programs that serve them and their peers? Young adults who were trained to be evaluators and their evaluation trainers will share a collaborative process for designing and conducting a qualitative evaluation. The program evaluated was a new young adult resource center in Massachusetts named Tempo. Young adult evaluators will discuss their perspectives on the rewards and challenges of learning to become evaluators. The evaluation trainers from Consumer Quality Initiatives, a consumer and family member-operated evaluation organization, will share their tips for planning and managing the evaluation training process.  Drawing on our unique perspectives as young adults and trainers, we will discuss the process of hiring young adult research interns, conducting interviewer training sessions, developing a qualitative interview guide, conducting interviews, learning data analysis procedures, and creating a final report. We will also share a creative method for presenting evaluation data, as one young adult evaluator used her creative writing skills to incorporate evaluation findings into engaging narratives about what it is like to use the resource center from the perspectives of young adults. Finally, considerations for sustaining a youth-led evaluation over time will also be discussed.

Session 47
Tuesday, June 23rd
4:15 pm–5:00 pm

Illinois Regional Family Leadership & Support Initiative
Kim Miller, Colette Lueck        

Abstract: The Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership has developed a statewide initiative for family leadership and support that will provide/promote:

     1. Family/parent/caregiver involvement at the direct practice, staff and board levels;
     2. Family/parent/caregiver involvement in state and regional advocacy;
     3. Information for family/parents/caregivers;
     4. Leadership development for family/parent/caregivers in the region.

Description: Participants will learn how Illinois embraced the concept of family involvement through the development of a statewide initiative that brought together family organizations and providers to promote family involvement, leadership and advocacy. Families are now active participants in school mental health initiatives, legislative advocacy efforts, partners in the development of social and emotional learning standards in schools as well as the mental health delivery system.

Family/caregiver involvement is a collective effort requiring representation of all cultural, ethnic and racial groups in the community in sufficient numbers so each has a real voice, yet no one voice dominates. Family voice must be as strong as that of other community and regional partners.  The following objectives will be addressed:

     One: Promotion of family involvement, leadership and advocacy
     Two: Development of regional family involvement initiative
     Three: Addressing barriers in relationship to family engagement delivery system.

Session 48
Tuesday, June 23rd
4:15 pm–5:00 pm

IICAPS: Strength based, evidence-supported, in-home, family focused intervention for seriously emotionally/behaviorally challenged (SEBC) youth
Joseph Woolston        

Abstract: IICAPS is a strength based, evidence supported, in-home, family focused intervention for SEBC youth at risk for requiring institutional treatment. In this paper IICAPS, implemented throughout Connecticut since 2001, will be explicated, including treatment model, funding mechanism, quality assurance approaches and outcomes for 982 discharged youth and families.

Description: IICAPS (Intensive In-home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Service) is a strength based, evidence-supported, in-home, family focused intervention for SEBC youth, aged 4-18 years, at risk for requiring institutional treatment. This paper will explicate IICAPS in terms of the treatment model, the population served, the proposed mechanism of therapeutic action, funding sources, approaches to maintenance of fidelity to model and outcomes for 982 youth and families discharged between 7/1/06-6/30/08.

IICAPS treatment model utilizes a two person clinical team who joins with the family members by co-constructing a series of structured activities that guide the treatment through the development and implementation of a multi-domain treatment plan.Ongoing engagement and problem solving are considered the mechanism of therapeutic action. Fidelity to model and outcomes are monitored continuously via a web-based data management system. Fidelity to the model and ongoing program development is accomplished by use of quality assurance data presented at quarterly network and leadership meetings, monthly site consultation and annual credentialing.

Pre/post outcome measures demonstrate that IICAPS intervention is associated with a statistically and clinically significant improvement in child symptom severity and functioning by parent, clinical and youth report as well as a significant decrease in use of institutional treatment.

Research Plenary
Wednesday, June 24th
9:00 am–10:30 am

From Youth-Led Action Research to Health Justice
Jesus Sanchez, Alyssa Nelson, Chris Barrick, Michael Young      

Abstract: Youth and adults from Youth In Focus (YIF), a California-based nonprofit, share stories of their work in youth-led action research, evaluation, and planning. Drawing from case-studies and personal experience, the presenters highlight ways in which youth direct and participate in the entire research process, enhancing both the experience and the results of a project. They link their examples to the greater youth development fields and social justice movements with a special emphasis on mental health projects in YIF’s Health Justice Initiative.

Session 49
Wednesday, June 24th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Empowering Fathers to Expand Family Roles in Systems of Care
Ron Jaeger, Ralph Lucier, Curtis Dennis, Nelson Rascon, Ray Pate    

Abstract: This presentation describes how family roles in systems of care are being taught and modeled by an organization that empowers male caregivers of children with mental, emotional and behavioral health needs. Delineated years ago, these roles for family members in parent-professional partnerships are finding successful application in today’s systems.

Description: An organization of dads in Washington State called WaDads is empowering male caregivers to help improve the systems of care for their children and families. Empowerment is achieved through periodic regional meetings, phone teleconferences and training and mentoring in weekend-long trainings held in relaxed stress-free environments.  Over time dads have come to understand the opportunities for and benefits of being involved in helping to transform systems.  Men who felt powerless prior to being introduced to the organization have found active roles in systems of care and have shifted from feeling vulnerable to feeling hopeful about the future.  Many important roles identified years ago for family involvement in systems of care have been employed in the process.  Dads know that their experiences are valued as important contributions to system change.  They know that the system intends to help them as well as their children. Dads are being included in the recovery process for their children. Their help is enlisted in assisting other families.  They are educating other men as well as the system concerning needed change.  They are advocating with legislators and law enforcement to help change policy.  And they are researching promising methods for improving recovery and resiliency.

Session 50
Wednesday, June 24th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Paper [PDF]

Lessons from the Trenches--Making Family-Driven, Community-Based Research Work
Katherine Byrnes, Susan Corrigan, Sherri Luthe, Holly Lee, Jennifer Stockton-Richards

Abstract: Family wisdom is a driving force behind research being conducted on a statewide model of professional parent-to-parent support services.  Parents and parent support providers will share unique perspectives to help researchers increase engagement and maximize meaningful involvement.  Researchers will describe the considerable benefits this partnership brings to the research process.

Description: The current research on the statewide professional parent-to-parent (PTP) support services in Kansas began in 2005.  Since the beginning, relationship building has been a mutual priority between university researchers and parents of youth living with a serious emotional disturbance who are PTP providers. Parent involvement has grown steadily since, resulting in parent-professional collaboration at every level and stage of the research process.   A panel of parents and researchers will describe ways to maximize meaningful parent involvement in a family-driven, community-based research project from four vantage points.

Session 51
Wednesday, June 24th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Collaborative Problem Solving: A Peer to Peer Approach
Kristen Anderson, Zacchariah Anderson-Klem        

Abstract: This session introduces Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), from The Explosive Child by Dr Ross Greene.  Materials in presentation are from Oregon Family Support Network's (OFSN) book guide - developed by a former secondary teacher and family member. OFSN operates peer to peer CPS book clubs for caregivers of challenging kids.

Description: Attendees will receive an introduction to both the evidence-based practice Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) and OFSN peer facilitated CPS Book Clubs.  CPS book clubs were developed by the presenter, Kris Anderson, as a means to bring the information in The Explosive Child by Dr Ross Greene to more family members.

Kris is a former secondary teacher and created a 10 week curriculum which includes a book guide, activities, and discussion.  Kris used English as a second language learning strategies in developing this curriculum.  Book club participants go through chapter by chapter and have many opportunities to practice CPS, discuss, and problem solve around their efforts in implementing CPS at home.  Reading the book is recommended, but not required.

During this session attendees will have an opportunity to participate in a skills assessment exercise used in the book club.  Attendees will also get a “sneak peek” at the companion book club series for youth.  Parents attending asked for a similar group for their challenging teens.  This exciting new curriculum is being developed by Kris with her sometimes challenging son, and co-presenter, Zaak, as well as other OFSN youth members, and will be piloted in 2009.

Session 52
Wednesday, June 24th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Bustin' The Barriers To Youth/Adult Partnerships!
Lorrin Gehring, James Sawyer        

Abstract: Participants in this engaging workshop will take part in a fun and interactive activity to explore the common challenges to partnering with youth in system transformation. Participants will walk away with practical strategies they can implement to build positive relationships and overcome obstacles in partnering with youth.

Description: Participants in this engaging workshop will take part in a fun and interactive activity to explore the common challenges to partnering with youth in system transformation. Participants will be divided into groups and each person will be assigned a role based on common key staff positions in communities or on governing boards. Participants will be assigned to act based on their given role and the information that is provided to them. The groups will then be asked to communicate and work together to accomplish an assigned task. This process will give participants the opportunity to act out common challenges in partnering with youth. They will then be given time to act out and share solutions to overcoming the identified barriers.

During the presentation we will identify and speak to:

1. Key problems when developing youth-adult partnerships
2. Key solutions when developing youth-adult partnerships
3. Share tangible resources and supports to assist communities in overcoming challenges and achieving authentic youth involvement.

Participants will walk away with practical strategies they can implement to build positive relationships and overcome obstacles in partnering with youth.

Session 53
Wednesday, June 24th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Youth Led Action Research, Evaluation and Planning: Youth Speaking Truth To Power
Sergio Cuellar, Alyssa Nelson, Chris Barrick, Michael Young, Jesus Sanchez, Julia Vargas    

Abstract: Youth In Focus staff and project alums share how youth have transformed their communities and programs by engaging in Youth-Led Action Research, Evaluation and Planning projects.  Learn first hand how to engage youth in this process, what skills youth will learn, and the impacts that can come from these projects.

Session 54
Wednesday, June 24th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Involving Youth in the Planning, Decision-Making and Evaluation of Services and Programs
Laura Rariden, Marvin Alexander        

Abstract: Youth MOVE National seeks to help prepare youth and professionals to work together on committees, boards and councils at the local, regional, state and federal level.  This presentation covers the benefits and strengths of youth involvement, successful strategies for youth engagement and how to create effective youth/adult partnerships.

Description: This workshop covers the benefits and strengths of youth involvement, successful strategies for youth engagement and how to create effective youth/adult partnerships.  There is a great need for professionals and youth to learn the practice of youth engagement.  This workshop will provide helpful hints, active discussion and role modeling of a successful and fulfilling youth/adult partnership by the trainers.  Topics in the presentation include:

1) Benefits of Youth Involvement
2) Successful Youth Involvement Strategies
3) Creating a Youth Friendly Organizational Culture
4) Models of Youth Engagement Including Positive Youth Development
5) Involving Youth in the Decision Making
6) Methods for Keeping Youth Involved

The training is designed to include both professionals and young people together.  The intention is to support youth and help them learn how to be more effective while participating on board, committees and councils and to support professionals in being successful at including them.  The trainers encourage active discussion which utilizes the vast knowledge of the participants of this workshop.  The trainers are a youth and adult team and are members of the Youth MOVE National Board of Directors.  They provide role-modeling of a successful youth/adult partnership while presenting.

Session 55
Wednesday, June 24th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Culturally Specific Outcomes Based Youth Development Service Plans
Terry Cross, Cori Matthew, Kateri Eagle, Ashley Thirstup      

Abstract: This session will provide an overview of a culturally specific outcomes based youth development planning process that was developed through a community based participatory research project. The audience will hear from the developer, a staff implementing the process and a youth who has been involved in developing their plan.

Description: This session will provide an overview of a culturally specific outcomes based youth development planning process that was developed through a community based participatory research project involving American Indians. The audience will hear from the developer, a staff implementing the process and a youth who has been involved in developing their plan.

Participants will learn about the Relational Worldview model that is the basis for the project and hear a brief overview of the research project that fostered the development of this approach. The presenters will give a step by step illustration of the process and provide time for audience participation and questions. The participants will also hear how this approach is being integrated into the agencies evaluation methods to provide “practice based evidence” to funders. This session will demonstrate the power of collaboration between a local service organization, a university, a national organization and grassroots community members including youth.

Session 56
Wednesday, June 24th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

“AMP”lifying Youth Voice: Tools and Strategies for Organizations from the Achieve My Plan (AMP) Project
Elizabeth Thorne, Janet Walker, Laurie Powers, Sonja Tanner, Nathan Tanner    

Abstract: AMP! is an intervention designed to increase meaningful youth participation in collaborative, team based meetings (e.g. IEP and wraparound), without too much additional burden on organizational resources. This presentation will include key findings from the AMP! evaluation, as well as barriers and supports to increasing youth participation through video and interactive group processes.

Description: The Achieve My Plan (AMP!) is a five year project that is developing and testing ways to increase the meaningful participation of youth in collaborative planning meetings. The intervention was developed by research staff and members of the AMP! advisory committee, which is made up of youth, caregivers and professionals. The intervention has been taking place at two sites in Oregon, one in Portland and the other in Hood River. Team meetings of participating youth are filmed prior to any intervention. Then, participants work with an AMP “coach” through the intervention curriculum. The next team meeting (or AMP meeting) is filmed as well. Videos are coded for changes in youth participation and changes in team interactions. Post meeting paper and pencil surveys are also distributed at the end of each filmed meeting. Youth and caregivers also complete the Youth Empowerment Scale-Mental Health and Youth Participation in Planning (YES-MH/YPP) measure at the end of each team meeting. The YES-MH and YPP measures were also developed by researchers on the AMP! project.

Session 57
Wednesday, June 24th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Youth As Leaders: Including Youth In System Reform
William Atwater, LaTrice McCants, Leon Vaughn, Mario Vaughn, Jasmine Boatwright

Abstract: Positive Youth Development promotes youth voice and youth involvement as vital components of improving the quality of services to children, youth and their families.  Creating partnerships with youth require the dedication and commitment of the parties involve to take the steps to change the culture to one that sees youth as valuable partners who have tremendous gifts to offer in order to transform services.

Description: This presentation will outline the value added to not only involving youth in programming and systems reform, but also the impact positive youth development has on the development of the youth themselves. Key elements to involving youth will be discussed leaving participants with the understand of where they are in this process and next steps to move their system forward.

Session 58a
Wednesday, June 24th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Presentation [PDF]

A Professionals Guide to Supporting Families of Children with Mental Health Disorders
Eileen Brennan, Julie Rosenzweig, Anna Malsch, Lisa Stewart, Kayti Mills    

Abstract: When a child has an emotional/behavior disorder, parents experience challenges as they attempt to meet their caregiving and employment responsibilities. Based on research findings and actual strategies used by parents, this session presents knowledge to support entire families and connect them with the best help and services.

