Committees
Children’s Mental Health Work Group
Clay County Collaborative’s children’s mental health work group provides support and input for the following programs:
Follow Along Program:
Parents receive a letter inviting them to participate in the program which includes a mailed survey that is completed and returned to Public Health. If concerns are identified through information on the survey, a Public Health Nurse can provide support via phone contact and home visits to facilitate further assessment and referrals relating to the mental/physical health concerns of the children.
The PHN provides education to the family regarding their child’s development so that deficits are identified and addressed early.
Through the Follow Along Program (FAP), the PHN encourages the family to try new things with their child.
The PHN helps advise parents on what developmental milestones to watch for.
The PHN helps families gain a greater understanding of social-emotional development through the social-emotional questionnaire.
Family Case Manager at Churches United for the Homeless:
The case manager works with families transitioning to the shelter.
An assessment of needs typically includes: assistance in connecting with school systems and Head Start, finding employment, transportation, community events, and parenting classes.
The case manager provides the level of support for families developing skills and community connections as they move from the shelter to living outside the community.
Family Advocate at REACH:
REACH will continue to be involved in community events, conversations, and assess available data to address issues pertaining to the wellbeing of children and families in rural Clay County, either through direct programming or through collaboration with partners.
School-Age Disability Work Group
School-Age Disability Program:
Together these providers identify the needs of families and provide input concerning programs and services that are available to both the child and family.
Family Support Model Work Group
Wraparound Program:
Wraparound coordinates the providers who are working with families that are receiving services from three or more providers.
Families identify the goals that will help them move away from structured support and into informal (community) support.
A facilitator works with the family to identify their strengths and their vision for the future.
Anyone, including service providers and family members can request to coordinate services through the Wraparound process.
Projects and Leadership Teams
School-Based Mental Health Program:
Services are provided through Collaborative partners: The Village Family Service Center, Lakeland Mental Health Center, and Summit Guidance.
Students have access to such services as individual and group therapy, as well as through Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS), which assist them in developing skills to manage their mental illness and identify behaviors that are denying them success in the school setting.
After-School Programming for At-Risk Students:
Funds are typically used for after school programs that offer homework support to youth in the program.
Restorative Justice Program:
The program provides support for youth as they discover how to solve problems, learn how to respond to conflict appropriately, and develop skills to build and repair relationships with the victim.
The Restorative Justice program is considered a diversion program to court involvement. A trained facilitator meets with the offender to discuss the process of making amends for the crime they have committed. The youth has a choice of meeting face-to-face with the victim of their crime or in a community circle. Agreements are made and, in most cases, the youth is required to make amends for the crime by an agreed upon action, such as community service.
Restorative Justice is under the umbrella of the county attorney’s office. Restorative Justice will also be available to students in the Moorhead Public Schools.
Committees under the umbrella of the Collaborative
Early Childhood Initiative :
Early Childhood Initiative is found under the umbrella of the Collaborative and is funded through West Central Initiative.
The mission of the Initiative is: We want to give our children the best possible start toward a healthy life of learning, achieving, and succeeding.
Early childhood professionals, community members, public health, and child care providers partner to identify and meet the needs of all children, from prenatal to their entrance into kindergarten.
Some of the issues that we address are the increasing need for dental access for those children who have state insurance or no insurance. With a limited number of providers in our area that will accept a State health plan, numerous children are left to deal with the pain of unfilled cavities, which also affect their nutrition intake during a primary growth period.
The Initiative is also looking at the needs of child care providers, home visiting programs.
Each April, you will find this group hosting a Kidsfest event in recognition of Week of the Young Child.
Meetings are held each month from September through June. Anyone interested in the needs of young children and their families are welcome to join the Initiative.
For more information contact the Collaborative Coordinator.
Local Advisory for Children’s Mental Health:
The council reports to the County Board on an annual basis on the services currently being offered in the county and any identified gaps in programs available in the children’s mental health system.
The council is made up of mental health providers, Social Services, Public Health, various agency representatives, and parents of children with mental health needs.
Each year the council plans an event or other activity for Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, which is typically in the early part of May.
Networking among council members provides valuable insight into the mental health system, its gaps in services, and its strengths.