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Forget driving to the office and milling about in the waiting room. Increasingly psychiatrists are ready to meet you face-to-face — no matter where you are — using computers and the power of the internet to make mental health care far more accessible than ever before. So-called telepsychiatry is on the rise and it couldn’t come soon enough. It’s estimated that more than 7 million kids have a need for mental health services due to a mental disorder, behavioral issue or developmental disability. Many of these children go without mental health services, according to a recent government survey.

The National Institutes of Health announced today that it is creating a public database that researchers, consumers, health care providers, and others can search for information submitted voluntarily by genetic test providers. The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) aims to enhance access to information about the availability, validity, and usefulness of genetic tests.

The president’s top health official is calling on the nation to “rededicate” itself to addressing the needs of those with autism. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius called autism “an urgent public health challenge” in a statement marking the start of autism awareness month in April.

You and your husband are the people primarily responsible for your son's health care and education, so do not ever feel that you must turn this decision making process over to someone else. This may be a source of your confusion and anger. If things feel out of control, then take your control back.

Washington, DC (April 2, 2010) – Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, today joined with grassroots advocates to celebrate the passage of three more state autism insurance reform bills this week in Iowa, Kansas, and Kentucky. The effort to end autism insurance discrimination nationwide has gained new momentum with these recent victories, combined with President Obama’s enactment this week of the Health Care Education and Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, which contains a provision including behavioral health treatment as part of the essential benefits package required in certain health plans.

We receive many questions from parents, teachers, and health care providers about special education services for children with autism. If you are a parent, you need to educate yourself about your child's disability, effective educational methods and medical treatments, and how to present your child's problems and needs to school staff so they want to help. On the Autism, PDD & Asperger Syndrome page, you will find FAQs, articles, legal resources, recommended books, free publications, and a short list of information and support groups.

Yellowstone County voters will find many candidates for office on the June 8 primary election ballots, but only one ballot issue: a proposed 3.2 mill countywide levy to help sustain mental-health services. The three county commissioners, Bill Kennedy, John Ostlund and Jim Reno were unanimous in their decision to put the question to voters. The commissioners are asking voters to consider funding a portion of some local crisis mental-health services that help local law enforcement agencies do their job of protecting public safety.

Who: For youth (grades 8‐12; ages 13‐17) diagnosed with mental illness; and for parents that have a child with mental illness What: Training/workshop to develop leadership and advocacy skills in the System of Care for Mental Illness and in the community When: Friday, June 11th‐ Saturday, June 12th 2010 Where: Fairmont Hot Springs Resort; Anaconda, MT

  The Department of Defense announced today its introduction of the premium-based Tricare Young Adult Program (TYAP) which extends medical coverage to eligible military family members to the age of 26. 

The Obama administration plans to announce Monday that it will make $206 million in bonus Medicaid payments to 15 states — with more than a fourth of the total going to Alabama — for signing up children who are eligible for public health insurance but had previously failed to enroll.

Calling ALL Youth! Have you had experience in a youth-serving system? (Like Child Welfare, Foster Care, Juvenile Justice, Special Education, etc.) Do you have expertise and experience that others may benefit from? Have you developed training materials or presentations to share with others? Youth MOVE National is looking for YOU to share your voices and experience! We are looking for Youth and Young Adults to serve as Consultants in our newly established Consulting and Technical Assistance Pool. Consultants are paid to provide training, speeches, technical assistance, and more to organizations interested in learning more about youth engagement, empowerment, and youth voice in systems change. If you are interested, please see the attached application and return all required materials to YouthMove@ffcmh.org. Consultant Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and applicants will be notified whether or not they were selected. Applicants may also be contacted to provide more information than was provided in the application. Please feel free to call us with any questions: 202-679-0452. 

Every parent wants to see his or her child successfully complete high school. Therefore, caring adults in students’ lives need to understand the changing landscape of graduation requirements and diploma options to ensure students graduate prepared for college and careers.

