December 14, 2021


 

No December Governance Committee Meeting

The Hennepin County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative Governance Committee will NOT meet on December 16, 2021, as previously scheduled. They will meet next on January 19, 2022.


 

2022 Meeting Schedules for the Executive Committee and Governance Committee

We are pleased to share the 2022 Meeting Executive Committee & Governance Committee Schedules. If you would like to participate in any of the following meetings, please contact the Coordinator, Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn.


 

Parent and Provider Recruitment

Parent and Providers Wanted

The Collaborative is recruiting parents and providers to join its Governance Committee. The Hennepin County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative provides a forum for a diverse group of stakeholders to influence the development and ongoing operation of an accessible and effective children’s mental health system within Hennepin County.

The Governance Committee determines the goals and activities of the Collaborative and implements a work plan to help ensure children’s mental health services include a comprehensive and integrated array of services for children and families. The Collaborative works with parents and children’s mental health stakeholders to align with and adhere to system of care  core values and guiding principles to promote the vision of a mental health system that meets the mental health needs of Hennepin County children, youth and their families in the least restrictive and most appropriate setting.

Meetings will take place online and stipends are available for participation. For more information contact our Coordinator, Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn.

Parent Leaders Wanted 
The Parent Catalyst Leadership Group is currently recruiting additional parents and caregivers! For more information: contact Margaret Sullivan at [email protected]

Parent and Caregiver Resources Engagement
PCLG’s SUPPORT GROUP for Parents and Caregivers
The Parent Catalyst Leadership Group is hosts a support group for parents and caregivers. This is a safe place where you can share challenges and successes of parenting a child, youth or young adult with mental health challenges. The support group meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7:00-8:00pm. Join us or share meeting link here with friends and families!

Family SUPPORT GROUP in Eden Prairie 
NAMI-MN offers free support groups for families and friends of individuals living with mental illness. Groups are led by trained facilitators who have a friend or family member with mental illness. Starting January 13th, groups will be offered the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at St. Andrews Lutheran. More information can be found here; https://namimn.org/family-support-group-starts-in-eden-prairie-jan/.


 

Food, Emergency Assistance and Child Care

Access to food, shelter and care impact the mental health and well-being of children and families. Hennepin County families can now apply for food assistance (SNAP), Emergency Assistance, and Child Care Assistance and benefits online using a new combined application; https://mnbenefits.mn.gov/. Help spread this resource!


 

Restorative Practices in Schools January and February Trainings

Registration is now open for the Restorative Practices (RP) Educational Sessions and Circle trainings in January and February, sponsored by the School Climate Center at the Minnesota Department Of Education, in  collaboration with Peacemaker Resources, the Legal Rights Center, Mickelson Consulting and Riverbottom Resources. Registration is coordinated by Lakes Country Service Cooperative.

Restorative Skill Sessions: The January/February offerings include three sessions for people exploring their restorative mindset, as an introduction to RP. There are five sessions for experienced practitioners of the circle process and repairing harm, focusing on the principles and the practices of repairing relationships: learning from our mistakes, the history of school discipline and student rights in school, conflict and restorative practices, Social Emotional Learning and RP and addressing grief and loss in circle.

The sessions will be held January 15, 22, 29, 9 a.m. – noon, or February 5, 12, 19, 9 a.m. – noon. Participants may sign up for one or two of the three, three hour (9 hours total) session. Registration fee: $95.00

Circle Trainings: February Trainings will include two Circle 1 – Building Community trainings, February 5, 12, 19 and 26, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. One circle training is open for all educators, and the other is an affinity space for Black, Indigenous and People of Color. A four-day training for experienced keepers, Circle 2 – Supporting Educator in Loss and Hope, will also be offered. Participants may sign up for a four day, five hours (20 hours total) training, February 5, 12, 19, 26, 2022, 9 am-3:30, each Saturday. Registration fee: $285.00.

Also offered is Circle to Teach for those who have some experience with circle and want to use it in the classroom to both build community and teach. Participants may sign up for the two day, five hours (10 hours total) training, February 19 and 26, 2022, 9 am-3:30, each Saturday. Registration fee: $145.00.

Find further information on the Implementing Restorative Practices webpage.

For further information or to request a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Nancy Riestenberg, Minnesota Department of Education, 651-582-8433.

Please share with all your friends!


 

2022 School Mental Health Virtual Conference

Registration is now open for the 2022 Minnesota School Mental Health Conference on January 27th & 28th. This FREE, virtual conference is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services.  The theme of this year’s conference is “Cultivating Resilience: Educator, Student and Provider Well Being”. Registration is coordinated by the Lakes Country Service Cooperative.

The Minnesota School Mental Health Conference is in its 5th year, after taking a break in 2020. This year is the first virtual offering, bringing together collaborating partners and providers to build a school mental health framework of practice. Attendees include schools, community mental health providers, advocates, families, policy makers, Tribal Nations, and state government. Attendees come to network and learn about latest developments and best practices related to supporting students with mental health disorders.  This conference seeks to offer attendees purposeful tools and techniques to implement and produce a positive impact on mental wellness.

There is no cost to attend and continuing education units (CEU) will be available.