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Tag Archive: Senator Creigh Deeds

  1. Next steps in Charlottesville?

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    Voices for Virginia’s Children is pleased to update the Charlottesville community and others with the notes from the Community Conversation about Children’s Mental Health we hosted in December, as well as outline next steps. You can read the full recap here.

    Strengths that were mentioned included the relative wealth of resources in the Charlottesville area compared to other areas of the state, particularly rural areas. Strong nonprofits, a CSB that provides an array of children’s services, and collaboration among organizations were cited as strengths. Participants also appreciated that there are organizations in Charlottesville focused on the entire spectrum of interventions, from prevention and early intervention for families through treatment for children with diagnosed mental health disorders.

    Even as well-resourced as Charlottesville is, however, every aspect of the continuum has inadequate capacity to meet the need. Challenges fell into several main categories:
    – not enough focus on prevention and early intervention;
    – a variety of barriers to existing services;
    – gaps in services—things that are needed but don’t exist, or which exist but have inadequate capacity to meet the need; and
    – a need for citizen advocacy to move the needle on state level policy, according to Sen. Deeds.

    So, what do we do next? Voices and the Campaign are very interested in helping regional partners in Charlottesville form a coalition on children’s mental health so that the community can move forward on some of the suggestions made at the Community Conversation. Is your organization willing to be involved? Please email Campaign Coordinator Ashley Everette at ashley@vakids.org.

  2. 125 attend Community Conversation about children’s mental health in Charlottesville

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    On December 4th, 2014,  parents, youth, mental health professionals and advocates, school system representatives and elected officials from the Charlottesville came together for our “Community Conversation about Children’s Mental Health”. The turnout was phenomenal, with over 125 people, many of whom shared their views about what’s working and what’s not working with our children’s mental heath system.

     The evening started with a panel that included Senator Creigh Deeds, Dr. Jeff Aaron (Facility Director of the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents), Neta Davis (Director of Child and Family Services at Region 10 CSB), and Dr. Laura Easter (Director of Community Services at Elk Hill).  Panelist discussed the children’s mental health system from their unique perspectives and funding to the improve children’s crisis response and child psychiatry services was highlighted. The conversation that followed highlighted the ongoing difficulties families often face in accessing mental health treatment for their children, as well as suggestions for improvements.

    Check out the media coverage the event received in advance and after the event:

    The Daily Progress: http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/mental-health-care-for-children-needs-improvement/article_e26f0084-7c2b-11e4-a832-4f0fe4cc3844.html

    Additional pictures: http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/children-s-mental-health-forum/collection_4e7027b2-7c19-11e4-91e6-97a80217d236.html

     The Roanoke Times: (Daily Progress story reprinted):  http://www.roanoke.com/life/health/mental-health-care-for-children-needs-improvement/article_70d5bf26-be32-501c-8234-7a4f9fc4e986.html#.VIScVed-pvs.facebook 

     NBC29: http://www.nbc29.com/category/175568/video-landing-page?clipId=10919187&topVideoCatNo=82958&autoStart=true

     WINA: 

    Advance interview with Campaign Coordinator,  Ashley Everette: http://wina.com/morning-news/ashley-everett/

    Story from event: http://wina.com/news/064460-forum-held-on-kids-mental-health

     Virginia News Connection

    Advance story with Voices Executive Director, Margaret Nimmo Crowe: http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2014-12-01/mental-health/a-community-conversation-on-children/a43150-1

    With help from our partners in the Charlottesville area, this event served as an important vehicle for keeping children’s mental health issues in the spotlight for legislators and for bringing together the community to discuss  ways to improve the lives of children with mental health challenges.

     In the next few weeks, we will post a report highlighting emerging themes from this forum.  A huge thanks to all of the Charlottesville area residents who attended and our amazing partners in helping us to organize and promote this successful event.

    The Campaign hopes to replicate this type of event in other areas of the state. If you are interested in having an event like this in your locality, please contact campaign coordinator Ashley Everette, ashley@vakids.org.

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  3. A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ABOUT CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH IN CHARLOTTESVILLE

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    On December 4th, Voices for Virginia’s Children along with community partners in the greater Charlottesville area are working together to host an event, “A Community Conversation about Children’s Mental Health,” to raise awareness of the need for elected officials and residents in the greater Charlottesville area to address mental heath issues in children. We are hoping that this event will provide a unique opportunity for families, advocates, school system representatives, public and private mental health service providers, and legislators to come together to hear about recent positive developments in the children’s mental health system as well as discuss the continuing difficulties in accessing effective treatment.

    We are thrilled that Senator Creigh Deeds will be joining  a panel of mental health providers to discuss children’s mental health and answer questions.

    We hope this event can serve as an important vehicle for keeping children’s mental health issues in the spotlight for key legislators and for bringing together families and treatment professionals to discuss ways to improve the lives of children with mental health challenges.

    Here are the details:

    When:  Thursday, December 4th, 2014, Food available at 6:00 PM, 6:30-8:30 PM Program

    Where: Jefferson School City Center, Carver Recreation Center; 233 4th Street, NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903

    This event is FREE and food will be provided.  Childcare and transportation stipends available

    Click here to register:  http://surveymonkey.com/s/cvillekids 

    Questions? Contact Ashley Everette at ashley@vakids.org

    Check out the flyer and share with friends:  Community Conversation December 2014 FINAL[1]

  4. Community Conversation about Children’s Mental Health in Charlottesville

    Comments Off on Community Conversation about Children’s Mental Health in Charlottesville

    On December 4th, Voices for Virginia’s Children is working with partners in the greater Charlottesville area to organize and host an event, “A Community Conversation about Children’s Mental Health,” to raise awareness of the need for elected officials and residents in the greater Charlottesville area to address mental heath issues in children. We are hoping that this event will provide a unique opportunity for families, advocates, school system representatives, public and private mental health service providers, and legislators to come together to hear about recent positive developments in the children’s mental health system as well as discuss the continuing difficulties in accessing effective treatment.

    We are thrilled that Senator Creigh Deeds will be joining  a panel of mental health providers to discuss children’s mental health and answer questions.  

    We hope this event can serve as an important vehicle for keeping children’s mental health issues in the spotlight for key legislators and for bringing together families and treatment professionals to discuss ways to improve the lives of children with mental health challenges.

    Here are the details:

    When:  Thursday, December 4th, 2014, Food available at 6:00 PM, 6:30-8:30 PM Program

    Where: Jefferson School City Center, Carver Recreation Center; 233 4th Stree, NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903

    This event is FREE and food will be provided.  Childcare and transportation stipends available

    Click here to register:   http://surveymonkey.com/s/cvillekids 

    Questions:  Contact Ashley Everette at ashley@vakids.org

    Check out the flyer and share with friends:  Community Conversation December 2014 FINAL[1]