CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH CHAMPIONS
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) expands its National Center on Disability in Public Health efforts with the launch of a new pilot program, Children's Mental Health Champions, made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These Champions act as community change agents to increase positive parenting practices, kicking off a one-year term of service starting in June.
“We are excited and proud to launch this pilot program in six states. Early childhood is a critical period for long-term health and wellbeing. Positive and supportive parenting can protect children from adverse events and risks, and effective parenting programs can serve to support child development and to reduce problem behaviors,” says John Tschida, AUCD’s Acting Executive Director.
Six Champions were selected, representing California, Colorado, Kentucky, New Mexico, Virginia, and Washington D.C., to serve as liaisons to the CDC’s Children’s Mental Health program. These Children’s Mental Health Champions will develop and test strategies for building partnerships to promote identification, screening, referral, and intervention for children who may need services to address problem behavior.
These Champions act as community change agents to increase positive parenting practices, through a one-year term of service. Champions provide timely support for children and their families as COVID-19 has impacted school closures, suspended home visiting services, made pediatric visits virtual, and caused additional stress and financial insecurity. Champions will develop state-specific work plans to implement effective strategies for mental health promotion, prevention supports, and the creation of networks (e.g., school, healthcare, and community) to promote better connections between these systems.
- Serve as state liaisons to the CDC’s Children’s Mental Health program and positive parenting resources;
- Act as community champion change agents to increase awareness activities and improvement of positive parenting practices;
- Develop and test strategies for building partnerships to promote identification, screening, referral, and intervention; and
- Implement effective strategies for mental health promotion, prevention supports, and creation of networks (e.g., school, healthcare, and community) and better connections between these systems.
SMARTIE Goals: (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable)
- Conduct a needs assessment of school-based mental health services for students with co-occurring diagnoses in Georgia schools.
- Search for resources on school-based mental health services for students with co-occurring diagnoses in Georgia schools.
- Conduct a review of course content in Georgia institutes of higher education mental health clinician programs related to supporting youth with co-occuring diagnoses.
- Propose content on supporting youth with co-occurring diagnoses for university training programs.
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