Family Education Webinar Series

The School Mental Health Resource & Training Center will provide monthly educational webinars for families and caregivers. Join us live to ask questions, or watch from our complete list of recorded webinars down below.

Upcoming Webinars

 

Taking the Challenge out of Conversations (for parents & caregivers)

April 15, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Challenging times call for families to be able to communicate issues and needs without judgment or blame, and feel heard and respected. The session includes examples of how you can express your concerns and needs and identify the needs of family members and co-workers, even when experiencing strong feelings. Participants will learn how to:

  1. say what you observe happening without evaluation
  2. listen for and acknowledge the feelings and needs of others
  3. state your needs and
  4. make requests instead of demands.

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Recorded Sessions

Pandemic Parenting: Helping Kids Manage Anxiety During COVID

Learn parenting strategies to support anxious children during the pandemic. With frequently updated restrictions and guidelines, children’s needs are ever-changing and parenting challenges are common. In this workshop, you will learn concrete skills for communicating with your children, helping them manage strong emotions, supporting them in remote learning, and taking care of yourself.

FIND HERE

To learn more, visit “Helping Kids Manage Anxiety During Covid”, written by Dr. Mazza and Dr. Hoffman.

Uplifting Black Joy: Strategies to Center Wellness, Resilience and Self-Care for Black Youth and Families
Watch the recording of this conversation with Keturah Proctor, Educator, Regional Equity Facilitator and Black Mom. Discussion was based on the importance of uplifting Black joy as a form of resilience and self-care for Black youth and families.
FIND HERE
The Role of Family Support Specialists in Schools and Communities
Family Support Specialists are a critical community resource for families caring for youth with mental health challenges. They bring their lived experience and a passion to help families to their work in schools and communities. Watch this recorded session for an engaging conversation with Family Support Specialists and program staff to gain a better understanding of their various roles and how they can support parents and caregivers navigate the challenges associated with raising children and youth with mental health problems. Recorded January 25, 2021.
 
Parent to Parent of NYS is a statewide organization that connects parents of children with special needs or disabilities via email and text
 
Families Together in New York State provides training to become a Family Peer Advocate, as well as other trainings and resources
 

Parent Network of Western NY has 1:1 parent support lines in English & Spanish as well as advocacy resources in 10 languages! They serve Alleghany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagra, Orleans & Wyoming counties.
https://parentnetworkwny.org/resource-library/advocacy/advocacy-resources/ 

 
JCCA services includes support to stabilize and strengthen families in crisis and provides Parent Advocates for the Child Welfare System
View the Parents & Caregivers Panel: Reflecting, Rethinking and Responding to Support Student Mental Health.
Following up on our panel discussion with teachers, MHANYS School Mental Health Resource and Training Center is excited to host a virtual panel discussion from a family perspective. A change in the school environment this fall to socially distanced In-person, remote, or a hybrid model for classroom instruction will pose challenges to families, caregivers, and students, including having an impact on mental health and wellness. Hear from parents and caregivers representing a range of community demographics as they reflect on their experiences and how they are planning to support the mental health and wellness of themselves and their families this coming school year. Recorded September 3, 2020
FIND HERE
 
Achieving Whole Person Wellness
As last year came to an end, we focused on whole person wellness and strategies to promote health, using a model called the 8 Dimensions of Wellness. 
Grief and Loss: Helping Youth Heal
Grief and loss are universal experiences. Whether it is a death, loss of job or stability, or missed opportunities, managing grief is challenging and looks different for everyone. This recorded session briefly discusses different types of grief and loss experiences, the 5 stages of grief, and how it presents differently within youth. Recorded November 30, 2020.
 
Below is a list of resources for further learning:
 
