Professional Associations & Organizations

The Maternal Child Health Library (MCH) has an on-line web site designed to help service providers and families find available national, state, and local resources that can address child and family needs, including mental health resources. To learn more about locating services for your child or understanding which services to look for, visit Knowledge Path: Locating Community-Based Services to Support Children and Families at Website address: www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_community.html

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

The mission of NIMH is to diminish the burden of mental illness through research.

6001 Executive Blvd. Room 8184

MSC 9663, Bethesda, MD 20892-9663

Toll: 866-615-NIMH (6464)

http://www.nimh.nih.gov

Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention – (OJJDP)

OJJDP’s mission is to provide national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to the needs of individuals in the juvenile justice system. OJJDP supports states and local communities in their efforts to develop and implement effective and coordinated prevention and intervention programs. The agency also works to improve the juvenile justice system.

810 7^th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20531

Phone: 202-307-5911

http://www.ojjdp.ncirs.org

Office of the Surgeon General

In 1999, Surgeon General David Satcher displayed true leadership in issuing A Comprehensive Report on mental health – chapter 3 covers children and adolescents.

5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18-66

Rockville, MD 20857

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/sgoffice.htm

President’s Commission on Excellence in Special Education (PCESE)

P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398

Toll: 877-433-7827 (877-4-ED-PUBS)

http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html

President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health

The Commission was created to examine the current gaps in mental illness treatment services and to make recommendations to the President on ways in which the federal government can help states increase access to care and improve quality in their public programs.

www.mentalhealthcommission.gov

Organizations

NAMI – The Nation’s Voice on Mental Health

Colonial Place Three

2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300

Arlington, VA 22201

Helpline (800) 950-6264

Phone: 703-524-7600

http://www.nami.org

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)

3615 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Washington, DC 20016

Phone: 202-966-7300

http://www.aacap.org

Anxiety Disorders Association of America

6000 Executive Blvd., Suite 513

Rockville, MD 20850

Phone: 240-485-1001

http://www.adaa.org

National Alliance for Autism Research

414 Wall St., Research Park

Princeton, New Jersey 08540

Phone: (609) 430-9160

Toll: 888-777-NAAR

http://www.naar.org

Children with Attention Deficit Disorder

CHADD is a national organization representing individuals with AD/HD in providing education, advocacy and support to individuals and families. The organization is composed of dedicated volunteers from around the country who play an integral part in the organization by providing resources and encouragement to families, educators and professionals.

8181 Professional Place, Suite 201

Landover, MD 20785

Phone: 301-306-7070

Toll-free: 800-233-4050

http://www.chadd.org

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law works on a broad

array of children's mental health issues.

1101 15^th Street, NW, Suite 1212

Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 202-467-5730

http://www.bazelon.org

Youth Law Center

The Youth Law Center employs staff attorneys that investigate reports of abuse of children in adult jails, juvenile detention facilities, state institutions, and child welfare systems, and uses training, technical assistance and negotiation to bring about needed change. If abusive conditions or practices continue, the Center uses litigation as a last resort to protect children and ensure humane treatment.

http://www.ylc.com

Child & Adolescents Bipolar Foundation

The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) is a parent-led, web-based membership organization of families raising children diagnosed with, or at risk for, early-onset bipolar disorder. The web site includes information and resources on early-onset bipolar disorder.

1187 Wilmette Ave., PMB #331

Wilmette, IL 60091

Phone: (847) 256-8525

http://www.bpkids.org

Depression & Related Affective Disorders Association (DRADA)

2330 West Joppa Rd. Suite 100

Lutherville, MD 21093

Phone: 410-583-2919

http://www.drada.org

National Depressive & Manic-Depressive Association

730 N. Franklin St., Suite 500

Chicago, IL 60610

Toll-free: 800-826-3632

National Parent Network on Disabilities

1130 17^th Street, NW Suite 400

Washington, DC 20036

Phone: 202-463-2299

http://www.npnd.org

OCD Resource Center

Information and resources available on obsessive compulsive disorder.

http://www.odresource.com

OC Foundation

P.O. Box 9573

New Haven, CT 06565

Phone: 203-772-0565

http://www.ocfoundation.org

Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc

4240 Bell Blvd.

Bayside, NY 11361

Phone: 718-224-2999

http://www.tsa-usa.org

Autism Society of America

Information and resources on autism.

7910 Woodmont Ave. Suite 300

Bethesda, MD 20814-3067

Phone: 301-657-0881

Toll-free: 800-3AU-TISM

http://www.autism-society.org

The Children’s Defense Fund

CDF’s mission is to provide a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. CDF addresses the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF’s mission is also to educate the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick or into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown.

