Passing along this series of workshops on transitional youth and young adults.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Passing along this information on Bridging Voices, a program made available at no cost for youth 13-21 in Oregon, specifically in the Portland metro region.
Facebook @bridgingvoices
Instagram @bridgingvoicespdx
Hi Kelly and Kathy,
Hope you both are doing well! I wanted to introduce you to Lyndsey Westgaard (cc’d here). She is the Executive Director for Bridging Voices (see the website link below). I had the opportunity to connect with Lyndsey about this amazing resource for all youth, including LGBTQ+ youth. This is a program made available at no cost for youth 13-21 in Oregon, specifically in the Portland metro region. They currently meet in Portland at a church building where they rent space for this group. The building is located right off the max line.
Lyndsey – Kelly is the Associate Director of Student Services and Kathy is the Mental Health & Wellness Coordinator for the Tigard-Tualatin School District. These folks are both amazing partners who brings much needed support and resources
to all Tigard-Tualatin School District students and families. Hope you all can connect and explore extending this opportunity to TTSD youth
As always, feel free to reach out if I can be of any support.
It was wonderful to meet you, Lyndsey, and learn about this amazing resource available for Washington county youth to have a safe place for connection and support.
In Partnership,
Cynara Blackwood, LPC · she/her/hers
SYSTEM OF CARE SUPERVISOR
503-846-3396 desk | 971-294-1374 cell | 503-846-4560 fax
From: Lyndsey Westgaard <lyndsey.westgaard@
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2024 4:34 PM
To: Cynara Blackwood <Cynara_Blackwood@
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Collaborative Discussion on Bridging Voices Program Growth - Thank you!
Cynara,
Thank you so much for meeting with me last week regarding potential collaboration between Bridging Voices and Washington County. It was wonderful to share information with you about the free program, which offers a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ youth
aged 13 to 21.
At
Bridging Voices, we welcome everyone, including lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer identified, enby individuals, and straight allies. It's a nurturing environment where LGBTQ+ members can thrive among like-minded peers and supportive allies. Our mission is
to combat homophobia and transphobia by promoting visibility and celebrating differences.
I'm excited about the prospect of joining forces with Washington County to expand our program's reach and impact. Your insights during our meeting have provided valuable direction as we pursue this collaboration.
Thank you again for your time. I look forward to exploring further opportunities together and making a meaningful difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ youth in our community.
Warm regards,
Lyndsey Westgaard (she/her)
Executive Director, Bridging Voices
Facebook @bridgingvoices
Instagram @bridgingvoicespdx
Highlights from the Youth Suicide Prevention Newsletter...
Black Youth Wellness Mixer Opportunity (see attached flyer)
Inviting youth ages 14-21: you are the voice of change!
Join us for an empowering, uplifting, and connecting experience at the Black Youth Wellness Mixer! Connect with other Black youth across Oregon for an hour of virtual fun and activities. You'll also learn about our statewide prevention and wellness work and leave with ways to continue the conversation and create change.
Details: Register for Feb. 19th 12:00 PM
Together, let's center the wellness and joy of Black and Brown communities in Oregon! Questions? Please email us at: byspc@reapusa.org
Training on Suicide Prevention and Interventions in the Latine Community
RaĆces is excited to announce the release of a new virtual on-demand training entitled Suicide Prevention and Intervention for Latine Communities. The training is sponsored by the American Psychological Association (APA) for 3 continuing education credits and meets the Oregon legislative requirement for mental health professionals to receive 3-hours of suicide prevention training or cultural competency. The Oregon Health Authority has generously sponsored the training to be free of charge for mental health professionals licensed in Oregon, including psychologists, clinical social workers, and licensed mental health counselors.
