The special legislative session called by Gov. O'Malley is over, but much remains to be decided, especially when it comes to cuts in funding for services in all departments. Agencies will be directed to cut spending growth by $550 million—on top of a $280 million cut earlier this year.
When the legislature convenes in January for its regular four-month session, we must ensure the voices of families echo loud and clear through the halls of government. Our children are counting on us to do what we can to help them access needed services.
To that end, please put Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, on your calendar for the Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health Annual Day in Annapolis . Look for more details in January
—Jane A. Walker
Executive Director
Annual Luncheon Nov. 30
There's still time to get your ticket for the Maryland Coalition of Families' 8th Annual Luncheon—but they're going fast! The luncheon will be held at Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center in Ellicott City from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tricia Gurley, the current Youth M.O.V.E. Maryland coordinator, will be the featured speaker, with Ira S. Lourie M.D. serving as guest reader of the book Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth. The Coalition's annual awards—the Family Partnership Award, the Youth Award, the Jan Yocum de Calderon Award and the System of Care Award—also will be presented at the luncheon.
Contact the Coalition at 410.730.8267 to purchase your ticket.
Exercise—A Dose of Medicine for All
The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is collaborating to encourage physicians to write the "prescription" for exercise for all of their patients, so as to emphasize the importance of incorporating physical activity into their daily lives.
While the majority of fitness research efforts focus on the physical and health benefits of exercise, there is a growing body of work demonstrating that exercise promotes wellness and mental health. Researchers at Duke University studied people suffering from depression for four months and found that 60 percent of the participants who exercised for 30 minutes three times a week overcame their depression without using antidepressant medication. This is the same percentage rate as for those who only used medication in their treatment for depression.
Increasing physical activity can prevent and treat dozens of diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Movement can help many children with sensory and attention difficulties as well, and being outdoors absorbing Vitamin D and light from the sun also may ease some symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Click here to learn more about the "Exercise is Medicine" initiative.
Soar with FLI
The 2008 Family Leadership Institute is set, beginning Jan. 12 and ending with graduation May 3.
FLI informs, trains and empowers families to be advocates in their communities and in the state, and includes six weekend sessions with policy makers, advocates and prominent speakers. Class space is limited to 25 participants. Click here for the new FLI brochure, including registration and contact information.
New Education Tools on Depression
Words Can Work produces and distributes materials to help young people, parents and other caregivers understand the challenges kids face growing up. A recent offering covers depression in adolescents in a DVD and booklet produced with researchers and clinicians from the National Institute of Mental Health, Harvard Medical School, Columbia University and Montefiore Medical Center.
Depression: True Stories, a 26-minute DVD, features professional basketball player Chamique Holdsclaw and other young adults describing living with—and recovering from—depression. Their powerful stories show how early diagnosis and treatment can transform and save lives.
Words Can Work: When Talking About Depression and Other Mental Illness Disorders, a 52-page booklet, features young adults and their families discussing living with depression, bipolar disorder and other mental health disorders. Experts offer information and strategies to help young people and peers—and families—talk about these topics.
Click here to view products or e-mail info@wordscanwork.com for more information.
Office of Health Care Quality
Where can you turn if you have concerns regarding a health care or treatment facility for your child? The Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) is the agency within the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) charged with monitoring the quality of care in Maryland's 8,000 health care and community residential programs. The OHCQ licenses and certifies the state's health care facilities. Through licensing, a facility gains the authority to operate or do business in the state; through certification, a facility obtains the right to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
The OHCQ uses state and federal regulations, which set forth minimum standards for provision of care, and conducts surveys to determine compliance. When problems or deficiencies are noted, the OHCQ initiates administrative action against facilities that violate state rules and regulations. If a facility fails to correct problems and is unable or unwilling to do so, the OHCQ may impose such sanctions as license revocation, fines, bans on admissions or other restrictions on the operating license.
Call 410.402.8060 to report concerns regarding a health care or treatment facility, including:
- Mental health vocational programs;
- Mobile treatment services;
- Outpatient mental health clinics;
- Psychiatric day treatment programs;
- Residential crisis services; and
- Respite care services.
For concerns regarding residential treatment centers or acute care or psychiatric hospitals, call 410.402.8016. For more information regarding filing a complaint, visit the OHCQ website at http://dhmh.state.md.us/ohcq/faq/complain.htm.
Upcoming Events
New Directions Waiver Orientation, Nov. 26, 7 p.m., ARC of Howard County, and Dec. 3, 7 p.m., ARC of Northern Chesapeake. Maryland's Developmental Disabilities Administration self-directed services waiver is explored by Catriona Johnson and Edward Willard to help those transitioning into adult services in 2008. Contact Terri for more information and to register at 410.767.5421 or TElliott@dhmh.state.md.us.
Youth with Disabilities Transitioning Conference, Navigating the Road from School to Adulthood for All Youth with Disabilities in Maryland, Nov. 28–29, for youth with disabilities, families, caregivers, and all stakeholders supporting post-school outcomes for youth with disabilities/young adults. For more information and to register, contact Brenda Riedl, Division of Rehabilitation Services, 410.554.9406 or briedl@dors.state.md.us.
Maryland Coalition of Families 8th Annual Luncheon, Nov. 30, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m., Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center, Ellicott City, Md. Contact the Coalition at 410.730.8267 to purchase your ticket.
