In this edition:
the
Tennessee’s Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
Networker Tennessee Voices for Children
Parent Spotlight..............pg 3 TVC Presents at Annual TVC Receives Grant from The Federation of Families Community Conference.......................pg 4 Foundation........................pg 2 TPIRC Program Webpage.........................pg 4 TVC Kicks Off Capital TVC Support Group Updates Campaign.................pg 2 for 2007...........................pg 5
Quarter 4, 2007
Open House Celebration at Tennessee Voices for Children Tennessee Voices for Children hosted an inaugural Open House Celebration on November 16, 2007 in its newly
purchased headquarters building at 701 Bradford Avenue in Nashville. Guests, volunteers, and staff from around the state enjoyed great food, pleasant company, and opportunities to explore the 10,000 square foot meeting, parent library, and office work space designed to serve the TVC community of professionals, family members and volunteers for many years to come. Open House Celebration guests also received a preview of the “Your Voice Makes a Difference” TVC Capital Building Fund Campaign scheduled to launch in January of 2008.
Wanda Evans, Charlotte Bryson, and Merrill Harris Kent and Paula Sandidge Charlotte Bryson and Lisa McInturff
Sherry & Alan Scarboro Linda O’Neal Robin and John Kitchell
Millie Sweeney and Ken Jones Tonia Small and Rhonda Ewing Steve Wonsiewicz
Grant Awarded to Tennessee Voices for Children by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has
distributed more than $1 million in grants to 203 nonprofit organizations as part of The Foundation’s annual grant making process. “The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee connects generosity with need by supporting our region’s hard-working nonprofit organizations,” said Ellen Lehman, president. “The Foundation believes that these programs matter and congratulates the organizations on their efforts to enhance the quality of life in our community.”
Tennessee Voices for Children (TVC) has received a
$4,000 grant to train and certify 10 new instructors in the Common Sense Parenting program. This award winning, skill-based curriculum teaches parents easy-to-learn techniques and logical strategies to address everyday issues of communication, discipline, decision-making, relationships and self-control. TVC believes that providing families with tools for safe and effective parenting reduces the need for child welfare agency and juvenile justice involvement An additional 50 families are expected to complete the program in 2008 as a result of this grant.
Photo: Jim Griffin (TVC), Matt Timm (TVC), and Jack McKenzie (TVC Board President) at the TVC Open House and Capital Campaign Kick Off
TVC Kicks Off “Your Voice Makes a Difference” Campaign Tennessee Voices for Children is pleased to announce its
new permanent headquarters in Nashville, TN. Since our establishment in 1986 as a statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to serving children and families with emotional and behavioral disorders, TVC has been a strong partner with parents, teachers, community professionals, researchers and public officials. In order to ensure that we our able to carry out our mission of helping families and children, TVC relies on the personal and financial support of individuals, corporations, foundations, and others for the continuation and expansion of our programs. TVC greatly appreciates all those who have contributed in the past and those who plan to contribute in the future.
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee oversees more than 615 charitable funds. In the past sixteen years, The Community Foundation has distributed $331 million to community programs and institutions. Currently, The Community Foundation manages endowment, unrestricted and memorial funds totaling $430 million. It is located at 3833 Cleghorn Avenue, #400, Nashville, Tennessee 37215. For more information, call 615-321-4939 or visit www.cfmt.org.
