Tennessee Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health

T H E N E T W O R K E R

Children’s Mental health Week Coal it ion Gears Up for 2010 aCtiv it ies

With the Children’s Mental Health Week “Show Me U Care” Zoo Day Celebration slated for April 24th, kicking off this year’s official week to focus on children’s mental health across America, the Children’s Mental Health Week Coalition is busy planning a celebration to be remembered. The event will last from 9:30am until 1:30pm. With more than 6,000 in attendance at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere last year, record numbers are expected in 2010 to participate in activities centered on mental health awareness. Look to see performers, appearances by local team mascots, superheroes (a favorite of the kids in 2009), and a visit by local athletes and many others. Parents and children alike will enjoy games, contests, and a day of fun at the zoo, all while receiving information and tips on mental health. The first 500 people at the gates will receive free entry (limited to two free adult tickets per family). In addition, the Coalition has announced its 13th annual “Show Me U Care” art contest, asking for entries by children of all ages across Middle Tennessee. Kids are encouraged to submit original pieces demonstrating how their family and community can help promote the importance of mental health and wellness. Three children from each grade and age category will win cash prizes, as well as have their artwork locally displayed. Contact TVC for more information and for artwork requirements. We look forward to seeing you there!

C H I L D R E N ’ S M E N T A L H E A LT H W E E K - May 2-8, 2010

1st Quarter 2010 Edition

SHOW ME U CAREArt Contest Past Winners

EAST TN

KnoxvilleSpecial Needs Parents

“Support, Ideas & Solutions”West Park Baptist ChurchParents of children ages 2 to 21

8833 Middlebrook Pike4th Tues. of every month 7-8:30 pm

Jim Griffin 865/609-2490Jgriffin@tnvoices.org

Morristown City“Hand in Hand Family

Support Group”Morristown-Hamblem Library

417 West Main Street 3rd Thurs. of every month 6:30-8 pm

Parents of children ages 2 to 21Call in advance if childcare is needed

Contact: 423/289-4217

Blount CountyMAC Meeting

(Maryville Autism Coalition)Fairview United Methodist Church

2508 Old Niles Ferry Road, Maryville 3rd Thurs. of every month 6:30-8 pm

Erin Thompson 865/776-6442Plaid2000@aol.com

ChattanoogaAwesome Autism

Ronald McDonald 200 Central Ave. Last Monday of every month

Jackie Benkert 423/886-5430awesome_autism@yahoogroups.com

Loudon CountySpecial Needs Support Group

First Baptist Church in Lenoir CityParents of children ages 2 to 21

2085 Simpson Road3rd Thurs. of every month 6:00-8 pm

Barbara Early 865/621-3661early111@bellsouth.net

MIDDLE TN

ClarksvilleEmmanuel Life Center

First Missionary Baptist Church301 Fairview Lane

3rd Thurs. of every month 6:30-8 pmChildcare Available

Monica Causey 800/670-9882or 615/269-7751

LewisburgFirst Assembly of God

1191 West Ellington Pkwy3rd Thurs. of every month 6:30-8 pm

Kim Young 931/560-3088

Columbia/Maury CountyThe Family Center

1st Thurs. of every month 6:00-7:30 pm921 Beckett Street, Columbia

Call in advance if childcare is neededKathy Rogers 931/560-3085Kelly Turco 931/490-0463

Humphreys CountyM.A.S.K.

