2010 Conference on Children's Mental Health

Young Minds Matter: Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Children, Youth and Families

In June 2010, more than 300 therapists, teachers, parents and others who work with children in the Houston area attended a one-day conference to learn about recent trends and strategies for meeting the mental health needs of children, youth and their families.

The conference focused on issues identified in a 2009 strategic plan developed by the Harris County Joint City/County Commission on Children with a $99,970 grant from the Hogg Foundation.

News release on Children's Mental Health Conference
Download presentations:
- Millisecond Moments: How Social-Emotional Development in Early Childhood Leads to Success in School and Life (PDF, 1MB): Jenny Crouch Clark and Lynne K. Gaukler discussed the importance of prevention and early intervention, especially as these strategies relate to success in the teen years and later life.
- It Matters: Race and Culture in Children’s Mental Health (PDF, 160KB): Dr. Ronnette Ballard discussed the unique cultural perspectives children, youth and their families bring to the community. She emphasized the need for people who work with children and youth to understand and respond appropriately to cultural factors that impact access to health and mental health care.
- What’s Up Doc? Diagnosis and Treatment in Children’s Mental Health (PDF, 74KB): Dr. Susan Stone identified ways to recognize the many signs and symptoms that point to specific mental health conditions or serious emotional disturbances in children and adolescents, as well as common medications used to treat those conditions.
- Reach For the Stars: Positive Behavior Supports (PDF, 3.2MB): Robin Pelton, Darla Fagan, Lorin Furlow and Genie Packard described how positive behavioral supports can reduce the need for punishment or suspension and can lead to systemwide and individual change.