Focal Point Winter 2008

Walker, J. S.

The introduction to the Winter 2008 issue of Focal Point describes how the increasing emphasis on using evidence–based practices and a "system of care" approach is driving changes in jobs and roles related to children's mental health. This article also describes how the skills required for staff working within either mode (system of care or evidence-based practice) are in many ways similar, and suggests that strategies for workforce development focus on building these core competencies.

Penrod, T.

Direct support is a highly individualized set of services provided in the home and community of the child and family being served. This article describes the role of the direct support provider: to focus on "treatment by participation" in order to help children with complex needs develop positive roles within their communities.

[Interview with] Brian, Ruth, & Scott

This article includes a series of first-person accounts that tell about how one family worked with a direct support worker. Brian, a 14-year-old with mental health challenges; Ruth, Brian's mother; and Scott, Brian's direct support provider, tell how they worked together to increase Brian's ability to handle his emotions and help his mother and father parent with confidence.

Drinan, C.

"Incredible Years" is a program aimed at promoting behavioral and emotional well-being in young children. This article examines the transition to this evidence-based practice from a clinician's perspective.

Falkenstern, K.

"Incredible Years" is a program aimed at promoting behavioral and emotional well–being in young children. This article examines the transition to this evidence-based practice from the vantage point of supervisors and administrators.

Limpens, M., & Magnuson, L.

"Incredible Years" is a program aimed at promoting behavioral and emotional well-being in young children. This article examines the transition to this evidence-based practice from an evaluator's point of view.

Osher, T., & Penn, M.

Family Partners are peer supporters and advocates for family members who lack experience in navigating the mental health care system. This article details the role filled by family partners in Wraparound.

Crowley, M., & Bishop, N.

This article describes the Tempo Young Adult Resource Center's "positive youth development approach" in offering youth-guided services to young people in Framingham, MA.

Allen, M. D., Brennan, E. M., Green, B. L., Hepburn, K. S., & Kaufmann, R. K.

The growing number of children who experience emotional or behavioral problems, along with the increasing rate of expulsion of young children from preschool, has created demand for early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC). This article supports the need for ECMHC in a changing children's mental health field.

Jernigan, K. N., & Buchanan, E.

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an evidence-based practice that treats youth with mental health challenges who have serious behavioral problems. This article describes how MST operates, and includes clinician, supervisor, and family perspectives.

Cantrell, C.: [Interview with] Melissa.

Melissa describes her family's experience with the MST program.

Kanary, P., & Shepler, R.

This article describes how Ohio's Department of Mental Health implemented state-level strategies to meet workforce needs driven by transformations in the children's mental healthcare system.