MCHCF Task Force Meeting Minutes, October, December, January

 

MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation Grant
Task Force Meeting Minutes, October 9, 2009
Welcome and Introductions:
Thank you for representing your school district by participating on the School and Community Mental Health Network Task Force. The goals of the grant are to create stronger relationships between schools and community-based mental health providers, provide better access to information and increase access to treatment
 
The Task Force is an integral component of the grant and serves as a vehicle to share resources, identify best practices, and strengthen linkages with various community mental health service agencies. To address the results of the needs assessment survey conducted last spring and the grant goals, topics for discussion during the year will include:
  • Training on anxiety, stress, school phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder; behavior problems associated with neurological disorders; and aggressive/disruptive behavior and bullying
  • Information on protocols and procedures for hospitalization and outpatient treatment
  • Information regarding the treatment effects and side effects of psychiatric medications
 
Review Survey Results:
Based on feedback from member districts, The ACCEPT Education Collaborative developed a needs assessment survey to determine the articulated needs of these districts (Ashland, Dover, Dover/Sherborn, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Natick, Sherborn, South Middlesex Regional Technical School, and Sudbury) about pertinent issues related to mental health and their students. In May 2009 the survey was sent to student support staff, grade levels K through 12, in the above districts; 115 responses were received. The breakdown by discipline is as follows:
 
  • Guidance Counselors                               42% (48)
  • School Nurses                                        22% (25)
  • School Psychologists                               14% (16)
  • School Social Workers                                9% (10)
  • School Adjustment Counselors                    8% (9)
  • Clinical Psychologists                                  1% (1)
  • Other                                                      5% (6)
 
Note: Due to the anonymous nature of the survey, district and level of each respondent was not collected. 
 
Key findings are summarized below and the full survey results are attached.
  • The “5 most frequent mental health problems for FEMALE students at your school” ranked as follows: (Question #8)
  1. Social, interpersonal, or family problems (98%)
  2. Depression, grief reactions (57%)
  3. Anxiety, stress, school phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (57%)
  4. Adjustment issues (e.g., difficulty managing transition to new school, grade or class (56%)
  5. Learning disabilities (40%)
  • The “5 most frequent mental health problems for MALE students at your school” ranked as follows: (Question #9)
  1. Social, interpersonal, or family problems (83%)
  2. Behavior problems associated with neurological disorders (e.g. ADHD) (72%)
  3. Aggressive, disruptive behavior, bullying (71%)
  4. Anxiety, stress, school phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (57%)
  5. Learning disabilities (50%)
  • “The 3 problems that use most of your school’s mental health resources”: (Question #10)
  1. Anxiety, stress, school phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (71%)
  2. Social, interpersonal, or family problems (65%)
  3. Behavior problems associated with neurological disorders (e.g. ADHD) (39%)
  • “The 3 topics on which you would like professional development training”: (Question #11)
  1. Anxiety, stress, school phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (98%)
  2. Behavior problems associated with neurological disorders (e.g. ADHD) (43%)
  3. Aggressive, disruptive behavior, bullying (37%)
  • “How would you rate your knowledge and understanding of the following [9 topics]” (Question #12)
  1. Protocols and procedure for partial and inpatient hospitalization programs, including discharge planning (73%)
  2. Treatment effects and side effects of psychiatric medications (58%-68%)
  3. Protocols and procedures for outpatient mental health services (59%)
  • 66% of respondents Strongly Agreed or Somewhat Agreed that “there are sufficient opportunities for school staff to collaborate on mental health issues”. (Question #6)
  • 88% Strongly Agreed or Somewhat Agreed that “I have sufficient knowledge to address the mental health concerns that are brought to my attention”. (Question #6)
 
Conclusions and Recommendations
The results of the survey indicate social, interpersonal, or family problems impact the vast majority of students regardless of gender. Anxiety, stress, school phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and behavior problems associated with neurological disorders ranked high as well. 
 
Based on the outcome of this survey a day-long symposium to identify resources for districts to develop a collaborative planning process for intervention, prevention and treatment of high risk students is planned for November 30, 2009. This symposium, “Supporting our Students through School and Community Mental Health Partnerships,” featuring a keynote address by Dr. Robert Brooks, will be followed by a series of four Professional Development Workshops (January 28, March 11, April 15, and May 13), for staff from ACCEPT member districts and community-based mental health agencies. Topics will address the pressing issues identified in the survey.   
A hard copy was made available to those in attendance; an electronic version is attached to this Wiki conference.
 
Professional Development Meetings
The November 30th Symposium format, speakers and topics were reviewed; the day promises to be informative. Please share the brochure with your colleagues and encourage them to send in their registration forms ASAP. An electronic version of the registration form is available on the ACCEPT webstite under the Professional Development tab. 
 
Four additional Professional Development dates have been scheduled for:  January 28, March 11, April 15, and May 13. Before November 30th we need to narrow the topics and identify speakers. Topic ideas include:
  • Self-defeating beliefs that drive self-destructive behavior
  • Strategies for relieving depression
  • Explosive, non-compliant, disruptive aggressive kids
  • Adolescent risk assessment: Predictors of violence and suicide
  • Anger and anger management
  • Make managed care work for you
  • Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Students with Emotional and Behavioral Challenges in School Settings
  • Student Self-Injury: Meeting the Needs and Preventing Contagion
  • State Agency follow-up presentations
  • Neurology and the brain
  • Bullying and harassment
  • School refusal
  • Anxiety
  • Positive Behavioral Intervention Systems
  • Dealing with students with chronic medical issues
 
Please send your thoughts on the above topics and potential speakers to us at your earliest convenience.
 