-Matt Timm
TVC plans to reduce the principal on the building by
$200,000 each year so we can use more of our funds for expanding our current programs and implementing new programs across the state. So what can you do to help us reach this goal? Donate money (small or large amounts) towards our Capital Campaign. Currently, there are five ways to donate: Direct Contribution (a one time monetary gift of any size), Monthly Giving (a convenient way to provide consistent donations through automatic withdrawals), Dedication Giving (a legacy donation in memory of a loved one), and Deferred Bequest (provisions to TVC through wills, trusts, life insurance, and retirement plans). Please contact Laura Fair at 1-800-670-9882, or visit www.tnvoices.org/give if you have any questions about contributing to TVC. Thank you in advance for your contribution! -John Tongate
Photo: (From L to R): Jerry Williams (Community Foundation Board Member), Laura Fair (TVC), Brian Taylor (TVC), and Ellen Lehman (President of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee)
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Parent Spotlight
I would like to introduce you to my daughter. She is a beautiful 15-year-old young lady. While she desperately desires to be like every other 15-year-old, she simply can not be. You see, she is greatly affected by a severe mental illness known as Schizoaffective Disorder, as well as a developmental disorder known as PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder). By age 3 we noticed that her language skills seemed very delayed and she was becoming VERY self abusive. We were able to get her into a special-education preschool for her delayed language skills. However, things progressed and she seemed worse with each passing year. When she was 7 and a half she was on the ground in another "meltdown" and it was at that point that she begged us to get her help because "there is something wrong with me". We took her to the emergency room, and we were shocked to find out that she was seeing and hearing scary things. At that point we were referred to a psychiatrist, and thus began our long journey of psychotropic meds, therapies, hospitalizations, etc. At first she was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. That diagnosis eventually changed to Schizoaffective Disorder. It was not until she was 14 years old that someone finally suggested that her history and symptoms might even suggest a type of autism. She was recently put into residential care. It has taken us 7 years to find an appropriate long-term placement for her.
-Tracy Chastain (Mother of a child with mental health disorders and author of the following poems)
SILENCE
It is the silence that hurts so bad! No one really wants to know. This is not a disease where cards and letters, phone calls, and meals are offered. This is the thing that no one wants to talk about. So few even try to understand. So few really want to know. Yet it is devastating to watch the person you love suffer. It is equally heart-wrenching to watch the siblings in fear and such pain. It is the silence that hurts so bad! There are stares and frowns from passerby’s. It is the question so often heardIs it really even real? There is an awkward silence when you say why she is really in the hospital. It is the fear in people’s eyes when they are met with hers. Oh, the heartache of a mother that can’t really talk about it for fear of judgement one more time. It is the silence that hurts so bad! It is the loss of innocence and youth. The loss of having a healthy, happy child. The loss of hope in times of desperation and need. It is the silence that hurts so bad! The insurance companies that will not pay because it can’t be that bad. The facilities that don’t have the beds in times of crisis. The doctors that have all but given up. It is the family members that just don’t know what to do, So they just don’t talk about it. It is the friends that disappear. It is the silence that hurts so bad! When, oh when, will we wake up? When will we realize the enormity of the situation. Why is it so difficult to believe that mental illness is real? When will we stop the silence?
The Forgotten Child
This child she loves with all of her heart But so much of the time you can't see it Mostly because the pain that she has takes over and she wants to be good but can't be it She has a chemical imbalance in her brain That takes over and tries to control And to her it is like a run away train Grabbing at her soul She is the forgotten child Because this illness she has can't be seen Others walk by and golk and stare People act as though they just don't care Parents are blamed The child is shamed The family is in so much pain When are we all going to support one another Stop this pointing of fingers We all know these children are our futures These families need help and love Please start caring as much for the children whose pain you can't see As you would for the ones you can Life is such a mystery please give a helping hand Please don't blame me as a parent I've tried all I know to do I've loved her and held her and Yes, given discipline too We suffer like others whose children are sick from diseases Which are more easily understood It's time to give the help we all should And maybe, just maybe One day at a time We can make like a little easier For the heartaches of all involved And the forgotten children Won't have so far to fall.