25 E Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

Phone: 202-628-8787

http://www.childrensdefense.org

Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)

CWLA is the nation's oldest membership-based child welfare organization committed

to engaging people everywhere in promoting the well-being of children, youth, and their families, and protecting every child from harm.

440 First Street NW, Third Floor

Washington, DC 2001-2085

Phone: 202-638-2952

http://www.cwla.org/default.htm

Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD)

The Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD) is the official division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) committed to promoting and facilitating the education and general welfare of children and youth with emotional or behavioral disorders.

www.ccbd.net/index.cfm

Council for Exceptional Children Home Page

1110 North Glebe Road, Suite 300

Arlington, VA 22201-5704

Toll-free: 888-CEC-SPED

http://www.cec.sped.org

Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health

The Federation of Families is dedicated to providing education, resources

and information to children with mental health needs and their families.

1101 King Street, Suite 420

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Phone: 703-684-7710

http://www.ffcmh.org

The National Center for Mental Health & Juvenile Justice

NCMHJJ promotes awareness of the mental health needs of youth in the juvenile justice system and assists the field in developing improved policies and programs based on the best available research and practice. Their web site includes many excellent resources on addressing the mental health needs of youth involved in the juvenile justice system.

345 Delaware Avenue

Delmar, NY 12054

Phone: 518-439-7415

http://www.ncmhij.com

National Health Law Program (NHelp)

The National Health Law Program has a number of excellent publications, resources

and information on Medicaid and other important health-related topics.

2639 South LaCienega Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90034

Phone: 310-204-6010

http://www.healthlaw.org

Children’s Health Council

60 Gillett St. Suite 204

Hartford, CT 06105

Phone: 860-548-1661

http://www.childrenshealthcouncil.org

Children Now

1212 Broadway, 5^th Floor

Oakland CA. 94612

Phone: 510-763-2444

http://www.childrennow.org

Covering Kids & Families

1010 Wisconsin Ave. NW Suite 800

Washington, DC 20007

Phone: 202-338-7227

http://www.coveringkidsandfamilies.org

The National Information Center

for Children & Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)

P.O. Box 1492

Washington, DC 20013

Toll-free: 800-695-0285

http://www.nichcy.org

National Mental Health Association (NMHA)

NMHA is an advocacy, education and support organization working to address

the needs of people with mental health related needs and mental illnesses.

2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12^th Floor

Alexandria, VA 22311

Toll-free: 800-969-NHMA

http://www.nmha.org

The Annie E. Casey Foundation

The primary mission of the foundation is to foster public policies, human-service reforms, and community supports that more effectively meet the needs of today’s vulnerable children and families. The foundation makes grants that help states, cities, and communities develop more innovative, cost-effective responses to the needs of these families. Annie E. Casey has generously funded projects that focus on the mental health needs of children and adolescents.

701 St. Paul Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

Phone: 410-547-6600

http://www.aecf.org

The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

The Kaiser Family Foundation is an independent foundation focusing on the major health care issues facing the nation. The Foundation is an independent voice and source of facts and analysis for policymakers, the media, the health care community, and the general public. The Kaiser Foundation has excellent resources on the Medicaid program.

1330 G Street, NW

Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 202-347-5270

http://www.kff.org

John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

The MacArthur Foundation is a grant-making institution dedicated to helping groups and individuals foster lasting improvement in the human condition. The Foundation seeks the development of healthy individuals and effective communities and has funded projects focused on children’s mental health and juvenile justice reform. The Foundation pursues its mission by supporting research, policy development, dissemination, education and training, and practice.

140 S. Dearborn Street

Chicago, IL 60603-5285 USA

Phone: 312-726-8000

http://www.macfound.org

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

3615 Wisconsin Ave., 20016-3007

Phone: 202-966-7300

http://www.aacap.org

The American Academy of Pediatrics

141 Northwest Point Blvd.

Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098

Phone: 847-434-4000

http://www.aap.org

American Psychiatric Association (APA)

1000 Wilson Blvd. Suite 1825

Arlington, VA 22209-3901

Phone: 703-907-7300

http://www.psych.org

American Psychological Association

750 First Street, NE

Washington, DC 20002-4242

Toll-free: 800-374-2721

http://www.apa.org

American School Counselors Association (ASCA)

801 N. Fairfax St. Suite 310

Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: 703-683-ASCA

http://www.schoolcounselor.org

American School Health Association (ASHA)

7263 State Route 43 – P.O. Box 708

Kent, Ohio 44240

Phone: 330-678-1601

http://www.ashaweb.org

Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ)

The Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) provides information and resources on delinquency prevention and juvenile justice issues. CJJ’s annual report for 2000, entitled Handle With Care: Serving the Mental Health Needs of Young Offenders, focused on the mental health needs of youth in the juvenile justice system. More information about the publication is available on CJJ’s web site.