Session 58b
Wednesday, June 24th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Where Professional Meets Personal: A Curriculum to Improve Conversations Between HR Professionals and Employed Parents
Julie Rosenzweig, Eileen Brennan, Anna Malsch, Lisa Stewart, Kayti Mills    

Abstract: The training curriculum presented is designed to address the professional development needs of human resource professionals by increasing their capacity to be responsive to work-life issues facing employed parents of children with disabilities. Both knowledge building and skill development are included in the objectives of the training.

Session 59
Wednesday, June 24th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Are You a System of Care Enhancer in a Strengths Based Culture?
Vickie Loyd, Craig Andler, Tawanda Dent, Christopher Cook      

Abstract: Promoting system of care enhancers is core to family support organizations and the wraparound process.  Enhancers are people who believe in family strengths.  It is the being of whom we are and the doing of our labor.   We will share how to build and nurture your enhancers.

Description: Family support is a key component to any successful system of care.  Families Reaching for Rainbows Inc. will discuss how their family support organization has enhanced the overall system of care, and is key to developing and maintaining the strengths-based culture.  Topics explored will include; How to become s strengths-based enhancer, building strengths- based supervision, growing family support organizations as enhancers to systems of care, and how to utilize family support organizations as strengths-based service providers.  We will utilize a vast array of teaching and coaching techniques designed to reach every learning style.  At the conclusion of our session, participants will have tools to support new skills learned.  They will have acquired knowledge that will help them on their path in their own communities.  Most importantly, they will leave with a feeling of empowerment to be the change agent in their community that is so essential in fostering strengths-based enhancers.

Session 61
Wednesday, June 24th
1:25 pm–2:10 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Building Community Capital; A Collaborative Approach to Community Building in the Greater Cleveland Area
Lori Scott, Geraldine Burns, Chris Stormann, Jeffrey Mays      

Abstract: Forum will address current practice strategies, research, and evaluation techniques utilized in grass-roots community organizing efforts in the Greater Cleveland area. Faculty will provide a brief history of the settlement house movement, the development of Cleveland’s Neighborhood Collaboratives, and unified programming efforts to provide prevention and support services for residents.

Description: For over 135 years, along with the founding of settlement houses, Cleveland families have received neighborhood-based services.  The settlement house movement philosophy, “providing everything a family needs in their neighborhood “under one roof” is still embraced.  Furthering this concept is providing support to families by residents of their own communities.

Neighbor-To-Neighbor (a program of the Family-to-Family Administrator's Council) supports the growth and sustainability of healthy communities throughout Cleveland and Cuyahoga County by focusing on effective support and prevention strategies designed to strengthen the lives of low-income families; subsequently preventing African American children, youth, and families from entering the child welfare and/or juvenile justice system.  Our approach to providing services focuses on the use of Neighbor Coaches (long term community members) whose primary purpose is to promote the well being of families and children accomplishing this through linking families to community organizations, recreation facilities, religious organizations, businesses, and other community based resources.  By increasing the number of families using resources within their community, Neighbor-To-Neighbor seeks to help reduce the number of families who turn to the Child Welfare and/or Juvenile Justice System thus improving the overall quality of life for children and families throughout Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.

Session 62
Wednesday, June 24th
1:25 pm–2:10 pm

Factors Associated with Resilience in Youth in the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program
Brigitte Manteuffel, Sylvia Fisher        

Abstract: During the past decade, important work has been done in creating frameworks for positive youth development and measuring what children and youth need to thrive and flourish. Using outcome data from the national evaluation of systems of care (CMHS), this study attempts to answer the question of which characteristics and outcomes define resilient youth who are in systems of care.

Description: Research has documented that a focus on positive youth development and resiliency assists youth in coping effectively with life challenges and in becoming productive and responsible adults. Despite the importance of resiliency and well-being, progress in conceptualizing, measuring, and applying these concepts has occurred only recently. During the past decade, important work has occurred in creating frameworks for positive youth development, measuring what children and youth need to thrive and flourish, and creating the conditions for youth to be healthy and happy. The findings from this paper underscore how important it is for youth to feel they make a contribution to their families and communities through simple family activities, good peer relationships, active participation in school activities, and constructive use of out-of-school time.

With their emphasis on coordinated and family-focused services for children and youth experiencing mental health challenges, system of care communities are important sources of information about positive youth development. Using outcome data from the national evaluation of systems of care, this study attempts to answer the question of which characteristics and outcomes define resilient youth who are in systems of care. 

Session 63
Wednesday, June 24th
1:25 pm–2:10 pm

Findings from a Study of Youth Participation and Empowerment in Systems of Care: Perspectives, Approaches, Challenges, and Recommendations
Jeffrey Poirier, Leah Brown, Kayla Billings, Michele Herman      

Abstract: This presentation will share findings from a study of youth involvement and empowerment in four systems of care. Based on interviews with more than 40 system of care staff and youth, we will present their youth involvement perspectives, implementation strategies and challenges, benefits, and recommendations to enhance youth involvement and empowerment.

Description: To support the efforts of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; Child, Adolescent and Family Branch (CAFB) and its partners, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is completing a study of youth involvement and empowerment in four system of care communities. This presentation will share study findings including staff and youth perspectives on youth involvement and empowerment in their communities. We will begin with a brief discussion of the study's purpose and approach. We will then present study findings starting with interviewee perspectives on youth  involvement and empowerment including its benefits for youth themselves as well as the systems of care. Next, we will describe how the participating communities have approached involving and empowering youth at the policy/governance, management, and service delivery levels. We will discuss the challenges the systems of care have experienced and their strategies to address these challenges. We will then explore interviewee recommendations (as well as our own resulting from this study) to enhance efforts to involve and empower youth. We will leave 10 to 15 minutes at the end of the presentation for discussion and questions. We also plan to share a copy of the report with each session participant.

Session 64
Wednesday, June 24th
1:25 pm–2:10 pm

Youth at the Wheel: Youth-Driven Research Questions and Analysis
Naeemah Carter, Amber Reagan, Antonio Wilson, Marcella Medicine Horn, Sn Drilea, Katrina Bledsoe    

Abstract: Youth presenters involved in systems of care will describe their engagement in a youth-driven, secondary data analysis research project. Presenters will explain how they became involved in the project, and then discuss the results. Findings on aspects such as youth inclusion in service planning, and satisfaction with services are discussed.

Description: The purpose of this presentation is to describe the process of a youth–driven, secondary data analysis research project. First, the presentation will chronicle how the members of the Children’s Mental Health Initiative(CMHI) National Evaluation’s Youth Advisors Driving Action (YADA) advisory board became involved in conducting the research, as facilitated by the CMHI national evaluation’s youth coordinator. Specifically, members of YADA, working closely with the national evaluation’s youth coordinator and data manager, conducted a secondary analysis on youth data collected by the national evaluation for descriptive and outcome studies on mental health services. Second, the presentation will share results on aspects such as youth inclusion in service planning, satisfaction with services, and other youth-related outcomes. During this session, members from YADA will present their experiences driving the initial secondary data analysis research question development process, and in working to understand the results of the analysis. Additionally, YADA presenters will discuss the importance of having youth become the owners of the information that represents them.

Session 65
Wednesday, June 24th
1:25 pm–2:10 pm

I CAN ACHIEVE!
James Martin, Gerron Moore, Ma'Quisha McClain, Kathy Rogers      

Abstract: The Mule Town Family Network, Youth in Action plan and implement activities that target reduction of the stigma associated with mental illness through community involvement; personal goal setting; and the use of their voice in school and community outreach.  Peer support and direction are the foundation for individual and group function and achievements.  Youth successfully direct and challenge others to understand and accept difference.

Description: The Youth in Action Group of the Mule Town Family Network will share the stages of the development of the group and how they have taken positive action in the community. They will share a video "I Can Achieve" based on overcoming the challenges of mental health stigma.  The video depicts the negative and positive approaches to addressing mental health issues through acting and dance.  It depicts three groups, those who reject; community group, and  bi-polar group.  The video will demonstrate their experiences.  They will talk about what it takes to move from being focused on destructive behavior to developing goals and helping the community understand the impact of a mental health diagnosis.

Session 66
Wednesday, June 24th
1:25 pm–2:10 pm

Leveraging Change within Systems of Care: The Role of Families in System Development
Kathleen Ferreira        

Abstract: This presentation will describe preliminary findings of models of family involvement in six well-established system-of-care communities participating in Case Studies of System Implementation, a five-year research project that is part of the RTC for Children’s Mental Health. This secondary data analysis examines the varying roles of families within these communities.

Description: What roles do families play in well-established system-of-care communities? What is the relationship between family organizations and other system partners? What factors within these service systems facilitate and impede family engagement? Case Studies of System Implementation, a five-year research project that is part of the Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health, focuses on factors that have been critical to system development within well-established systems of care. This research project, using a multi-site embedded case study design, is one of the first studies to focus specifically on how communities have planned and implemented a system of care for youth with serious emotional disturbance and their families. Models that examine family involvement in children’s mental health are not well developed or established. This paper presentation will provide preliminary findings from a secondary data analysis that compares and contrasts models of family involvement within the six system-of-care communities examined during the initial study.  The role of family organizations within each of the communities, as well as the factors that facilitate or impede family engagement within these systems will be discussed.

Session 67
Wednesday, June 24th
1:25 pm–2:10 pm

Presentation [PDF]

What To Do When There Are Two (Diagnoses)
Nancy Koroloff, Pauline Jivanjee, Mandy Davis, Christopher Burkett      

Abstract: This presentation will discuss the needs of youth and young adults who are dually eligible for mental health and developmental disability services and examples of best practices and training strategies.  Findings from a program evaluation and  national survey of best practices will be presented.

Session 68
Wednesday, June 24th
1:25 pm–2:10 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Strengthening Partnerships with Families In Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
Mary Dallas Allen, Eileen Brennan        

Abstract: Early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC) provides mental health services for young children through a partnership between a mental health professional, family members, and early care and education staff.  This presentation explores family-related consultation activities, strategies for strengthening family and consultant relationships, and the effects of ECMHC on family outcomes.

Description: Early childhood mental health consultation is a strategy that supports the social and emotional needs of young children ages birth to six through a collaborative relationship between a mental health professional, family members, and early care and education staff (Cohen & Kaufmann, 2000).   For many families and early childhood care and education providers, particularly those in rural areas, the identification, prevention, and intervention services provided by mental health consultants (MHCs) may be their only access to quality mental health services (Lopez et al., 2000).  In fact, ECMHC has been identified as a key strategy for reducing the expulsion rate of young children with challenging behaviors from early care and education programs, (Gilliam, 2005).  

Although a strong partnership between MHCs and family members is essential, it is perhaps the most inconsistently implemented and the least understood component of ECMHC.  Participants of this paper presentation will become familiar with the skills needed for MHCs to create partnerships with families, as well as the mental health consultation activities that might be implemented through that partnership.  In addition, this paper will highlight the effect of ECMHC on family outcomes and will identify strategies for better evaluating family outcomes in ECMHC.

Session 69
Wednesday, June 24th
1:25 pm–2:10 pm

Protecting the Rights of Youth in Residential Treatment
Brian Lombrowski, Kathryn Whitehead, Amber Ozier      

Abstract: Members of the Community Alliance for the Ethical Treatment of Youth will discuss their advocacy efforts in protecting youth from abuse and mistreatment in residential treatment settings by sharing some of their successes as well as the remaining challenges to ensure that all youth are protected.

Description: The Community Alliance for the Ethical Treatment of Youth (CAFETY) was formed in 2006 to address the issue of abuse and mistreatment in residential treatment settings, primarily private unregulated residential treatment settings.  In the past three years, CAFETY has testified before Congress and the D.C City Council, organized letter writing campaigns in support of specific legislation, and has educated thonds of individuals about the residential treatment experiences of its members through public events and their website, in the hope that by educating the public about the realities of certain residential programs, constructive action can take place to remedy the abuses.

This presentation will highlight what has already been done to address this issue, and what may yet be accomplished with a new President and Congress, as well as what young people can do themselves to address this issue.

Session 70
Wednesday, June 24th
1:25 pm–2:10 pm

Cara y Corazon - Family Strengthening Model
Jaime Molina, Joaquin Barreto        

Abstract: Family Strengthening- parent educational series to strengthen the parent-child relationship, participants will learn how to re-integrate family and cultural values and traditions to re-connect with themselves, their family and their community.  This approach helps parents accept, understand and guide their loved ones in their daily lives.

Description: Cara y Corazon is an 8-week educational series that focuses in strengthening the parent-child relationship. The lesson goals are to re-integrate family traditions and values that support the unity and harmony of the family. Through this educational series, parents reconnect with their own personal, family and cultural strengths to create and maintain a balance to guide and support their loved ones in their daily lives.  This model focuses on helping parents and children express emotions, develop empathy, manage anger, and enhance the life skills necessary for functioning in today.

Session 71
Wednesday, June 24th
1:25 pm–2:10 pm

Data: Measuring and Migrating Metrics into Business Processes
Toni Issadore, Robin Trush, Pamela Brotman      

Abstract: Determining mission-critical outcomes, establishing metrics, capturing, analyzing and operationalizing results amid competing priorities in behavioral health service delivery, requires a combination of strategic methods, practical resource allocation and passion.  The session will guide participants in defining, accessing and utilizing the right data for improved efficiencies and sustainability of organizations.

Description: The ability to sustain any organization begins with infrastructure centered in data: proper mining and management, along with data transparency.  Establishing specific metrics for proper data-driven decisions should be based on fundamental workforce drivers, including System of Care (SOC) principles, pay sources, licensing and accreditation.  Integrating youth and family voice is essential in forming and prioritizing what to measure, collect and operationalize.  Entities need people who can mediate data to produce concepts, including  SOC sites, where leaders, administrators and change agents must now consider how the data will work for others. Often, the biggest challenges are centered in knowing what to do with data.  Multiple data bases, advances in technology and advancing strides in electronic health records now provide a plethora of data never before dreamed of.  Practical considerations around resources to collect, analyze and subsequently put data into day-to-day functions should take precedence for any planning on this topic. Creating clarity at this basic level will put an organization on the trajectory towards strategic, data-directed business processes.   

This will session will be facilitated by SOC leaders from Arizona, and a Division Manager from a Fortune 500 Healthcare Company who has successfully migrated complex data into process improvement initiatives.

Session 72
Wednesday, June 24th
1:25 pm–2:10 pm

ADHD: Exploring Myths, Misconceptions, and Misinformation
Bluma Litner        

Abstract: This presentation addresses the myths, misconceptions and fears that impede acceptance of ADHD as a real disorder. It explores the negative attitude towards ADHD which leads to misinformation and the ensuing lack of academic and social support for ADHD youth and their families. Useful strategies and practices will be reviewed.