(Mothers and Fathers of AutismSpectrum Kids)

Last Saturday of every month at 2 pmTanya Salley 931/582-6147

Barbara Steuer 615/740-8019

WEST TN

Madison CountyTVC Jackson Office

239 North Parkway, Suite C, Jackson4th Sat. of every month 1 pm

Childcare AvailableRhonda Ewing 731/984-8599

rewing@tnvoices.org

S U P P O R T G R O U P S

Charlotte Bryson Executive DirectorMillie Sweeney Asst. Director for Programs

Brian Taylor Asst. Director for Operations2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

Jack McKenzie PresidentMichele Johnson President Elect

Heather Dziewulski Immediate Past PresidentJeune Wood Secretary

Ron Lee TreasurerBoard of Directors

Shani CutlerKaren EasterWanda EvansRobin GreenMerril Harris

Craig Anne Heflinger, Ph.D.Debbie Webb

Steve Wonsiewicz

Advisory CouncilDick Blackburn

Ken DukeGail Yvette Crawford

Richard EdgarJessica Doyle HooperDawne Kimbrell, Ph.D.

Randal M. LeaGunnar NelsonLinda O’Neal

Derek PellSheila Peters, Ph.D.

Scott RidgwayPaula Sandidge, M.D.

Jim ShulmanWilliam SpencerShelby Tabeling

Patti Van Eys, Ph.D.Lorraine Williams Greene, Ph.D.

Lygia WilliamsBE IN THE KNOW! Join or start a

TVC Support Group. Call 1-800-670-9882

PAGE 7The Networker Team: LAUREN ARIEUX Writer/Designer/Editor • MILLIE SWEENEY Editor • LAURA FAIR Editor

This newsletter is partially funded through an agreement with the State of Tennessee via the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.

TVC WelcomesNASHVILLE:AdAm Horn, TrAining And Policy develoPmenT coordinATor

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an ASIST approved trainer, Adam has worked in the mental health field for 18 years. He has a Masters in Marriage Family Therapy from Hahnemann Univer-sity (Drexel) in Philadelphia and a B.F.A. in Drama from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Adam and his wife, Lani, along with their three children, moved to Nash-ville from Washington in June 2009.

STePHAnie SHollenberger, execuTive ASSiSTAnT

Stephanie comes to TVC with six years of experience working with the Mental Health Association of Tennessee. She has her B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Texas. A hockey nut, she’s no Predators fan, rooting for her home-town Dallas Stars and the Pittsburgh Penguins. She also enjoys spending time with her 12-year-old kitty Josey, crocheting, knitting, reading, and has seen the Dave Matthews Band in concert 22 times (so far).

lAuren Arieux, informATion SPeciAliST

With a background in writing and graphic design, Lauren has writ-ten for several magazines and had worked as a bookseller and young adult librarian before moving to Tennessee in August 2009. She has her M.L.I.S from the University of Alabama and her B.A. in Journalism from Auburn University. A huge Au-burn fan despite her other alma ma-ter, Lauren enjoys college football, reading, music, cooking, adding to her book and record collection, and traveling.

blAkely forreST, coordinATor - TeenScreen Blakely, who has her Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling, comes to TVC after having worked as a small business owner and a flight attendant. She loves camp-ing (RVing) with her family, reading, knitting, and traveling. She and her husband are parents to three kids, three dogs, four chickens, one cat, and a pot-bellied pig.

deidre “dee” o’brien - PArT Time recePTioniST

Dee has volunteered with TVC for the past three years, but has had her hands in the children’s mental health world for years while assist-ing her mother, Monica Causey, with various projects. Dee is married and has five children.

brendA donAldSon, PArenT PArT-nerSHiP ScHool SPeciAliST – TPircBrenda returns to TVC after spend-ing 2.5 years as a member of the TVC Board of Directors. Previously she had worked as a TVC FSP for 4.5 years with both Nashville Connec-tion and Family Connection. She has her BS from Bethel University and says she loves to read EVERY-THING!

meg THorSTenSon, TeAm TenneSSee coordinATor - cSefeLPreviously focusing her work on the growth and development of chil-dren under the age of five, Meg comes to TVC after working as a researcher, developmental and be-havioral health assessor, and a Head Start teacher. She earned her B.S. in Anthropology from the University of Arizona and her M.S. in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University. An avid reader, she also enjoys hiking and gardening in her spare time.