1710 Rhode Island Ave. NW 10^th Floor

Washington, DC 20036

Phone: 202-467-0864

http://www.juvjustice.org

National Association of State

Mental Health Program Directors

66 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 302

Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: 703-739-9333

http://www.nasmhpd.org

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

4340 East West Highway, Suite 402

Bethesda, MD 20814

Phone: 301-657-0270

http://www.nasponline.org

Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice

The Center offers a broad array of information, reports and publications addressing

children’s mental health, with a particular emphasis on the systems of care model.

1000 Thomas Jefferson St. NW Suite 400

Washington, DC 20007

Phone: 202-944-5400

Toll-free: 888-457-1551

http://www.cecp.air.org

Center for School Mental Health Assistance

University of Maryland Baltimore

Department of Psychiatry

680 W. Lexington Street, 10^th Floor

Baltimore, Maryland 21201-1570

Phone: 410-706-0980

Toll-free: 888-706-0980

http://www.csmha.umaryland.edu

Families Together in NYS, Inc.

15 Elk Street

Albany, NY 12207

Toll-free: 888-326-8644

http://www.ftnys.org/contact.htm

Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation

Foundation to support expanded research of early onset bipolar disorder.

Information for parents and professionals.

788 Morris-Essex Turnpike

Short Hills, NJ 07078

Toll-free: 866-333-JBRF

http://www.bpchildresearch.org

National Parent Information Network (NPIN)

Main Hall, Room 303, Box 40

525 W. 120^th Street

New York, NY 10027-9998

Toll-free: 800-601-4868

http://www.npin.org

The Teen Screen^® Program

The Carmel Hill Center at Columbia University operates the TeenScreen^® Program and the Positive Action for Teen Health (PATH) initiative. The TeenScreen^® program creates partnerships with communities across the nation to implement early-identification programs for suicide and mental illness in youth. The program staff includes mental health, public policy, and training experts that are available to help schools, mental health professionals, parents, community groups, and policymakers to raise awareness about the problem of youth depression and suicide risk, the benefits of mental health screening, and to help implement screening programs.

1775 Broadway, Suite 715

New York, NY 10019

Toll-free: 866-TEENSCREEN^® (866-833-6727)

http://www.teenscreen.org

National Governor’s Association (NGA)

The NGA has developed a series of fact sheets and resources on mental health issues. To access these resources, click on "NGA Center for Best Practices", then in "Areas of Interest" click on "Health Division" then click on "Mental Health."

http:// www.nga.org

Multisystemic Therapy (MST)

Multisystemic therapy is an innovative method for delivering mental health and substance abuse services to children and their families. MST is an intensive family- and community-based treatment that addresses the multiple determinants of behavior in youth. The multisystemic approach views individuals as being nested within a complex network of interconnected systems that encompass individual, family, and extrafamilial (peer, school, neighborhood) factors. It is increasingly being recognized as an evidence-based best-practice approach to treatment for youth with mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

http:// www.mstservices.com

Center for the Promotion of Mental Health in Juvenile Justice

The Center for the Promotion of Mental Health in Juvenile Justice is dedicated to providing expert guidance to juvenile justice settings regarding best practices for mental health assessment and referral. This center is located at Columbia University.

http://www.promotementalhealth.org

Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida –

The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health

The goal of the RTC is to improve services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disabilities (SED) and their families by strengthening the knowledge base for effective services and systems of care.

http://www.rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu/

Georgetown University Child Development Center –

National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health

Since 1984, the technical assistance center has been dedicated to working in partnership with families and many other leaders across this country to reform services for children and adolescents who have, or are at risk for, mental health problems and their families.

http://www.georgetown.edu/research/gucdc/cassp.html

New York University Child Study Center

http://www.aboutourkids.org

Portland Research and Training Center, Portland State University –

The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health

The Center promotes effective community-based, culturally competent, family-centered services for families and their children who are, or may be affected by mental, emotional or behavioral disorders. The web site includes publications and an excellent newsletter – Focal Point.

http://www.rtc.pdx.edu

Information on NAMI Education Courses

Breaking the Silence (BTS)( Developed by NAMI Queens/Nassau)

This program includes classroom lesson plans for grades 4 through 12 that are designed to de-stigmatize mental illnesses. The curriculum meets national health education standards and fulfills the Safe Schools against Violence in Education Act (SAVE) promoting tolerance, anti-bullying and character development. Through the curriculum students learn that mental illnesses are real illnesses and not a character flaw. They learn that mental illnesses are treatable and about the warning signs. Students also learn how to fight the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. BTS lesson plans are being used in at least 32 states and orders continue to come in. The program administrators are compiling a database and will have more detailed information about the school locations using the BTS lesson plans soon – stay tuned.