Description: This presentation examines resistance to the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and addresses the underlying beliefs and assumptions that inform this resistance. The lack of public acceptance and understanding of ADHD as a legitimate neurobiological disorder hinders its recognition and perpetuates     the denial of its very existence. The stigmatization associated with ADHD and frequent co-existing comorbid conditions are considered among the principal reasons for not seeking formal diagnosis and treatment. Physicians, educators and other mental health professionals can expect to encounter resistance and denial to acknowledging that ADHD does in fact exist. Anticipating these reactions can help these professionals prepare themselves to expose the fears, concerns and the often unspoken feelings of family members when the presence of ADHD in a child or youth is suspected. This dialogue and work with families are central in enabling them to develop proactive plans to secure appropriate accommodations and resources for their children and support them and others involved in their development adhere to treatment plans and advocate on their behalf.

Session 73
Wednesday, June 24th
2:20 pm–3:05 pm

We Have Data…Now What?
Brian Pagkos, Christa Foschia-Bebak, Co-authors: Heidi Milch, Doris Carbonell-Medina

Abstract: Community Connections of New York uses a blended paradigm approach to evaluation and quality improvement to guide practice, inform training and professional development agendas as well as the basis for local policy decisions and funds allocation. The symposium will describe this continuum of system, program, and client change.

Description: It is not enough to have program evaluation results and data readily available as the use of said data is what transforms practice and ultimately the outcomes for the children and families served.  Data should inform quality changes and initiatives. Therefore, the integration of sound quality improvement practices is essential to the on-going development and effectiveness of services.  Community Connections of New York (CCNY) has expertise in using a blended paradigm approach of Realism and Utilitarianism to evaluation and quality improvement and incorporates Six Sigma strategies to monitor the transactions and programming of human service agencies.

Every quarter, Community Connections of New York (CCNY) evaluates the effectiveness of all six care coordination agencies providing wraparound for Erie County, NY and through stakeholder collaboration, delivers recommendations for program improvement. CCNY also provides a bi-annual system evaluation along with overarching policy and practice recommendations at the macro level. This approach to program  and system change reflects a trickle up process by empowering parties to express challenges and strengths to meeting outcomes: for workers with their clients, program supervisors with their workers, and the Department of Mental Health with the care coordination agencies.

Session 74
Wednesday, June 24th
2:20 pm–3:05 pm

Involving Latino Youth and Families in Out-of-School Time Youth Empowerment Programs
Tary Tobin, Silvia Magana, Iliana Fontal, Carlos Romero, Amanda Takish, Yesenia Torres, Jorge Preciado, Rose Fuller, William Cohoon  

Abstract: We involved Latino youth and families in after-school and summer activities. Our primary goal was to prevent violence and unhealthy lifestyles. Our method was to develop skills related to physical and mental health, social competence, academic achievement, career exploration, appreciation of culture, family communication, and personal assets. It was successful!

Description: The University of Oregon and Northwest Family Services (a non-profit organization serving the Portland area) teamed up to provide the out-of-school time activities for Latino youth and families that will be described in this paper. Our project, Project YED [for Youth Empowerment Demonstration], was funded by the Office of Minority Health (OMH) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (no official endorsement should be assumed). Our goal was to meet a need to reduce violence and unhealthy lifestyles. According to the Latino Gang Violence Prevention Task Force of Multnomah County, violence involving Latinos was increasing. The method used was to provide academic and cultural enrichment, career awareness, youth development activities that would promote healthy choices, and to engage families and youth in after-school and summer programs that would enhance family communication skills. For example, two of our after-school centers worked with “OLLIE Youth Media” (see http://www.pcmtv.org/?q=youth/OLLIE for more information on the Oregon Learning Lab for Information Education) to enable the youth to create, plan, film, edit, and present to their families their very own video stories. Results indicated that the project was successful and should be replicated. Supporting evidence from youth and parent reports will be presented.

Session 75
Wednesday, June 24th
2:20 pm–3:05 pm

Building Hope: Supporting youth who are in both foster care and special education as they transition into adulthood
Del Quest, Mary Welch        

Abstract: Staff and foster youth involved with our project will share information about our research that is investigating the educational and transition experiences of young people with disabilities in foster care, and learning the best ways to help them take charge of their lives, be successful in school, and move into independence and adulthood. We will share strategies for meeting the needs of youth that emphasize a self-determination, self-advocacy approach.

Description: A high percentage of youth in foster care receive special education services. Many of these youth struggle in school. School success is important for all youth, but it is especially critical for youth in foster care who may enter adulthood with little support from family and community. A promising way for helping all youth to be successful is supporting them to build their self-determination.

The purpose of Project Success is to find out whether youth in foster care and special education will have increased school success if they learn and use self-determination skills, such as how to set goals, solve problems, stay on track, and build connections with adults.

Session 76
Wednesday, June 24th
2:20 pm–3:05 pm

Informing Adolescent Substance Abuse System Development Using Qualitative Youth, Parent and Provider Perspectives of Evidence Based Practices, Strengths, and Service Gaps
Amanda Ireland, Gail Cormier, Claretta Witherspoon      

Abstract: North Carolina is committed to understanding the voices and experiences of youth and families involved with adolescent substance abuse. Thus, a multidisciplinary team conducted 16 focus groups with youth, families, and providers to understand their perspectives on the strengths, gaps, and recommendations for service system development.

Description: The North Carolina Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Team recently conducted 16 focus groups across the state with youth, family members of substance-involved youth, as well as substance abuse providers in order to understand the voices and experiences of those directly involved with substance use.  Each group averaged about 8 participants. These focus groups occurred in both rural and urban communities and were ethnically and economically diverse in order to examine potential differences in perspectives based on demographic factors.

Youth, family, and provider perspectives are presented with a particular focus on youth and family personal experiences and insights into the strengths, gaps, and needs within the adolescent substance abuse field.  Preliminary findings suggest that there is a lack of youth awareness regarding the process of addiction as well as a lack of knowledge regarding the services available. Popular perceptions of what drugs are considered "good" and "bad" and what role peer-pressure and family involvement play in alcohol and drug use also will be presented.  Family experiences accessing services and barriers such as transportation and funding will also be presented.  In addition, the prevalence and awareness regarding informal supports in the communities will be discussed from the youth and family perspectives.

Session 77
Wednesday, June 24th
2:20 pm–3:05 pm

What A Girl Wants, What A Girl Needs: A Youth Leadership Program Designed for Girls, by Girls in the Foster Care System
Princess Black        

Abstract: This session highlights the benefits of youth participation in design, delivery, and evaluation of youth leadership programs geared specifically for  girls in the Foster Care System. Youth who participated in a previous series of youth leadership programming were invited back for a one-day curriculum planning meeting to critique and fine-tune the curriculum they received, resulting in an enhanced, more effective leadership program developed by girls, for girls in foster care.

Description: The purpose of this project was to use a youth-driven model to further develop a gender-specific youth leadership curriculum for girls in the foster care system. Girls who completed a previous youth leadership series were invited back for a one-day curriculum planning session.  The curriculum planning session was coordinated, and facilitated by a female participant who was charged with organizing her peers and soliciting ideas on how the curriculum can be improved to better fit the needs of girls in foster care. Specifically, the girls were asked to both explore what they liked about the previous curriculum and to revise and the current eight session leadership program. Current leadership topics include: Telling Your Story as a Road to Leadership, Conflict Resolution & Developing Positive Relationships for Leadership, Building your Self-Confidence, Self-Esteem, & Body Image for Effective Leadership, Becoming a Leader: Successfully Advocating for Yourself & Others, Cultural Diversity & Leadership, Job Skills & Who’s 4u? and Graduation: Our Day of Celebration.  The one day gathering resulted in an enhanced, more effective leadership development program for girls in the foster care system that will be used for future rounds of youth leadership programming.

Session 78
Wednesday, June 24th
2:20 pm–3:05 pm

Developing Family and Youth Leaders in Kentucky
Bill Hobstetter, Carrie Couch, Vestena Robbins      

Abstract: Need ideas for developing leadership among families and youth? Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children has developed a Leadership Academy that enables families and youth to strengthen leadership skills, share their story, and increase their voice in the community. This interactive presentation will describe curriculum components, implementation strategies, and evaluation results.

Description: As part of its efforts to become family-driven and youth-guided, Kentucky is on the brink of developing and implementing a core competency peer-to-peer support training. Recognizing the need to identify, train, and coach emerging family/youth leaders to eventually serve in this role, the Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children.

Session 79
Wednesday, June 24th
2:20 pm–3:05 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Photovoice: An Innovative Approach to Empowering Individuals, Informing Policy and Strengthening Communities
Michelle Butman, Justin Drakos        

Abstract: Photovoice invites marginalized groups to use cameras and accompanying narratives to record their lives and to promote positive change in their communities. This presentation will discuss Photovoice theory and how it has been used with young adults and their caregivers, as well as how we have evaluated impact.

Description: Photovoice is a grassroots method involving the use of photography for social change. Marginalized groups are provided with cameras to document their experiences, then write short narratives to accompany photographs and finally display completed pieces for their target audience. Photovoice allows viewers to see the world through the eyes of the photographers and come to a greater understanding of their needs and strengths. Photovoice is flexible and can be adapted to nearly any population.

Photovoice provides an excellent way for services providers to learn from intended recipients of care how they would like services designed. It is also a strategy to fight stigma in the community. Although the primary goal of Photovoice is social change, the process is inherently healing as individuals learn to express their perspectives in a new way, meet others with shared experiences and see that they have something valuable to share with the community.

This presentation will discuss the theory and rationale behind Photovoice, different ways it can be used and how Photovoice has been used through TRACS. Lastly, the presentation will cover how we have attempted to quantify both the impact on the community as well as on the individuals who participate.

Session 80
Wednesday, June 24th
2:20 pm–3:05 pm

Transforming Transitions to Kindergarten: A Family-Provider Driven Approach
Anna Malsch, Brianne Hood, Judy Kendall      

Abstract: This paper describes a multi-level intervention designed to promote the successful integration of children with emotional/behavioral challenges in to community-based early childhood settings and to ensure the successful transition of these children in to kindergarten.

Session 81
Wednesday, June 24th
2:20 pm–3:05 pm

I've Got The Power
Chelsey Yamamura, Carol Matsuoka, Linda Machado, Roseanne Smollan, Ranilo Laygo, Leah Chang    

Abstract: Hawaii's Project Ho'omohala facilitates youth's successful transitions into adulthood roles through a range of community and peer supports not traditionally found in clinical service arrays. The presentation will feature a young person transitioning into adulthood, a family advocate, and other members of Hawaii's team supporting youth.

Description: This session will examine how a ethnically diverse community in urban Honolulu created innovative approaches to support young people with emotional or behavioral disorders as they mature into an adult. Young people with serious emotional or behavioral difficulties tend to drop out of services during the critical transition to adulthood period.  These young people are at a higher risk of dropping out of high school, college, abusing drugs or alcohol, and being unemployed. This presentation will provide information on the empowerment of young people through a process focused on their wants, needs, hopes and dreams. Young people and their families are actively involved in the development of this transition to adulthood initiative. They will present information on how their perspective and cultural background influenced the development of services related to transition age young people, including examples of peer to peer supports that have been created.

Session 82
Wednesday, June 24th
2:20 pm–3:05 pm

Finding a Voice: Results of Youth in Participatory Action Research Survey
Richard Chapman, Claudia Dold        

Abstract: We present the findings and emerging themes from our survey concerning participatory action research:  Youth stand to gain from participation.  Youth can offer insight into their treatment programs; youth involvement in data collection and analysis is valuable education; and participation can lead to influencing future treatments.

Description: In 2008, the same survey was issued at two different venues.  Although the attendees had a similar bias toward  youth that have been involved with the system of care, two venues offered an increase in the number of responses overall and the opportunity to evaluate the differences between the two groups.  The survey posed five questions to voluntary participants. The responses fell into similar themes in both groups. 

Participants were asked to identify their involvement in the system of care. Then they were asked to identify the main benefits and drawbacks of involving youth with mental health challenges in research and evaluation.  Another question asked about the frequency with which the participant had seen youth with mental health challenges engaged in research or evaluation in a number of roles.  The final question asked for recommendations for increasing youth involvement in research and evaluation.

Participants included youth who had used services, family members, providers of services, researchers, administrators, and advocates. The main benefits included authenticity of the youth voice, ownership of the evaluation process and youth-guided influence of treatment.  Drawbacks included time and transportation issues, ownership of the research process and recognition of the importance of a youth voice.  Actual engagement of youth in research and evaluation was distressingly low.  Recommendations for improvement of youth involvement included specific training in research and evaluation techniques, greater overall participation of youth in the process, and greater recognition of the value of their voice in treatment programs.

Session 83
Wednesday, June 24th
2:20 pm–3:05 pm

A Healthcare Initiative: Integrating a Family Support/Medical Home into a Medical Office
Becky Dunlop, Judy Mallozzi        

Abstract: The Family Support/Medical Home has a long history of caring for at-risk, special needs children and their families. Since 1993, the program has been identifying, tracking and offering interventions to children and their families at-risk of "falling through the cracks". From the initial four children identified, our program has grown to care for over 2,000 children.

Description: The PSU/GSH Family Medicine Residency Program developed the Family Support program to work with children and families with biopsychosocially complex issues. Risks identified are: domestic violence, child abuse, parental incarceration, parental drug/alcohol issues, medical neglect, mental health concerns, parenting concerns and deficient well-child/immunizations. The program uses a multidisciplinary team approach. Interventions utilized are office contacts, home visits, inpatient rounding, parenting classes, community referrals and collaborative agency meetings. Our program tracks and provides intervention to all pediatric no-shows. In addition, the program is an integral part of three outpatient primary care offices and residency's required curriculum. Over five years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics Medical Home was incorporated. It's mission is to enhance the quality of life for children with special health care needs by recognizing and supporting families as the central caregivers for their child, along with community based coordination. Our Medical Home care coordinator works with children with special health care needs. Children with mental health diagnosis are a primary focus. The program gained the attention of Pennsylvania's Department of Welfare and Pennsylvania's policy makers.

Session 84
Wednesday, June 24th
2:20 pm–3:05 pm

Measuring Parent / Caregiver Outcomes in Family Support: Development of a Family Assessment of Needs and Strengths (FANS)
Nancy Craig, Vicki McCarthy, Marleen Radigan      

Abstract: In partnership with New York State Office of Mental Health, 16 individual and unique Family Support programs took on the quest to develop The Family Assessment of Needs and Strengths (FANS), a qualitative and quantitative, effective, cost efficient measurement specific to Family Support Services.