PAul cogginS, TeAm TenneSSee co-ordinATor - cSefelA trained Educational Specialist, Paul re-tired after 41 years as a teacher, coach, principal and supervi-sor. He and wife Pat have four children and six granddaugh-ters. He enjoys hunt-ing, church activities, traveling, and spend-ing time with his fam-ily.

COLUMBIA:AliciA kAmAr, fSP mule Town fAm-ily neTwork

Alicia comes to TVC from a back-ground in many areas, including dietary management for a long-term care facility, volunteering for the cause of ending domestic vio-lence, speaking for Victim’s Rights Week, and managing a restaurant. She has her Associate’s Degree in Paraprofessional Studies and will earn her BS from Middle Tennessee State University in May 2010. A pub-lished writer of poetry, she hopes to have “A Daniel Day,” written about the day in the life of a bipolar child, published soon. She has three chil-dren, Devin, Taryn, and Daniel.

MEMPHIS:TrAcey dAviS, ProjecT direcTor - juSTcAre fAmily neTwork

Tracey has 15 years of experience with both in- and outpatient mental health services, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in three states. She earned her M.S.W. from Rutgers University. Spending quality time with son Julian is her favorite hobby, but Tracey also enjoys exer-cising and reading mystery novels. The middle child of a family with Ja-maican heritage, she is married with one child.

rex HArringTon, fAmily SuPPorT Provider – juSTcAre fAmily neT-work

Rex has background experience working as a cook, among many other professions, but most recently as a Behavior Specialist/Analyst. He has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Memphis and is cur-rently pursuing a degree in Com-puter Science/Programming. When not working or studying, he enjoys cooking, being outdoors, and his dogs, and he plans to one day hike the Appalachian Trail.

TomekiciA “mekA” wren, AdminiS-TrATive ASSiSTAnT – juSTcAre fAmily neTwork

Meka has her A.A. and will receive her Bachelor of Social Work in May. She enjoys shopping, reading, and spending time with her daughter, Majsha.

nyrone HAwkinS, TecHnicAl ASSiS-TAnce / culTurAl comPeTency co-ordinATer – juSTcAre fAmily neT-work

Nyrone has worked in kids’ advoca-cy for nearly all of his life and is the former Director of Operations for “Neighborhood School,” an urban private Christian school in Mem-phis. He is currently the Vice Presi-dent/Co-Developer of Taylor Brown Gardens, which builds group homes for young boys. Nyrone has a de-gree in Communications from the University of Memphis and enjoys playing golf, reading, and mission work. He and wife, Yolanda, have one daughter, Nyia Simone.

kimAl Hill-wAre, fAmily SuPPorT Provider – juSTcAre fAmily neT-work And juSTcAre 180Kimal served a 12-year tenure with the Shelby County Sherriff’s Office before joinin TVC. Currently en-rolled to further her education at Memphis State University, she en-joys reading and cooking. She has five children between ages of 6 and 19 and one grandson.

Congrats!

Nashville receptionist Iaisha Kim-ble graduated from Massage Ther-apy School and received her official Massage Therapist license in Febru-ary. She is now working at Prehab Massage in Nashville while continu-ing to work part-time at TVC.

Natasha Bryson is now the FSP Supervisor of JC180 in Memphis and Behavioral Specialist in Nash-ville!

Adam Horn has earned his Tennes-see LMFT certification!

While providing a Love. Read. Learn! Workshop at Camp Creek Elementary in Nashville, Monica Causey had the help of five students to demonstrate the Five National Reading Panel Standards. Love. Read. Learn! is a program dedicated to help-ing you teach your child the joys of learning through literacy.

juSTcAre 180 (an initiative between SoulsvilleUSA, Hickory Hill CDC, TVC, and the Memphis Shelby Crime Commision’s “Operation: Safe

Community” program) And SoulSvilleuSA gathered the Memphis community for “A Taste of SoulsvilleUSA” in December 2009. The pre-Kwanza event was designed to increase awareness of their projects and inform the community of the comprehensive family services available. Pictured above: A barbecue contest created an opportunity to bring together JustCare 180 staff, community residents, and partners (such as University of Memphis faculty) interested in working with South Memphis residents. Lemoyne-Owen College’s Zeta sorority, a service group who work specifically with young African American girls but often partner with male groups to complete community service projects, showed off their Stepping skills.

