NAMI Young Family Education Program Status Report NAMI National Convention June 20-24, 2007 Teri S. Brister, Ph.D., LPC

History In response to requests from the field for a NAMI signature education program for parents/caregivers of children & adolescents, curriculum development began in January 2007 Young Family Advisory Committee formed Literature review, review of existing programs Writing currently underway

Goal #1 To inform participants of the most current facts about mental illness as it presents in childhood and adolescence.

Goal #2 To help participants understand the subjective impact that mental illness has on the individual living with the illness and the entire family – specifically the caregiver.

Goal #3 To provide tools for participants to use even after completing the program that will assist them in making the best decisions possible for the care of their child/adolescent and to take the best care possible of the entire family – especially the caregiver.

What will it look like? Teacher’s Manual Participant Manual Power Point Presentation for teachers YF Page on the NAMI Website that will include two informational videos that can be viewed on line Copies of the informational DVD’s for outreach

Teaching Format Teaching team of 2 will be parents or caregivers of child/adolescent under the age of 22, diagnosed before the age of 15 Core course will consist of six – 2 hour classes Core course classes must be taught consecutively, but can be taught weekly or across consecutive Saturdays

Basic Content Overview of mental illness as it presents in children Brain biology Subjective impact on the child and the family Trauma and crisis preparation Record keeping Transition issues Advocacy Communication, problem solving and behavior technique skill training Overview of mental health, school and juvenile justice systems Overview of treatment options, including medication And much more

Program Pilot The program will be piloted in three states January – May 2008 Each pilot state will be required to provide the core course six times Teacher training for pilot states will be provided in October-November 2007 Pilot states will be determined using an application process

Criteria for Pilot State State NAMI organization State is already engaged in children’s services Plan to take the program statewide Host teacher training October-November Recruit 12 teachers (6 teams) for teacher training Teach the class 6 times January-May 2008 Collect pre-post evaluation data

Roll Out Teacher trainings for non-pilot states will begin in March 2008, with availability of some training grants States interested in teacher training should complete the pilot application forms; a training list will be developed based on applications once pilot states are determined Train the trainer will take place in either fall 2008 or spring 2009

What’s next? Development of stand alone “graduate classes” that participants can come back and take when they are ready - Advocacy - Transition Issues (18-21) Exploration of on-line teaching options

We are excited and hope you are too! Please direct questions to: Teri Brister