Developmental Disabilities, Special Health Needs

Family Court of DC Superior Court Annual Conference and Training Series

Family Court Partnerships: Supporting the emotional well-being and mental health of children, youth and families
October 4, 2004.

Goal: 
To increase the capacity of the Family Court to integrate mental health services and supports within the system of care for children, youth and families in the District of Columbia.

Outcomes:
Participants will be able to:
Describe trauma, its pervasiveness and impact on children, youth and families.
Identify early warning signs of mental illness and behavioral disorders in infancy, childhood, and adolescence.
Identify best practices in the delivery of mental health services and supports.
Examine the legal implications of mental illness and behavioral disorders within the population of children, youth and families served by the Family Court. 

Description of A.M. Plenary and break out sessions
Mental illness ranks first among illnesses that cause disability in the United States.  The population of children, youth and families served by the Family Court are at even higher risk for such illnesses and disorders. This aspect of the conference will focus on the early identification and diagnosis of mental illness and behavioral disorders of children ages birth - 21 years, (e.g. types of assessment and evaluation, cultural and linguistic competency in diagnosis and assessment, the spectrum of illnesses and disorders, and typical and atypical behaviors in child development).  It will describe trauma, its pervasiveness and impact on children, families and communities.  

Description of P.M. Plenary and break out sessions
The conceptual framework for the system of care for children?s mental health describes an array of services and supports that are family driven, community-based, comprehensive, coordinated, and culturally and linguistically competent.  This aspect of the conference will examine the continuum of care needed for effective intervention and treatment of mental illness and behavioral disorders for children, youth and their families served by the Family Court.  Salient topics will include medication administration and monitoring, the impact of parental substance abuse and mental illness, mental health support for youth in the juvenile justice system, and effective community-based programs.