Information About the 2011 Conference

Agenda

The Final Agenda for the 22nd Annual National Federation Conference is now available! Grab a copy to download and start planning which workshops you’re going to attend!

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CEU’s are now available!

We are thrilled to announce that we have been approved for 25 CEU credits for Social Workers. The cost is $35.00. Check at the registration desk when you check in.

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Conference at a Glance

Over 85 amazing workshops to choose from plus a great array of 30 poster sessions offering you an in-depth look at the best in family driven and youth guided efforts to improve mental health services and supports for children, adolescents and families.

Make plans to attend the conference in Washington, DC November 18 – 20, 2011. Don’t forget Policy Day on November 17!

Quick links to each day of the conference!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
~ Special pre-conference session – (pre-registration required – click here to register)

Parent Support Providers’ 2011 Institute

National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, Rockville, MD

These are critical times for any parent or parent-run program wishing to be a viable part of the workforce that emerges from today’s chaos of systems reform and budget cuts. Are you a parent with life-experience raising a child with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges who would like to explore a career as a PSP? Or, are you a well seasoned and experienced advocate-parent who has provided support to others parents for many years? Perhaps you train and supervise parents providing peer support to other parents? You don’t want to be left behind? Then, this opportunity is for you!

Register TODAY – Space is limited.

Join other Parent Support Providers, family leaders, researchers, health care providers and policy makers for:

Three Rockin’ Plenary Presentations

• The Vision of an Emerging Profession
  A.  Elaine Slaton, M.S.A., Senior Program Director, National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
  “We’re building this boat while we’re floating it” has been an oft repeated phrase throughout the history of the family movement and now it is time to step back and plot this boat’s long term course. This presentation will set the course of the day.

• The Research That Supports Us
  Dr. Eric Bruns, Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine
  In a world where scientific evidence is more and more important to advocating for parent-to-parent peer support, Dr. Eric Bruns presentation will enlighten and entertain us.

• The Selling of a New Profession
  Dr. Chris Stormann, Senior Research Associate, Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education, Case Western Reserve University
  Entrepreneur extraordinaire, Dr. Chris Stormann will inspire and instruct us toward the business approach needed to move this emerging profession to the center of children’s mental health systems.

Three Fabulous Workshops:

• How to: Supervision
• How to: Ethics
• How to: Using your Lived Experience

One MUST-NOT-MISS Dialogue

• Forming a Parent Support Provider Association: Is it time?

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Thursday, November 17, 2011

7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
~ Conference on-site registration opens ~

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
~ Breakfast for Policy Day participants ~ (pre-registration required)

8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. ~ Plenary Session

Policy Day 2011 –
Things are changing so rapidly on the Federal front with potential changes to mental health and social services policy and funding that it’s hard for any of us to keep up. This is a critical time when all family leaders need to be especially concerned with what’s on the horizon for Federal mental health policy and funding and be prepared to address these issues with their legislators. During the exciting morning plenary, you will hear from national policy experts on the opportunities that the Affordable Care Act’s provisions around health homes, CHIPRA, and Medicaid could present for family organizations. You will also hear from family leaders who have successfully advocated in their communities and who are ready to tell you that you absolutely can, too! Have you been frustrated with how our Congress has been operating and prioritizing issues this past year, and are now eager to be a change agent? In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to charge onto the Hill, with the support of National Federation staff who can help you prepare. Whether you are new to policy or a seasoned advocate, everyone will benefit from attending Policy Day 2011!

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Policy Day breakout sessions ~ (pre-registration required)

Workshop 1
What’s Advocacy, What’s Lobbying, and What’s Plain Old Educating Our Policymakers?

Sandra Spencer, Andrea Barnes, National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health

You need to know the difference so that you can be an effective voice in children’s mental health policy. So many communities that operate with federal grants feel that there is little they can do to influence policy in their state. But the good news is, though you may only be allowed to spend 20% of your time in lobbying, you can spend 100% of your time in *educating*! At this workshop you will learn concrete and simple actions that your organization or you as an individual can take to make an impact in changing the children’s mental health system.

Workshop 2
The Affordable Care Act

Teresa King, National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health; Jim Wotring, Gary Macbeth, Georgetown University

This workshop for advanced policy practitioners will teach you how to make the new health care reform law work for you, your family, and your organization. If we want healthcare reform to succeed we all must do the following:

• Educate yourself and others to know the opportunities for families and your organization within the Act.
• Publicize the stories of families who have benefited already to legislators, newsgroups, and policymakers.
• Counter controversial messages with fact and stories to legislators, newsgroups, and policymakers.
• Find out what your state is doing and how decisions on the design of health care reform are being made.
• Work in coalitions with other organizations to have a border impact.
• Be at the state tables where decisions are being made.

Workshop 3
Youth in Policy

Eric Lulow, National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health

The Youth in Policy workshop is designed for those youth new to legislative policy advocacy and provides the opportunity to learn from experienced advocates about how policy works. Participants will also learn skills needed to affect changes in their communities. This will include how to write a professional letter to a congressional member, and proper phone etiquette when calling a members office.

