EDUCATORS

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The importance of educators is impossible to measure. Our children spend most of their waking hours in school. Educators do far more than teach reading, writing and arithmetic­—they help mold our children into who they will become.

According to the national statistic, an average class of 30 children has six who have a diagnosable emotional disorder. This fact is changing the face of education.

 

Wraparound
What is Wraparound? Wraparound is a way to support families who face challenges related to mental health issues or other complex needs. The Wraparound Process brings together a team of people who work with the family to identify strengths and address needs. Teams usually include natural support such as relatives, friends, neighbors or church members, as well as staff from service agencies. If the family chooses Wraparound, they will be very involved in deciding who participates in the process and who is on the team.
How does Wraparound Work?A trained facilitator will meet with the family to explain the process and help them select suitable team members—people they know and trust. The team will meet at times convenient for the family and as often as the team feel is needed. The team will help the family brainstorm, set and work towards important goals.
 Children's mental health county social workers in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties are trained in the Wraparound process. For more information, contact STARS.

 

Stop Stigma!
Stigma is not just using a wrong word or action. Stigma is about disrespect. It is using negative labels to identify a person living with mental illness. Stigma is a barrier that discourages individuals and their families from getting the help they need due to the fear of discrimination. It makes people ashamed of having a mental illness and makes others scared of those with a mental illness. We need to Stop Stigma—here are a few ways you can get involved:

Earn Money with Mental Health Education
STARS is issuing a challenge for area youth to develop and implement mental health awareness campaigns in their schools. STARS will help student groups develop campaign ideas, pay for campaign resources and will compensate the group for conducting the campaign. For example, if the student council works with STARS to coordinate a " mental wellness day," STARS will help with the development and implementation, pay for the resources needed for the day, and then will pay the group for their work! Click here to learn more.

Education
A major contributor to the stigma surrounding mental illness is a lack of education about mental health wellness and illness. STARS can help coordinate mental health education in your school for staff, parents and youth. Contact STARS to learn more. Click here to see the mental health training available soon!

 

STARS Training Calendar
This calendar provides information on area trainings, activities and events for anyone looking to learn more on issues and topics relating to children’s mental health. If you have questions, or you would like to list an upcoming training, please contact STARS.

 

Get the Facts
The internet is full of information but where do you start and who can you trust? Find what you’re looking for fast with STARS’ credible, up-to-date links.

 

Cultural Guides
STARS and Catholic Charities are working together to provide the area with Cultural Guides representing the Asian, African American, Latino, Native American and GLBTQA communities. The Guides work as a liaison between their communities, mental health providers and STARS partners. Guides also motivate and recruit members of their community to participate in STARS committees and activities so their voice is represented in system change.

Latino Community – Mayuli Bales
GLBTQA Community – Christopher Kerr
Somali Community – Fartun Nur 

 

Family Support Specialists
Family Support Specialists (FSS) are parents who have a child or children with mental illness and have successfully navigated the children's mental health system. Their caring insight, expertise and experience can make a world of difference for other families. They can be a shoulder to lean on, a listening ear or a source of support at school meetings or court appearances.

A FSS can also provide family members with coaching, education and encouragement to express their views clearly and to make informed choices in their child's care plan.

 

Youth Engagement Specialist
The STARS Youth Engagement Specialist is coach for youth. Sara provides encouragement, support and guidance as a team player and can:
• Help youth find resources
• Serve as a youth support person in Wraparound meetings
• Help build partnerships in the community
• Educate adults and professionals on the importance of youth involvement
• Provide training to youth members to enhance their leadership skills
• Understand the complexities in the lives of young people

To refer a client, click here.

 

County Case Management
Children's Mental Health County Social Workers are trained to use wraparound to help families navigate the children’s mental health system. They coordinate the child’s services and support and work together to provide the best care for the child and family. Services may include:

  • Developing a service planning team
  • Access (what does this mean? Explain) and coordination of services
  • Help finding support
  • Timely assessments and assessment interpretation
  • Help finding resources and referrals
  • Assistance finding insurance/funding if needed

For more information, contact STARS.

 

School-based Mental Health Professionals
STARS received a three-year grant that provides every school district in our four-county area a mental health professional who can perform diagnostic assessments, offer limited treatment and make clinic referrals at the school. This person can also help with case consultation or questions that may arise. Contact your school’s mental health professional to learn more.

 

Four County Crisis Response Team (CRT)
Check it out! New hours - new services!
The CRT provides support and assistance to children and adults experiencing a mental health crisis. Services include: Crisis hotline, crisis screening, face-to-face assessment and intervention, crisis stabilization, crisis prevention planning, information and referrals, a link to resources and supports, overnight crisis care and stabilization for children and youth, residential adult crisis stabilization.

Please do not hesitate to call! Click here for more information.

Mental Health Crisis Line
24 hours a day/365 days a year
800-635-8008 or 320-253-5555

The National Evaluation
Through The National Evaluation, STARS can measure the effectiveness of our services in Central Minnesota compared to other communities across the nation. Our National Evaluation data also helps the U.S. Congress and the Department of Health and Human Services shape policy and legislation for children’s mental health.

Local Evaluation
Feedback from families and local partners helps us better understand our strengths and challenges. STARS collects data locally and shares findings with providers and community members to continuously strive for quality improvement. STARS’ continuous quality improvement (CQI) process is demonstrated on our system of care Logic Model.

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