Memphis’s juSTcAre fAmily neTwork (JCFN), be-gan accepting referrals for services on March 15! JustCare Family Network offers an effective approach to delivering mental health services and system transformation through a coordinated culturally and linguistically competent, fam-ily-driven, youth-guided and community-based system of care. This initiative is a partnership between the Ten-nessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (TDMHDD), Tennessee Voices for Children, Comprehensive Counseling Network (also known as Fray-ser Family Counseling Center), Rhodes College and Urban Youth Initiative.

T V C P R O G R A M N E W SW e ’ v e B e e n B u s y !

Be our FAN or join our CAUSE!www.facebook.com/tnvoices

We’re on

Gathering the Memphis Community

E M P L O Y E E N E W SWe’re Growing!

Iaisha

Brenda, Blakely, Stephanie, and Lauren

A POEM BY NAQUISHA

Missed DirectionsThese thoughts in my head won’t go awayI’m stuck in this world with nothing to sayAlone, sad, confused has all been usedBut this time I think I’m simply being abusedI turn leftI turn rightEither way there is still a fightI want my momI want my dadBut they have left me alone cold and sadI’m stuck here cryingCause it feels like I’m dyingAsking, begging, pleadingI’m in this race but there still leading Stuck in my mind sadI want this so bad tired of fighting this same fightCause in the end no one winsAnd this journey starts over and over again

Copyright © 2010

In Her Words...ABOUT NAQUISHA: I am 14 years old and a 9th grade student at Hillsboro High School. I enjoy writing poetry and hanging with my friends. I am working to hope-fully complete a poetry book soon. I enjoy participating in various poetry groups like Youth Speaks, Nashville and working on different activities in the community and thinking about ways to help others. I also have interest in track and modeling.

ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE WITH THE YIA COUNCIL: I like participat-ing in the Youth In Action Council because it teaches me about myself while help-ing me learn about those around me. I feel I have made a difference because of more self awareness which alot of people don’t have. I can now stand up for myself and others about certain things to show how mental health issues are im-portant and how people can easily get offended when people stereotype people with mental heath issues. It has made a difference with me personally because it has helped me realize things within myself that I was not quit aware of at first and it has helped me have a better understanding and for me to be more comfortable with myself because I know much more, and it’s the education I love the most.

ABOUT HOW SHE HAS CHANGED SINCE JOINING: I used to pick out the things about my life that I hated but I was told that I need to look at the positive side of life and with that I thought of happiness and joy. I knew that me being happy involves caring about those around me and my actions, so I try to make others happy so I can be happy and worry free!

AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: After I graduate high school, I would like to attend Harvard University and get my undergraduate and my graduate degrees there and also attend its law school.

WHO SHE’D LIKE TO MEET: If I could meet anyone, it would be me in another form so I could understand more about myself and my life while also realizing my faults. Because when you are doing something wrong to cause issues, most of the time you don’t realize it.

HER INTERESTS: At this point I am interested in law because I love to debate, argue my point, and prove that I am right. I also want to be an advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves, especially in the school system because from my personal experience. I know you can have tons of people fighting for you, but sometimes it feels no one is fighting for what it is you really want because no one really takes the extra step to understand the child more.

HER HEROES: To be honest, I have never thought about it but I would have to say Sonya Dobbs. She is always there for me to talk to or just to be a friend. She understands and relates, or at least she tries her best. She is always worried or concerned about me and even though she is a great friend, whenever I am in the wrong or doing something she knows I shouldn’t be doing she tells me and does not try to sugar coat it. She knows how to put her foot down without disrespecting me, and I respect her for every bit of that.

