NAMI Four County once again partnered with Dr. Clarissa Barnes, director of the Defiance College Hench Autism Studies Program, to offer a 3-hour training on practical ways to discourage challenging behaviors and promote positive behavior among youth.  Some 22 participants from area school systems, churches, Jobs and Family Service offices, Northwest Ohio Community Action Commission, the area's Court-Appointed Special Advocates program as well as parents and grandparents of children who have challenging behaviors attended the training on the Defiance College campus.

Dr. Barnes, pictured walking among some of the participants, focuses on identifying specific challenging behaviors, the consequence that follows that behavior and what occurred before the behavior to help participants determine how specific changes in the environment could lead to the elimination of the disruptive behavior. By end of the three-hour training, participants have an action plan that they can then use with the children that they are involved with.

This was the fifth year that NAMI and Dr. Barnes have partnered to offer the training, which was so popular that nearly 15 people who had hoped to attend were placed on a waiting list.

We hope to offer the training again in the fall.

Several of the participants gave the following comments about the training.
"Great class.  I left with a better understanding of some behaviors."
"Very well done -- would like to know if anything like this is offered again.  Will be referring families."

For more photos from the training held Saturday morning, March 2, please visit the Photo and Video Gallery. 

With 2020, the 116th Congress will have fewer days in session than the first year of the Congress.  However, NAMI's core legislative priorities are unchanged.  They include the following legislative priorities....

Promote Innovation...
   NAMI believes innovation is vital to reduce disparities.
   We’re fighting for:

• Integration of mental health and primary care to provide holistic treatment
• Telehealth services that increase access
• Research that improves our knowledge base
• Financing models that sustain effective, patient-centered care

 Improve Care...
   NAMI believes improving mental health care is critical to achieve better outcomes.
   We’re fighting for:

• Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis so that young people can experience recovery
• Expanded coverage with patient protections and parity in Medicaid, Medicare and commercial health insurance
• Mental health care for veterans so our service members get the help they need and deserve
• Increased use of mental health outcome measures to hold providers accountable

 Support Recovery...
   NAMI believes supporting recovery is fundamental to reduce injustices.
   We’re fighting for:

• Supported housing that helps people get back on their feet and engaged in treatment
• Peer support services that help people know that recovery is possible
• Crisis response models that provide help, not handcuffs

To follow NAMI Advocacy on Twitter...
    If you would like to stay up-to-date on legislative matters that impact mental health, you can receive updates from NAMI on Twitter.  You can also check back on our NAMI Four County website and click the "Advocacy" section at the top, left side of our Home Page.
    Right now, you'll learn what would happen if the Affordable Care Act (often called Obamacare) was eliminated.  Late last year, a federal court judge in Texas ruled it unconstitutional.
Follow NAMI on Twitter at @NAMIAdvocacy for updates.
Follow @NAMIAdvocacy ​