What's New

What's new at PBHJP and the world of mental health. Select an area of interest from the following bullets for current or linked archived news.

News

We have added a new feature to our website entitled Evidence Based and Best Practices in Washington State. Our intent is to provide a listing of the currently available psychosocial interventions and information on each program:

Background
How Does It Work?
What Was The Development Timeline?
How Much Does It Cost?
How Was It Measured?
What Do you Learn?

We will be adding to this list as new information is identified. We are interested in feedback about this list as well as input on any programs we overlooked that are currently available in our State. Please send any feedback or general comments to zivko@u.washington.edu

(Archived News)

Faculty Topics of Interest

PBHJP is publishing articles written by our faculty on various topics in their respective areas. These articles will be available in downloadable form and on the PBHJP Blog, open to reader comments. Our first article, written by Dr. Terry Lee, focuses on reform in the youth mental health care system and the shape it will take in the very near future:

"With 16% of the United States GDP going towards health care, health care reform is one of the top domestic priorities of the Obama administration and Congress. In its recent health care and the federal budget report, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that health care overhaul, including universal coverage, will cost approximately $1 trillion over the next 10 years." (Full article)

Please feel free to post your comments to this article on our blog.

Program & Policy Reports

Washington Institute for Mental Health Research and Training (2009). Evidence-based practices used by mental health providers in Washington State. Olympia, WA: The Washington State Mental Health Division (MHD).

This report provides data from a statewide survey of publicly funded mental health providers in Washington State. The survey was conducted by the Washington Institute for Mental Health Research and Training to determine what mental health providers are utilizing Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs). The survey found that approximately two-thirds of mental health agencies are implementing at least one EBP. To see the full report and other findings, follow this link.

Washington Institute for Mental Health Research and Training (2009). Report on the development of a safety training curriculum. Olympia, WA: The Washington State Mental Health Division (MHD).

This report describes the creation of a safety training curriculum for mental health professionals in Washington. The training is nicknamed the "Marty Smith" training in honor of Marty Smith, a mental health professional in Kitsap County who was tragically murdered on the job in 2005. To read the full report, follow this link.

(Archived Program & Policy reports)

Newsworthy Legislation

The Youth PROMISE Act (House), HR 1064 & SA 435 (Federal) will provide for evidence-based and promising practices related to juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity prevention and intervention to help build individual, family, and community strength and resiliency to ensure that youth lead productive, safe, healthy, gang-free, and law-abiding lives.

Related literature: Youth PROMISE Act White Paper; Support and Supporters of the Youth PROMISE Act; the Act Section-by-Section

UPDATE (7/15/09): HR 1064 was referred to house subcommitte for hearings.

7th Generation Promise: Indian Youth Suicide Prevention Act of 2009, SA 1635, (Federal) establishes the Indian Youth Telemental Health demonstration project, to enhance the provision of mental health care services to Indian youth.

UPDATE (9/10/09): Senate Act 1635 was referred to Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for hearings..

Improved Child Welfare Outcomes through Implementation of Evidence-Based and Promising Programs, HB 2106, SHB 2106, (Washington State) requires Children's Administration in one demonstration region to develop a plan for implementation of performance-based contracts to provide an array of evidence-based and promising prevention and early intervention services to children and families who are at risk for out-of-home placement.

UPDATE (8/1/09): House Bill 2106 was partially vetoed by the governor, the remaining portion of the bill becomes effective as of July 26, 2009.

School-Based Health Clinic Establishment Act of 2009, HR 3474, (Federal) amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to prevent later delinquency and improve the health and well-being of maltreated infants and toddlers through the development of local Court Teams for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers and the creation of a National Court Teams Resource Center to assist local court teams.

UPDATE (7/31/09): House Resolution 3474 was referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.

Supporting Child Maltreatment Prevention Efforts in Community Health Centers Act of 2009, SA 1404, (Federal) is a bill to implement demonstration projects at federally qualified community health centers to promote universal access to family-centered, evidence-based behavioral health interventions that prevent child maltreatment and promote family well-being by addressing parenting practices and skills for families from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, racial, ethnic, and other backgrounds.

UPDATE (7/7/09): Senate Act 1404 was referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

School-Based Health Clinic Establishment Act of 2009, HR 3003, (Federal) establishes funding for creation of school-based health clinic programs.

UPDATE (6/23/09): House Resolution 3003 was referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Healthy Transitions Act of 2009, HR 2691, (Federal) provides assistance to adolescents and young adults with serious mental health disorders as they transition to adulthood.

UPDATE (6/3/09): House Resolution 2691 was referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Positive Behavior for Safe and Effective Schools Act, HR 2597, (Federal) will amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools to increase implementation of school-wide positive behavior supports.

UPDATE (5/21/09): House Resolution 2597 was referred to House Committe on Education and Labor.

Children's Mental Health Services Bill, HB 1373, (Washington State) will improve mental health outcomes for children and the families who care for them by allowing early access to care before problems become too difficult and expensive to treat.

UPDATE (5/11/09): House Bill 1373 was signed into law by the Governer and will become effective on July 26, 2009.

(Archived Legislation)

Recent Articles of Interest

High Court Weighs Life Terms for Minors. 9 November, 2009. National Public Radio. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120183593

"Is it unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment to send a juvenile away to prison for life, without the possibility of parole for a crime that does not involve a death? That's the question the Supreme Court ponders Monday.

