For Families

Reducing Anxiety in the Classroom
February 05, 2018

February 2018

Reducing Anxiety in the Classroom presentation by Happy Minds Counseling and Consulting, hosted by FFF. Happy Minds Counseling can be found at https://happymindscounseling.com.

 

  • PPT, Reducing Anxiety in the Classroom


Fact Sheets on Supporting Students’ Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Academic Well-Being and Success
June 01, 2023

In March of 2023, the U.S. Department of Education released Guiding Principles for Creating Safe, Inclusive, Supportive, and Fair School Climates for students and school staff, featuring specific recommendations for evidence-based practices that allow students to learn, grow, and be successful. To enhance state and local implementation of these guiding principles, a collaborative of technical assistance centers serving the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools developed a series of four fact sheets. The series describes best practices and approaches to help support and respond to students’ social, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs, including practices designed to reduce the use of exclusionary discipline in schools.

Each fact sheet is tailored to a specific audience at the school or district level:

  • school and district leaders
  • student support teams
  • educators and school-based staff
  • families

The fact sheets also feature resources to help support stakeholders in this important work.

Fact sheets are available in English and Spanish.

  • Website, Fact Sheets on Supporting Students’ Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Academic Well-Being and Success

    Links to 4 Fact Sheets for different audiences, in English and Spanish


Schools Respond: Substance Abuse in Teens panel webinar from NVFN
February 22, 2023

Presented live on February 22, 2023, this virtual panel session was hosted by Northern Virginia Family Network (nvfn.org) and facilitated by Formed Families Forward and NAMI Northern Virginia.

Panelists included:

Victor Martin, Ruthy Marcado, Alexandria City Public Schools

Jenny Sexton, Arlington Public Schools

Stefan Mascoll, Fairfax County Public Schools

Rebecca Sharp, Falls Church Public Schools

Blaise Carland, Megan Marshall, Loudoun County Public Schools

Mallory McKnight, Julie Crawford, Prince William County Schools

A recording of the session and a resource sheet with links mentioned during the session are available.

A recording with Spanish captions will be available soon.

  • Document, Schools Respond: Substance Abuse in Teens panel webinar from NVFN

    Resources shared in Session and related links of interest

  • Video, Schools Respond: Substance Abuse in Teens panel webinar from NVFN

    Recording of Panel session


Social Emotional Learning (SEL): What Families Should Know fact sheet
January 08, 2022

This fact sheet from the Northern Virginia Family Network, of which FFF is an active member, provides an overview of social emotional learning efforts in the schools. It offers families information about how they can be involved in SEL efforts in their children’s schools.

  • Factsheet, Social Emotional Learning (SEL): What Families Should Know fact sheet

    SEL Fact Sheet


Special Education Hacks that Help Students with Mental Health Conditions

A presentation by FFF Director Kelly Henderson for the NAMI of Virginia Family and Youth Virtual Summit on May 16, 2020. Includes some COVID-related specifics at conclusion of the session.

  • Video, Special Education Hacks that Help Students with Mental Health Conditions


Engaging with Schools to Support Your Child with Psychosis

From the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors,  this 14 page guide reviews signs of psychosis in children and youth and provides guidance on coordinating with schools.

  • PDF, Engaging with Schools to Support Your Child with Psychosis


Supporting the Education of Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions Webinar

Supporting the Education of Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions:
State of the Science
presented by Marsha Ellison, PhD, Michelle Mullen, MS, CRC, CPRP, and Kathleen Biebel, PhD of the Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center  at U Mass (formerly The Transitions RTC)

Originally broadcast on January 7, 2016

Description:
The majority of college students with serious mental health conditions do not finish school, jeopardizing their long-term employment. Can supported education services help?

Marsha Ellison, Michelle Mullen and Kathleen Biebel, researchers and trainers of supported education services, will host a 2-part webinar series presenting the state of the science 2nd state of the practice of supported education and related strategies for achieving post-secondary education goals of young adults with SMHC.

  • Webinar, Supporting the Education of Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions Webinar


Parent and Educator Resource Guide on Section 504 from the US Department of Education
December 01, 2016

Some students with mental health challenges and other conditions may be considered students with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; some may also be considered students with disabilities who require special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Learn more about Section 504 with this Parent and Educator Resource Guide on Section 504 from the US Department of Education.

  • Website, Parent and Educator Resource Guide on Section 504 from the US Department of Education

  • Guide, Parent and Educator Resource Guide on Section 504 from the US Department of Education


Understanding Addiction: How Addiction Hijacks the Brain article

Understanding Addiction, from Harvard Health. Provided by HelpGuide.org, and independent nonprofit organization.

  • Guide, Understanding Addiction: How Addiction Hijacks the Brain article


Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion

The Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion is engaged in research and knowledge development activities that are translated into practical information to support full and meaningful community participation of individuals with mental illnesses. A webpage on the site offers resources for parents/caregivers who have mental illness.

  • Website, Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion

    Collaborative website

  • Document, Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion

    Resources on supporting parents experiencing mental health challenges