| Get Involved! For information about how to join a work group, committee or to participate in a focus group, please call us at 831-784-2100.
Other Mental Health Resources:
National Alliance on Mental Illness
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Mental Health America
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What A Difference A Friend Can Make Campaign
This site is for people living with mental illness—and their friends. It offers tools to help in the recovery process, information about the different kinds of mental illnesses, real-life stories about support and recovery, and an interactive video that shows how friends can make all the difference.
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Facts for Families
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) developed the Facts for Families website to provide concise and up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families. Facts for Families is made up of nearly 100 brief fact sheets that are cross-referenced and searchable, and offers valuable information for all families. AACAP produced the Facts for Families in English and Spanish, with other translations also available.
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Interactive Mental Health Web Site for Youth
Reachout.com is an interactive website that provides valuable information for teenagers to help improve their mental health and wellbeing during the transition-age years. Developed for Australian youth, the materials are useful to any teenager. The site includes coping tips, forums, fact sheets, personal stories as well as resources regarding mental illness, school, employment, stress and relationships. The website was created after the developers conducted research with youth focus groups and determined what appeals to teenagers most when learning about mental health issues.
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SAMHSA's ADS Center
SAMHSA's Resource Center to Promote Acceptance,Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health (ADS Center).
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Resource Center
Please select an item from the list below:
Newsletters:
Monterey County System of Care:
Monterey County Mental Health Services Act:
Avanza Adventures Transition Age Youth:
Evaluation Reports:
Resources for Parents:
Family Support Group
The group is facilitated by Behavioral Health staff and is focused on “families helping families”. Parents with children who are receiving public mental health services are able to discuss challenges, share frustrations and learn from each other. Please call 784-2100 for meetings times for Spanish and English language groups.
Publications:
- Ready, Set, Fly! A Parent's Guide to Teaching Life Skills
This resource was developed by foster parents for other parents to use when teaching life skills. The Activity Book is designed to be used in conjunction with the Casey Life Skills Guidebook (see page 7.) It contains a series of activities and suggestions that may be used in one-to-one instruction. For parents use with youth ages 8 and older. Click links below for a free pdf.
(Source: Casey Family Programs, www.caseylifeskills.org)
- A Workbook on Data Informed and Family Driven Decision Making (Evidence is Co-Pilot)
This workbook, published by the National Federation of Families is intended for family leaders in the children’s mental health arena. Visit this website for additional resources from the National Federation on Families: www.ffcmh.org/r2/publications2/
- A Family’s Guide to the Child Welfare System
A Family’s Guide to the Child Welfare System is a comprehensive resource that answers many of the questions families face when they become involved with the child welfare system. Written in a simple, question and answer format and grounded in the experiences of families and child welfare professionals from across the country.
Factsheets:
The following fact sheets are provided by Mental Health America.
Tipsheets:
Research Articles:
- Children's Perspectives of Their Mental Health Services
Research and Training Center for Family Support and Children's Mental Health, Portland State University, 2008: This literature review attempted to summarize research examining foster children’s perspectives of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Given the dearth of information on this topic, the authors instead reviewed the literature on children’s and youth's perspectives of mental health services. (Source: Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health – Mental Health Resources: www.tapartnership.org)
- Family Participation in Systems of Care: Frequently Asked Questions (and Some Answers)
While there has been good progress in increasing family participation, there is still work to be done to fully involve families as partners in systems of care. This article from the California Institute for Mental Health outlines child and family outcomes affected by family participation, possible processes which influence outcomes, challenges to implementing family participation, and strategies that promote family participation in service planning and delivery. (Source: Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health – Mental Health Resources: www.tapartnership.org)
More resources are available on the TA Partnership for Family Involvement Website at www.tapartnership.org.
Resources for Youth:
Publications:
Websites:
- California Career Zone
This site has great graphics, cool music, really useful information youth can’t seem to find anywhere else. Take the “Reality Check” feature for example. Youth get to see how much they will need to earn to live their preferred lifestyle by “buying stuff for a month.” They get to make choices about the kind of housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothes, health care, entertainment, personal care items etc. that they want to have. After making their choices they find out how much they’ll need to make a year. Then with one click they can find out what occupations match that annual salary. A serious motivator to make good grades! Additional features help the youth hone in how they can get paid doing things they enjoy doing and the kinds of working conditions they want. From there they are led to occupations that meet their needs, what they pay, and the kind of education and skills they need to get the job.
