Working Together to Build a Healthier Community
Introductions/Overview
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Kate Bjorge, Director of Healthy
Communities Collaborative of Morrison
County, Little Falls, MN.
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Michele Andringa, Bridges Coordinator,
St. Gabriel’s Hospital, Little Falls, MN.
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Brief session overview
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Background & History
Success Factors
Program Specifics
Change . . .
“The future ain’t
what it used to
be.”
-Yogi Berra
Change . . .
“There is no power
for change greater
than a community
discovering what
it cares about.”
- Margaret J.
Wheatley
Background &
History
• Community health
needs assessment
performed and
focus groups held
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The Morrison County, Minnesota,
community.
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Healthy Communities
Collaborative formed in 2002
thanks to a Catholic Health
Initiatives (CHI) Mission & Ministry
Fund Planning Grant Community
health needs assessment
performed and community focus
groups held in 2005.
Background & History II
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Behavioral health (especially in regard to
children) was identified as one of the most
pressing needs.
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Collaborative decides to pursue a CHI Mission
& Ministry Fund Project Grant.
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Program coordinator hired
and program begins with
start of school in 2006 and
impact is almost immediate.
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Bridges wins ‘Spirit of Caring’
award in November 2007.
Success Factors
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Consensus on project
vision/goals.
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Finding the initial
resources.
- “Getting-started”
funding.
- Compatible funding
sources.
- Writing the grant.
|
Collaboration is key.
- “Buy In” is required.
- Be prepared for tough
questions.
Three Components
1. Family – evidence-based family
support program
2. School – school-based mental
health services
3. Community – families connected to
community resources
Builds protective factors
| Empowers parents and children
| Success in home, school, community
| Family recruitment process
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Family Meal
Builds boundaries around their family,
strengthening the family bond.
Example of Family Game
“Scribbles”
Separate
Parent Time/Kid’s Time
The families lead each other and
find solutions on their own.
One-on-One Time
“Time is so precious to a parent. FAST gave me 15 minutes of
dedicated time with my daughter that I still practice today. That 15
minutes was like a whole day that I spend with her." -FAST Parent
“Winning” Family
The family is seen and feel like “winners” as a family unit.
Graduation
Three Cycles Completed
27 families have graduated
| 34 adults; 77 children
| A Parent’s Testimonial
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What have we found?
Improved family functioning
| Child’s behavior has improved at both
home and school
| Parental involvement with the school has
increased.
| An Exercise in Building Social Capital
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Building “social capital”
Research shows HIGH social capital supports:
Better Education
Safer neighborhoods
Economic Prosperity
Longevity
School-Based Mental Health
Two mental health counselors placed at
Lindbergh and Pioneer Elementary.
| Contract services with mental health provider.
| 70 children and their families since
September 2006.
| Simplified and improved access of services.
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School-Based Mental Health
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The Referral process
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Nick’s Story
Nick’s Teacher’s Testimonial
I cannot thank this
program enough!
Mary Hanson
1st grade Teacher
What we have found
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|
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79% of clients are boys
Most common primary diagnoses
1. ADHD
2. Mood Disorder
68 % reduced CAFAS score
(functional assessment tool)
30% reduction in classroom
disruptions
Community Outreach
Assist parents in finding their assets
and abilities to advocate for their
families needs.
| Building social capital, developing
relationships.
| Collaborating with multiple local
committees and task forces related to
children’s mental health
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Closing
“I have more to learn
from the people I work
with than I could ever
hope to teach them.”
- Greg Mortenson