Description: Studies have found that Family Support programs throughout the country are increasing in number (Hoagwood et al., 2008), but few studies have examined parent & caregiver outcomes associated with receiving Family Support services.  In part, this is because of the limited availability of measures that are responsive to parent, caregiver needs and the lack of unified outcomes among the agencies providing Family Support services. Family Support provides an array of services to support and empower parents and caregivers. Such as education and information, individual advocacy, peer support groups, skill development, and instrumental support (i.e., respite).  Family Support program goals include parent and caregiver self-resiliency, strengthening of knowledge, and skills while maintaining a focus on hope, empowerment and the future. This study focuses on the development of the FANS as an outcome tool. The FANS was modeled on the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (CANS) tool developed by Dr. John Lyons.  With Dr. Lyons encouragement and support the Program Directors identified fifteen parent & caregiver specific items that were selected from a review of 30 family items on the CANS for inclusion in the FANS tool.  These questions were then cross-walked with the NYS OMH FS program model.

Session 86
Wednesday, June 24th
3:15 pm–4:00 pm

Youthful Offenders Voice Hope for a Better Life
Elizabeth Bonham        

Abstract: It is now well established that the majority of youth involved with the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health disorder. However, there is little known about what youth think of the experience of detention or what youth think lead to their being detained.

Description: In a detention center in the Southwestern United States, 12 youth volunteered to be interviewed one time for a study. The researcher wanted to know what the youth thought caused them to be juvenile delinquents since there was no youth voice in the literature describing what caused delinquency. The group of youth had no common offenses but shared histories of truancy, parental abandonment, substance use, and learning to forage on their own, both physically and emotionally.

Session 87
Wednesday, June 24th
3:15 pm–4:00 pm

Youth Participatory Evaluation In Theory and Practice
Michael Harnar        

Abstract: Participatory Evaluation enhances a program's impact by engaging clients in evaluating its effectiveness.  Youth Participatory Evaluation serves the dual purpose of being engaging and developmentally appropriate.  Using an ongoing case example, we will present the theory and practice of engaging youth in evaluating their own programs.

Description: Youth Activism Against Obesity (YAAO) is a collaborative program targeting low-income Latino and African American youth in Los Angeles county, a community with high rates of obesity. YAAO's goal is to decrease the obesity rate in these communities through an evidence-based, social marketing plan utilizing computer social networks and peer leadership. YAAO taps the strength of youth peer education models to increase awareness of obesity and its risks, to expand knowledge of positive lifestyle changes that combat obesity and to invoke behavior change. This is a collaborative, participatory program with heavy youth engagement. Youth participate in most phases of the program, from content selection to evaluation. This presentation will discuss the programmatic and theoretical models utilized by the program and the program's youth participatory evaluation design. This will be a paper presentation with PowerPoint support. We will describe the target population and the program's design, followed by a description of the development, implementation and outcomes. Specific attention will be applied to the collaborative nature of the program's evaluation and how young people were involved. This presentation will be of most interest to program managers undertaking participatory programs with youth.

Session 88
Wednesday, June 24th
3:15 pm–4:00 pm

Understanding & Managing Conflict in Systems of Care
Mary E. Evans        

Abstract: This presentation reports outcomes from a multi-method study of the frequency, nature and management of conflict in systems of care for children with emotional and behavioral problems and their families. It explores the effects of conflict on system of care functioning and suggests approaches to conflict management.

Description: Conflict within systems of care has not been systematically investigated, but anecdotal evidence supports its existence and sometimes deleterious effects. This multi-stage project sought to provide initial information regarding conflict and its management. Stage I was a needs assessment of all federally-funded systems of care with data collected from members of the governing board. These data provided information on the frequency, nature and effects of conflict on system of care functioning as well as techniques used to manage conflict. Views of parent and professional members of the boards were compared. Stage II involved site visits with concept mapping exercises to identify conflict management strategies and interviews with key informants. Two learning collaboratives were also conducted. The findings of the needs assessment, interviews, and learning collaboratives are presented along with recommendations for conflict management and plans to pilot a conflict management approach.

Session 90
Wednesday, June 24th
3:15 pm–4:00 pm

A Comparison of Wraparound and Residential Treatment Services Using an Experimental Design with Random Assignment and The Association of Wraparound Fidelity To Program Outcomes
Rikke Addis, Gordon Richardson        

Abstract: Wraparound is evaluated in a study with youth in residential settings. The evaluation begins with the implementation of wraparound in 2001 as part of the Title IV-E Child Welfare Demonstration project and continues through 2008.  The association of fidelity to wraparound principles and outcomes are also analyzed.

Description: Stanford Home’s Wraparound program has been serving youth in Sacramento County since May 2001, when the agency joined the Intensive Services Component of the Title IV-E Child Welfare Waiver Demonstration project. Since participation in that project, Stanford Home Wraparound has continued to serve youths and their families.

In the demonstration project, differences in youth behavioral functioning and living arrangements at discharge are compared between youth in the wraparound program and youth in standard residential treatment. The research used an experimental design, with all subjects initially served in the same residential program at time of referral and all subjects randomly assigned to either group.  Findings indicate wraparound is associated with greater decreases in behavioral impairment and a greater likelihood of placement in a community based setting at discharge.

- Since the demonstration project, Stanford Home has expanded its wraparound services and no longer provides residential services. For youth in other residential placements, wraparound has continued to demonstrate positive outcomes.
- Fidelity measures of adherence to the wraparound model were also utilized. Results suggest Stanford Home Wraparound demonstrates fidelity to the principles of the wraparound model. These results lend support to the utilization of wraparound as an effective intervention for youth and their families.

Session 91
Wednesday, June 24th
3:15 pm–4:00 pm

The Family Experience Study: A Professional
Kirstin Painter, Barbara Perry        

Abstract: This presentation will report on the experiences of one System of Care community involved in a professional - family collaboration of designing, conducting, and evaluating participatory research. Outcomes of the study and Implications for research, practice, and family-professional partnerships across child serving agencies will be presented.

Description: This participatory qualitative study was conceived and carried out by family members who received wraparound services through a SAMHSA funded System of Care grant and participated in a Community Evaluation Team (CET). Six members of the CET volunteered to act as family interviewers. The family volunteers participated in two trainings focused on issues of confidentiality, informed consent, safety, and interviewing skills. Family volunteers were taught to direct or redirect conversation to the topics at hand, to ask follow-up questions to elicit further discussion, and to avoid leading questions. They conducted mock interviews with one another for practice. Many lessons were learned through the experiences of the Professional-Family Collaboration. Key factors important to families emerged from the interviews which parallel and support the underlying principles of system of care. The experience of families, as told from their perspectives, provides guidance for future practice. This presentation will report on the experiences of those involved in the professional - family collaboration of designing, conducting, and evaluating participatory research. Outcomes of the study and implications for research, practice, and family-professional partnerships across child serving agencies will be presented.

Session 92
Wednesday, June 24th
3:15 pm–4:00 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Using Information to Improve Services to Youth and Families
Betty Walton, Sweta Chandra        

Abstract: Information about the strengths and needs of youth, rated by the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS,) is used to support decisions, monitor progress and improve services statewide.  Based on patterns of item responses, CANS ratings recommend an appropriate intensity of services (outpatient, supportive, intensive, wraparound, and residential).

Description: In July 2007 the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) (Lyons, et al., 1999) was implemented statewide in the public behavioral health system across Indiana. In January 2008, child welfare required residential facilities use the tool for children in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems.

It is essential that the information is integrated into practice, identified needs and strengths addressed or reflected in the intervention plan, changing needs and strengths monitored, celebrated with youth and families and on going needs addressed. The information is used to manage care and to supervise practice.  At the program and provider agency level, patterns of identified needs help shape services and target quality improvement efforts. At the state level, decisions can be made to allocate or develop resources, develop policy and improve services. 

Ratings are entered in a secure website, which calculates an algorithm to recommend the intensity of services that have been shown to be effective for youth with similar needs: behavioral health services and placement (child welfare/juvenile justice). 

Public providers and state agencies have been used to collecting data required for grants and limited retrospective analysis. Using information to support decisions, monitor progress and improve services is a cultural change.

Session 93
Wednesday, June 24th
3:15 pm–4:00 pm

Examining Family Education and Support Services in Systems of Care
Nicole White, Phyllis Gyamfi, Sylvia Fisher, Robert Stephens, Chris Stormann    

Abstract: The Family Education and Support (FES) study examines the impact of varying FES service models (e.g., peer-to-peer support) across three system of care communities. The models are defined and discussed in terms of the critical elements, service provision and caregiver satisfaction. How families benefit from FES services is discussed.

Description: FES services include a broad range of interventions that provide education, coping skills, and support to parents who care for children with emotional and behavioral problems. While the notion of FES services is widely known and utilized in systems of care, little is known about the delivery method, providers who deliver these services and the impact on families. Through focus groups and interviews with caregivers and providers, this presentation examines components of FES services, such as peer mentoring, parent education, support and advocacy; factors associated with the use of such services (e.g., capacity, training), and caregiver satisfaction. Family outcomes such as parental stress, self-efficacy, parenting skills and involvement of those receiving these services are also discussed. The gains made through utilization of these services, including increased accessibility of providers who are peers and can provide support and find resources is discussed.

Session 94
Wednesday, June 24th
3:15 pm–4:00 pm

From Guiding Youth To Youth-Guided Collaborating With Youth To Improve Systems And Outcomes
Dan DeLucey, Justin Austin, Robin Orlando      

Abstract: This training addresses barriers which challenge professionals when partnering with young adults. Through discussion and experiential activities, participants will gain a renewed appreciation for how society has changed and how they themselves have grown. We will look at how young adults’ perceptions, value systems, judgments, and responsibilities affect their decision-making processes and how those processes are altered over time. Participants will recognize stereotypes, prejudices and cultural barriers and learn to appreciate young adults as experts.

Description: This training addresses barriers which challenge professionals when partnering with young adults and challenges which youth and young adults face when partnering with professionals. Through discussion and experiential activities, participants will gain a renewed appreciation for how society has changed and how they themselves have grown. We will look at how  peoples perceptions, value systems, judgments, and responsibilities affect their decision-making processes and how those processes are altered over time. Participants will recognize stereotypes, prejudices and cultural barriers and learn to appreciate young adults as experts and young adults will be able to respect adults as professionals as well. By youth participating in this workshop they will have a better understanding of adult and professional culture and appropriate ways to interact with this population. Professionals and parents will be able to quantify the value added of youth involvement in decision making both on a personal and professional level. Participants will recognize and address cultural differences between professionals and young adults. By the end of the training participants will be able to identify the training needs of staff responsible for implementing the Youth-Guided philosophy and identify training that youth need for working with professionals.

Session 95
Wednesday, June 24th
3:15 pm–4:00 pm

Creating a Culture of Safety in School: The Collaboration of SafeTeam and Columbia TeenScreen
Christina Siemens, Rebecca Yount        

Abstract: Because all students deserve to feel safe within themselves and their environment, the Mental Health Association in Tulsa has paired its school based violence prevention program with Columbia TeenScreen to assist students identify personal issues. See how these programs effectively work together and to implement them at your school.

Description: The purpose of this paper will be to discuss the effects, benefits, and reasoning for SafeTeam and Columbia TeenScreen. SafeTeam is a school based violence program that enables the students to be the eyes and ears of the school, while a non-disciplinary adult is assigned as the SafeTeam Coordinator. Columbia TeenScreen is a mental health checkup that is administered to students in schools with parental permission to look for signs of mental health problems the student may be going through. Together, these programs have shown to be effective in working together by first screening the group of SafeTeam students, then working with these students to present the Columbia TeenScreen program to their peers.

Session 96
Wednesday, June 24th
3:15 pm–4:00 pm

The Realities of Foster Care
Ben Anderson-Nathe   

Abstract: The Realities of Foster Care, a research documentary project conceptualized by former clients of the foster care system, seeks to incorporate the voices of current and former clients to educate professionals, as well as society, about the realities of foster care with the purpose of facilitating system change.

Description: The United States foster care system currently serves approximately 500,000 children, youth, and families. In previous research personal narratives of youth and adult alumni of the foster care system often include the perception that there is a lack of commitment and resources in human services. To some degree, the perceived lack of commitment may result from a tangible lack of resources on the part of the system: it is a system that is overwhelmed and underfunded.

Caseworkers are often perceived as a lifeline for children and youth in foster care, but lack of funding often interferes with caseworkers’ ability to meet the needs of every client. Young people in foster care experience conditions and challenges that often hinder their development, contributing to behaviors that label them “at-risk.” The current research project examines how these realities affect not only the youth navigating through a life of displacement, but the professionals who are navigating through a system that is overwhelmed by the number of clients and lack of funding.

By conducting videotaped interviews with foster youth, former foster youth, and professionals who serve foster youth we hope to shed light on many of these issues, which may lead to findings that will support system change.

Wraparound Plenary
Thursday, June 25th
9:00 am–10:30 am

Wraparound Teams: The Glue That Holds Hope Together
The Kyle Family Team

Abstract: This moderated, interactive panel presentation will highlight the importance and role of the Kyle Family team in achieving positive outcomes. The panel members will discuss their unique perspectives on being part of a wraparound team, as well as the strengths and challenges of following the wraparound principles in everyday life.

Session 97
Thursday, June 25th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Youth: Changing the Wraparound Team
Katie Van Dorn, Tabbitha Buck, Sacresha Bennett, Shalonda James      

Abstract: This presentation focuses on developing youth voice in the Wraparound Team process and throughout other community systems. Specific practical strategies on youth engagement will be demonstrated, as well as the data to support this process. Youth who received services will be active presenters throughout this presentation.

Description: This presentation will begin by describing Impact, Ingham County, Michigan's System of Care community, and its guiding principles. A brief amount of time will be spent on the ways youth are involved throughout the System of Care. A short video will present the diversity of opportunities for youth voice and leadership. The Wraparound process will be demonstrated with current useful strategies being offered. Youth will provide their feedback on their personal experience on the Wraparound team process. The participants will have an opportunity to practice these demonstrated strategies. Local data will be provided to illustrate the effectiveness of youth involvement and system change. The YLS (Universal Youth Level of Service) and CAFAS (Child and Adolescent Functioning Assessment Scale) are two of the assessment tools used to evaluate program effectiveness. Participants will leave the presentation with skills that can be brought back to their own communities.

Session 98
Thursday, June 25th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Interagency Coach & Supervisor Support to Foster Community-wide Practice of Child & Family Teams
Katharine Cahn, Gina Brimner, Sonja Miller, Martha McCormack, Ally Linfoot    

Abstract: This presentation focuses on history of child and family team meetings in Oregon, and identifies strategies that have recently been employed in the Portland Metro area (Multnomah County) to strengthen and support implementation of wraparound/collaborative decision-making child and family team meetings.