- On Your Way
This site introduces Jamal, a former foster youth who is now a senior in college. Jamal takes youth through a series of videos that provide information foster youth need to know, as well as training and coaching on each of several key areas. Even more important, the site provides a secure place for youth to store all of their personal information. Really very easy and focused, facilitated by foster youth.
- Casey Life Skills
Here you will find free and easy to use tools to help young people prepare for adulthood. The life skills assessments provide instant feedback. Customized learning plans provide a clear outline of next steps, and the accompanying teaching resources are available for free or at a minimal cost.
- Foster Care Ombudsman
The foster care ombudsman office was established by statue to give foster children a place where their individual concerns could be met. Call the help line for specific and individual questions or visit the website, rich in accessible resources presented in an easy to understand format. A great site for foster youth and caregivers alike. Hotline: 1-877-846-1602.
- I Can Do It! A Micropedia of Living on Your Own
This engaging, easy to use resource can be used by older youth to guide them through most topics pertaining to living on their own, including budgeting, housing, daily living and relationships. For self-teaching or group teaching.
- I Know Where I'm Going (But Will My Cash Keep Up?) - Part One | Part Two
Part one of this two-part guide is a workbook designed to stimulate conversations with foster children, ages 12 to 15, about money values, attitudes toward money, setting goals, planning spending, and using a bank. Part two is about investing money, being a savvy shopper, and using a credit card. It deals with personal responsibility, planning a career, sharing with others--both financially and in other ways, and setting long-term aspirations.
- Reality Check
Reality Check’s site offers useful and different information about mental illness and where young people can go for help. It aims to help young people make better choices about mental health and to give young people an idea about some of the haziness that surround the issues of recognizing when a person has a mental illness. (Source: Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health – Youth Involvement Resources: www.tapartnership.org)
- TeensHealth
This site provides doctor-approved health information with different sections for kids, teens and parents. The TeensHealth section is an interactive site filled with games, animations, quizzes, fact sheets, and many other resources. In the TeensHealth section you will find numerous articles and resources on topics including exercise and nutrition, depression, drugs and alcohol, sexual health, and even recipes. There is also a page that provides information for preparing for college, volunteering, finding a job and even tips for taking tests and studying.
Check out more resources on the TA Partnership for Youth Involvement Website at www.tapartnership.org and the National Clearning House for Youth and Families Website: www.ncfy.acf.hhs.gov/publications/allpub.htm.
System Transformation - Guides and Evidence Based Practices:
Reports:
Resource Guides:
- Resource Guide for Promoting an Evidence-Based Culture in Children’s Mental Health
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in conjunction with the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute (NRI) as well as many other writers and editors from throughout the field, developed the Resource Guide.
- Bright Futures
Valuable tools and information can be found on this website.
- Georgetown University Child Development Center
A wealth of resources and reports are available from the Georgetown University Child Development Center for Child Health and Mental Health Policy at: http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/products/
- Juvenile Justice & Mental Health - Working Together for the Best Outcomes for Youth With Serious Emotional Disorders
Provides an overview of the mental health issues facing many of the children and adolescents in the juvenile justice population, presents information on the prevalence of mental health disorders in the juvenile justice population, and gives information on screening and assessment. Source: Burrell, J., Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health (2007)
- Cultural and Linguistic Competence Implementation Guide
This guide provides community examples, best practices, and information on specific tools and resources that can assist system of care communities, partnering agencies, and organizations to build and promote CLC. Source: Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health (2008)
- A Guide for Advancing Family-Centered and Culturally and Linguistically Competent Care
This guide is published by the Center for Child and Human Development
- A Planner’s Guide ...Infusing Principles, Content and Themes Related to Cultural and Linguistic Competence into Meetings and Conferences
This guide is provided y the National Center for Cultural Competence Georgetown University Child Development Center Center for Child Health and Mental Health Policy
Monographs:
More information about Evidence Based Practices is available at the TA Partnership Website at: www.tapartnership.org/advisors/mental_health/resources.asp#ebp-pbe
Information about Monterey County’s System of Care:
System of Care Training DVD:
Reference Guide: Children’s Behavioral Health Reference Guide
This publication, last updated January 2008, provides detailed information about all programs and services offered by Children’s Behavioral Health in Monterey County.
Contact: Please call 831.784.2112 for a copy or click here to download the electronic version of the report: English Version.
