National Centers and Resources

Paving the Way to College and Careers: Families and Schools Together curriculum

This progressive, 9th-12th grade curriculum, offers high school counselors with five, 1.5 hour lessons they can deliver to parents/students to help them get ready for college/careers. The lessons are structured to achieve five main goals: 1) Strengthen the parent/student relationship by providing a safe and structured space for dialogue; 2) Establish a strong connection between parents/students with their high school counselors; 3) Increase student/family knowledge of the academic and developmental milestones they will encounter in high school; 4) Develop skills and strategies necessary to be on track for a post-secondary education/career; and 5) Successfully complete a PSAT/PLAN, SAT/ACT, FAFSA, and college/technical education application or job application.

Paving the Way webpage

988 Mental Health Suicide and Crisis Lifeline FAQ

From NAMI, updated information about the 988 mental health suicide and crisisline, as of July 2023, the one year anniversary of the 988 line.

Updated Frequently Asked Questions on 988
Fast Statistics on 988 from NAMI Northern Virginia

Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center

The Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (MHDD) National Training Center offers free training, resources, and other information to improve mental health services and supports for people with developmental disabilities. By serving as a national clearinghouse, it offers access to the most current evidence-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices that address the mental health needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. The Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center (MHDD-NTC) is funded by the Administration for Community Living, US Department of Health and Human Services.

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)

A description of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), from the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development. TBRI is a an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. TBRI uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors.

The 3-5-7 Model—Helping Children Work Through Grief

This article from NACAC describes the 3-5-7 Model used to treat children and youth.

The 3-5-7 Model is designed to help professionals and parents work with children and youth to address these issues of grief and loss. It is an evidenced-informed, guided practice approach that supports the work of children and parents in grieving their losses and rebuilding their relationships in an effort to achieve well-being, safety, and permanency. The model incorporates theoretical underpinnings from child development, attachment, separation and loss, trauma, family systems, and relationship development.

Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures

At Portland State University, the Pathways to Positive Futures center aims to improve the lives of youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions through rigorous research and effective training and dissemination. Our work is guided by the perspectives of young people and their families, and based in a positive development framework.

Children’s Mental Health Network

Children’s Mental Health Network provides weekly news and unbiased analysis of key issues through accessible web-based platforms focused on children, youth and families’ mental health and well-being.

Child Mind Institute

The Child Mind Institute in New York City hosts a website that reports latest developments in children and adolescent mental health research and intervention.

National Institute of Mental Health

The National Institute of Mental Health provides information and resources on specific disorders, the latest research and how to access treatments.

The US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

The US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a number of web resources including a Behavioral Health Treatment Locator and the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices.

Behavioral Health Treatment Locator
Programs and Practices

National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health

The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health offers a wealth of resources and free membership.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Virginia

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Virginia offers opportunities that support, educate, and empower other families with children and youth with mental health needs while also promoting family driven and youth guided policy throughout the child serving systems.