+ MACMH’s Somali and LatinX culturally specific parent leadership training and 40-Day Project started with the Somali Parent Leadership trainings, parent education, and support groups. 10 Somali parent leaders were certified as CFPS (Certified Family Peer Specialists) and as Youth Mental Health First Aiders.  MACMH teamed with University of Minnesota Extension to create the Somali 40-Day Project website and training curriculum. (https://40days.umn.edu).  10 additional Somali parents attended a series of trainings on the 40-Day Postpartum period. They learned about the importance of caring for their own mental health and physical health through their pregnancy and in the weeks after giving birth.  The training series included nutrition, warning signs of post-partum complications and postpartum depression. They discussed their cultural community supports and how to make this a special time of healing and attachment with baby. MACMH is currently workinghas worked with the University of Minnesota Extension and  a group of Spanish-speaking professionals to develop the Spanish language 40-Day Project Website, similar to the Somali site. 

+ Through a SAMHSA MHAT grant introduced the SOS (Sources of Strength) program in the Mounds View Public School District, Intermediate  and will be adding SOS in Burnsville High School, and District 916, and Intermediate District 287. Sources of Strength brings together a group of peer leaders and adult advisors from diverse sectors of the school community.  Sources of Strength is an upstream suicide prevention program that encourages youth tohelp-seeking, breaking the code of silence and seek help by approaching trusting adults with concerns about the mental health of classmates. The mission is to spread hope by focusing on stories of strength rather than stories of trauma.  The group helps to build connections between groups and individuals so that no one has to feelfeels isolated or marginalized. 

+ MACMH staff have trained 100s of adults who work with youth in the Youth Mental Health First Aid program. Participants become YMHF Aiders, to better deal with a students at risk for a mental health crisis. 

+ MACMH will be adding Teen Mental Health First Aid to the training options byas we offering training for TMHFA instructors to teach students about recognizing the warning signs and best practices for helping their classmates to discuss mental health concerns with trusted adults and mental health providers. These students will be certified in TMHFA after taking the course in their health classes. 

+ MACMH has taught over 200 Certified Family Peer Specialists through a MACMH-developed 30-hour curriculum. The project is a collaboration with the MN Department of Human Services, who currently manages the state peer certification process. Certified Family Peer Specialists empower parents, families, and caregivers of children with a mental health diagnosis through mentoring and offering non-clinical support to help families navigate the systems of care for children’s mental health. CFPS candidates must be (or have been) parents or caregivers of a child or youth with a mental health diagnosis and have personal experience in navigating the systems. 

+ MACMH staff members provide ongoing coaching and advocacy to parents of children and youth who are experiencing frustration or need advice in accessing services for mental health concerns. MACMH helps parents find providers that meet their needs geographically and according to the diagnosis.  MACMH staff often attends IEP meetings for children and youth who receive special education services or are on a 504 plan.  We guide parentsthem in determining the best accommodations and modifications for their children, plus help them to understand the rights and responsibilities that are guaranteed to the child and family under special education and disability law.