Y O U T H I N A C T I O N S P O T L I G H T

Naquisha WilliamsNAQUISHA WILLIAMS

Age 149th Grade

Hillsboro High SchoolYIA Council Member

T V C P R O G R A M N E W SW e ’ v e B e e n B u s y !

The Tennessee Parent Information and Resource Center Program (TPIRC) is a 5-year federal grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to: *Help implement successful and effective parental involvement policies, pro-grams, and activities that lead to improvements in student academic achievement *Strengthen partnerships among parents, teachers, principals, administrators, and other school personnel in meeting the educational needs of children.

The program provides information, training, technical assistance and consultation to enable parents to help their chil-dren and adolescents achieve developmental goals and meet established educational standards. TPIRC staff work with schools and school staff to enable Title 1 schools and schools not meeting AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) to engage parents in programs and activities that lead to improvements in student academic achievement.

Over the past 4 years, TPIRC staff has provided training, information and home visitation services to over 60,000 families and 2,500 school and community professionals across Tennessee. Monica Causey, TPIRC Project Coordina-tor, “The families we work with are those families who have the least amount of contact with schools and are unsure what they can do to support their child’s learning. It is wonderful see parents of pre-school, elementary, and especially middle and high school develop the confidence and skills to work with their children to succeed in school.” Sue Ownby, Parent School Partnership Specialist for EastTennessee, states that she hears from parents, teachers, and community members that they need resources to understand the physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development of children from birth through high school. Kathy Burton, TPIRC staff for West Tennessee., states “Parents, parent liaisons, school and com-munity staff are looking for resources and parent training to support children in before and after school reading, math and science tutoring sessions. Parents are anxious to receive training to help them create home learning environments.”

Spotlight on T P I R C

Tune into Nashville Public Television in the coming months, as they have recently announced a three-year project aimed at “fostering a community-wide converstaion about the state of Nashville children’s health.” The project, produced by Mary

Makley and titled “NPT Reports: Children’s Health Crisis,” was created in response to the number of Middle Tennessean children facing health risks from premature birth, the rising epidemic of childhood obesity, un-treated mental health issues, and a lacking in specialty care. The first episode of the seven-part documentary, hosted by actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, aired in February, with the next edition slated for June.

Children’s Mental Health will be covered as part of the series, for which TVC Executive Director Charlotte Bryson lent her expertise and experience on the subject in a series of interviews on the importance of address-ing mental health early. “You cannot have good health without good mental health,” states Charlotte Bryson

In addition, NPT constructed a supplemental Web site, which can be viewed at www.wnpt.org/childrenshealth. Taped interviews with Charlotte Bryson and Dr. Susanna Quasem, MD, Assistant Professor with the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, are available for viewing online. In addition to the interviews, the site supplies information on treating mental illness and the System of Care approach.

Nashville Public Televsion tackles children’s health in new seven-part documentary series

A Letter From the E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

Commission on Children and Youth’s Children’s Advocacy Days.

Speakers described innovative, cost-effective community programs addressing the needs of children in mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, health and education. Most addressed the needs to keep our children in our homes, our schools, and our communities.

The youth spoke eloquently of the benefits they found in coordinated, integrated systems of care which encouraged their voice and choice and supported both the youth and their families in defining and meeting the goals they set for themselves. The pride they felt in the positive gains they had achieved was evident.

During challenging financial times, challenging budgets were discussed outlining the costs for children’s success as well as the costs for children’s failures. Studies have shown that the public receives a good return/cost savings on its investment in early intervention programs---as much as $7.00 return for every $1.00 spent. We must continue to fund these programs which make so much difference in our children’s lives.

The Gubernatorial Candidates embraced the importance and value of our children. As a state, our Legacy will be our children.