Please visit the BTS web site, where there is a lot more information about the program.

http://www.btslessonplans.org Contact: NAMI Queens/Nassau (ph: 516-326-0797, email: btslessonplans@aol.com)

Hope for Tomorrow (Developed by NAMI Utah)

Hope for Tomorrow is a mental health education program for parents, teachers, students and all who work with children and adolescents. The program is designed to provide information and life skills training to youth by combining the efforts of parents, teachers, and the community to equip children to better deal with life today and tomorrow through mental well being. The program consists of three parts – Part 1 is an introduction to mental health; Part 2 covers eating disorders; and Part 3 discusses addictive disorders. The demand for the program has been great in the state of Utah – elementary school counselors have expressed great interest in using the program because they are seeing more young students with mood and eating disorders. Also, demand has increased in rural communities in the state. NAMI Utah has also received requests from neighboring states to bring the program there. For more information on the program, please visit NAMI Utah’s web site.

http://www.namiut.org

Parents and Teachers as Allies (Developed by NAMI National)

At the request of NAMI state and affiliate leaders -- Dr. Joyce Burland, who wrote the Parents and Teachers as Allies publication, has created an outline (based on her publication) for an In-Service Teacher Training program. The program is designed as a series of topics that can be used in an in-service training program for teachers and other school personnel. NAMI state and affiliate leaders are currently piloting the program and NAMI national is expanding the program. Marcia Mathes a children’s advocate with NAMI Greater Orlando – has agreed to serve as a resource for other state and affiliate leaders who may be interested in using the publication as a tool for an in-service education program for school professionals. If you would like more information, please email Marcia at mmmathes@earthlink.net or for more information, please contact Patricia Braun in the NAMI National Child & Adolescent Action Center (ph: 703-600-1110).

Better Todays, Better Tomorrows. (Developed by NAMI Idaho and formerly Red Flags Idaho)

This program is designed to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of mental illness in children and youth among caregivers, including police, local officials, parents, foster parents, teachers, counselors and community members who care about children and youth. It is also designed to reduce stigma surrounding mental illnesses in children and youth in their schools and communities. The program is also designed to increase treatment-seeking behavior among adults who care for children and youth. To learn more about the programs, visit the NAMI Idaho web site at: http://www.isu.edu/departments/irh/bettertodays

Hand to Hand (Developed by AMI of Greater Toledo, Ohio)

Hand to Hand is an eight-week education program designed to foster learning, healing and empowerment among families of children with emotional/mental/neurobiological disorders. This course is similar to Family to Family in structure and goals, with each week of the curriculum dedicated to a particular aspect of having a child with a mental illness. To find out more about the course visit the NAMI Ohio web site.

http://www.namiohio.org (click on "programs," then click on "children’s programs")

Red Flags Depression Awareness Program (Peoria, Illinois)

Red Flags is a prevention program that is school-based. It was developed by the Mental Health Association of Summit County and adapted for the Ohio Department of Mental Health to help students, parents and school staff members recognize and respond to signs of depression and related mental illness. The three-pronged program includes an in-service training for school personnel, a video-based curriculum for students called Claire's Story: A Child's Perspective of Childhood Depression, and a seminar for parents, students and the community.

http://www.redflags.org

Visions for Tomorrow (Developed by NAMI Texas)

Visions for Tomorrow consists of a series of workshops for direct primary caregivers of children and adolescents with brain disorders. Teachers of the program are trained family members who have experienced firsthand the rewards and challenges of raising children with brain disorders. The course offers caregivers an opportunity to share mutual experiences and learn valuable lessons from one another. The program covers educational material and provides the basics for day-to-day care giving skills. The program has been widely disseminated and used by many NAMI state and affiliate offices across the country. The Visions program has been used in over 28 states and by many NAMI state and affiliate leaders. The program continues to grow as NAMI state and affiliate leaders use it as a tool to reach families with children with mental illnesses.

For more information on the program, please visit the NAMI Texas web site.

http://www.namitexas.org (click on "programs") Contact: Pennie Hall, Program Coordinator, pennie@texami.org

Please note: If there is a resource that you would like added to this list, please contact Darcy Gruttadaro, Director – NAMI Child & Adolescent Action Center ( email: darcy@nami.org). Thanks.