Families with 11-14 Year Olds Needed for Compensated ($300) Depression Study
Families of children ages 11-14 who struggle with a low mood are invited to participate in a web-based program funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The program is being conducted by researchers at ORCAS (www.orcasinc.com), a behavioral science research company in Eugene, Oregon. The [...] Read More »
Just Released! National Family Engagement Action Plan
The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) has just published Safety, Fairness, & Stability For Youth and Families—Recommendations to Strengthen Federal Agency Support of Family Engagement Efforts. Pennsylvania had representation in this effort and contributed the knowledge and products developed through the Family Involvement Committee of the Chief’s Council in the last six years. Kudos [...] Read More »
Office for Dispute Resolution Stakeholder Council Position
The Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) Stakeholder Council has decided to add a seat on the Council to be filled by an individual representing the interests of the mental health community. This is a volunteer position. Organizations that address mental health issues for children and students ages birth-21 are asked to submit names for consideration. [...] Read More »
New Website for PA Wraparound Enhancement
Revisiting Wrapround in PA The Youth and Family Institute has launched a comprehensive website to give the public information on Pennsylvania’s efforts to improve Wraparound practice for children. Visit the website. The Youth and Family Institute is contracted with the Department of Welfare to develop High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) in PA counties. The website provides [...] Read More »
Call “2-1-1” in Berks County & Other Counties for Community Connections
This fall, Berks County is launching their 2-1-1 help service under the United Way. Berks County residents can now dial the three numbers, “2-1-1” to get assistance finding needed services. Berks County joins several other Pennsylvania Counties in offering a 2-1-1 phone service. This is not a crisis line, like 9-1-1, but it is a [...] Read More »
PA Department of Public Welfare Awarded Grant to Help Children and Youth with Emotional Disabilities
This fall the Department of Public Welfare Secretary Gary D. Alexander announced that Pennsylvania is one of 19 states chosen to receive a federal System of Care Expansion Planning Grant. The grant will be used to better assist families and their children who experience serious emotional disabilities. “System of care” is a term used to [...] Read More »
Philadelphia Juvenile Court Enhances Family Support Service
The Juvenile Court in Philadelphia recently committed additional resources toward the work of Family Advocates who support families of children involved with the juvenile justice system. The Family Advocates are from Parents Involved Network (PIN) a peer-to-peer (family-to-family) run program of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania (MHASP). Advocates are family members who have [...] Read More »
Alert: Copays for Services to Children with Disabilities
The Department of Public Welfare (DPW) has been instructed to require certain families to pay copays for services provided under Medical Assistance to children with disabilities. These copays will be for children under age 18, who qualify for Medical Assistance due to their disability and whose family income is more than 200% of the federal [...] Read More »
New Therapy for Adolescents with Suicidal Behaviors Centers on Family Involvement
New research led by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has shown that Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) helps depressed, suicidal adolescents more than other approaches, even if they have been sexually abused, a factor associated with worse outcomes with other therapies. The goal of ABFT is to strengthen family relationships to help adolescents who are suffering from [...] Read More »
Mothers with Mental Illness Offered Special Support Group
Temple University in Philadelphia has a long history of helping persons with disabilities live full lives. Now, the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion is conducting a study of an Internet education and social support for mothers living with a mental illness. The Collaborative is looking for mothers who are interested in participating in an [...] Read More »
About Us
The Children's News is a program of the Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania (MHAPA) and its affiliates across the state. We provide information for families on children's mental health issues in Pennsylvania – including advocacy efforts, events, and policies – and offer families the opportunity to share information on these issues with us.
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