By: Gretchen Behimer, Project Director

 

Every summer, the FAST TRAC team attends a national conference hosted by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration).  A family member and youth also attend as part of the team.  This year, the conference was held in sunny Orlando, Florida.  Although the conference was very exhausting since we attended trainings all day long, gathered a lot of data and connected with many people, we also got to enjoy time together as a team.  This year our team included:

            Gretchen Behimer, FAST TRAC Project Director

Karen Scherra, FAST TRAC Principal Investigator; Mental Health & Recovery Board Executive Director

Jean Houston, FAST TRAC Lead Family Contract; Co-Founder of Families Connected, Inc.

Danny Little, FAST TRAC Youth Engagement Specialist

Naomi Garretson, family member, FAST TRAC Parent Advisory Group

Stevie Garretson, youth, FAST TRAC Youth Advisory Group

Gary Dick, FAST TRAC Co-Lead Evaluator, University of Cincinnati

Jeff Schellinger, FAST TRAC Associate Researcher, University of Cincinnati

Mary Wolff, FAST TRAC Cultural & Linguistic Competence Coordinator

Tara Keith, FAST TRAC Social Marketing Coordinator

Tracy Plouck, Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health

So much great information was presented this year.  Our team has many ideas circulating in our heads and we will be talking about how we can use the information gathered to further improve our programs in Clermont County and statewide.  We were thrilled that the Ohio Department of Mental Health’s Director attended the conference as part of Clermont FAST TRAC’s team.  Ms. Plouck got to learn more about Systems of Care in various states and learn what contributes to a successful System of Care.   

One highlight of the conference was the ECCO awards.  The ECCO awards recognize Excellence in Community Communication and Outreach.  Last year, FAST TRAC was excited to be awarded a “bronze” plaque for “Starr’s article,” in which a parent wrote about her experience with FAST TRAC. This year, we were ecstatic to be awarded a “gold” plaque for FAST TRAC’s 2011 My Feelings Are a Work of Art video, showcasing our county’s efforts to bring mental health awareness to our community through art projects with youth.

FAST TRAC has been out and about this summer.  I hope you had a chance to stop by our My Feelings Are a Work of Art exhibit at Eastgate Mall or our booth at the Clermont County fair or see our youth at New Richmond River Days’ Cardboard Boat Regatta!

By:  Gretchen Behimer, Project Director

It’s hard to believe that we just began Year 4 of our SAMHSA grant.  As we entered into Year 4, I took some time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished in 3 years (2 years of service provision).

• It’s amazing to see that our partners (Children’s Protective Services, Juvenile Court, Developmental Disabilities, schools, mental health providers, families and youth) have truly embraced the system of care philosophy.  Family-driven and youth-guided has really become the way services are planned and provided now.
• We have a family and youth activity or training at least monthly.  Attendance has been slowly increasing as more and more families are seeing the value in connecting with others.
• We have a Family Leadership Training.  It’s amazing to see the family members grow in their journey in advocating for their child and themselves.
• Youth emancipating from Children’s Protective Services and Juvenile Court are successfully living on their own!  Youth are learning the skills to be successful in their adult life.
• Peer Support Partners are viewed as a valuable part of the wraparound team.
• Families and youth are active members of Family & Children First Council and FAST TRAC workgroups.
• We’ve engaged thousands of youth in the community through art projects every spring to bring awareness to children’s mental health issues.
• School-based services have expanded into more schools in the county.
• High school staff are being trained in the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, not just elementary and middle school staff.
• Parents make a large portion of the referrals to wraparound.
• The wraparound process has been embraced by our families, youth, partners and community agencies.
• We’ve provided lots of training (free of charge) on various topics to the community.

 

In Years 4-6 of the grant, we will continue to provide the services/supports we have implemented or enhanced through grant funds.  We will be focusing on sustainability of the services/supports after the grant period by providing data on outcomes.

By:  Gretchen Behimer, Project Director

It’s hard to believe that we just began Year 4 of our SAMHSA grant.  As we entered into Year 4, I took some time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished in 3 years (2 years of service provision).

• It’s amazing to see that our partners (Children’s Protective Services, Juvenile Court, Developmental Disabilities, schools, mental health providers, families and youth) have truly embraced the system of care philosophy.  Family-driven and youth-guided has really become the way services are planned and provided now.
• We have a family and youth activity or training at least monthly.  Attendance has been slowly increasing as more and more families are seeing the value in connecting with others.
• We have a Family Leadership Training.  It’s amazing to see the family members grow in their journey in advocating for their child and themselves.
• Youth emancipating from Children’s Protective Services and Juvenile Court are successfully living on their own!  Youth are learning the skills to be successful in their adult life.
• Peer Support Partners are viewed as a valuable part of the wraparound team.
• Families and youth are active members of Family & Children First Council and FAST TRAC workgroups.
• We’ve engaged thousands of youth in the community through art projects every spring to bring awareness to children’s mental health issues.
• School-based services have expanded into more schools in the county.
• High school staff are being trained in the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, not just elementary and middle school staff.
• Parents make a large portion of the referrals to wraparound.
• The wraparound process has been embraced by our families, youth, partners and community agencies.
• We’ve provided lots of training (free of charge) on various topics to the community.

 

In Years 4-6 of the grant, we will continue to provide the services/supports we have implemented or enhanced through grant funds.  We will be focusing on sustainability of the services/supports after the grant period by providing data on outcomes.