The Federation on the Move
December 2020 Newsletter
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We invite you to join us for a Meet and Greet to learn more about our team of partners and to hear how the National Family Support Technical Assistance Center (NFSTAC) will serve families and the professionals and organizations that support them.
Participants will receive a follow up survey so they can share their ideas about how the NFSTAC can best support families who have children - of any age - who experience mental health and/or substance use challenges during their lifetime.
Who Should Attend?
· Parents and Primary Caregivers
· Family Members
· Professionals Supporting Families
· Mental Health and Substance Use Organizations
· Family-Serving System Partners
· Advocates for Family Voice
Dates and Times
Tuesday, January 12th, 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. ET
Tuesday, January 12th, 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, January 14th, 2:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, January 14th, 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. ET
Please save a date that works for your schedule, help us spread
the word and look for an invitation to register in the coming weeks.
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Family Survey Closes December 7th |
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We invite all families who have children in school (at any level) to participate in our survey titled “How is School Affecting the Mental Health of Children and Families During COVID-19?” Results of the survey will provide us with valuable information about the challenges families are currently experiencing and will inform our advocacy efforts at the national level. Please share the survey link with other parents and caregivers you know. Hearing from as many families as possible will only strengthen our ability to represent family voice. The survey will close on Monday, December 7, 2020.
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#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving. We hope you will join us today in sharing your time, talent or treasure. All donations made to the National Federation of Families
support our efforts to advocate on behalf of families. We rise by lifting others.
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Virtual Conference
Recordings and Materials
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The session recordings and the materials shared by our presenters at last month's virtual conference are now available on our website. See a list of the sessions and workshops below. Click the button to see full descriptions of each session and to access these resources. |
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Equity in Access, Services, and Outcomes for
Children, Youth, and Families During COVID-19
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Tuesday, November 10th
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Opening Statements and Welcome (Lynda Gargan, Ph.D., Executive Director, National Federation of Families)
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Plenary Panel featuring State and Local Chapters (Sandy Bumpus, Executive Director, Oregon Family Support Network: Rikki Harris, Chief Executive Officer, Tennessee Voices; Susan Nyamora, President / CEO, South Florida Wellness Network; Euphemia Strauchn, Chief Executive Officer, Families on the Move of NYC)
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Positive Solutions for Families of Young Children (Denise Bouyer, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, New Jersey)
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Adversity is NOT Destiny: Intergenerational Grandfamily Peer Support (Glenda Clare, Fragile Families Network, North Carolina)
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A Situational Crisis, Strengths, and the FST Stress Chart: A Virtual Session Example (Dr. Scott Sells, Family Trauma Institute, Montana)
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Teens Helping Teens: Brain XP’s System of H.O.P.E. (Christine Marie Frey, Brain XP Project, California)
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Getting Rid of Mental Health Stigma in the Caribbean Community (Samantha Samuels and Olinda Richard-Hodge, Young Dreamers International, Georgia)
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A Collaborative Approach to Cultural and Linguistic Appropriateness in Evaluating Children’s Mental Health Programs (Allison Stevens, PEP; Lexie Beck, Youth MOVE and Alejandro Ruiz, Division of Youth & Family Services, Nevada)
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Supporting Hispanic Families During COVID-19 (Frances Vega Pietri, ASK Family Services, Michigan)
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Flexibility and Creativity: Using Technology to Support Families (Maria Silva, Allegheny Family Network, Pennsylvania)
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Mental Health Interventions and Treatment Approaches for Substance Dependent Pregnant and Parenting Women and Their Young Children (B. Fellows, University of MD School of Medicine Psychiatry and Jessica Lertora, Zero to Three, Maryland
Thursday, November 12th
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Keynote Speaker (Melinda J Baldwin, PhD, LCSW, Chief, Child, Adolescent & Family Branch Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
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When Worrying Takes Over: Helping Kids with ADHD and their Parents Overcome Anxiety and Build Resilience (Sharon Saline, Clinical Psychologist, Massachusetts)
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Shadows and Light: Untold Stories (Paula Ray and Sandy Thompson, Families Inspiring Families, Nebraska)
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Youth Advocacy/Engagement During COVID-19 (Christina Smith, Calling All Youth MOVE, Michigan)
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Level the Playing Field - Social Support and Social Capital for Improved Mental Health Outcomes with Black and Brown Families (Ronik Radlauer Group, Florida)
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Children’s Mental Health Justice 101: Navigating Fractured Systems and Advocating for Justice (Dr. Dionne Bensonsmith, Dr. Tammy Nyden, and Angela Riccio, Mothers on the Frontline, California)
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Technology to Reach and Serve Latinx Families (Brenda Figueroa and Fanny Ochoa, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, New Jersey)
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Opioid Crisis Methamphetamine Surge Awareness and Combat (Vickie Hill, The Struggle WithIN, Nevada)
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Creating Safety: Being a Supportive Adult: Working with Youth Who Have Experienced Trauma (Angie Geren, Arizona Recovers, Arizona)
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December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. Commit to driving sober this month and take the following steps to help prevent accidents from occurring this holiday season:
- Designate a sober driver before you go out
- Use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft
- Make arrangements to stay overnight
- Never let friends or loved ones drive drunk
- Educate teens and young adults on the dangers of drunk driving
- Give someone else your keys
- Never drink on an empty stomach
- Avoid mixing medication with alcohol or other substances
- Know your body and your limits
- Pace yourself at holiday parties
- Stop drinking at least 90 minutes before you plan to leave
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Wit vs. United Behavioral Health Ruling |
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A federal court ruled that United Behavioral Health (UBH), the largest managed behavioral health care company in the country, must reprocess nearly 67,000 originally denied mental health and substance use disorder benefit claims using medical necessity criteria developed by nonprofit clinical specialty associations - among other mandatory actions. This is a major step forward in stopping discrimination against those
with mental health and substance use disorders.
