We can use this information to support our efforts to strengthen long-term policies, to inform and guide our quality assurance activities, and compare Michigan’s performance with national norms. You can read the full report at http://www.nationalcoreindicators.org. It is also located on our website at http://northernlakescmh.com/about-us/how-we-are-doing/.

Here are some findings:

Characteristics

This is the first time statewide data on intellectual disability is available. Compared to other states, Michigan serves a greater percentage of people with mild intellectual disability (40%) and a greater percentage of people with profound/severe (31%) intellectual disability. (The national average: Mild 35%, Moderate 28%, Profound/Severe/ 26%.)

Michigan results also show that a greater percentage of people have psychiatric conditions (45% compared to 33% nationally). The report shows that 12% need extensive behavior support for challenging behaviors compared to 9% nationally.

Residence

The majority of people (41%) surveyed live in a community-based residence (which includes group home, apartment programs or foster care). Twenty-one percent live in an independent home and 32% with parent or relatives.

Employment

Seventeen percent are employed; of those who are working, 33% are competitively employed. This places Michigan in the range of “significantly above average” for employment compared to national data. For people who were not employed in the community, 60% reported they would like to be; however, only 22% reported having a goal to achieve community employment in their service plan.

Choice and Decision-Making

Michigan’s results in this area are very similar to the NCI national average with many respondents reporting that they do not have input in major life decisions such as where and with whom they live and where they go during the day. Specifically, 52% report they have input into where they live and 40% that they have input on their roommate. It is positive to note that 78% of people report having input into their daily schedule and 88% have input into how they spend their free time.

System Performance

A large majority of people reported that their staffs have adequate training (90%). Seventy-five percent (75%) report they get needed services. A larger proportion of those living in individual homes report getting needed services compared to  those people living in their parents’ homes. Of the 25% who reported they did not get needed services. The services that were most often identified as being needed are:

• Meeting people/relationship building – 30.6%
• Finding/changing jobs – 25.9%
• Changing housing – 24.1%
• More education/training – 21.3%

Health Care and Health

The majority of people report being in good health; however, 7% report being in poor health. Just 8% used tobacco products. Most people interviewed have routine care:  99% have a primary care doctor and 85% had received a physical exam in the previous year.

Michigan’s results show only 19% report they engage in regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes three times a week). This places Michigan’s results in the range of “significantly below average” when compared to other states.

Relationship

Only 68% report that they have friends who are not staff or family. Those living independently and in their own home report a slightly higher rate. Forty-four percent (44%) report they feel lonely at least half the time.

Great Resource:

CDC’s Learn the Signs, Act Early program has tools to help parents and early childhood-care and education providers track children’s developmental milestones and provides information about what to do if there is a concern. This program also offers resources for health-care providers, including the Autism Case Training course, which is available online for individual continuing education credit and as a classroom-based curriculum for pediatric residency programs. Additional information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/autism.

1. CDC. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders—Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 14 sites, United States, 2008. MMWR 2012;61(No. SS-03).

Tragic events like these have a reverberating effect on citizens far and wide. In addition to help which may be available at Northern Lakes CMH, there is a national Disaster Distress Helpline  you can call at 800.985.5990, or text ‘talkwithus’ (English) or ‘hablanos’ (Spanish) to 66746 at any time.

The Children’s Mental Health Network has assembled some good information for talking with children about the shooting that took place in Connecticut on Friday:

What parents should talk about with children…

• Recognize the sudden, unexpected, tragic event.  Be clear that children and teachers were hurt, don’t be vague.  If the child asks if anyone died, tell the truth as they will certainly hear it via media.
• Confirm that a lot of people are scared and sad.  Confirm that some people will be worried for a while
• Let the children know the schools, law enforcement, and government workers have been making safety plans for all of the schools in our area and that their safety and security is the most important thing in their mind.
• Provide emotional support- it may take a few minutes or hours (even days) for the emotional impact to reach the children.  When it does, provide nurturance (hugs, empathy, kindness, calm support) and ask about their thoughts and feelings.  Be prepared for children to need this several times.
• Do not have the TV news about the event on for an extended period of time – the news stations wish to inform people about progress of the investigation and other aspects of the case – this is not helpful for  children as multiple exposures to this information can exaggerate the event in their minds.
• Make sure to spend family time together doing “normalizing” activities – regular meal times, bedtimes, play times.  For some children there may be mild disruptions in sleep, appetite, and social interest.  If these problems go on for more than a few days, contact your family doctor, Northern Lakes CMH, or your local Access and Crisis Line.

The federal government’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is creating free apps for iPhone and Android devices that help you track your health. From games to help idle teen hands trying to quit smoking, to apps about pregnancy, breastfeeding, health hotlines, how to find a health center, and much more, new apps are being developed everyday. Here’s a link to 25 popular apps that you can download for free!

Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers – SMA12-4732

Parents and caregivers of children with autism are invited, along with advocacy agencies, public agencies, employers, and others who support parents and caregivers of children with autism.

Topics explored:

• Autism legislation bills and what they mean
• Treatments covered by the legislation
• Evidence-based practice treatments and what that means
• Overview of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Explanation of state-regulated and self-funded insurance coverage
• Medicaid coverage for treatments
• How to find a qualified provider
• Resources for help in this process.

Presenters are:

• Colleen Allen, Ph.D., President and CEO, AAOM; Chair, Michigan Autism Council
• Stacie Rulison, MS. M.Ed., BCBA-Candidate, AAOM; Michigan Autism Council
• Mary Sharp, MD, Development Officer, AAOM; Mid-Michigan Autism Board of Directors

The workshops are free. Contact Marlowe Franklin at (231) 631-3747 or marlowefranklin@gmail.com to register.

Applications can be received by contacting the Executive Office at Northern Lakes Community Mental Health 231-935-3677.

Pictured (L-R) before the movie are Elizabeth Black, Project Coordinator, PAYS – Partnership Against Youth Suicide; Michael Estes, Mayor of Traverse City; Cynthia Petersen, Community/Provider Relations at NLCMH; and Bradley Will, Emergency Services/Clinical Supervisor, at NLCMH.

Michael Estes, Traverse City Mayor, formally proclaimed the week of September 9-15, 2012 as National Suicide Prevention Week in Traverse City. Cynthia Petersen and Bradley Will assisted Mr. Estes in reading the proclamation before the start of the film.

After the movie, attendees were treated to a pizza party, recreating a scene from the movie, and had opportunity to do some drawing – which is a great stress reduction tool also featured in the movie – courtesy of Kidz Art of Traverse City.

The event was sponsored by PAYS, Partnership Against Youth Suicide, the Grand Traverse Leelanau Suicide Prevention Coalition, and Northern Lakes CMH.

There will be a casual reception following the movie, featuring pizza and drawing with Kidz Art of Traverse City. The event is sponsored by PAYS, Partnership Against Youth Suicide, the Grand Traverse Leelanau Suicide Prevention Coalition, and Northern Lakes CMH.

• In Harm’s Way – is written to help a young child understand what to do when he/she senses trouble.
• No More – is designed to make a girl think before she humiliates another. At the same time, the poem makes another girl understand that the bully is doing wrong, not her.
• Alley Cat – was written to show that being tough and bad does not win friendships.
• R.D. (Short for Recovery Doll) – is designed to help students cope with abusive classmates. It is written to help them think in a way that the bully can’t hurt them anymore.
• Peace – shows that when we pick the weeds of abuse and violence, plant the seed of understanding, we have the fruit of peace.