Policy Day Technical Assistance

As you get ready to go to Capitol Hill to visit with your legislators and/or their staff, this room is open for you to:

1. Receive your packet of fact sheets, map and scarf
2. Receive any coaching, technical assistance, or peer support needed
3. Debrief after your visit and detail your follow-up with your legislators

YOUTH TRACK

8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Spoken Word/Poetry – VIVA VOX

Dezmond Perkins, Viva Vox, St. Louis, MO

“I’ve got something to say, and I want it heard, so I’m gonna think about every word.”  Dezmond Perkins; performer in national SLAM poetry competitions demonstrates his art and will lead participants to add their own voices to this exciting and socially aware art form.  Participants will write and perform their very own art created from the heart! Don’t miss this day-long opportunity to participate.

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Friday, November 18, 2011

6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
Zumba ~ Get Your Dance On!

7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
~ Coffee Station open ~

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
~ Registration & Information Fair open ~

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
SAMHSA Update ~
Administrator Pamela S. Hyde

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Pre-Conference Sessions ~ click here for details!

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
YOUTH TRACK

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
YOUTH TRACK
Youth Orientation

12:30 -  2:30 p.m.~
Welcome Luncheon & Plenary Presentation ~ Jimmy Wayne

Country music singer Jimmy Wayne grew up in Kings Mountain, NC, with a less than perfect childhood.  By age 16 he had been in and out of the foster care system, had attended 12 different schools in only 2 years, was placed in a juvenile detention center for running away from a group home, and was currently living on the streets. But that all changed on the fateful day he met Bea and Russell Costner, they gave him a home, the ability to complete his education, encouragement and most of all, stability and love. With this new stability, Jimmy began learning guitar, and writing songs. After many years of hard work Jimmy hit it big with the three week #1 single “Do You Believe Me Now.”

Music isn’t the only thing that Jimmy is passionate about, he has never been one to stand by and remain silent when he felt something needed to be said.  So on January 1, 2010, he began a 1700-mile walk from Nashville TN to Phoenix, AZ in order to raise awareness of at risk youth in the Foster Care system that age out at 18, without any support and often finding themselves homeless. Jimmy continues to advocate through his music and his actions and strives to be a voice for so many children who need to be heard. Don’t miss his compelling story and inspirational music at the opening keynote presentation!

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops ~ Click here to learn more about the fourteen workshops to choose from in this time slot!

4.15 p.m. – 5.30 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops ~ Click here to learn more about the fourteen workshops to choose from in this time slot!

5:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Poster Session (Click here to learn more about the poster presentations!)

(Silent Auction begins)

Dinner on your own

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Saturday, November 19, 2011

6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
Zumba ~ Get Your Dance On!

7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
~ Coffee Station open ~

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
~ Registration & Information Fair open ~

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Plenary Presentation  ~ Dr. Harold Koplewicz, Child Mind Institute

We are honored to have as our plenary speaker Dr. Harold Koplewicz, President of the Child Mind Institute and one of the nation’s leading child and adolescent psychiatrists. An incredibly passionate advocate for children and mental health, Dr. Koplewicz participated in National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2011 by spearheading the inclusion of awareness ads in newspapers, and by encouraging psychiatrists across the United States to lead education sessions to the public. At the National Federation’s 2011 Annual Conference, you will hear Dr. Koplewicz speak on the myths that contribute to stigma and how he has worked to end them. He will also talk about best practices for treating children with mental health issues who have experienced trauma, and what factors contribute to resiliency. You don’t want to miss this!

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops ~ Click here to learn more about the fourteen workshops to choose from in this time slot!

12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Luncheon & performance of the play REACH ~ Celebrating 22 Years of Family Advocacy!
Sandra Spencer, Executive Director, National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, Rockville, MD

Enjoy lunch and a special perfomance of REACH – the award winning play produced by Ben Hodge Studios. Learn more here.

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops ~ Click here to learn more about the fourteen workshops to choose from in this time slot!

4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops ~ Click here to learn more about the fourteen workshops to choose from in this time slot!

Silent Auction ends at 6:30 p.m.

Dinner on your own

8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.  You choose what’s right for you!
Movie Night

 

Dance Party!
You bring the moves, we will bring the music. This is a family event, so bring your entire crew and join the fun! Be sure not to miss the 50/50 drawing at 9:30 p.m.!

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Sunday, November 20, 2011

6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
Zumba ~ Get Your Dance On!

7:30 a.m. 8:15 a.m.
Non-Denominational Worship Service
Join us for a time of quiet reflection and a message of spiritual renewal for all.

8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Plenary Session
What does “Trauma-Informed” really mean and how can family organizations empower families with a trauma-informed approach?

Arabella Perez, THRIVE, Carol Tiernan, G.E.A.R., Ryun Anderson, MSW, Youth M.O.V.E. Maine, Lewiston, ME

Maine’s system of care data shows that caregivers report having experienced an average of 7 traumatic events prior to the age of 18.  Additionally children enrolled in THRIVE experienced an average of 3 traumatic events.  Understanding how trauma impacts family and youth and the way they approach service systems is at the core of what it means to be “trauma-informed”. In this plenary session participants will hear from a family, youth and system leader about their strategies and lessons learned.  Creating trauma-informed communities that highlight resiliency and hope involve everyone and leads to asking the all important question, “What happened to you?”

9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m
Celebration of Youth – A Cultural Extravaganza!

This Cultural Extravaganza will culminate with a performance by the participants with their newly acquired African Dance (with hand made costumes), Circus, and Spoken Word skills for the conference as part of the closing ceremony activities.

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops ~ Click here to learn more about the fourteen workshops to choose from in this time slot!

12:00 p.m.
Conference Adjourns

Take me to the Conference Information Section!