Como manejar una crisis estrategias para familias y cuidadores
La mayoría de las personas experimentarán una crisis (enfermedad, pérdida, desastre natural, etc.) en sus vidas. La crisis también puede afectar a las familias. Algunas crisis afectan a comunidades enteras, mientras que otras afectan a familias individuales. Este seminario web proporcionará el conocimiento y las habilidades para promover el bienestar de toda la familia durante un momento de crisis: reconocimiento de indicadores de estrés, el desarrollo de estrategias de afrontamiento, la comunicación positiva.
Coping with a Crisis
Most families will experience a crisis (illness, loss, natural disaster, etc.) at some point. Whether it is a situation that impacts just your family or something impacting the entire community, families are affected in many ways. This webinar will provide the knowledge and tools to promote whole family wellness during a time of crisis: recognition of stress indicators, the development of coping strategies and positive communication.
Using Positive Psychology to Manage Stress in Children
Many families and caregivers are facing unprecedented hardships, and increased levels of stress and anxiety. This webinar will help caregivers understand signs and symptoms, and identify risk factors for mental health problems, as well as offer suggestions on how to positively cope and increase overall health and wellness.
Recorded October 28, 2020
FIND HERE
Child Development 101
When providing comfort and support to a child, it can be helpful to understand the stages of psychosocial development. This webinar will provide a basic overview of child development, what mental health and wellness issues may arise during each stage, and practical strategies for supporting the healthy social-emotional growth of children.
Recorded September 30, 2020
FIND HERE
Reflecting, Rethinking and Responding to Support Student Mental Health & Wellness: a Panel of Parents and Caregivers

Following up on our panel discussion with teachers, MHANYS School Mental Health Resource and Training Center is excited to host a virtual panel discussion from a family perspective. A change in the school environment this fall to socially distanced In-person, remote, or a hybrid model for classroom instruction will pose challenges to families, caregivers, and students, including having an impact on mental health and wellness. Hear from parents and caregivers representing a range of community demographics as they reflect on their experiences and how they are planning to support the mental health and wellness of themselves and their families this coming school year. Recorded September 3, 2020
FIND HERE

Supporting Family Mental Wellness: Strategies for Back to School

This video uses person-centered and strengths based strategies to help families identify ways to support mental wellness for their children and themselves as they prepare to go back to school during these uncertain times. Recorded August 25, 2020
FIND HERE

Mindfulness in the Home

This video highlights the physical and emotional benefits of mindfulness, such as enhanced whole body wellness, improved sleep, increased focus and attention, and stress reduction. Learn the basics of Mindfulness practice; simple strategies to utilize mindfulness techniques and activities in the home and as part of your family’s daily routine. Please note, the intended audience for this specific video is family and caregivers, professional development credit is not available at this time. Recorded on July 31, 2020.
FIND HERE

Below is a list of resources for further learning:
Mind Up
Mindful Schools 
Mindfulness Yoga
Tools to Promote Mental Health & Wellness

Trauma 101 for Families and Caregivers

According to the American Psychological Association, two-thirds of children will report experiencing a traumatic event before the age of 16. As families and caregivers, it is important for us to understand the basics about trauma – what is trauma, how does it impact youth and how can we lessen the negative effects of a traumatic event. Not everyone who experiences or witnesses trauma will be impacted in the same way. This should give us hope! Help is available with a better understanding of the trauma and treatment options, and the development of coping strategies and a strong supportive network.
FIND HERE

 
MHANYS Infographics
Becoming a Resilient Family
All families face challenges and adversity. Our ability to respond to and recover from these difficulties is a measure of our resiliency. Learn how to help your family develop resiliency through clear and positive communication, flexibility, healthy coping strategies, a focus on individual and family strengths, and experiences that promote mental health and wellness.
FIND HERE
 
Below is a list of resources for further learning:
Mental Health and Wellness 101 for Families

This webinar presents mental health as a continuum of wellness and an integral part of our overall health, and encourages treatment seeking behavior and self-care to manage stress. FIND HERE.

These following hand-outs were referenced in the webinar:

Coping With a Crisis

Most families will experience a crisis (illness, loss, natural disaster, etc.) at some point. Whether it is a situation that impacts just your family or something impacting the entire community, families are affected in many ways. This recorded session will provide the knowledge and tools to promote whole family wellness during a time of crisis: recognition of stress indicators, the development of coping strategies and positive communication.
FIND HERE

Managing Stress With a Wellness Mindset

Most families experience stress as we try to juggle daily responsibilities, social activities, and work. Some stress can even be healthy. How can we better manage stress? With a “Wellness Mindset”! And, how do we develop a “Wellness Mindset”? By developing and practicing five core competencies: self-compassion and positive inner dialogue, realistic expectations and healthy boundaries, and choosing to support self-care.
FIND HERE

Below is a list of resources for further learning:
Martin Selgiman and Positive Psychology
Brene Brown
Negativity Bias hand-out
MindUp Curriculum
Mindful Schools

The MHANYS Family Education Project webinar series is funded by:

 

Contact Us

Please contact us at schools@mhanys.org or call 518.434.0439 from 8 am to 5 pm.

To contact a specific staff member, click here.

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