The training focuses on using culturally responsive practices to improve suicide prevention, assessment, and intervention for Latine individuals. The training emphasizes evidenced-based practical tools and skills related to improving diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and clinical practices when working with Latine communities around suicide. Additionally, the training emphasizes sociocultural factors, values and practices related to Latine mental health. Please circulate to your network! Find the training at the RaĆces de Bienestar CE 21 catalog. Questions? Email Ruby Cabrera at ruby@raicesdebienestar.org.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP) Trainings
CBT-SP is a cognitive–behavioral psychotherapy program designed for patients who have previously attempted or thought of suicide. The intervention teaches patients skills to use alternative ways of thinking and behaving during episodes of suicidal crises and assists them in building a network of mental health services and social supports to prevent future suicide attempts. It is designed to be provided by individual therapists on a one-to-one basis. Questions contact: Maria Gdontakis-Pos mpos@aocmhp.org
Cost: Free (valued at $455)
Training Dates (Must attend all days):
Dates of 3-day training for Youth Serving Professionals
May 13-15, 2024 8:30-4pm PST
OHA ReThink the Drink Technical Assistance Offer
Rethink the Drink creates tools to support dialogue in your community about excessive alcohol use and creating supportive, healthy environments for everyone. Technical assistance is available for any partner. We can help you customize or co-brand communications materials to fit your specific needs. Contact Rebecca Garza (rebecca.garza@oha.oregon.gov) to learn more about or visit www.rethinkthedrink.com/
Types of technical assistance available to you:
Oregon Dept. of Education Family Acceptance Project training for schools
The current mental health emergency for children and adolescents has intensified the urgent need for support for all students, especially those that are at high risk for victimization, rejection and bullying. The Family Acceptance Project has shown that family rejection contributes to health risks for LGBTQIA2S+ youth, including suicidal behavior, depression, illicit drug use and other health risks, while family acceptance helps protect against risk and promotes well-being.
If you work in K-12 schools, no matter what your role, this training is for you and will introduce you to some effective ways to support young people and families with a large range of views and cultural perspectives. After attending the training, participants will receive project posters and guidance materials. This training will discuss the project’s evidence-based approach to help diverse families to support LGBTQIA2S+ students in the context of their families, cultures and faith communities, including multilingual resources and strategies to increase family connectedness.
Choose one of six opportunities from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on January 25, February 8, 13 or 20, and April 9 to attend this informative and engaging webinar. In this training you will learn about the role family acceptance and rejection play in the health and well-being of LGBTQIA2S+ students and be introduced to strategies and multi-lingual resources you can use to help diverse parents and caregivers decrease risk and increase well-being for LGBTQIA2S+ students.
Register here for any of these trainings. A Zoom link will be sent after registration. For further registration information see the informational flyer.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Training, June 2024
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment to help children and adolescents recover after trauma. Research shows that TF-CBT successfully resolves emotional and behavioral difficulties associated with single, multiple and complex trauma experiences. This is a structured, short-term treatment model that effectively improves a range of trauma-related outcomes in eight to 25 sessions with the child/youth and caregiver.
Dr. Alicia Meyer, a national trainer in TF-CBT and a global trainer in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, is offering a two-day online for clinicians to become certified. The training is free for people sponsored by OHA; for others it is $500. OHA sponsored participants can sign up under the OHA Registration section of the website (scroll to the last section of page). To qualify as an OHA sponsored participant you must work in Oregon and hold a license or certification (e.g., QMHP, LCSW, LPC, LPC-A, etc.).
Oregon Suicide Prevention Conference 2023 Plenary Session Recordings
The Plenary Sessions during OSPC 2023 were recorded and are now available on the OSPC23 website. You can view the agenda here for more information on plenary topics and speakers. Recorded sessions include:
As a reminder, you can also view out excellent plenary speakers from the 2022 OSPC here.
Oregon Sources of Strength Advanced Skills Training T4T, March 5-8
Registration for attendance at this training is provided by funding from the Oregon Health Authority. Travel and lodging must be paid by participant/organization. The training will take place in the Salem area. Upon completion of the 4-day training, participants will be Provisional Trainers. Fill out the T4T Interest Form here. Those interested in and able to move toward full Certification must:
Folks who are unable to become Certified Trainers are welcome to attend to help strengthen or champion Sources of Strength efforts in their community or region. For questions about the training or for more information about support for Sources of Strength in Oregon, contact Liz Thorne at liz@matchstickpdx.com.
*****************************
Resources
Webinars/Events
Meghan Crane, MPH
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Zero Suicide in Health Systems Coordinator
Public Health Division
Oregon Health Authority
971-271-2025
