Education Programs

   > 2nd Saturday Series
   > Family to Family Classes
   > PACS Training
   > NAMI Basics
   > NAMI Smarts
   > Reactive Attachment Disorder
   > Future Programs

2nd Saturday Series

Informational workshops held on the second Saturday of the month.

2010 Topics: Watch website for times

• June 12, July10, August 14: Building Work (12-2PM)
• September 11: Harvest BBQ
• November 9: Housing & Basic Needs
• December 13: Holiday Party

2nd Saturday: 1:00 - 4:00 PM

 
Family to Family Class

The NAMI Family-to-Family course is a free 12-week class for family and friends of individuals with severe brain disorders (mental illnesses). The course is taught by trained family members.

The Family-to-Family curriculum focuses on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression), clinical depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The course discusses the clinical treatment of these illnesses and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively. Many family members describe the impact of taking this course as life changing.

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to family educations
• Symptoms of Schizophrenia, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Getting through Critical Periods of Crisis
• Subtypes of Depression and Bipolar Disorder; Panic Disorder and OCD
• Basics about brain biology and the causes of brain disorders
• Problem solving workshop
• Medication Review
• Empathy: Inside mental illness
• Communication Skills Workshop
• Self-care
• Rehabilitation; Making choices for recovery
• Fighting Stigma; Advocacy

2010 Class Dates:

• April 8 - June 24: Thursday Evenings
• June 15 - August 31: Tuesday Evenings
• August 19 - October 28: Thursday Evenings
• September 18 - December 4: Saturday Mornings

Program started in 2008 with a focus for free and lost cost medication. Focused on peer needs only.

This program discovered many peers had uninsured members of their household, limited awareness of their diagnoses and/or medication, did not know how to effectively communicate with their doctors/providers and needed assistance in completing paperwork or making phone calls.

Therefore PACS expands its program.

Focus of the Program Today:

• Identifying Prescription Assistance and Discount Drug Programs
• Identifying free or low cost prescribers and medical care
• Educating about preventive medical care
• Learning "How to effectively talk to doctors"
• Identifying and communicating with support network
• Assisting with completion of paperwork
• Educating about mental illness and medications
• Focusing on supports for the entire household and/or family
• Identifying group and social supports

2010 Trainings and Feedback Sessions:

• June: PACS
• August: Latino Culture
• September: PACS
• November: Asian Culture

PACS trainings are open to peers, family members and friends.

NAMI Basics is the new signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. The NAMI Basics course is taught by trained teachers who are the parent or other caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13 years.

The course consists of six classes, each lasting for 2 ½ hours. Classes may be offered weekly for six consecutive weeks, or may be offered twice per week for three weeks to accommodate the hectic schedules of parents.

Goals of the NAMI Basics program:

• Introduction to the stages of emotional reactions of the family to the of mental illness; including crisis, shock, denial, grief and acceptance.
• Insights into understanding of the lived experience of the child living with the mental illness, including learning to separate the child you love from the illness that alters their behavior and abilities
• Current information about Attention Deficit Disorder, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Childhood Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse Disorders
• Current research related to the biology of mental illness and the evidence-based, most effective treatment strategies available, including medications used to treat mental illness in children and adolescents
• Specific workshops to learn problem solving, listening and communication skills
• Examples of strategies that have been found helpful in handling challenging behaviors in children and adolescents
• Information about the systems that are major players in the lives of children and adolescents with mental illness – the school system and the mental health system
• Exposure to personal record keeping systems that have proven to be effective for parents/caregivers in their interactions with the school and healthcare systems
• Information on planning for crisis management and relapse
• Information on locating appropriate supports and services within the community to build a community of support for the parent/caregiver
• Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services, with an emphasis on personal advocates for the parent/caregiver and child on an individual level

This program is currently under development,
please check back for dates and times.

Workshop: March 20, 2010
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Registration is required as space is limited. Please call Laura to register.

NAMI Smarts for Advocacy: Telling Your Story is a highly interactive and engaging workshop that employs a variety of adult learning strategies to build knowledge, confidence, and competence in:

• Writing and delivering short and compelling personal stories.
• Finding and using facts in speaking and writing.
• Preparing for and conducting a successful meeting with legislators.
• Following-up with savvy thank you notes that reinforce a key message.
• Writing focused emails that have an impact
• Making effective phone calls.

Led by Angela Kimball.

Reactive Attachment Disorder

Workshop: April 17, 2010
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Registration is required as space is limited. Please call Mary to register.

Dennis Morrow, a professional and parent of an adult child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), will discuss challenges of raising a child with RAD.

 
Future Programming

These are the programs we are working to add to our services. If you would like more information please contact our office (503) 356-6835.

• Compassionate Communication