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TVC Presents at Annual Federation of Families Conference
The National Federation of Families held its annual conference December 7-9, 2007, in Washington, D.C. with over 1,000 people in attendance. The theme of this year’s conference was “Family-Driven, Youth-Guided Partnerships with Mental Health, Juvenile & Criminal Justice: Defining Excellence & Increasing Success through Practice-Based Evidence” and showcased partnerships, initiatives, and collaborations across the country. TVC was selected from many proposals to present a workshop on its collaboration with Shelby County Juvenile Court, as well as to present information during the poster session on its faith-based collaborations. Millie Sweeney, Assistant Director for Programs, and Dr. Ohiana Torrealday, Clinical Director for Shelby County Youth Services Bureau (within Shelby County Juvenile Court) spoke with a audience of parents, professionals, and advocates about TVC’s contract with the Court to provide the Family Connection program to youth involved in the juvenile justice system and their families. The Family Connection program pairs a Family Support Provider (a parent professional who has successfully navigated the child-serving systems) with a Behavioral Specialist (degreed staff in social work, psychology, or counseling) to provide advocacy, support, connection with resources/services, and therapeutic skill building to the family and youth to empower the parent to maintain the youth in the home, school, and community. The program’s goal is to decrease juvenile justice involvement and empower families of youth with emotional and behavioral disorders to be successful in their communities. In addition to discussing the program itself, Mrs. Sweeney and Dr. Torrealday spoke at length about how the partnership between TVC and the Court was developed and how all involved have worked to maintain that partnership. The workshop was well attended and well received. Monica Causey, TPIRC Project Director, attended the conference to provide information via the poster session on Friday, 12/7/07, about TVC’s partnership with faith-based organizations and groups in Tennessee. The TVC poster outlined how collaborations were developed and how partnerships between agencies and the faith-based community are beneficial to families of children and youth with emotional and behavioral disorders. Hundreds of conference attendees attended the poster session and stopped by the TVC display to learn more about TVC’s work in this area. To learn more about the Family Connection or TVC’s work with the juvenile justice system and the faith-based community, please contact either Millie Sweeney or Monica Causey at the TVC office in Nashville. -Millie Sweeney
Tennessee Parent Information and Resource Center (TPIRC) Program Webpage The Tennessee Parent Information and Resource Center
(TPIRC) program now has a webpage on the Tennessee Voices for Children website. The webpage can be accessed by going to www.tnvoices.org or by using the following web address: http://www.tnvoices.org/TPIRC.htm. Monica Causey, TPIRC Project Director, stated the TPIRC webpage currently provides parents, parent groups, schools, and community members with information about the TPIRC program, resource links, and a calendar of trainings. “We are very excited about this resource for parents and schools across the state. We would also like to hear from parents and schools as they use the site as to its usefulness and accessibility.” The webpage will continue to grow and develop as the TPIRC program expands. Anyone who would like more information about the TPIRC program or to provide feedback about our webpage is asked to contact Monica Causey at 615-269-7751 ex. 133 or by email Mcausey@tnvoices.org.
TVC Welcomes
Missy Mitchell Parent Advocate, Statewide Family Support Network Missy has extensive training in educational advocacy. Her hobbies include reading, sports, and music. Missy has two teenage sons.
Position Changes
Dawn Carter Doak will be serving as interim supervisor for the Family Support Providers in the Muletown Family Network program in Columbia, TN.
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TVC Support Groups
East Tennessee Groups
Lakeshore Mental Health Center (Peach Cottage) *Children ages 1-13 5908 Lyons View Pike Knoxville, TN 4th Tues. of every month 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Jim Griffin 865/609-2490 Abbe Tegzes 865/988-6247 Lakeshore Mental Health Center (Peach Cottage) *Youth ages 14 - 21 5908 Lyons View Pike Knoxville, TN 3th Tues. of every month 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Jim Griffin 865/609-2490 Linda Hurst 865/691-8859 Morristown Faith Baptist Church 860 East Highway 11E Jefferson City, TN 2nd Tues. of every month 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Call in advance if childcare is needed Paige Nichols 423/317-0103 Jennifer Cureton 865/475-1858 Trula Lawson Center 550 East Gate Rd. Sevierville, TN 2nd Thurs. of every month, call for time *Only when school is in session Missy Helton 865/428-5793 Lewisburg First Assembly of God 1191 West Ellington Parkway Lewisburg, TN 3rd Thurs. of every month 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Kim Young 931/560-3088 Goodlettsville Goodlettsville Cumberland Presbyterian Church 226 S. Main Street Goodlettsville, TN 1st Wed. of every month 10:00 - 12:00 p.m. Marty Keith 615/672-9426 Columbia/Maury County TN Voices for Children Mule Town Office 211-B Wayne Street Columbia, TN 1st Thurs. of every month 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Call in advance if childcare is needed Cindy Potts 931/560-3090 Nashville Family Support Group 701 Bradford Avenue Nashville, TN 3rd Sat. of every month, 10 a.m.-12 noon Monica Causey 615/269-7751