The format for future task force meetings was also discussed. It was agreed that we would use part of the time to problem solve issues schools are facing and when appropriate ask for speakers to join us to present on specific topics. 
 
Wrap up  
Thank you for your participation on the ACCEPT Task Force. One agenda item for our next meeting will be a follow up on Holliston’s first CSA meeting. We will invite a representative from Wayside to discuss implementation of Rosie D. cases.
 
Future task force dates are: December 11, January 8, February 12, April 9, and May 21. The meetings will take place at the ACCEPT office (220 N.Main St. Natick) from 8:00-9:30.
 
Please remember to register for the November 30th Symposium and share the information with your colleagues – looking forward to seeing all of you there (if not before).
 
 MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation Grant

Task Force Meeting Minutes, December 11, 2009

 
Feedback from Symposium
More than 100 participants attended and a total of 80 completed the evaluation form.  With few exceptions each item was rated 1 or 2, indicating a very high level of satisfaction with the symposium.  The average score ranged from 1.4 (3 items) to 1.8 (1 item) with an overall average of 1.5.  The lowest rated item was the pace of the program which, based on the responses, was too quick.  The fast pace was necessary in order to provide a broad overview of the topics with the intent being that more detailed, topic-specific, presentations would follow throughout the year.
 
All symposium handouts are available at http://www.accept.org/node/159
Follow up to Hopkinton’s CSA meetings and presentation by Bonny Saulnier (Wayside)
  • The following handouts from this meeting are attached below:

The full description of what the Family Partner is charged with doing (per MassHealth)

Towns and the geographic CSA for each town, with contact information  (families can choose any CSA and do not need to go to the one in their geographic area, but this is the recommended place to start)

Feedback on Task Force members experience with CSA meetings

Grant Progress Report
  • November 30th symposium successful
  • Registration and information regarding upcoming PD workshops are posted– please share with colleagues
Planning for May 13th PD meeting
Topic will be a review of the first year of implementation of CBHI
 
Next Task Force Meeting
  • January 8th, 8:00 to 9:30 AM
  • Mary Mullany – Metro West Medical Center:    Topic:  Psychiatric assessments and triage
 
 
Related Upcoming Professional Development Workshops
January 28, 2010   Let’s Make It Happen:  Resiliency Building Assessment and Strategies that Work!
Presented by: Michael Hill, M.Ed. and Denise O’Connell, Ed. D.
Resilience is defined as the ability to bounce back from life’s difficult experiences.  It is a process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, and significant sources of stress. The research has shown that resilience, with specific supports in place, occurs commonly.   In addition, this body of research from a variety of fields including psychology, psychiatry, and sociology indicates that most people–including young people–can bounce back from difficult situations and experience life success.   Resilience is not a skill that people either have or do not have. It involves behaviors, thoughts, and actions that can be taught and supported in anyone.
This interactive seminar will provide a framework for educators to informally evaluate students’ functioning across a variety of settings and determine their potential to bounce back.  Case studies will be examined and a variety of strategies presented that have worked effectively in our practice.
 
March 11, 2010      Navigating State Agencies and Linking Resources, Bill O’Connell
 
April 15, 2010         Anxiety and OCD and Effects of Medication, Dr. Arnold Kerzner
 
May 13, 2010          27 Simple, Effective Strategies for Children, Teens Seminar, Susan Epstein
 
LOCATION:         MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation, 161 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701
TIME:                   1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.


 

 
 MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation Grant

Task Force Meeting Minutes - Friday, January 8, 2010
 
Mary Mullany – Metro West Medical Center:  Mary provided an overview of current services available and plans for a diagnostic center. She solicited input as to the services school districts would like to see available. Mary reviewed the multi faceted challenges of providing mental health services in the current reimbursement environment. A new child psychiatrist is starting at MWMC and Mary offered to facilitate an introduction. The Task Force members shared their concerns and frustration resulting from increasingly shorter hospital stays and lack of information. A mutual understanding of the frustrations of working in a broken system is the foundation for moving forward. We agreed the chance to get to know the “players” from the school and hospital settings will enhance cooperation.
 
Website Resource Directory – Task Force members discussed posting a directory of mental health resources on the ACCEPT website and agreed to move forward. The general headings and the resources to be included were reviewed. Task Force members agreed to review the attached preliminary listing of topics and resources and make additional recommendations to be included.
 
Dissemination of Information – In speaking with direct service providers in various districts it appears that information from the Task Force meetings is not being shared in a timely manner, if at all. Task Force members were reminded to share information regarding upcoming Professional Development opportunities to direct service providers. The next PD opportunity is scheduled for January 28th from 1-3 pm – the topic is: Let’s Make It Happen: Resiliency Building Assessment and Strategies that Work! Further information is posted on the Mental Health Initiative Site.
 
Wrap up: Upcoming Task Force Meetings 
February 12, 2010            Pat McMahan, DCF – Program Manager
April 9, 2010                     Brian Miller, DPH, Department of Substance Abuse
May 21, 2010                    Dr. Rob Evans, Human Relations Service
All meetings take place at the ACCEPT Office from 8-9:30 a.m.
 
Related Upcoming Professional Development Workshops
January 28, 2010         Let’s Make It Happen: Resiliency Building Assessment and Strategies that Work!
March 11, 2010            Navigating State Agencies and Linking Resources, Bill O’Connell
April 15, 2010               Anxiety and OCD and the effects of medication, Dr. Arnold Kerzner
May 13, 2010                 27 Simple, Effective Strategies for Children, Teens Seminar, Susan Epstein
 
 
LOCATION:     MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation, 161 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701
TIME:                1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
 

 

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