In 2005, the high court struck down the death penalty for juveniles by a 5 to-4 vote. Central to that decision was the idea that the death penalty was different from other punishments and that children are different. Now, through the lens of two cases, the justices will examine the question of life without parole in non-homicide cases." (Read more)

Should Juveniles be Sent to Jail for Life. 29 October, 2009. National Public Radio. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114277949&ps=rs

"The Supreme Court is considering a case that could outlaw the practice of sentencing teenagers to life without parole. Former Republican United States Senator Alan Simpson and author R. Dwayne Betts have filed an amicus brief in the case. Simpson and Betts, both former juvenile offenders, tell host Michel Martin why they believe all teenagers should have a second chance.

The story of two men. One was convicted of carjacking at the age of 16; the other was a hellraiser who helped burn down a federal building, shot a cow for fun and hit a police officer after a racially charged bar fight.

Some might say those two are just no good: throw them in jail and throw away the key. And they might be right, except for the throw-away-the-key part because the first man became an accomplished writer and poet and the other a distinguished United States senator." (Read more)

Juvenile Law Center Supports Proposed Court Rules to Protect Health and Educational Needs of Youth. 29 October, 2009. Juvenile Law Center. http://jlc.org/files/proposed_rules.pdf

"Pennsylvania Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee recently proposed two new juvenile court rules and amendments to the existing Juvenile Court Rules of Procedure to require juvenile courts to enter specific findings concerning health and education throughout the juvenile court process. If adopted, the proposed rules changes will help ensure that courts identify, monitor, and address the health care and education needs of children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. It is well documented that children in these systems have higher rates of health problems than those in the general population, yet are less likely to receive the health care they desperately need. Additionally, children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems are in educational crisis as they are more likely than their peers to be truant, repeat a grade or drop out.

Judges are uniquely positioned to ensure that all parties address these issues and order that services be provided when necessary. If the rules are adopted, parties will need to come to juvenile court prepared to discuss the child’s health care and education needs. By adding greater specificity to the court rules on health care and education, the proposed amendments will promote greater accountability throughout the system.

Juvenile Law Center will submit comments to the proposed rules and urges others to do so as well. Interested parties can submit comments on the proposals to the Rules Committee by November 9. For information on the comment process, please contact Neha Desai at ndesai@jlc.org." (Read the court rules of procedure)

Juvenile Law Center Urges Federal Court to Reject Motions to Dismiss from Corrupt Judges and Luzerne County. 29 October, 2009. Juvenile Law Center. http://www.wnep.com:80/wnep-luz-corruption-hearing,0,3096396.story

"On October 28, 2009, Juvenile Law Center, together with its pro bono co-counsel from Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin, appeared in federal court to argue that U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo should deny motions to dismiss filed by former Luzerne County judges Mark A. Ciavarella and Michael T. Conahan. Juvenile Law Center and co-counsel also argued that Luzerne County was liable for the failure of the Luzerne County district attorney and public defender to intervene in the face of Ciavarella’s blatant, repeated violations of thousands of youth’s constitutional rights over a five-year period. " (Read more)

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Vacates Thousands of Juvenile Adjudications. 29 October, 2009. Juvenile Law Center. http://jlc.org/files/luzernecounty/81mm2008pco6.pdf

"Juvenile Law Center applauds the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for its extraordinary October 29 decision on behalf of thousands of Luzerne County youth. In an unprecedented opinion, the Court vacated as many as 6,500 adjudications of delinquency of youth who appeared before former judge Mark Ciavarella between 2003 to 2008. In providing relief, the Supreme Court has restored integrity to Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system and given hope to youth who suffered enormous harm at the hands of corrupt judges. The Court’s far-reaching order is an exceptional response to the most serious judicial scandal in the history of the United States. " (Read the full court opinion)

(Archived Articles of Interest)

What's New in Emotional & Behavioral Disorders in Youth (EBDY)

Summer 2009 - Visit EBDY for more information

Partnerships for Success in Washington State: Supporting Evidence-Based Programming for Children's Mental Health
by Suzanne E.U. Kerns, Andrew M. Rivers, & Gary W. Enns

Improving Outcomes for Foster Care Youth with Complex Emotional and Behavioral Needs: A Comparison of Outcomes for Wraparound vs. Residential Care in Los Angeles County
by Michael Rauso, Tran M. Ly, Ming H. Lee, & Christopher J. Jarosz

Establishing a Foundation for Collaboration Among Child-Serving Systems
by Laura L. Rodgers & Phillip R. Endress

(Archived EBDY issue listings)

Recent Faculty Publications

Focal Point is a bi-annual journal published by the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children’s Mental Health, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon. One can download articles from over the last ten years by clicking here. Research staff at PBHJP have been frequent contributors to Focal Point.

Articles of Interest:

Thompson, J., Varley, C., McClellan, J., Hilt, R., Lee, T., Kwan, A., Lee, T., & Trupin, E. (2009). Second opinions improve ADHD prescribing in a Medicaid-insured community population. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(7), 740-748.

Bjorklund, R., Monroe-DeVita, M., Reed, D., Toulon, A., & Morse, G. (2009). Washington State's initiative to disseminate and implement high-fidelity ACT teams. Psychiatric Services, 60(1), 24-27.

Bruns, E.J. & Walker, J.S. (in press). The wraparound practice model: A family- and provider-level expression of systems in care. Evaluation and Program Planning.

Walker, J.S., Koroloff, N., & Bruns, E.J. (in press). Taking direction from service level processes: Implications for defining and implementing systems of care. Evaluation and Program Planning.

(Archived Faculty Publications)

Events