Federation Executive Director Janet Reynolds Snyder and (settlement agreement) Monitoring Team Members Kevin Ryan and Molly Armstrong (pictured left to right) met at the Federation office on Tuesday of this week. Federation staff are very happy to report that meeting Kevin and Molly affirmed the very positive feedback Janet has heard from her counterpart in New Jersey, where Kevin, et al., led the reforms of the New Jersey child welfare system.

We are very pleased to let you know that Kevin Ryan, the newly-appointed lawsuit settlement agreement monitor, will join the Friday session of the September 3-5 Senior Management Conference. Kevin will participate with Sara Bartosz, Lead Attorney for Children’s Rights, and DHS’ Director Ismael Ahmad, Chief Deputy Director Stanley Stewart and Deputy Director Kathryne O’Grady, Michigan’s Children President Jack Kresnak and Foster Care Review Board Manager Jim Novell.

If you have not already registered for the conference, CLICK HERE to view the Conference Post to register both for the conference and separately for your overnight accommodations at Crystal Mountain Resort.

Click here to download the Updated 2008 Conference Brochure

REGISTER ONLINE - deadline August 14, 2008

Click here to reserve your Crystal Mountain overnight room; use this password: 4591JC
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Attached below is the 4th quarter trainings Wedgwood Christian Services is offering. Download the brochure for more information on these and many more trainings offered:

October 15: THE FACE OF GOD IN THE FACE OF GRIEF (basic)—Kids grieve differently than adults. At-risk and troubled youth grieve many different losses at the same time. Learn more about the ways at-risk youth grieve, ceremonies and rituals that can aide in the process, and how to be in the “face of God” to them during a tumultuous time in their lives.

November 12: INTERVENTIONS TO ASSIST CHILDREN WITH MILD TO MODERATE MENTAL RETARDATION (intermediate)—This workshop is intended to help mental health therapists have a better understanding of low congnitive functioning and gain additional strategies for managing behavioral and mood difficulties with children and adolescents within their practice.

December 3: ADHD (intermediate)—Dr. Winebarger developed and implemented a day-treatment camp intervention protocol, UPLIFT, for the family of children meeting the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. UPLIFT is a research-based model for the development of social skills and behavior modification for children with ADHD.
Wedgwood 4th Quarter Training Brochure

From July 2007 to the present, the MSU School of Social Work Continuing Education Program has sponsored or co-sponsored over 80 programs, with over 3,000 participants. The MSU SSW CE Fall 2008 Catalog is now available, offering more than 30 courses in various locations across Michigan September through December 2008.

The CE Program is pleased to offer online registration. If you are interested in viewing class descriptions, directions, or payment information, please visit their website. If you are interested in registering online, click “Register online” in the Quick Link section. You will be asked to create an online account. Your information is stored on a secure server. If you choose to register online, you are required to pay by credit card. If you have questions about this process, please e-mail swkce@msu.edu.

FYI • August 8, 2008 • No. 18

Federation Full and Affiliate members may click here to log in and read the full version of the FYI.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Registration deadline is MONDAY, August 11
Settlement agreement monitoring team members to participate in Federation’s 2008 Senior Management Conference
New state reform monitor Kevin Ryan and his team have asked to be part of our senior management conference. Don’t miss this unprecedented session! In fact, don’t miss this historical conference…register now! We are very excited about the wealth of information you will gain when you join us at Crystal Mountain!

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
• Federal reauthorization expected for early childhood initiatives
STATE LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
• Lawmakers alarmed: Auditor General finds DHS overpaid $147+ million in child care funds
STATE EXECUTIVE/ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES
• New date for DHS Quarterly Contractors Meeting
• Interest in adoption train-the-trainer opportunity
MEMBER NEWS
• MHBFSA renews Affiliate membership—The Michigan Home-Based Family Services Association (MHBFSA) has renewed its Affiliate Membership in the Federation. The MHBFSA is a small association with an all-volunteer board, supporting over 300 members. The Association is dedicated to supporting home-based workers by providing training opportunities, a newsletter, and advocating for the home-based, family-centered philosophy. If your organization would like to join MHBFSA, the many benefits offered to members include free and affordable training for Social Work CEs, the opportunity for networking with other home-based providers as well as reduced rates to the MHBFSA Annual Conference October 2-3, 2008 in Frankenmuth. For additional information, visit www.mihomebased.com.

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Daryl earned a Master’s in Counseling from Liberty University and has over 20 years of experience working with at-risk children and families in the fields of mental health, juvenile justice, youth services, and child and family services in both the public and private, nonprofit sectors. He holds clinical certifications and specialties in Cognitive Therapy, Trauma Informed Treatment, and Juvenile Sex Offender Treatment and post-graduate certifications from Cornell University, Michigan State University as well as the University of Michigan in crisis intervention, nonprofit leadership and business management. Welcome to the Federation, Daryl!