Factsheets:
Information about the Mental Health Services Act:
Movies:
Factsheets:
Websites:
Newsletters:
Information about Local Programs, Services & Support Groups:
Sam’s Guide to Monterey County Family Resources
This updated resource guide includes information on more than 30 topics or areas of service. Included are resources for food, housing, drug counseling, disabilities, health care, parent education, child development, domestic violence, recreation programs, senior services, and transportation, to name a few. Some 350 agencies and programs are listed in the guide. This is an excellent resource for nurses, social workers, counselors, teachers, community liaison workers and all others who provide counseling on health and social services to families in Monterey County, California. Last updated Summer 2009: www.samsresources.com/samguide.pdf
Monterey County’s System of Care Partners:
Monterey County Family to Family (F2F)
F2F is a family-centered, neighborhood-based approach with the primary goal of improving the lives of children and families. F2F joins hands with Monterey County neighborhoods to create local environments supporting families involved in the child welfare system.
Contact: www.f2fmc.org
Network of Care
This site provides information about mental health services, laws, and related news. Regardless of where you begin your search for assistance with mental health issues, the Network of Care helps you find what you need - it helps ensure that there is "No Wrong Door" for those who need services.
Contact: www.monterey.networkofcare.org/mh
Positive Parenting Program “Triple P”
This evidence-based program helps parents with children ages 2 to 12 improve their confidence and skills for dealing with everyday interactions and behavioral problems with their children. The class is offered at different times throughout the week, including evenings and weekends and lasts for 8 weeks. Classes are offered in English and in Spanish. The aim of Triple P is to make parenting easier. The class focuses on positive parenting to help parents promote their child’s development and to prevent severe behavioral, emotional and developmental problems in children. Triple P is offered through Community Human Services, the Salinas Adult School and the Alisal Community Healthy Start Family Resource Center.
Contact: 831.796.3905 x200
Promotores Community Partnership Program
The Center for Community Advocacy and the Central Coast Citizenship Project joined together to provide health education and facilitate access to mental health services for Latino adults, children and their families throughout the County. Contact them to learn about Promotores outreach activities in your neighborhood or to schedule a presentation in your community.
Contact: Center for Community Advocacy: Jesus Fernandez 831.753.2324 | Central Coast Citizenship Project: Cesar Lara 831.422.4626 press 14
OMNI Resource & Wellness Center
The OMNI Resource Center welcomes all who share the personal experience and challenges of mental well-being and emotional balance. The center offers peer support groups and education, as well as self healing activities such as journaling and yoga. The SOS (Services Offered in Spanish) Program is one of many culturally competent programs reaching out to Monterey County’s Latino communities.
Contact: 831.754.3838; Open to the community; Walk-ins welcome! M-F; 11 am to 4 pm. Address: 1033 S. Main Street, Suite A, Salinas CA 93901 | www.interiminc.org/omni.htm
Call 2-1-1 for information about a variety of health and human services in Monterey County.
Myths and Facts About Children’s Mental Health:
Myth: I can't do anything for a person with mental illness…
Fact: You can do a lot, starting with how you act and speak. You can create an environment that builds on people's strengths and promotes understanding. For example:
- Don't label people with words like "crazy," "wacko" or "loony" or define them by their diagnosis. Instead of saying someone is "a schizophrenic," say he or she "has schizophrenia."
- Respect the rights of people with mental illnesses and don't discriminate against them when it comes to housing, employment, or education.
Myth: Children don't experience mental illnesses. Their actions are just products of bad parenting…
Fact: A report from the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health showed that in any given year five to nine percent of children experience serious emotional disturbances. Just like adult mental illnesses, these are clinically diagnosable health conditions that are a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Myth: Children misbehave or fail in school just to get attention…
Fact: Behavior problems can be symptoms of emotional, behavioral, or mental problems, rather than merely attention-seeking devices. These children can succeed in school with appropriate understanding, attention, and mental health services.
Myth: Mental illness is the same as mental retardation…
Fact: These are different conditions. Mental retardation is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and difficulties with certain daily living skills. In contrast, people with mental illnesses—health conditions that cause changes in a person's thinking, mood, and behavior—have varied intellectual functioning, just like the general population. Myth: Mental illnesses are brought on by a weakness of character…
Fact: Mental illnesses are a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. Social influences, like the loss of a loved one or a job, can also contribute to the development of various mental health problems like depression behavior—have varied intellectual functioning, just like the general population. Myth: Once people develop mental illnesses, they will never recover…
Fact: Studies show that most people with mental illnesses get better, and many recover completely.
Myth: People with mental illnesses are violent and unpredictable…
Fact: Actually, the vast majority of people with mental health conditions are no more violent than anyone else. People with mental illnesses are much more likely to be the victims of crime. You probably know someone with a mental illness and don't even realize it.
Source: SAMHSA
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