Pathways rtcUpdates Newsletter June 2019

New Interactive Learning Tool: AMP E-Module

Pathways has developed an interactive learning tool, the AMP E-Module, "Questions in Person-Centered or Youth-Driven Conversations," a skill enhancement tool designed for people who work with youth and young adults. This short online training incorporates video and interactivity to create an effective and engaging learning experience on identifying specific types of open-ended questions used in one-on-one conversations. The accompanying study guide for the AMP E-Module provides questions for discussion and reflection, along with links to additional resources.

Webinar Recording Available: "Drop-in Centers as a Low-Barrier Engagement Strategy"

The recording of our May 21 webinar, "Drop-in Centers as a Low-Barrier Engagement Strategy for Transition Age Youth" is available now. Hear presenters Betsy Edes and Wendy Mancia of the YouForward program in Massachusetts, and Kate Tilton and Will McPheeters from the TAYLRD program in Kentucky, describe how their programs, both Healthy Transitions grantees, have implemented drop-in centers as part of their success.

Things People Never Told Me: Tool Kit for Young Adults Transitioning Out of Foster Care

This tip sheet from Pathways is always timely for young adults preparing to live independently for the first time. Developed by the Pathways Better Futures Project specifically for those transitioning out of foster care, this resource shares insights gathered from young adults with first-hand experience navigating the process. It includes practical advice on several key areas for all young adults as they become independent: finances, employment, health care, transportation, and relationships. Like many Pathways resources, it is also available in a Spanish language version.

Tip Sheet from Transitions ACR: What Were You Thinking? Brain Development in Young Adults

This tip sheet from Transitions ACR outlines the unique characteristics of the young adulthood stage of brain development and points out that trauma and mental health issues can delay this development. This resource includes practical advice on ways to meet young adults where they are, as well as a list of additional resources.

#chatsafe: A Young Person's Guide for Communicating Safely Online About Suicide

The #chatsafe guidelines are intended to help young people, and those who support them, communicate safely online about suicide-related thoughts, feelings and behaviors. This US version was adapted by JED and Stanford Psychiatry's Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing from the guide originally developed by Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health in Australia.

Webinar: Youth & Families: Reaching Common Ground That Moves Us Forward

Date/Time: June 20, 2019, 1pm – 2:30pm PT, 4pm – 5:30pm ET

This Learning Community will focus on defining alignment of and effective collaboration between youth and family movements that facilitates forward movement through establishing common ground at the national, local and agency levels. The information and strategies provided are based on the work of Youth MOVE National and FREDLA, informed by their national networks of youth-run and family-run organizations. Johanna Bergan from Youth MOVE National and Millie Sweeney from FREDLA will provide concrete strategies that can be employed by participants in their own states, communities and agencies to enhance collaboration between youth and families, as well as address the challenges that often arise in youth/young adult and family partnerships.

Webinar: Engaging Youth Leaders Who Are Survivors of Traumatic Situations, including Domestic Violence

Date/Time: June 26, 2019, 12pm – 1:30pm PT, 3pm – 4:30pm ET

Part of the learning community led by Youth MOVE National, the objective of this webinar is to increase knowledge about dating violence prevention education and to expand strategies to engage young adults for violence prevention education. Tenaj Moody, founder of Light to Life, will share a trauma-informed approach that involves recognizing, understanding and responding to all types of dating abuse.

Webinar: Approaches to Evaluating Services for Youth and Young Adults of Transition Age

Date/Time: June 27, 2019, 10:30am – 12pm PT, 1:30pm – 3pm ET

During this webinar, Janet Walker, Director of the Pathways Research and Training Center, will describe strategies for assessing services, supports and systems that serve older youth and young adults with significant mental health needs. The focus will be on assessment tools and strategies that are sustainable and efficient, and that produce data that is useful to stakeholders. An example of this kind of approach will be presented by Pnina Goldfarb, a research associate and the evaluator for the Wraparound Milwaukee OYEAH program, which focuses on improving outcomes for young adults who experience serious mental health conditions. Pnina will describe assessment strategies that OYEAH uses, present examples of findings, and discuss how this information has been used to support efforts to improve and sustain services and systems.

45th Annual National Association for Rural Mental Health Conference

Date/Location: August 26 – 29, 2019, Santa Fe, NM

The National Association for Rural Mental Health (NARMH) Annual Conference is the premier interdisciplinary mental health event for rural families and peers, community members, clinicians, researchers, administrators and policy professionals.

Learn more »

National Wraparound Implementation Academy

Date/Location: September 9 – 11, 2019, Baltimore, MD

The Academy is designed to provide participants involved in Wraparound – care coordinators, care supervisors, state and organizational leaders, parent peer support providers and more – the opportunity to build skills and gain tools and information to use in their states, tribes and organizations. This year the Academy will offer 12 options for full-day learning intensives held on the first day, focusing on a wide range of topics, including leading organizational change, integrating data to improve Wraparound practice and facilitating the Wraparound process through the trauma lens.

Check out the learning intensives »

Save the Date: 33rd Annual Research & Policy Conference on Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Behavioral Health

Date/Location: March 15 – 18, 2020, Tampa, FL

The "Tampa Conference" dates are set for 2020. The call for proposals online submission portal will open August 5.