Description: Systems change in the child serving system of care is known for its challenges.  This presentation specifically addresses the challenge in developing service delivery model based on system of care or wraparound principles. 

In Portland, Oregon (Multnomah County), two major initiatives have recently come together – each with their own service delivery model design and strategies for implementation.  One is the Children’s Systems Change Initiative (CSCI), adopted by the State of Oregon in 2003.  This initiative was designed to plan around the needs of children, youth and young adults with intensive mental health challenges, multi-systems involvement.  These children, youth and young adults have been historically served in long-term psychiatric residential care, or  are at significant risk for out-of home placement.  The second initiative is implementation of a high fidelity wraparound process (Wraparound Oregon), serving the needs of young children (ages 0-8) and school age (ages 8-18) in Multnomah County who have intensive mental health needs, and are also multi-systems involved.

A key challenge to the community regarding development has been the ability to clearly define shared key elements of both service delivery models and how they support the child and family team process.  The presentation offers insight to coach and supervisor consultation process, how it has changed over time, and key lessons learned about building  a relevant, supportive and sustainable learning community.  The presentation will also demonstrate how the child and family team process and resulting service plan outcomes can be strengthened as a result.

Session 99
Thursday, June 25th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Evolution of a Cross-Systems Training Academy: Lessons Learned from Wraparound Oregon
Sandy Bumpus, Bill Baney, Janet Walker, Cathleen Dunnwoody, Rob Abrams    

Abstract: This presentation offers an in-depth look at the process of training and workforce development from a cross-systems perspective. More specifically, the session will speak to the benefit of a strong cross-systems training approach and impact on the sustainability of a value-based practice model in the larger system of care.

Description: Wraparound Oregon formed the cross-systems training academy approximately four years ago to support the implementation of wraparound in the Portland Metro area (Multnomah County).  This presentation will look at:

1. How the academy evolved from a series of training offerings focused primarily on training requests to a comprehensive, predictable training program that utilized key topic areas and for training and development.  The academy fosters an inclusive atmosphere comprised of multiple stakeholder groups involved in the work of child and family team meetings throughout Multnomah County (e.g. facilitators, family partners, supervisors, families, community partners, systems/agency executives.
2. The development of the Wraparound Oregon Training Committee as an oversight and guidance committee for Wraparound Oregon’s Cross Systems Training Academy.
3. The benefits and value added to both the local and statewide development of children’s system of care in Oregon.

Participants will be able to:

1. Identify key elements of a cross systems training program
2. Learn how to develop a strategic plan that brings new training and workforce development strategies into full implementation, across the service system.
3. Recognize the importance of evaluation as key to training and workforce development sustainability.

Session 100
Thursday, June 25th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Wraparound Twice Baked: Experiences and Research from One Agency and Two Wraparound Programs
Abram Rosenblatt, Jerry Doyle, Darrell Evora, Laura Champion, Jean Riney Niewiaclonski, Janeen Van Roo, Julia Richardson, Lisa Reeder, Laura Heintz  

Abstract: This symposium features three papers addressing wraparound implementation experiences and research findings from the largest children’s service agency in California. Two programs and approaches to implementing wraparound and the outcomes over time from these two programs are presented. A family member provides her perspective as the symposium discussant.

Description: This symposium includes three papers: 1) A presentation describing the lessons learned from implementing a High Fidelity Wraparound approach in Sacramento County (FOCUS); 2) A presentation describing the lessons learned from implementing intensive individualized Wraparound support services within a system of care approach in Santa Clara County (SOC); and 3) A presentation describing the characteristics of the youth served and the outcomes achieved by these two programs over time.  A parent whose family was served by the FOCUS program will respond to the presentation and provide her perspective on wraparound and the services provided to her family.

The programs and research presented in this symposium derive from EMQ Families First, currently the largest children’s services agency in California. More importantly, EMQ is widely acknowledged as having introduced wraparound to California, playing a central role in development of wraparound in California. The presenters consequently have a substantial depth of experience in sustaining wraparound over time. In addition, the two programs exist in different county contexts, use varying implementation and clinical strategies, and serve somewhat different populations. Consequently, the lessons learned from these two programs can be compared and contrasted. The research paper includes results deriving from over 600 youth served.

Session 101
Thursday, June 25th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Developing a Wraparound Team in The Community With Little To No Money
Loren Calkins, Nora Church, Elsie Garland, Margaret Puckette, Faith V. Love, Jasmine , John Linn, Nan Waller, Dave Masunaga, Anthony B.

Abstract: System partners in Multnomah County launched Wraparound Oregon four years ago.  Wraparound brought together education, child welfare, juvenile justice, OYA, and mental health.  The MOU, signed by top system leadership, defined responsibilities, including donated system facilitators. There were challenges early on.  Today, the experiment is paying off in meaningful ways.

Description: Wraparound Oregon began as a dynamic idea within the Multnomah County.  The idea attracted stakeholders from child-serving systems to assemble and plan how to execute improved service coordination.   Systems wanted families to get what they needed in a timely way in order to be successful.  Multnomah County Chief Family Law Judge, Nan Waller, invited community leaders to participate in the new initiative.  More than 100 people stepped up to assist in the planning.  From that group, an Executive Committee was formed. Soon, several foundations contributed start-up funds and Wraparound Oregon was on its way.  Each child-serving system donated facilitators and an Education Advocate.  Contributions came from child welfare, juvenile justice, Oregon Youth Authority, mental health and education.  A team of four facilitators, one Education Advocate, one Parent Partner (foundation funded) and one Team Leader (foundation funded) was formed.  Following two months of training on everything from high-quality wraparound to facilitation and crisis management, the team was ready to accept children and youth into the project.  In the beginning the team recognized that this model produced great things (strengths and collaboration) and some challenges (needs).  The workshop panel will present challenges and strengths of this model in this workshop.

Session 102
Thursday, June 25th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

From Principles to Practice: Family-Voice, Systems of Care Governance and Wraparound Implementation
Rosalyn Bertram, Janis Bane, Sherea McKenzie, Bonnie Cord      

Abstract: This symposium presents methods used and lessons learned at the Houston systems of care grant site as administrators, staff and family members struggled with different understandings of systems of care principles including family voice in both grant governance and in wraparound implementation.

Description: Harris County, Texas, the third largest in America with over one million youth of diverse cultures and ethnicity. 13 agencies, 5 parent groups, and equal numbers of families served on its initial SAMHSA grant governing board. Agencies assumed the grant would function like other coalitions, but during program installation and implementation, conflict and miscommunication were common.

Problems included an unwieldy governance structure. Its 38 members had overlapping responsibilities in multiple work groups that met in 16 monthly meetings. Understanding and applying system of care principles, especially family voice, was challenging.  Systems transformation met unexpected agency resistance. Wraparound was not consistently understood nor supported as desired practice, while family members previously served by participating agencies were highly critical and pursued decision-making in daily grant operations as staff selection and training were disrupted by hurricane Katrina.
At the 2007 Portland conference, family members & grant staff discovered Kansas City’s use of systemic team development to address multi-agency conflicts working with families around child sexual abuse reports. This process was successfully applied in Houston to establish common goals & related rules of operation that supported collaborative assessment of grant status that produced a reorganized board and parent group working toward consistent wraparound implementation and grant sustainability.

Session 103
Thursday, June 25th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Wraparound in Indian Country
Jeanette Barnes, Sherry Guzman        

Abstract: Through our Wraparound in Indian Country symposium we will share the adaptations made to accommodate the cultural needs of the Tulalip Tribes while holding fidelity to the model.

Description: The presentation will share the adaptations made to meet cultural and community needs, how we incorporated the 4 phases and activities of Wraparound and worked toward the implementation of the process holding to the 10 principles as the philosophical principles of Wraparound have long provided the basis for understanding.  Thus creating a true path for meaningful partnership relationships while effectively meeting the needs of children, youth & families as well as the providers who serve them. We will share by diagram those partnerships between attendees from Mental Health, Chemical Dependency, Tribal School, Tribal Wellness Court, Family Services, the community, Tribal Council and Elders.

Session 104
Thursday, June 25th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Organizational & System-Wide Coaching Practices:  Beginning with the Family
Sharon Morrison-Velasco, Debbie Baucox        

Abstract: The use of coaching techniques is on the rise within the field of Wraparound.  Many times coaching efforts begin with supervisors learning how to supervise facilitators.  However, coaching practices are valuable at all levels of a program/organization/system.  The purpose of this workshop is to introduce program/organization-wide integration of coaching, beginning with family support partners.  Discussion will include the how-to's, do's and don'ts, and lessons learned from specific organizational coaching efforts.

Description: The use of coaching and coaching techniques is on the rise, and particularly within the field of Wraparound.  Many times these efforts begin with supervisors learning how to supervise Wraparound staff using coaching techniques, or with experts coaching facilitators.  However, coaching practices are valuable at all levels of a program/organization/system and have been used quite effectively by, and with, family support partners.  The purpose of this workshop is to introduce program/organization-wide integration of coaching, beginning with family support partners.  Discussion will include the how-to's, do's and don'ts, and lessons learned from specific organizational coaching efforts, including tips from evidence-based coaching and organizational development practices.

Participants will:  (1) Define coaching - "done well" - within the context of organizational/system development; (2) Review the principles and coaching techniques for, and with, family and youth support partners; (3) List key steps to integrating coaching into a system with key "do's and don'ts" to guide them.

Session 105
Thursday, June 25th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Culturally Relevant Treatment and Assessment
Edward Morris, Brenden Hargett        

Abstract: The focus of this presentation will be on the diagnostic and treatment considerations in providing wrap-around services for African-American families and children.

Description: Wrap-around services for African-American clients can not be provided independent of cultural considerations. Such considerations may significantly impact diagnostic clarity, treatment efficacy, and program planning. Within an Africentric perspective, the presenters will discuss these various treatment and diagnostic issues with the goal of: (a) increasing clinicians' understanding and sensitivity to these cultural considerations while providing culturally relevant services, (b) providing a culturally relevant perspective that is based on family strengths, and (c) helping clinicians and diagnosticians be more culturally proficient in their activities with African-American families and children.

Session 106
Thursday, June 25th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Creative Ways to Engage Transitional Age Youth
Jose Ocampo, Katherine Burge, Mary Therese Tamayo      

Abstract: Transitional Age Youth particularly with mental health issues often are difficult to engage. Family and Peer Partners on staff increases the chances of success. Join us for a discussion about our Drop-In Center run by Peer Partners and the work of Family Partners in supporting and engaging TAY and their families.

Description: Turning Point has been in existence less than three years. We utilize Wraparound principles and practices in both components of our program: Children/Youth and Transitional Age Youth (TAY). We receive our referrals from County MH, social services and probation.

With our TAY standing at the cusp of adulthood while dealing with mental health, family and basic  living skills issues, it is challenging for them to make the successful transition to an independent and productive life. Often they are mistrusting of or don't know how to receive the support being offered them.

In this symposium, we will explore and discuss our difficulties and successes in engaging TAY through the use of peer partners at our drop-in center and family partners with those TAY who have on-going relationships with their families.

Session 107
Thursday, June 25th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Building Natural Support Networks: Community Weaving
Kristen Anderson        

Abstract: Connecting isolated families to a natural support network can be problematic.  Community Weaving uses technology to help bring people together to support one another.  Community Weaving is a means for capacity building within communities, using the resources and strengths of individuals to meet the needs of one another.

Description: Participants will receive an overview on Community Weaving and know how to become a “good neighbor”.  Community Weaving was developed by Cheryl Honey, 2005 recipient of the National Jefferson Award, and recognized in The Change Book.  Community Weaving succeeds as individuals commit to fearlessly giving and receiving acts of love.

Community Weaving connects people with one another. Individuals register as a “good neighbor” and share strengths, time, and resources they are willing to share.  When another good neighbor has a need, a community weaver accesses the database in order to connect people with resources to people with needs.  This has been particularly useful in emergency situations, such as the Katrina hurricane aftermath.

Individuals can register a need, and give back when they are able.  Individuals willing to share tangible resources, like a tent or chainsaw, or time, such as taking a child fishing or fixing a leaky sink become connected with individuals to help meet needs.

The website includes a calendar for social, educational, and support events.  Reports can be generated from the database detailing the value of in kind donations and the community needs met through this ingenious method for building resource and human capacity within communities.

Session 108
Thursday, June 25th
11:00 am–12:30 pm

Innovations: Wraparound in Child Abuse Prevention
Patricia Nellius, Renee Rich, Becky Petty      

Abstract: Community Based Care of Brevard, the privatized Lead Child Welfare agency in Brevard County, Florida will present the outcomes associated with transforming the former state run child welfare system into a local system of care using wraparound as primary front end prevention.

Description: Community Based Care of Brevard (Brevard Family Partnership) through its Brevard C.A.R.E.S program has reduced the number of children entering the formal child welfare system from 1,530 upon transition 4 years ago to less than 830 today. This has been achieved through a strategic anti stigma campaign and the creation of a system of care that is family centered, strength based, cultural competent, community oriented, inclusive of informal supports, and flexible and responsive to the unique needs of families. This symposium will walk attendees through the implementation of Brevard C.A.R.E.S., the outcomes since inception, the program design, and the positive impact the prevention and diversion program is having upon the child welfare community at large. The presenters will demonstrate how with a Federal IVE Waiver the agency was able to successfully reinvest formerly restricted funding to divert families from entering the child welfare system through the Brevard C.A.R.E.S program. There will be data outlining the cost savings and an analysis of children and families served in the system as compared to those receiving wraparound. Finally presenters will discuss the current replication project and tools for implementation.

Session 109
Thursday, June 25th
1:45 pm–2:30 pm

WATOT - An Initiative to Standardize Wraparound Services in El Paso County
Luther Marcena, Vashti Pussman, Rita Ruela      

Abstract: The County of El Paso and Border Children’s Mental Health Collaborative are engaged in the standardization of Wraparound services in the county by providing training that has adopted one curriculum and a set of guidelines and principles for the entire County. This training is provided by the County to government, non-profit, private agencies, as well as the school districts and public. Evidence is surfacing indicating changes in the perception and understanding of wraparound services by these agencies and the public in general.

Description: The delivery of Wraparound services currently has no standards  nor certifications requirements. The County of El Paso, TX, thru Border Children’s Mental Health Collaborative (BCHMC), a SAMHSA grant graduated SOC,  initiated an effort to standardize this by purchasing a curriculum used to train a group of trainers from different government, public, non-profit, and private agencies, as well as school districts at no cost. Amongst them: Juvenile Probation (JPD), Child Protective Services (CPS), Mental Health Mental Retardation (MHMR), Border Children’s Mental Health Collaborative (BCMHC), Region 19, El Paso Independent  School District (EPISD), Socorro Independent School District (SISD), Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo (Tigua Nation) .This group will train additional trainers and facilitators using the same material, eventually creating a standardized system of Wraparound services through the County.

