Hopefully by now you are aware of the Mental Health Transformation Grant the state was awarded by the federal government. A public hearing was held at the end of July to learn the concerns of families and consumers of mental health services across the age spectrum. If you were not able to attend the public hearing, you have another opportunity to provide input into the needs assessment. A Stakeholder Survey is available online at the Maryland Department of Disabilities website at www.mdod.state.md.us. It should take about 10 minutes to complete the survey. We encourage you to make your voice heard!
-Jane A. Walker
Executive Director
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Who among us cannot remember a childhood event that paralyzed us with fear? It may have been something simple like a frightening movie or something worse like abuse at the hand of a parent or witnessing an accident or natural disaster. Traumatic stress in children can arise from numerous sources and the severity of the reaction to the event or events depends on numerous factors, including the child's age and developmental level. The mission of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) is to "raise the standard of care for and improve access to services for traumatized children and their families and communities throughout the United States." The NCTSN website, www.nctsn.org, contains a wealth of information for families, school personnel and mental health professionals on types of trauma and treatment, resources and publications. The article below is taken from the NCTSN website.
Trauma
Some types of traumatic events involve (1) experiencing a serious injury to yourself or witnessing a serious injury to or the death of someone else, (2) facing imminent threats of serious injury or death to yourself or others, or (3) experiencing a violation of personal physical integrity. These experiences usually call forth overwhelming feelings of terror, horror, or helplessness. Because these events occur at a particular time and place and are usually short-lived, we refer to them as acute traumatic events. These kinds of traumatic events include the following:
- School shootings
- Gang-related violence in the community
- Terrorist attacks
- Natural disasters (for example, earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes)
- Serious accidents (for example, car or motorcycle crashes)
- Sudden or violent loss of a loved one
- Physical or sexual assault (for example, being beaten, shot, or raped)
In other cases, exposure to trauma can occur repeatedly over long periods of time. These experiences call forth a range of responses, including intense feelings of fear, loss of trust in others, decreased sense of personal safety, guilt, and shame. We call these kinds of trauma chronic traumatic situations. These kinds of traumatic situations include the following:
- Some forms of physical abuse
- Long-standing sexual abuse
- Domestic violence
- Wars and other forms of political violence
Child Traumatic Stress
Child traumatic stress occurs when children and adolescents are exposed to traumatic events or traumatic situations, and when this exposure overwhelms their ability to cope with what they have experienced.
Depending on their age, children respond to traumatic stress in different ways. Many children show signs of intense distress-disturbed sleep, difficulty paying attention and concentrating, anger and irritability, withdrawal, repeated and intrusive thoughts, and extreme distress-when confronted by anything that reminds them of their traumatic experiences. Some children develop psychiatric conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and a variety of behavioral disorders.
While some children "bounce back" after adversity, traumatic experiences can result in a significant disruption of child or adolescent development and have profound long-term consequences. Repeated exposure to traumatic events can affect the child's brain and nervous system and increase the risk of low academic performance, engagement in high-risk behaviors, and difficulties in peer and family relationships. Traumatic stress can cause increased use of health and mental health services and increased involvement with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Adult survivors of traumatic events may have difficulty in establishing fulfilling relationships, holding steady jobs, and becoming productive members of our society. Fortunately, there are effective treatments for child traumatic stress. To read more, go to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network website at www.nctsn.org.
Final IDEA Part B Regulations Announced!
The Department of Education has announced the final Part B regulations to implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). An official copy of the final Part B regulations of the IDEA will be published in the Federal Register Aug. 14, 2006. So that members of the public will have the opportunity to immediately review the new Part B regulations of IDEA, the department temporarily has posted an unofficial copy; click to see the regs: http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/idea2004.html#regulations.
Family Leadership Institute Director Sought
The Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health is looking for a dynamic leader to direct the Family Leadership Institute, an advocacy training program for families caring for a child with mental health needs. The part-time position requires the director to conduct training on six to eight weekends per year.
Qualifications include experience planning and conducting trainings or workshops, public speaking and an ability to work independently. Preference is given to a family member of a child with mental health needs.
Visit www.mdcoalition.org for more information and application procedures.
Advocating for Families
In many jurisdictions of the state the Coalition employs family members to provide outreach in one or more counties. These Family Advocates are knowledgeable about local resources and are trained to help families make informed decisions for their child's well-being.
Services are free of charge.
Advocates:
- provide one-to-one telephone support to families care for a child with serious, complex health needs;
- provide information on resources, referral to appropriate services and assistance navigating the various systems;
- help families become their own advocates; and
- accompany families to meetings for support when possible.
Advocates are not lawyers or therapists and do not provide legal representation or counseling, nor do they advise families on decisions pertaining to their child.
The Coalition's advocates work in partnership with community agencies and participate in local planning and advisory boards, while always promoting participation of families and bringing family members into leadership roles in the community. Visit http://www.mdcoalition.org/who.htm for a listing of Coalition advocates and the counties in which they serve, or contact the Coalition's main office at 410.730.8267, toll-free at 888.607.3637 or e-mail info@mdcoalition.org.
Research Study Volunteers Needed
Children and adolescents ages 9 to 17 with either Tourette's or Chronic Tic disorders interested in behavioral interventions for decreasing tic severity are eligible for a research study at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The free treatment involves 11 sessions of a comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT) and/or psychoeducation-supportive therapy (PST) over a 22-week period. Both therapies can be used on their own or in addition to existing medication. The study is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and Tourette Syndrome Association. For more information or to enroll in the study, contact Catherine Gaze, Ph.D., at 410-614-4236 or e-mail tics@jhmi.edu.
Upcoming Events
- ADHD Panel Presentation: Information and education about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in African American youth, for parents and caregivers, sponsored by The Black Mental Health Alliance and presented by Baltimore Families First and the Maryland Coalition for Children's Mental Health. Free. Aug. 12, 10 a.m.-12 noon, Union Baptist Church, 1219 Druid Hill Ave., Baltimore (Bus Line 5). Child care and refreshments provided. RSVP: Yolanda Gayden, 410-662-5500, ext. 223, or Elizabeth O'Hara, 410-261-3764.
- Maryland Coalition Family Support Group: A safe place for parents/guardians/foster parents/family members of children with special emotional needs to share, get information and have the opportunity to network. Third Saturday of the month. Free. Aug. 19, 12 a.m.-12 noon, 2300 N. Charles St., 3rd Floor, Baltimore City (entrance on 23rd; Bus Lines 3, 11, 13, 61 and 64). Child care and refreshments provided. RSVP: Angela Lee, 410-261-3765.
- Suicide Action Prevention Network: Sept. 7-9, National Awareness Event, Washington D.C. For additional information, visit www.spanusa.org.
- Understanding Adolescent Self-Injurious Behavior: Oct. 17, 7-8:30 p.m. This workshop, presented by Lisa Ferentz, LCSW-C, an expert in the field of self-injurious behavior, will offer insight into adolescent development and its connection to self-harm. Howard County Central Library Meting Room. Free to families and $15 for professionals who register in advance. $20 for professionals at the door.
- Navigating the Road from School to Careers for All Youth with Disabilities: Nov. 30, location TBA.