When: February 8, 2011 12:00 - 1:00pm Where: Mansfield Health Education Center Room 7 Billings, MT Target Audience: Primary Care Providers to include but not limited to Family Practice, Pediatrics, Emergency Department physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, and all other healthCare providers of pediatric/adolescent patients Lecture Specific Objectives: At the end of this educational activity, participants should be able to: Discuss the pathophysiologic changes associated with brain trauma in children. Identify emotional and cognitive short and long term sequelae of brain trauma in children. List effective therapies for emotional and cognitive sequelae of mild brain injury in children. Series Objectives: At the end of this educational activity, participants should be able to: Apply current medical guidelines in the treatment of pediatric/adolescent patients.  Utilize multidisciplinary approach to the management of complex pediatric patients. Recognize the need for consultation and/or referral to pediatric specialists/subspecialists in a timely manner. Discuss the diagnostic approach and treatment of variety of pediatric diseases. If you would like to attend via videoconference contact: St. Vincent HealthCare University at 406.237.3348 or email svhu@svh-mt.org.  Reservations for videoconferencing must be made at least 24 hours prior to live activity.

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) What: A coordinated system of accessible community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children or adults with special needs.  This includes but is not limited to individuals with developmental disabilities, other disabilities, mental health issues, aging, illness, and child abuse. Who should attend: Representatives from state agencies, statewide organizations, community groups, respite providers, and family caregivers When: March 9, 2011 9:30am - 4:30pm Where: Great Northern Best Western Helena, MT For more information, contact: Doug Blakley, Aging Services/DPHHS at (800) 332-2272 Vicki Clear/DEAP at (800) 224-6034 Register for the Summit at http://www.arch.memberlodge.org/StateSummit

Imagine this: You’re six years old, and for the next 10 years or so, a sizable portion of your mental and emotional fuel tank will be used up from avoiding humiliation, developing feelings of not being good enough, being behind in assignments, getting teased, being misunderstood, and struggling way more in basic skills like reading writing than some kids who don’t seem to work as hard or care as much. You begin to dislike or hate reading and want to avoid the whole issue of school and homework altogether.

Because the slightest cold virus could kill him, Lyndon Baty almost never leaves the house, but science has found a way to let the 15-year-old Texas boy go to school — at least virtually. A robot avatar now goes to classes and wanders school hallways for Lyndon, who had been forced to stay in isolation at his home in Knox City ever since his immune system was wiped out due to complications from kidney disease. The teen controls his avatar robot through the laptop on his desk at home, guiding it to classes and telling it to turn to face people when they speak to him.

What: An interactive workshop that gives parents tools in: Taking care of yourself, so you can deal with the crisis. How to see a crisis before it happens. How to deescalate a crisis before it comes. How to deal with the crisis if it happens anyway. When: April 14, 2011 5:30 - 8:00pm Where: Our Savior's Lutheran Church 1326 1st Ave. N., Great Falls, MT Presented by: Carl Haws

To learn more and to access the online survey, go to http://ehhs.kent.edu/link/ What: Steve Bagnato, John Neisworth, and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak are inviting those who work with young children from birth to age eight to participate in a consumer rating of early childhood assessment measures. Results will expand upon LINKing Authentic Assessment & Early Childhood Interventio, by Stephen Bagnato, John T. Neisworth, & Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, 2010. The survey takes about 10 minutes per assessment. The website will be open until March 18th.  Input is being sought from teachers, family members, paraprofessionals, administrators, related service providers, therapists, consultants, social workers, school psychologists, child care providers, nurses, or others who have familiarity with early childhood assessment measures to participate. For questions or concerns: Contact Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak at 330-672-0597 or kprettif@kent.edu. Information about Kent State University's rules for research can be obtained from Dr. John West, Vice President and Dean, Division of Research and Graduate Studies 330-672-2851.

Click here to register for this event What: This webinar will present a general introduction and overview of Broadband—both as a public policy agenda and as a quality of life issue for people with disabilities. The training will take a look at the unique ways in which Broadband is redefining health care, education, employment, citizenship, and community participation for people with disabilities. When: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 11:00 AM –  12:00 PM MST Presenter: Martin Sweeney -- As a parent, activist and current AT professional, Martin Sweeney has over 25 years of experience in the field of assistive technology. As a training specialist, Sweeney is part of the Center for Accessible Technology team promoting Broadband awareness, access and adoption throughout California.

Subcommittee Hearing - Getting the Most Bang for the Buck: Quality Early Education and Care