After the initial training session was done, the group met several times to undergo additional training that included practice sessions monitored by professional experienced care managers. It was realized then that this initiative was in fact developing a standard for training of trainers and facilitators of Wraparound services. This took a new meaning to not only prepare a group of trainers that would disseminate a homogenized curriculum in Wraparound delivery, but to set minimum standards of preparation/training for the County of El Paso.

Additional goals of this educational initiative include the engagement of the different school systems into applications (perhaps at a light level) that will include Wraparound philosophy principles.
El Paso County Judge, Anthony Cobos (also BCMHC’s Principal Investigator)  is committed to the mental health cause, particularly with young members of our community. His support in all aspects of this initiative by providing financial and assets support to this initiative is paramount in the successful completion of it. By actively engaging the County’s government into supporting this initiative he is breaking ground in an unprecedented manner. The County of El Paso is in the process of creating a Youth Services Center that will provide youth at risk and their families with a one stop center for much needed services. BCMHC and the wraparound philosophy will play a central role in this institution.

Currently we have identified and are providing training at four levels:
Level 1 – Introduction to Wraparound– This is aimed at educating general audiences about Wraparound principles and philosophy.
Level 2 – Wraparound for participants – Aimed at people that are going to participate in a wraparound in the near future, educating them in the principles and guidelines of this philosophy.
Level 3 – Facilitators – Trains facilitators in the deployment f Wraparound services based in the officially adopted curriculum of El Paso County authored by Ms, M. Grealish.
Level 4 – Trainers – Trains trainers that are going to prepare other individuals at all the above mentioned levels using the official Wraparound curriculum of El Paso County.

Data is collected that will provide feedback for necessary changes and modifications of the curriculum and training methods as required to support evidence based practices.
This initiative is at an infant stage in its development, however, the understanding, interest and support for it by the community at large is growing at a very fast pace. Currently County Judge, Anthony Cobos, is considering proposing to the Texas legislature the expansion of this initiative to state level.

Session 110
Thursday, June 25th
1:45 pm–2:30 pm

Is Wraparound Fidelity and  Engagement Associated with Family and Caregiver Outcomes?
Ajanta Roy, Kathyrn Bowen, Co-author: L. James A. Schut    

Abstract: Families who engage in wraparound and experience principles such as effective teamwork and opportunities for choice are more likely to experience positive changes such as improved family bonds or decreased caregiver stress and worry. Using data collected the Mule Town Family Network in Tennessee, this presentation will describe family engagement and wraparound fidelity and examine their relationship to youth- and caregiver-reported family and caregiver outcomes.

Description: Families who engage in a high quality wraparound process are families who experience principles such as effective teamwork, opportunities for choice, and respect for values, culture, and expertise (Walker, 2008). In this presentation we will address youth and family outcomes of wraparound, specifically whether quality of implementation (or fidelity) and engagement in Child and Family Teams are related to youth and caregiver perspectives of family bonds, quality of communication, and level of participation in shared activities, as well as caregiver reports of personal distress such as strain on finances or the emotional stress and worry of caring for a child with mental health needs. We will describe fidelity to the four phases and ten principles of wraparound, including a discussion of how fidelity and engagement in Child and Family Teams has changed over the course of the project. This presentation is based on data collected from the Mule Town Family Network, a system of care community in south central Tennessee, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Session 111
Thursday, June 25th
1:45 pm–2:30 pm

Developing and Supporting a Wraparound Family and Youth Organization
Sharon Madsen, Carolyn Cox, Jessica Hodges      

Abstract: The 3 Rivers Wraparound Family Support Organization builds partnerships with parents, youth and professionals by offering a shared connection with someone who has personal experience. This presentation focuses on the development of the Family and Youth Support Organization within the 3 Rivers Wraparound Program.

Description: This presentation focuses on the development of the Family and Youth Support Organization within the 3 Rivers Wraparound Program. Participants will hear how this program was started, how it has been sustained and how it has grown to include various support groups and activities for parents, youth and families. The presentation will describe the training developed for staff in preparation for the hiring of parents and youth. Barriers encountered in the process, how those have been overcome and the positive outcomes of putting this program into practice will also be presented. 3 Rivers Wraparound Family Support Organization will also share the many components of the program which includes a new family orientation, handbook, monthly newsletter, parent surveys and support groups including one for dads. The 3 Rivers Wraparound Family Support Organization will also describe its association with SAFE WA. Presenters will provide examples of how family/youth partners have been utilized in a way that is reflective of the core values and phases of the Wraparound Process. Participants will hear how the roles of the Wraparound facilitators and Youth and Family Partners compliment each other and work together to provide meaningful interventions.

Session 112
Thursday, June 25th
1:45 pm–2:30 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Using the Community Supports for Wraparound Inventory to build system capacity to support wraparound
Janet Walker, Becca Sanders, Shannon Billings      

Abstract: The Community Supports for Wraparound Inventory is a reliable, valid assessment of how far a community has progressed in creating the system change that is needed to support wraparound. This presentation provides background on the CSWI and describes how the assessment was used in one community to inform system of care planning and implementation. Researcher, local evaluator, and family perspectives are highlighted.

Session 113
Thursday, June 25th
1:45 pm–2:30 pm

Implementing Community-Based  Wraparound: Engaging Youth, Families, Community, and State Partners
Jennifer Schroeder, Samantha Matlin, Llonia Gordon, Robert Franks      

Abstract: The Connecticut Center for Effective Practice (CCEP) currently serves as the coordinating center for demonstrating high-fidelity Wraparound in two communities in Connecticut. Implications and recommendations for how to integrate youth and families into every phase of implementation and how to sustain these practices over time will be discussed.

Description: Connecticut is one of seven states that have been awarded a federal grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Session 114
Thursday, June 25th
1:45 pm–2:30 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Wraparound Fidelity: What does the national research tell us?
Eric Bruns        

Abstract: Wraparound fidelity has become a hot topic in recent years, but research has not been completely consistent on how much wraparound fidelity matters. This presentation will summarize methods to measure wraparound fidelity, what recent research tells us, and what wraparound programs, families, and communities need to pay attention to.

Description: In recent years, as published studies have demonstrated relationships between fidelity to the wraparound principles and practice model and outcomes for children and families, the need to achieve high levels of wraparound “fidelity” has become a hot topic. But other studies have not found such relationships. A more careful review of wraparound research suggests that fidelity to the wraparound principles and practice model is related to outcomes, but that such relationships may not be found for individual families. Instead, programs and communities may be advised to pay more attention to fidelity achieved at the staff person or program level. In this presentation, we will:

1. Describe the concept of “implementation fidelity” and how it applies to the wraparound process for children and families;
2. Summarize fidelity results from a national sample of programs using tools from the Wraparound Fidelity Assessment System (WFAS);
3. Summarize results of research and evaluation studies nationally on the relationship between wraparound fidelity and outcomes;
4. Present recommendations for wraparound initiatives, communities, and families about how to use fidelity data to oversee the quality of care provided and advocate for better implementation of wraparound.

Session 115
Thursday, June 25th
1:45 pm–2:30 pm

Tailoring Culturally Appropriate Wraparound Services to Hmong Youth and Families
Judy Vang        

Abstract: Present and discuss how a system of care through wraparound services has transformed the behavioral health needs of a rural northern California Southeast Asian (Hmong) community by delivering culturally appropriate clinical services for children/adolescents with emotional disturbance and their families in a family driven, youth guided, individualized, and strength-based practice.

Description: Since arriving into the U.S. after the fall of Saigon, many of the Hmong refugees were dispersed into California.  In the late 1980s, Butte County (northern CA), a rural predominantly white community began experiencing an influx of Hmong refugees.  Many of the refugees experienced trauma, torture, rape, and starvation in Southeast Asia prior to coming to America.  As a result, this community suffers extremely high rates of intergenerational trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other mental health disorders. 

The Hmong represent an estimated 2% of the Butte County population and are a majority of the Asian Americans in Butte County (3.3%).  Over 50% of the Hmongs in Butte County are children under the age of 18-years-old and come from low socioeconomic households.  The purpose of this presentation will discuss how CCOC has managed to build trust within the Hmong community in delivering culturally appropriate clinical wraparound services to children and families by decreasing the mental health stigma and respecting the Hmong cultural heritage by embracing their spirituality, clan leadership, and family structure.  The presenters will discuss cultural techniques and leadership skills in reaching out to the Hmong community through the delivery of culturally appropriate mental health practice and education.

Session 116
Thursday, June 25th
1:45 pm–2:30 pm

Wraparound Maine:  Assessing the Experiences of Maine’s First 100 Families
Kimberly Pukstas, Co-author: Michelle Lamm

Abstract: Maine recently established a wraparound system of care in six communities, geographically dispersed throughout the state.  This presentation will discuss the quality of care reported by the first 100 families using the Wraparound Fidelity Index.  Evidence of family improvement will be reported through administrative data and family self-report.

Description: In 2007, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), established a high-fidelity community based wraparound initiative to improve the lives of children and families in Maine.  The project, commonly referred to as “Wraparound Maine”, is considered an intensive level of care for youth with complex needs and is expected to serve as an alternative to residential treatment. The target population includes youth, ages 5-18, with serious emotional or behavioral disturbance who are either in residential care or at high-risk of such placement.  Wraparound Maine serves six diverse communities, geographically dispersed throughout the state.   The first Wraparound Maine family was enrolled in March 2007.  Later that year, OCFS partnered with the University of Southern Maine (USM) to conduct periodic process and outcome evaluations of the wraparound sites.  This presentation details the evaluation findings for the first one hundred families served.  Information about the quality of Maine’s Wraparound process was collected through interviews with youth, family members and wraparound team members using the Wraparound Fidelity Index survey.
Outcome information was collected through the completion of the CAFAS, a family discharge survey and available administrative data.

Session 117
Thursday, June 25th
1:45 pm–2:30 pm

Improving Wraparound in Los Angeles
Ontson Placide, Sandra Villano, Michael Rauso, Karyn Dresser      

Abstract: Wraparound in Los Angeles is challenged by geography, diversity, funding struggles, and complexity of needs among socially isolated families. Providers constantly forge innovations to remain true to the model. Results presented are from trainings and QI projects on facilitation, community resource use, mental health services, criminogenic risks, and Parent Partners.

Description: This symposium will present the work of Los Angeles county agencies to continuously improve service delivery to meet the wraparound model, particularly regarding the challenges of building positive natural and community supports around families and addressing the risk of juvenile justice involvements. Included are the perspectives of a Program Administrator, Parent Partner Director, Professional Evaluator, and the LA County Division Chief (Child Welfare) whom oversees wraparound contracts. Together they will present detailed descriptions and data from annual reports (both program specific and county-wide) and address a number of improvement strategies: 1) use of family focus groups to better understand and meet the wraparound principle of natural and community supports; 2) quality improvement projects to reduce premature endings of services due to juvenile detentions; 3) build-out of specialty mental health services including use of evidence-based practices for specific problem types; and, 4) advanced staff trainings on teamwork and facilitation, mental health documentation, and the role of Parent Partners in the wraparound service process. Data includes required programmatic outcomes that have been tracked now for multiple years in four areas: safe at home; attending and progressing in school, improving in health and mental health, and out of trouble with the law.

Session 118
Thursday, June 25th
1:45 pm–2:30 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Family Partners In Wraparound:  Who Are They And What Do They Do?
Trina Osher, Marlene Penn        

Abstract: This symposium will showcase the NWI’s Family Partner Task Force’s consensus process for defining the role of family partners in wraparound and developing tools to support this role in practice.  Participants will discuss critical issues related to this role such as strategies for best practices for training family partners.

Description: Many systems of care are including family partners on their teams and are seeking guidance about the best way to do this.  There is little formal research that can be used to set standards for practice or to study the effective implementation of this role.  We believe that it is time to highlight the role of family partners in the wraparound process and that the Building on Family Strengths Conference Wraparound Day is the ideal venue to do this.  This symposium will give participants the opportunity to examine and operationalize this role in their own organizations and communities.  Formal presentation will cover, a brief history of the family-partner task force with its goals and accomplishments; the definition of family partner in the wraparound process, description of the key characteristics of the role, and how the 10 principles of wraparound apply to the family partner role; and a presentation and integrating the activities of a family partner with the four phases of wraparound as a strategy to promote family-driven care and practice.  Discussion with participants will focus on critical issues related to practice such as best practices for training family partners and supervising their work in the field.

Session 119
Thursday, June 25th
1:45 pm–2:30 pm

Advocacy Organizations Working Together
Susan Boehrer        

Abstract: Oklahoma Federation of Families and NAMI Oklahoma are sharing families, sharing conferences, sharing advocacy, sharing trainings, and sharing funding.  What better way to demonstrate the wraparound principal of collaboration and integration.  We want to share our experience and help you plan your next collaborative opportunity.

Description: Oklahoma Federation of Families and NAMI Oklahoma have partnered together in an effort to demonstrate true collaboration and to better serve our Oklahoma families.  We will share details regarding our joint trainings and the Coalition of Advocates.  Our goal is to not only share what we have accomplished but to help all participants begin work on a plan with next steps to take back to their communities.  We will present information on how to form a coalition of advocates and how joint work through this collaborative may be accomplished as well as how to share trainers and ideas on shared funding and deliverables.

Session 120
Thursday, June 25th
1:45 pm–2:30 pm

A 40 Year Perspective on Child Mental Health Services: Progress and Problems
Robert Cohen        

Abstract: Wraparound services have evolved considerably during the past four decades. At the same time many key issues and obstacles have not been resolved.  This presentation reviews progress and focuses on the role of contextual factors such as public attitudes, and policy and fiscal incentives/disincentives.

Description: Significant philosophical, policy and operational advances  in serving children with serious mental health challenges during the past four decades will be reviewed. Areas in which progress has been slow as well as specific factors that have hampered positive change will also be discussed.  Particular attention will be given to the role of contextual factors including continuing discriminatory attitudes toward children's mental health, policy and fiscal disincentives that impact provision of comprehensive, community based services, and political, cultural and organizational dynamics that have stymied collaboration among child serving providers as well as family support groups.  The issue of families being required to relinquish custody in order to obtain services will be used to illustrate the systemic problems that have impeded progress.

Session 121
Thursday, June 25th
2:40 pm–3:25 pm

Tailor Your Own Strength-based Behavior Intervention: Selecting Friends
Eileen Mary Grealish        

Abstract: In this session, participants will work from a detailed teaching curriculum to create a personalized, strength-based behavior plan designed to help youth, including themselves, to select friends.  They will also learn how to individualize strategies for motivation and direct and indirect modeling.