“Let us put our mindsTogether and seeWhat we will make For our children”(Chief Sitting Bull)

As Jacqueline Kennedy said, “If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much.”

It was encouraging to hear the speakers, participants and Gubernatorial Candidates address the needs of Tennessee’s children at this month’s Day on the Hill which is sponsored by The Tennessee Coalition for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the Tennessee

Challenging Times

Just a week later, the War Memorial Auditorium found itself at a “political picnic” where child advocates, including many TVC staffers and Youth In Action Council Members, from across the state gathered for the 22nd Annual Children’s Advocacy Days. Hosted by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY), 2010’s theme was “Voting for Children: A Political Picnic,” complete with a political message and a forum attended by all of the 2010 gubernatorial candi-dates. With speeches by Lowell Perry, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee; Linda O’Neal, TCCY’s Executive Director; and many others, the theme certainly centered on upcoming budget cuts and the need for a focus on spending now to save later. Millie Sweeney, TVC’s Assistant Director of Programs, addressed the attendees and opened a fo-rum for YIA Council Member Gerron Moore, Gerron’s mother Paula Davis, TVC Family Support Provider Sheila Shackelford, and Davidson County Juvenile Court Probabtion Officer Alatay Russ to speak about

their various experiences and successes with their involvement in a System of Care. Later in the pro-gram, Gerron was presented with the Youth Ex-cellence Award from TCCY, which recognizes and honors a young adult who has made great strides in his or her life from past involvement with the ju-venile justice system, overcoming great obstacles and making positive contributions to society.

D AY O N T H E H I L L a n d C H I L D R E N ’ S A D V O C A C Y D AY S

The Mental Health Association of Tennes-see held its 9th Annual Day on Capitol Hill on March 2 at the War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville. With upcoming bud-get cuts and gubernatorial elections in mind, the purpose of the day was to raise aware-ness among legislators and the general pub-lic about mental illness. Officially proclaimed as “Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Recovery Advocacy Day” by Governor Phil Bredesen, the Day on the Hill also offered opportunities for advocates to speak to their legislators and inform them of the need to work together for better behavioral care op-portunities in the state. The 2010 keynote speaker was David L. Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. With more than 30 years of distinguished service in mental health services research and system

reform, Dr. Shern spoke about the budget cri-sis and its implications for mental health care. Alan Griggs, Associate Professor of Com-munications at Tennessee State University, emceed the event, introducing the follow-ing speakers: Representative Joe Armstrong (Knox County); Dr. Viola Miller, Ph.D., Com-missioner of Department of Children’s Servic-es; Keith Gaither, Director of Managed Care Operations for the Bureau of TennCare; and Virginia Trotter Betts, Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Develop-mental Disabilities. In addition, the following gubernatorial candidates addressed the as-sembly: Bill Gibbons, a representative of Bill Haslam, Mike McWherter, Ron Ramsey, and Zach Wamp. Taking the stage (and stealing the show) to give his “Youth Story of Hope” was YIA

Council Member Gerron Moore, whose speech followed a showing of the MuleTown Family Network’s “Voices of Hope” video. Gerron engaged the audience, speaking frankly about his experiences as a teenager with ADHD and how his experiences within a System of Care and his involvement with the Youth In Action Council have changed his and his family’s lives. Gerron received a standing ovation following his speech about how he has been able to manage his illness, succeed in school and in sports, as well as keep the attitude that he’s proud to be differ-ent and be able to talk to other teens about their diagnoses. Ending his speech, he said, “I’m not ashamed of my diagnosis. I like be-ing unique, and I like that I can stand here and tell others they can succeed too.”

DAY ON THE HILL Raising Awareness with Legislators

CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY DAYS Time to Sit Down and Start Talking

CAPTION

Gerron Moore

MuleTown Family Network Representatives

Linda O’Neal

Gerron Moore and Paula Davis

L-R: Millie Sweeney, Paula Davis, Gerron Moore, Alatay Russ, Sheila Shackelford