Wrongful denials of care coverage have not only been detrimental to individuals across the country, often forcing families to take drastic measures to cover treatment costs out of pocket or forgo care altogether; they have also become a burden on society. Untreated mental health and substance use disorders contribute to historic rates of suicides
and overdoses, in addition to homelessness and violent encounters
with the criminal justice system.
As the nation struggles to cope amid a myriad of challenges in 2020 - the COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustices, political divisiveness, and more - better access to mental health and addiction treatment is critical. How can we ensure the lessons of Wit extend beyond the courtroom into federal and state policy, health care coverage, and more?
The Kennedy Forum recently hosted a webinar detailing the impact and importance of the ruling. Congressman Patrick Kennedy joined D. Brian Hufford, partner at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP and plaintiffs' counsel, Wit v. United Behavioral Health; Joe Parks, M.D., medical director of National Council for Behavioral Health; and special guest Bethany Hall-Long, Lieutenant Governor, State of Delaware for a Kennedy Forum webinar titled “Game Changer: Implications of the Wit v. United Behavioral Health Ruling.”
We strongly encourage you to view the recording of the webinar.
Webinar Password: Qja7JvMd
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Submit your state's advocacy and legislative news and updates
to our Legislative Liaison,
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Webinar and Training Highlights |
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Title: Prioritizing Self-Care Throughout Winter and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Date/Time: Wednesday, December 2, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET
As a result of the current environment, remaining healthy during the holiday season is crucial to sustaining mental wellness. Join the Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions for an open discussion on how to prioritize self-care in the months ahead, led by Amelia Roeschlein , DSW, MA, LMFT, consultant of Trauma Informed Services and Laura Leone, DSW, MSSW, LMSW, integrated health consultant of the National Council.
Together, we will come together to identify and share innovative strategies to practice self-guided techniques that can be immediately implemented to safeguard and support staff and colleagues as we manage anxiety and feelings of grief.
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Our state chapter in Nevada, Nevada PEP, is offering a number of webinars covering a variety of topics in December that support parents, caregivers, families and their children as well as the professionals who support them. Click the button below to view their calendar, see titles and descriptions and to register for this month's webinars.
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Title: Focus on Wellness: Apps to Support Mental Health for All Ages
Date/Time: Tuesday, December 8, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET
This virtual workshop will offer a one-hour overview of a variety of mobile apps
that can support wellness for individuals of all ages.
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Title: Working Toward Positive Educational Outcomes:
Mental Health and Special Education
Date/Time: Thursday, December 10, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. ET
This workshop will provide parents and others with information to help prepare for a positive IEP team approach to supporting a child’s mental health needs in school and during distance learning.
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Please visit our webinars and events page for more information about these and other upcoming events and to learn about new events as we add them. We invite you to
submit events you would like to have included on that page as well.
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Resource and Opportunity Highlights |
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Holiday Emotional Wellness During COVID-19
Magellan Healthcare is providing free resources and expert advice to help individuals, families and communities through the holidays and COVID-19 pandemic. Visit their holiday wellness page linked here for resources, tips, downloads, supportive websites and upcoming events.
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Family Telehealth Readiness Quiz
As part of the CARES Act, Family Voices National was awarded a grant
to enhance the national network of family-led organizations that support families/caregivers of children and youth with special healthcare needs and disabilities to build their telehealth capacity to provide education, guidance, and support to Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) and their families. Please take a few minutes to complete their brief Family Telehealth Readiness Quiz in English or in Spanish to help them capture a national picture of family access to, confidence in and concerns about telehealth.
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From the National Federation of Families |
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We wish you and your family a safe and peaceful holiday season! |
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