Description: Effective behavior change plans include strategies for teaching youth effective new behaviors and for helping them adapt and practice the behaviors until they are satisfied with them.  Behavior change plans should also help youth figure out how to learn the most they can from direct and indirect modeling and help them understand how to make sure they're motivated to participate in potentially helpful interventions.

In this workshop, after the basics of behavior intervention are described, participants will learn how to specifically define a new skill and how to develop a strength-based behavior plan to help themselves or others achieve important results and make good things happen in their lives.

Session 122
Thursday, June 25th
2:40 pm–3:25 pm

High Fidelity Wraparound: CA Pilot Research, Use in Supervision and Robust Brainstorming
Ruth Mandernach, Kim Farnham, Angela Wilson      

Abstract: Attendees will hear about the California Pilot (2007-2008) regarding the use of the High Fidelity Wraparound model.  Research results from WFI4 and TOM will be presented. Discussion will focus on how we made the change in model adherence.  Participants will experientially be trained in the use of Robust Brainstorming.

Description: The Help Group was chosen by Los Angeles County DCFS to participate in a 2 year state pilot project. The focus was to learn, do research and become credentialed in the use of the High Fidelity Wraparound model. The pilot was organized by California Institute of Mental Health along with national consultants Vroon Vandenberg who trained and coached towards the credentialing process. The research and fidelity outcome measures were organized by Dr. Eric Bruns at the U of Washington. By using the outcome measure of Wraparound Fidelity Index 4 and Team Observation Measures, our staff was able to assess our strengths and areas needing improvement. Along with supervision changes, there was a dramatic change in the way the Child and Family Teams worked. We will provide an opportunity for attendees to participate in an experiential strategy which we use with our families in the field, with our staff, our agency as a whole and individually. We will teach the concept of Robust Brainstorming.

Session 123
Thursday, June 25th
2:40 pm–3:25 pm

Its All in the Question:  Tools & Techniques for Coaching in Wraparound
Sharon Morrison-Velasco, Debra Baucox        

Abstract: Providers, family and youth support partners, supervisors and administrators have all begun using coaching techniques for better outcomes in Wraparound.  Yet, many of us have not been formally trained in the art and science of coaching.  The purpose of this workshop is to introduce the formal practice of coaching, offering and practicing specific tools and techniques that can be used by everyone in Wraparound.

Description: The field of coaching in general has evolved into its own profession in recent years.  It became distinguished from the "coaching" provided within the context of sports, and initially grew into the coaching of corporate executives.  In recognition that "training" people in Wraparound was not sufficient to support genuine Wraparound practices, the field picked up coaching techniques, initially for supervisors, as a means to support Wraparound fidelity.  The popularity of coaching concepts has grown and more people than ever are expressing an interest in learning coaching techniques.  Coaching fits well with families, family and youth support partners, providers, supervisors, managers and administrators, and because it is based on strength-based concepts, it fits well with Wraparound.  For those who are interested in coaching, but have not attended formal training the field, this class will provide an introduction to coaching - parameters, techniques and methods for integrating the techniques into already widely-used Wraparound planning methods.  Participants will be provided with some basic coaching tools that will help them get started in building, and enhancing, their coaching skills.

Participants will:

1. Define coaching - as distinguished from "therapy;"
2. Describe additional areas where Wraparound and coaching methods can be integrated;
3. List and practice specific techniques to be used and added to Wraparound tools.

Session 124
Thursday, June 25th
2:40 pm–3:25 pm

Shining the Light on Success for Children with Behavior Challenges in Rural Schools and Communities
Marilyn Richardson, Doug Erikson, Avie Ferres, Randi Lyon, Michael Menson, Rex Lyons, Dawn Sallee

Abstract: Columbia River Wraparound (serving families in Sherman, Wasco, Hood River), will showcase collaboration with schools, juvenile justice, mental health in a rural school setting modeling a creative, results-based program.  Youth participants, families and staff will present evolution of the program, lessons learned, successes, and process for replication in other districts.

Description: Through the system of care framework, the need for a different approach to provide education to children with severe behavioral issues led to the creation of Community Education Program (CEP).  The classroom is home to a lead teacher and teacher assistant, along with support staff from Columbia River Wraparound and Wasco Co. Youth Services.  CEP has a level system to help with the success and transition back into regular mainstream classrooms.  The family is involved from the beginning and all family planning meetings take place at school.  The first year of the program was met with challenges. Some of the key lessons we will discuss and share solutions for: schools need to take a lead role in the development and implementation; adapt the model to a rural setting; engage family in wraparound from the beginning; and seek buy-in from all key stakeholders.
 
In year three, CEP is successful in transitioning kids from residential to school setting, to mainstream classrooms, improved grades and attendance, increased parental involvement behavioral as well as decrease in referrals.   Our communities have added 3 more behavioral classrooms incorporating the wraparound care coordination.  In addition, students receive social skill curriculum facilitated by therapist and family care coordinators.

Session 125
Thursday, June 25th
2:40 pm–3:25 pm

Paper [PDF]

Transitioning Case Coordination from the Wraparound Facilitators to the Family: Lessons from A Rural Multi-County System Of Care
Kathy Riley, Bobbi Jo Short, Stacey Cornett      

Abstract: This presentation describes how a rural system of care is transitioning case coordination from wraparound facilitators to the family. Each family is assisted by a family support specialist in understanding how to negotiate the phases of wraparound, with the goal being that the family will lead its own wraparound team.

Description: The purpose of this presentation is to describe how a developing system of care in a rural area of the Midwest is transitioning the provision of its case coordination from wraparound facilitators to the family. These changes have resulted from the development of concrete strategies for family members that ensure they know how make full use of the child and family teaming process.  The goal of this work is to systematically empower families so that ultimately they will be able to lead their own wraparound teams. Assisting families in identifying their strengths, needs, and concerns regarding their abilities to facilitate their own teams, is a critical part of this process. Each family is assisted by a family support specialist in understanding how to negotiate the phases of wraparound. Also, central to the process is that the family and their team know how to explicitly link team goals teams to the family.

Session 126
Thursday, June 25th
2:40 pm–3:25 pm

How Does our Program Compare? Benchmarking Wraparound Outcomes and Fidelity
Kristen Leverentz-Brady, April Sather, Eric Bruns      

Abstract: We will present results of a benchmarking exercise conducted using data compiled from local evaluations of wraparound initiatives across North America. Results will help communities evaluate their own fidelity and outcomes data, and support benchmarking of other variables such as characteristics of families served, length of enrollment, and costs.

Description: Our understanding of outcomes and implementation fidelity associated with the wraparound process for children and families has expanded dramatically in recent years. At the same time, much of the evaluation of outcomes and fidelity from this community-driven model has been derived from local program evaluations rather than formal research. In 2008, the Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team (WERT), teaming with the National Wraparound Initiative, embarked on a project aimed at improving our understanding of service delivery for children with complex needs and their families.  The goal was to create an “Evaluation Consortium” of wraparound sites that are collecting outcomes and/or fidelity data and compile findings across these sites. Respondents from across North America have contributed data from their local evaluation projects, which are now being analyzed to establish benchmarks for wraparound outcomes and fidelity. Results will help individual wraparound sites and communities evaluate their own outcomes data (e.g., behavioral, functional, and residential), provide a better understanding of expected fidelity (from fidelity tools used across sites such as the Wraparound Fidelity Index), and help researchers benchmark other variables such as demographics of participants, length of enrollment, and costs of typical wraparound programs nationally.

Session 127
Thursday, June 25th
2:40 pm–3:25 pm

Presentation [PDF]

Paper [PDF]

Involving Families and Youth in Evaluation
Josephine Welsh, Yolanda Jones, Co-authors: David Saarnio, Christy Brinkley     

Abstract: Our evaluation team is making strides in training families in evaluation by implementing a feedback loop whereby data from family, youth, care-coordinators, and key staff are used to improve the system of care.  An evaluation specialist and a systems-of-care family member will present data and testimony provided by this model.

Description: Systems of Care, by definition, call evaluators to family voice and choice.  Combining this charge with the demand for evidence-based and outcome-based practice challenges professional researchers to develop long-term, innovative strategies for sustaining evaluation through family and youth involvement  This symposium will present a S.W.O.T. (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) approach our evaluation has implemented to increase family and youth involvement in evaluation.  The evaluation specialist will present strengths and weaknesses in youth and family involvement identified in interviews with systems of care key staff, family support providers, care coordinators, families, and youth in four distinctly different areas of the Arkansas Delta Region.  A family member who works with the evaluation team will then highlight opportunities discovered by attending family nights in each of the four counties served by the system of care.  These opportunities include incentives for participation, family involvement, and youth feedback.  She will summarize pitfalls and threats to a productive feedback loop that includes evaluation staff, family, and administrative personnel.  The session will close with a presentation of data-driven feedback strategies currently used to educate key staff and wraparound administrators concerning family voice and choice.

Session 128
Thursday, June 25th
2:40 pm–3:25 pm

Hiring and training Former Foster Youth as Youth Partners
Benjamin Blake, Wendell Webber        

Abstract: This symposium will focus on the hiring, training and retention of former foster youth as youth partners in the wraparound process. It will discuss their essential role in the process and how to engage their unique consumer experience to make the wraparound process and teams successful as they deliver the process to the families involved.

Description: This symposium will focus on recruiting, hiring, evaluating, training and retaining former foster youth as youth partners in the Wraparound process.  We will discuss the recruitment process, the interview process with specific attention to appropriate questions and how to evaluate their ability to work with families and kids in the wraparound process.  In addition, the symposium will attend to issues of training foster youth in the wraparound process and how to help them integrate into the team method for effective process with the families.  We will also attend to the specific issues facing former foster youth as they step into a helping role with families and kids and how to help them see this as a career, not just a job.

Session 129
Thursday, June 25th
2:40 pm–3:25 pm

Improving Youth Permanency in Los Angeles County: Placement and Cost Analyses of Wraparound Graduates
Michael Rauso, Ming Lee, Tran Ly, Christopher Jarosz      

Abstract: An important goal of Wraparound and Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services is for children to achieve permanency through the Wraparound process. A placement and cost analysis suggested better outcome indicators of permanency for children who graduated from Wraparound than for a comparison group.

Description: Building upon the family’s strengths, Wraparound aims to improve the lives of youths with complex needs and their families. Thus, three key goals of Wraparound are to assure the child’s safety and well being while improving permanency. Two important indicators of permanency for children are a reduction in the time in and number of out-of-home placements, particularly with regard to more restrictive placements. The associated cost savings help assure that funding can be reallocated to other at-risk children and their families and serve as an indicator of the program’s ability to meet the needs of children and their families.

Wraparound currently serves over 1,200 children and their families in the Los Angeles County, and is expected to expand in the next few years. Incorporating a family-centered and strengths-based philosophy, Wraparound provides support to children and their families to continue to live in relatively stable and less restrictive environments where they can maintain continuity in their relationships. An analysis of out-of-home placements and associated financial costs of children who graduate from Wraparound, then, has important implications on the child and family outcomes as well as the County’s fiscal outlook.

Session 130
Thursday, June 25th
2:40 pm–3:25 pm

Wraparound in the Real World: Fidelity and Outcomes in the New Fiscal Climate
Daniel Hoover, Julie Cutler        

Abstract: Discusses the challenges of sustaining Wraparound case planning and intensive case management in a post-SAMSHA grant, Medicaid funded environment with diminishing resources. Outcome data using The Ohio Scales and demographic measures are reported, showing strong rates of clinical improvement in services, consumer satisfaction, and lowered incidence of non-community intervention.

Description: This presentation begins with a description of a Wraparound community two years after the ending of the SAMSHA grant that initiated Wraparound in Delaware.  This includes demographic information about the population served, the range of available services, efforts at family and youth involvement, fidelity measurement and outcomes. Outcomes have been uniformly positive and have diminished only slightly since the grant's ending.

Following this is a discussion of growing fiscal constraints and their impact on the Wraparound team and ways of conducting high-quality wraparound services in an era of reduced resources.  While the Wraparound team tends to make use of intensive outpatient clinical services when needed, the cost savings of keeping children at home and treated in the community have been substantial and justify increased cost of wraparound teams.

Session 131
Thursday, June 25th
2:40 pm–3:25 pm

Needs Aren’t Services:  The Use of Assessment Data to Empower Child and Family Teams in Wraparound
Nancy Moore, Ann Klein, Shannon Van Deman      

Abstract: This presentation will focus on how assessment data can be used within a wraparound system to empower youth and families to identify their strengths in order to meet their unique needs within the community. In our experience, this approach has been shown to improve both clinical outcomes and financial results.

Description: Many times children with emotional or behavioral disorders are provided services based on what is available in the community, what there is funding for, or what is traditionally used to treat a particular problem.  The concept of Needs Aren’t Services challenges us to embrace the essential family needs before we offer that categorical array of services.  This presentation will explore how a system of care is using assessment data provided by the child and family to develop creative treatment alternatives that focus on the strengths and needs of each child and family. By focusing on needs rather than services Choices, Inc. is able to provide families with a mix of natural supports and community based services, as well as traditional service options to meet their needs.  This approach allows families to utilize their own strengths in a manner that relies less on high cost services and more on cost effective and sustainable solutions. In particular this approach has led to less reliance on highly restrictive institutional placements and other high-cost services that separates children from their families and their communities.  With this type of approach, it is possible to both improve clinical outcomes and the financial bottom line.

Session 132
Thursday, June 25th
2:40 pm–3:25 pm

Analysis of Family Empowerment, Parent & Youth Satisfaction, and Clinical Outcomes
Catherine Aspiras, Michelle Coufal, Abram Rosenblatt      

Abstract: This study aims to identify the relationships of parent satisfaction with clinical staff, parent and youth satisfaction, and family empowerment and how they lead to positive changes in the clinical outcomes of our youths enrolled in Wraparound programs.

Description: The Family Empowerment Scale (FES) measures the level of empowerment felt by families with children who have behavioral, emotional, and mental problems. The three levels of empowerment are: Family, Service System, and Community. The items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Never to 5 = Very Often) and is completed by the caregiver.

The Youth Services Survey for Families (YSS-F) and Youth Services Survey (YSS) are satisfaction forms completed by a youth’s caregiver and youth respectively, regarding the level of satisfaction felt with the services provided. There are 21 questions rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree) in addition to 2 questions regarding service improvement, and 1 question regarding the length of the youth’s program involvement.

The Family-Centered Behavior Scale (FCBS) consists of 26 items that are used to rate the clinician’s fidelity to a family-centered approach.  Using a 5-level rating scale (1 = Never to 5 = Always, and 0 = I Don’t Know), the form is administered to the caregiver at discharge.

