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Tag Archive: DBHDS

  1. Opportunity to give input on children’s behavioral health in VA

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    Families, mental health clinicians, teachers and others: You have a window of opportunity to give your feedback on initial recommendations for the future of the children’s behavioral health system in Virginia!

    Last week, Commissioner Debra Ferguson released a report giving recommendations from the four Transformation Teams she created in 2014 (adult behavioral health, adult developmental services, child and adolescent behavioral health, and justice-involved services). All information about the process can be access on the website of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

    Voices’ executive director Margaret Nimmo Crowe has participated on the Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Team. Recommendations for the Child and Adolescent Team can be found here.

    These are initial recommendations as the teams will continue to meet.  However, DBHDS is releasing them at this time to get feedback from the public. You have two ways to give feedback:

    1. You may submit an email with your comments at the Transformation Team web page until May 31, 2015.

    2. You may give feedback in person at one of four upcoming Town Hall Meetings:

    • Monday, May 11: Williamsburg Regional Library, 515 Scotland St. Williamsburg, VA  23188 – 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
    • Tuesday, May 12: Ferlazzo Human Services Building, 15941 Donald Curtis Drive Suite 200, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191 – 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
    • Friday, May 15:  Piedmont Valley Community College, Main Building, Auditorium Room 229, 501 College Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22902 – 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
    • Wednesday, May 20:  Snyder Auditorium, Wytheville Community College, 1000 E Main St, Wytheville, VA 24382 – 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.

    Please use these opportunities to give your input on the recommendations! If you have questions, you may contact me at ashley@vakids.org.

     

  2. Governor’s Task Force on Mental Health Services and Crisis Response

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    The Governor’s Task Force on Mental Health Services and Crisis Response was established on December 10, 2013 by Executive Order 68 to seek and recommend solutions that will improve Virginia’s mental health crisis services and help prevent crises from developing in the future. The Executive Order was continued by Governor McAuliffe with the signing of Executive Order 12. The Task Force had its initial meeting in January and is working towards a final report due no later than October 1, 2014.

    Learn more about the Task Force here including membership of the task force, meeting materials and presentations, and future meeting dates. Meetings are open to the public.

     Upcoming Meetings

     June 16, 2014

     1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Virginia Department of Health Professions, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA, 23233-1463

     August 4, 2014

    1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Virginia Department of Health Professions, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA, 23233-1463

     

    Submit Public Comment to the Task Force

     An essential component of the Task Force is receiving public comment. Public comments help to inform the task force and are included in packet of materials that task force members receive. We encourage you to participate in the process by sending your own comments to the Task Force by emailing: TaskForceMHWorkGroup@dbhds.virginia.gov Note that public comments are included in the Task Force packets and published on the website so be careful not to include sensitive or private information that you don’t want to become public. Sample comments to submit can be found here 

  3. Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day Event @ Movieland

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    Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day Celebration

     Thursday, May 8 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Movieland on the Boulevard in Richmond

    The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is sponsoring an evening at the Bowtie Theater-Movieland in Richmond to raise awareness about children’s mental health.

    The event will kickoff at 5:00 p.m. with a welcome reception and a FREE DINNER, and informational tables from  organizations that focus on children’s mental health, adolescent substance abuse, early childhood services, suicide prevention. The reception will be followed by a screening at 6:15 p.m. of “Hear Our Voices,” an award-winning film made in association with Tennessee Voices for Children. The film showcases youth with mental health challenges and the sweeping changes needed in the delivery of mental health services, including the importance of community-based treatment. You can view the trailer at http://www.hearourvoicesfilm.com. A Panel discussion will follow the film at 7:15 p.m. and will include speakers representing the Office of Secretary of Health and Human Services, family members, and a youth.    We’re excited about this informative and fun event to raise awareness of children’s mental health issues! We hope you’ll join us.

    This event is free and open to the public. You must register register in advance to have your name placed on the invited guest list at the door! To Register, please send an email to:  ashley@vakids.org. 

     

  4. Adolescent Substance Use: Training May 23 in Richmond

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    Great events just keep popping up in May! The Campaign is pleased to spread the word about this training about adolescent substance use. We’ve worked with parent-trainer Carol Obrochta often, and she is wonderful! Be prepared to get some helpful information in a very supportive environment. Here are the details- be sure to register:

    The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is sponsoring a free training titled

    Adolescent Substance Use: “Information that all Families Should Know”

    Family members and caregivers who are concerned that their child or adolescent may have a substance use disorder often have many questions and concerns. This training is designed to provide attendees with accurate information about drugs and drug trends as well as strategies on how to effectively address substance use behavior in the family environment. The presentation is designed especially for family members and care givers.  Topics to be covered include but not limited to are signs and symptoms of substance use, abuse, and dependence, the culture of drugs and alcohol, drug trends, how and where to get help, strategies on stabilizing the family and self-care for the family that is impacted by youth substance use.

    Presenters:  Barbara Burke (LCSW) is the Clinical Director for the Family Counseling Center for Recovery at the Radford Ave. location and has over 25 years of experience providing counseling services for adolescents and family.

    Carol Obrochta is a national trainer with over 25 years of experience in the area of  developing child and family support and networking organizations.

    Date:  Thursday, May 23, 2013

    Time:  5:30-8:30 p.m.

    Place: Virginia Tech Richmond Center, 2810 N. Parham Road, Richmond, VA

    Light dinner refreshments will be served

    Registration Information:

    The workshop is free, but space is limited, therefore registration is required. In order to register, please forward your name, email address,  and telephone number to Malcolm King at (804) – 371-4604 or via email at malcolm.king@dbhds.virginia.gov  A confirmation email will be sent to you after your information has been received. Directions to the Virginia Tech Richmond Center may be found at http://www.richmond.vt.edu/newsite/directions.html