Tennessee Voices for Children
Charlotte Bryson, Executive Director Millie Sweeney, Assistant Director for Programs Brian Taylor, Assistant Director for Operations
2007 Board of Directors Executive Committee
Jack McKenzie, President Michele Johnson, President Elect Heather Dziewulski, Immediate Past President Patti van Eys, Ph.D., Secretary Ron Lee, Treasurer
Board of Directors
Wanda Evans Merril Harris Craig Anne Heflinger, Ph.D. Val Jackson Caroline McGee, M.D. Linda O’Neal Debbie Webb Jeune Wood Leon Caldwell
West Tennessee Groups
Hardeman County Bolivar General Hospital (Lobby) 650 Nuckolls Rd Bolivar, TN 1st Tues. of every month 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Childcare Available Rhonda Ewing 731/984-8599 Madison County TVC Jackson Office 239 North Parkway, Suite C Jackson, TN 3rd Thurs. of every month 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Childcare Available Rhonda Ewing 731/984-8599 McNairy County Eastside Church of Christ 1366 East Poplar Ave. Selmer, TN 1st Mon. of every month 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Rhonda Ewing 731/984-8599
Middle Tennessee Groups
Clarksville Emmanuel Life Center First Missionary Baptist Church 3rd Thurs. of every month 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Childcare Available Monica Causey 800/670-9882 or 615/269-7751 Dickson The Renaissance Center 2nd Tues. of every month 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Danny Metts 615/446-9534 Hendersonville First Baptist Church of Hendersonville The BABB Center 105 Music Village Boulevard Hendersonville, TN 1st Tues. of every month 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. *Only when school is in session Tammy Vice 615/824-3649 Hermitage For Parents of Children with SED Tennessee School for the Blind Thurs., twice a month 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Shannon Marble 615/361-6608 Humphreys County
M.A.S.K. (Mothers and Fathers of Autism Spectrum Kids)
Advisory Council
Dick Blackburn Gail Yvette Crawford Ken Duke Richard Edgar Jessica Doyle Hooper Dawne Kimbrell, Ph.D. Randal M. Lea Gunnar Nelson Derek Pell Sheila Peters, Ph.D. Scott Ridgway Paula Sandidge, M.D. Jim Shulman Shelby Tabeling Lorraine Williams Greene, Ph.D. Lygia Williams Steve Wonsiewicz
Would you like to start a Support Group in your area? Call TVC today to get more information about starting a group! Contact John at: 615/269-7751 800/670-9882 (toll-free) jtongate@tnvoices.org
Meets monthly, open to anyone. Tanya Salley 931/582-6147 Barbara Steuer 615/740-8019
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the Networker Team:
Katy Eimicke- Designer/Editor John Tongate- Editor
The Networker
I WILL SUPPORT TENNESSEE VOICES FOR CHILDREN!
Tennessee Voices for Children relies on the personal and financial support of individuals, corporations, small businesses, foundations and others for the continuation and expansion of its programs. Most of TVC’s services are offered free-of-charge to participants: the Statewide Family Support Group Network and its family support programs, which provide valuable emotional support, education and information to families of children with emotional and behavioral problems; a 1-800 information and referral line; conferences and training events, and; The Networker quarterly newsletter. We need your support to be able to continue to offer these services. With your assistance, TVC can maintain and further expand its services and continue to work towards positive changes in the system of care for children in Tennessee.
is a quarterly newsletter, offered free of charge, of the Tennessee Voices for Children Statewide Family Support Network, providing support, education and information, and referrals to families of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems. TVC welcomes your ideas, comments and article submissions for the Networker. Please direct any correspondence to:
NAME:______________________________________________ ORGANIZATION:______________________________________ TITLE:______________________________________________ ADDRESS:___________________________________________ CITY:___________________ STATE:________ ZIP:_________
Tennessee Voices for Children attn: the Networker
701 Bradford Avenue Nashville, TN 37204
My TAX-DEDUCTIBLE contribution to TVC is:
$25 $50 $100 $500 Other $_________ Please return this portion along with your contribution to: Tennessee Voices for Children 701 Bradford Avenue Nashville, TN 37204
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