The source for assessing the level of behavioral dysfunction of the youths over time is the CAFAS, consisting of eight domains and a total score.

Session 133
Thursday, June 25th
3:45 pm–5:15 pm

Wraparound Case Studies - From Philosophy to Practice to Success
Ontson Placide, Tina Binda, Orisha Osborne, James Wilson, Constance Carter, Chenika Carter, Abraham Alarcon  

Abstract: Can you define and operationalize your success? Having experienced over 600 Wraparound case families over a 7 year period, this workshop will analyze several complex cases from the perspective of the 10 National Wraparound Principles. The subtleties and the big picture items of each case will be discussed.

Description: This presentation will focus on how to take the philosophy of Wraparound, the Principles, and make them a part of your practice and implementation process at your agency. Supervisors, staff, and youth/families will share case scenarios and provide feedback on how effective implementation of all things Wraparound can be operationalized. The subtleties and the big picture items of each case will be discussed. Program practices, facilitation skill sets, coaching and training activities, and most of all Creativity will be broken down into critical implementation steps to demonstrate effectiveness with families that challenged the system to do better.

Participants will learn:

1. How to apply the 10 Wraparound Principles in their daily practice with families
2. Techniques to implement creative strategies in working with families
3. To take advantage of critical moments where there is opportunity for change
4. Key facilitation skills that will lead to better outcomes
5. Big picture program practices that lead to better outcomes

Session 134
Thursday, June 25th
3:45 pm–5:15 pm

Wraparound Through Our Eyes: The Poet, Director And Screenwriter
Constance Conklin, Craig Delano, Shareen McBride-Wicklund      

Abstract: Presentation will highlight lessons learned from wraparound from different perspectives and how we became Michigan’s wraparound training team.  The poet (wraparound graduate: ten years later), the director (the parent of a child in wraparound) and the screenwriter (wraparound facilitator who became the wraparound state trainer) each describe their wraparound journey.

Description: The poet will outline the similarities between punk rock and wraparound and give his insight into the perspective of a youth experiencing wraparound.  One example is:  “wraparound like any local punk rock community is its very own subculture…Doing things that fit their own personal lifestyles, needs and the motives that you use to contain personal freedom and uniqueness is culture within itself.”  Come to the session to understand this unique comparison and many other insights of this wraparound graduate. 

The director will describe her experience as a parent whose family went through the wraparound process and how it has impacted their life.  The director is now a parent coordinator and wraparound trainer in Michigan.  Her ability to coordinate and lead the rest of the training team is instrumental.  She will highlight the core lessons learned from her various roles in Wraparound. 
 
The screenwriter will describe how her experiences with wraparound as a facilitator, supervisor, and state trainer has impacted and changed over the past 16 years.  With this evolution the script for wraparound training has evolved as well to include parent and youth trainers as the rule not the exception.  The depth that this has provided training participants has been invaluable and how the training team’s different roles have complimented each other and how others can implement this type of training model to improve the effectiveness of training.

Session 135
Thursday, June 25th
3:45 pm–5:15 pm

Family Engagement, A Cultural Orientation
Constance Burgess-Moffett, Tyfani Hinton        

Abstract: This symposium session will broaden the participant's family engagement capabilities by exploring the impact of culture on the design and successful delivery of services. Through a culturally oriented framework of family engagement, the audience will address system and organizational challenges, identify techniques to engage families, and improve service delivery when applied.

Description: There is a current trend in child-serving agencies to develop interagency collaboration and to engage families and youth in partnership.  The ultimate goal of these trends is to improve outcomes for children. 

In response to children not achieving outcomes, public agencies have taken on more responsibility and authority in an effort to be more successful.  Compliance with agency directives or interventions takes on increasing importance, whether the intervention is part of a probation plan, a family reunification plan, provisions of an individual education plan (IEP), or components of a mental health service plan.  Compliance with the services prescribed by the agencies can become ends in themselves, and the goal of children and families flourishing too often get lost.

Family engagement promotes opportunity for the best outcomes, both in terms of child and family functioning, and cost while broadening collaboration and teamwork with service prescribing agencies.  It presents a view of the family's strengths and needs within a cultural context and serves to include culturally relevant information in service planning.

Session 136
Thursday, June 25th
3:45 pm–5:15 pm

Cross-System Care Management in an Every Evolving System of Care
Carol Lichtenwalter, Krista Allison, Lynette Blasiman      

Abstract: How Stark County, Ohio has been able to significantly decrease the number of children in restrictive settings by building upon a series of federal, state and local initiatives, the use of High Fidelity WrapAround and the development of a clearly defined, cross-system community infrastructure.

Description: Learn about the evolution of the Stark County System of Care model that builds upon a framework that includes:

• Family Support and Advocacy
• Cross system clinical review processes
• Cross system leadership
• Building capacity for providing WrapAround across systems
• Alignment of WrapAround and traditional case management services
• Federal, state and local funding strategies
• School/community partnership
• Mobilizing of best or evidenced-based programs/practices

For the past twenty years, the Stark County community has actively worked to build a comprehensive System of Care for children and families.  By building upon opportunities available and actively seeking out possible solutions to address identified needs, Stark County has been on a continuous path of development that is demonstrating significant results.

Most recently, the community has developed a cross-system method of working together to comprehensively address the placement of children/youth in restrictive, out-of-county care that involves intensive, collaborative:

• Cross system leadership
• Cross system care management
• Clinical Review

The outcomes have been significant and measurable.  Children have moved into less restrictive levels of care closer to their homes and communities.  Treatment outcomes have been closely monitored and lengths of stay have been greatly reduced.

Session 137
Thursday, June 25th
3:45 pm–5:15 pm

Using Family Partners to Celebrate Culture in Wraparound
Anita Puga, Waana Thomas, Theresa Edwards, Zong Yang, Yeng Vang    

Abstract: Four Connecting Circles of Care family partners representing the Native American, Hmong American, African American, and Latino American communities present on how helping families in wraparound to celebrate their own culture leads to families healing, being an integral part of their communities, and keeping youth at home in their communities.

Description: Respect for the language and culture of our families is one of the guiding principles Connecting Circles of Care Wraparound Services.  Therefore, Connecting Circles of Care psychotherapy, family meetings, case management, counseling, parent education, and social skills training are provided in the languages of our families and by family partners and professionals that are from the culture of the families.    In addition to the normal duties of family partners, CCOC family partners stress helping families build relationships in their own cultural community, helping families celebrate and maintain their culture while connecting to schools or other agencies, and helping children and families be able to function in the community.  

Each of the four presenters will answer the following question in about 15 minutes each:

1. How has wraparound been adapted to fit the needs of their cultural community?
2. What things have they done as family partners to serve as cultural brokers in helping families connect to services?
3. How have they worked with schools to have schools honor and respect the culture of the children and families they serve?
4. What have they done to help families to value their own culture and increase their understanding of other cultures?

Session 138
Thursday, June 25th
3:45 pm–5:15 pm

Family Empowerment and Success in the Wraparound Process:  Nurturing Sustainability through Creativity, Cultural Competence and Community Connection
Kacey Rodenbush, Laura Zapien, Monica Beltran, Meredith Smith

Abstract: This interactive presentation will provide participants with strategies and interventions that are effective in working with at-risk youth and their families involved in the Wraparound process.  Practitioners from Monterey County will illustrate how creativity, cultural competence and connection to community play a vital role in our success with the families we serve.

Description: This interactive presentation by Aspiranet Wraparound of Monterey County will use Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the Ten Principles of Wraparound to illustrate how our program has been successful in moving families from the Engagement phase to the Transition phase of the Wraparound process.  Presenters will share effective strategies used to engage both youth and parents, in addition to approaches that have been helpful when there are barriers to engagement or if there is a need to re-engage one or all family members when things get “stuck”.
This presentation will also provide participants with examples of how we have used creativity as a tool with in our work with youth to encourage their expression of feelings such as grief and loss by nurturing their inherent abilities in music, art and poetry.   Parent Partners will share culturally competent interventions that have assisted parents in becoming more confident and empowered in their parenting as they learn how to access the community resources available to them and utilize  their natural supports so that the changes made through the Wraparound process are sustainable once they are no longer in need of system involvement.

Session 139
Thursday, June 25th
3:45 pm–5:15 pm

Wotakuye Wicakikco (Calling on our Relatives)
Jon Eagle        

Abstract: Wotakuye Wicakikco is a dynamic training that shares the lessons learned from the Sacred Child Project.  The Sacred Child Project was a nationally recognized demonstration project that implemented the Wraparound Process on the four reservations in North Dakota.  Some of the most profound teachings came from the children, families and their natural supports who were a part of this process.  This is their story.

Description: Wotakuye Wicakikco is an interactive journey that engages the participants and pulls them out of their comfort zones to better understand the dynamics of family culture and how this influences the wraparound process.  The presentation uses an activity called, "Wheel within a wheel."  During this activity participants are asked questions that Care Coordinators in the Sacred Child Project asked to discover the children and families strengths.  Once the activity is completed, the presenter debriefs the activity by soliciting the audience for their responses.

Session 140
Thursday, June 25th
3:45 pm–5:15 pm

What You Focus on Grows! Creating a Strengths Packet
Sherry Lyons, Paige Novasky, Marge Critchlow      

Abstract: Wraparound focuses on the child and family's strengths. Parents, having raised children with complex mental/ behavioral health care needs, present the "how to's" of creating and distributing this powerful strengths-based advocacy tool. This "good news" approach is further developed into an individualized plan for success in school or work.

Description: Parent presenters share both the creating and development of a Strengths Packet. This workshop strives to shift the perspective by reframing negative behaviors into positive character traits. It is within this shift that Parents often experience an "AH HA!" moment. A "volunteer" audience member will be asked to participate in a "Strengths" assessment demonstration. This allows for the entire audience to experience firsthand the "how to" of creating a Strengths list. After the list is created and shared with the volunteer, feedback will be shared about this experience. Presenters then explain how this information transforms into an individualized plan for success, both at school or on the job. Samples provided.

Session 141
Thursday, June 25th
3:45 pm–5:15 pm

The Unique Relationship of Family Partner and Facilitator in Wraparound Teams
Martha McCormack, Cathleen Dunnwoody, Wendy Hoffman, Vicki Creel      

Abstract: In Wraparound, respect between professionals and families is very important, and yet, for a variety of reasons, sometimes hard to make happen.  Participants will learn how the Family Partners and Facilitators of the Wraparound Oregon: Early Childhood Project of Multnomah County have practiced utilizing their own working relationship to improve the confidence between professionals and families to also work better together on wrap teams.

Description: Staff and previous wrap team members from the Wraparound Oregon:  Early Childhood Project, now in it's third year of practicing the NWI Model of Wraparound, will begin this presentation by providing an overview of the historical role of Family partners and advocates in social services and Wraparound.  This will be followed with a presentation on current experiences and lessons learned by the project's Family Partners and Facilitators as they have led Wraparound teams together.  Participants will also hear from a wrap team member about their experience of watching the  unique working relationship of Family Partner and Facilitator.  The moderator is a Wraparound Supervisor and will share key components to supervising a dyadic team in  a strengths-based way, while honoring the sometimes very different perspectives that come when these two roles work together closely.

Session 142
Thursday, June 25th
3:45 pm–5:15 pm

Understanding the Process- A Family Guide to Wraparound
Pat Roe, Dawn Grosz, Steve, Melissa       

Abstract: Do you wonder what wraparound really is? How can you tell if it is the real thing? Is the concept puzzling to you?  Join us for a family friendly overview of the process in "A Family Guide to Wraparound", created by Statewide Action for Family Empowerment of Washington (SAFE WA).

Description: Wraparound is not a program, a type of service, or family therapy. It is a process based on the idea that services should be tailored to meet the needs of children and their families. There is an underlying value and commitment to create services and supports “one kid/family at a time” and to promote community based options that truly fit families with complex needs. This session provides an overview of the entire process in family friendly terminology, utilizing the booklet "A Family Guide to Wraparound", which was created by families for families under the auspices of Statewide Actions for Family Empowerment of Washington (SAFE WA).

The presentation includes an overview of the guide which defines the wraparound concept and outlines a step by step process of creating a wraparound team. This booklet is a great tool that helps families understand the process and their role as team leaders, providing ownership and commitment. Plans for the day also include cameo appearances by family members who have utilized this guide with their own participation on wraparound teams. Copies will be provided free of charge to session attendees with instructions on how to order additional copies for use in their communities.

Session 143
Thursday, June 25th
3:45 pm–5:15 pm

Implementation research & wraparound literature: What have we overlooked & how does this affect families?
Rosalyn Bertram, Janis Bane, Eric Bruns, Koren O'Rourke      

Abstract: This symposium presents for discussion results from NWI’s examination of wraparound literature. Staff selection and training, coaching, theory base, and theory of change as well as other implementation components and stages were less addressed. If further examined, wraparound services for youth and families may improve, and expand to other populations.

Description: In recent years, several reviews of wraparound outcomes research documented steady growth in its outcomes research base, which is largely encouraging. However, a similar review of implementation research on wraparound had not been completed. This gap is particularly troublesome because of the variety of service settings in which wraparound has been used and the degree of variation in its application from community to community.

Using the National Implementation Research Network’s (NIRN) framework of core intervention and implementation components, and implementation stages, we reviewed two decades of wraparound literature to identify strengths and gaps in existing research to suggest a wraparound implementation research agenda. Our goal was to identify which domains of the NIRN framework had been well addressed, and which had received limited attention or had been overlooked in wraparound’s development and dissemination.

Initial findings from our evaluation of wraparound literature were presented at the National Wraparound Initiative’s July 2008 meeting in Nashville. Family partners and family members present stated that gaps and oversights identified by the study helped to contextualize problems they faced in wraparound implementation. Presentation of the completed study will similarly inform discussions between family members, program administrators, and service providers at the Portland conference.

Session 144
Thursday, June 25th
3:45 pm–5:15 pm

This Is Me:  How to do your own Functional Strengths & Needs Assessment
Eileen Mary Grealish        

Abstract: In this session, participants will learn how to assess themselves so they will be able to design strength-based plans to help them meet their needs and achieve important results.  Youth and family participants will receive a copy of the tailorable Functional Strengths & Needs Assessment for future use.

Description: Functional strengths and needs assessment is an important part of individualized, strength-based treatment planning.  It's a prerequisite without which high quality plans can't be developed.  Teaching youth, Youth Coordinators and family members how to conduct or participate in this type of assessment puts the right tools in the right hands, an important predictor of success.

Participants in this symposium will go through the actual assessment process as well as learning how to tailor the assessment and the Handbook to best suit their needs and circumstances.