Washington County children looking for a "Champion" by April 16 ( March, 2010 )

WCCC Spotlight March 11, 2010 A frequent reminder that our kids and families matter!     Just two more in the Spring Lecture Series. CBT and dinner too! Habit Reversal Training in the Treatment of Tics & Tourette's Syndrome Tuesday, April 6, 2009 5-7:30 pm Chester House, Westerly Traumatic Anxiety in Psychologically Traumatized Children and Adolescents: Implications in Clinical Practice Wednesday, May 5, 2009 5-7:30 pm The Village Inn, Grand Ball Room, Narragansett These are the final two presentations about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the Spring 2010 Evening Lecture Series co-sponsored by the Coalition and the Brown Alpert Medical School. The lectures are designed for mental health clinicians, medical staff, and school professionals and offer CEUs. The $35 registration includes dinner and educational materials as well. Download a brochure and/or call or email the Brown CME office: 401-863-3337, CME@Brown.edu. New downloadable report from Casey and Ford Foundations: Improving access to public benefits Helping Eligible Individuals and Families Get the Income Supports They Need In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act increased vital resources such as food stamps, unemployment insurance, and housing subsidies available to low-income families struggling through the recession.    But not all families were able to gain access to and receive the benefits for which they were eligible. This report suggests that there is a need for funders, communities,  states, and the federal government to create more programs that low-income families can access. Free consumer guide to facing medical debt If you are, or are helping people who are, struggling to pay medical bills - and more than two out of five working- age adults are - you should be aware of the steps you can take to reduce or manage your debt. This consumer guide from Families USA covers the 'right way' to pay, getting financial assistance, understanding your rights, and other information you need to know right away. The guide also includes links to other useful resources. Quick Links... WCCC Website "...and How are the    kids?" Behavioral Health    Directory Have info you'd like to share? Send it to Rick@SchwartzTalk.com       Washington County's children are looking for a 'Champion' by Friday, April 16. Know one? Know someone who has been particularly important for children in Washington County? Nominate her/him for the 2010 "Champion for Children" Award. But hurry, the deadline is Friday, April 16.     This will be the seventh year the Washington County Coalition for Children (WCCC) has honored someone who has promoted, secured, and/or delivered quality services to children and families in an exemplary fashion. Past winners include: Dr. Robert Hicks, Superintendent, South Kingstown School District Wilburn Logan, Family Advocacy Project Mark Hawk, Special Education Director, Westerly Schools Deedra Durocher, foster parent and business leader Kim Bossian, Head Start Health Coordinator, South County Community Action, and Tammy McNeiece, Special Education teacher, Curtis Corner Middle School.    Candidates can be advocates, volunteers, elected officials, nonprofit agency directors or board members, teachers, service providers, journalists, and other community leaders. Current WCCC members are ineligible for the award.     The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, April 16, 2010. The winner will be honored at WCCC's 8th Annual Children's Issues Forum in May.     For more information or to request a nomination form, please contact Heidi Reardon at the R.I. Department of Children, Youth and Families at (401) 294-5318 or Heidi.Reardon@dcyf.ri.gov. All are welcome Westerly Infant & Child Health Partnership to release report March 25 at Nardone Conference Center, Westerly Hospital  Two years ago, we began asking people in Westerly some very important questions. Specifically, we wanted to hear their concerns, thoughts, and recommendations about why women in Westerly are waiting too long to get prenatal care, why so many teens are having  babies, and why families are experiencing food insecurity. In all these situations, Westerly's statistics are the most troubling in Washington County.    We have their answers, and will present the findings and release Westerly Children at Risk on Thursday, March 25 from 9-10 am at The Westerly Hospital, Nardone Conference Center, 25 Wells St., Westerly. The program will be repeated from 5-6 pm.    The research was gathered by the Westerly Infant & Child Health Partnership, a Coalition initiative. The Partnership (with funding from the American Academy of Pediatrics) collected and analyzed: Interviews with a wide range of community stakeholders Surveys of local residents over age 18 Discussions with parents, school personnel, social service providers, and clergy Research of model programs and approaches that might be adapted/replicated to address needs in Westerly.    The public is invited.   What you need to know about the WCCC The Washington County Coalition for Children brings together everyone in Washington County who cares about children. The Coalition is known for:  Tracking and publishing the trends in children's issues, and convening public meetings around the needs. Convening monthly meetings that bring together more than 40 organizations to tackle the most compelling problems facing children and their families. Establishing a website to help parents of children with mental health and substance abuse problems connect with local treatment providers Sponsoring an annual "How Are the Children?" Forum, a must-attend event for anyone working on children's issues: community leaders, advocates, and elected officials. Holding monthly workshops to help doctors and mental health professionals care for children with behavioral health problems and  developmental disabilities. Organizing a holiday gift drive for teens in conjunction with Casey's Grill & Bar in Wakefield.      The Coalition achieves astounding results, with just one part-time staff person, dedicated volunteers, and administrative support from VNS Home Health Services. We cover all Coalition costs through voluntary contributions of Coalition members, grants, and your generous donations.      For more information about the Washington County Coalition for Children, go to www.washcokids.org or contact Coalition Coordinator Susan Orban at wccc@washcokids.org or (401) 788-2061.