PUTTING YOUTH AND FAMILIES FIRST
June 23-25, 2009
Hilton Portland and Executive Tower
Portland, Oregon
Our national conference will provide the latest research and best practice information on two very important aspects of service provision: the inclusion of youth voice and philosophies of wraparound in mental health care and social services. These issues will be addressed throughout the conference—both by invited experts in plenary sessions, and through presentation of individual papers and symposia. In addition to these emphases, the conference promotes programs and practices to increase family and youth participation and empowerment; family-centered, youth-guided, and culturally competent services; and building the capacity of communities to support children and families.
This year’s focus will be on the latest developments in two exciting areas:
- Youth empowerment and participation in designing, delivering,
and evaluating services, supports, and systems. This theme will be addressed throughout the conference – both by invited experts in plenary sessions, and through presentation of individual papers and symposia.
- Wraparound. The final day of the conference is co-sponsored by the National Wraparound Initiative. Plenary and breakout sessions will provide opportunities to learn about skills, tools, resources, and techniques for wraparound training, supervision, practice, implementation, system development, and more.
The Research and Training Center will also be hosting a pre-conference National Youth Summit on June 22, 2009.
For more information please visit the Youth Summit webpage.
Tuesday Keynote Addresses
YOUTH SUMMIT CALL TO ACTION
Keynote Speakers: Youth Summit Participants
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.
DIGITAL STORIES: CAPTURING THE ESSENCE OF OUR STORIES
Keynote Speakers: Victor Damian, Marquita Jones, José Luis García
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 José Luis García will explain how this process works and give insight into how and why digital stories are an effective tool for education, advocacy, and awareness.
Wednesday Research Plenary
FROM YOUTH-LED ACTION RESEARCH TO HEALTH JUSTICE
Presenters: Alyssa A. Nelson, Chris Barrick, Michael Young, Jesús Sánchez.
Workshop Leaders: Sergio Cuellar and
Julia Vargas
(www.youthinfocus.net)
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.
Thursday Wraparound Plenary
WRAPAROUND TEAMS: THE GLUE THAT HOLDS HOPE TOGETHER
This moderated, interactive panel presentation will highlight the importance and role of the wraparound 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.
Who should attend?
Family members, youth, researchers, advocates, administrators, service providers, policy makers, and others committed to strengthening research and practice to better meet the needs of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders and their families.
Youth and family events
A “youth central” room will be open during the conference. Youth and family events will be offered on Tuesday evening. NOTE: Childcare is not available at the conference.
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