AGENCY NEWS

01/05/2010 — National Weather Service Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Special Weather Statement Hard Freeze Expected with Possibility of Sleet   The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for a hard freeze that is likely Friday through Sunday morning. Tonight, we can expect temperatures in the upper 20's to lower 30's. Counties northeast of Harris may be under a Hard Freeze Warning. Later this week, lows in the upper teens are possible north of I-10. We have not seen temperatures like this since 1996, when IAH fell to 19°. There is a 30-40% chance of rain on Wednesday and Thursday, which could result in sleet.   A public safety message "Harris County Residients Should Prepare for Freezing Temperatures" has been issued and is included for your review. Harris County's Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security is monitoring conditions and will send additional updates, as necessary. For the latest local forecast, visit http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/.

12/29/2009 — Mental Health First Aid Instructor Certification Course

Mental Health First Aid Instructor Certification Course   Join the MHMR Authority of Harris County and the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare for a Mental Health First Aid Instructor Certification Course set for February 8-12, 2010 in Houston, TX.   This five day Instructor Certification Course introduces the interactive 12-hour Mental Health First Aid program, overviews adult learning styles and teaching strategies, and provides in-depth instruction on implementing and managing the program for diverse audiences.   Cost: Program tuition is $1,500 per instructor for the five-day training program. The cost includes: Comprehensive five-day instruction, including individualized feedback and evaluation; All materials needed to teach the 12-hour program - including an instructor resource kit and teaching notes; Access to our instructor technical assistance website, with course handouts, program updates, and marketing templates; Access to the instructor list serve, where new and established instructors convene to share best practices and to help evaluate the program; and Ongoing technical assistance from the National Council, including program planning, marketing consultation and aid in applying for state/local CE credit. Participants are responsible for their travel, lodging and meal expenses. Instruction will take place at the MHMR Authority's facility located at: MHMRA of Harris County Conference Center 7033 SW Freeway Houston Tx 77074 (Behind 7011 SW Freeway main MHMRA building) Click for Map There are several local hotel options near the training facility. If you would like a list of Hotels in the area, Please contact Suzette Sova or (713) 970-3996 Click here for Application   If your organization is interested in sending individuals to become certified Mental Health First Aid Instructors, please complete an application. This application gives us the opportunity to learn about your organization, any current training programs you may administer, and to understand how Mental Health First Aid will serve your community. Please return your organization's application by 5pm EST on December 14, 2009 to Susan Partain at susanp@thenationalcouncil.org. For more information about Mental Health First Aid, visit www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org. Should you have any questions regarding this course or desire any additional information on the Mental Health First Aid program, please contact Susan Partain at susanp@thenationalcouncil.org, 202-684-7457 ext 232. Mental Health First Aid USA is a collaboration between the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, the Maryland State Department of Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health

11/24/2009 — Competency/Sanity Examinations Seminar

Counducting Competency/Sanity Examinations Under 46B/46C Seminar Date and Time: January 15th, 2010 (8:00am – 4:00pm)   Location: MHMRA – Conference Center Room B 7033 Southwest Freeway Houston TX 77074 Click for Map   Overview: This seminar is designed to provide both attorneys, and persons who conduct forensic examinations, a refresher as to the law of competency/sanity, and to highlight the statutory requirements versus the conduct of such examinations.   Registration Fees: Pre-Registration $50

8/26/2009 — Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)   Click to view Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the initial help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a crisis until professional appropriate treatment is received or the crisis resolves, much like that of CPR and First Aid is for physical emergencies.   The Mental Health division of MHMRA of Harris County is excited to bring Mental Health First Aid training to our agency and local community. This important educational effort goes a lot further than emergency intervention; it helps people understand the environment of fear and misjudgment facing individuals and families who experience mental illnesses and addiction. It will assist and educate the public of the associated stigma that surrounds mental illness and help move the community towards more and more recovery.   The course originally began in Australia and is now an evidenced based program It was brought to the USA in 2008 and is now in 33 states and 9 countries! The program targets the community as a whole including key professions such as law enforcement and other first responders, nursing home staff, and schools administration. Other participating entities include failt communities, employers and chambers of commerce, state policymakers, mental health advocacy organizations and families and the general public. It will help the community to recognize someone who may be developing a mental health problem or helping someone in a mental health crisis. The course teaches a 5 step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to assess the situation, to select and implement appropriate interventions, and to help individuals in crisis connect with appropriate professional care. The participants will have the opportunity to participate in interactive exercises and apply the action plan throughout the course, as well as view informative and insightful videos. The course will provide a book, educational materials, hand outs and videos with testimonials and statistics. At the end of the course the participants will receive a 3yr certification in Mental Health First Aid. A great deal of research supports the effectiveness of this training on a local, national, and international level. If you are interested in the MHFA course, please contact: Suzette Sova: suzette.sova@mhmraharris.org — (713) 970-7000 Mary MacGregor: mary.macgregor@mhmraharris.org — (713) 970-7000