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Internet Resource List
from the NAMI Child & Adolescent Action Center

Federal Agencies

Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS)
Children, Adolescents and Family Resources
Web address: www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC has data and statistics on suicide and increasingly has information available on mental illnesses.
Web address: www.cdc.gov

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS administers the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program) programs.
Web address: www.cms.hhs.gov

Department of Education (DOE) – Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
OSERS web site includes a wide array of information for families, school districts and states in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation and research.
Web address: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html

InsureKidsNow
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has created a national campaign to link the nation’s 10 million uninsured children – from birth to 18 years – to free and low-cost health insurance.
Web address: www.insurekidsnow.gov

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
The mission of NIMH is to diminish the burden of mental illness through research.
Web address: www.nimh.nih.gov

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
OJJDP’s mission is to provide national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to the needs of individuals in the juvenile justice system. OJJDP supports states and local communities in their efforts to develop and implement effective and coordinated prevention and intervention programs. The agency also works to improve the juvenile justice system.
Web address: www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org

Office of the U.S. Surgeon General
In 1999, Surgeon General David Satcher displayed true leadership in issuing A Comprehensive Report on mental health – chapter 3 covers children and adolescents.
Web address: www.surgeongeneral.gov/index.html

President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health
The Commission was created to examine the current gaps in mental illness treatment services and to make recommendations to the President on ways in which the federal government can help states increase access to care and improve quality in their public programs.
Web address: www.mentalhealthcommission.gov

Children’s Mental Health and Advocacy Organizations

About Our Children
A scientifically-based, parent-friendly website of the NYU Child Study Center that includes a wide range of information on child mental health disorders and associated parenting issues. It has over 200 faculty reviewed articles, resources for children and parents, and a publications section that includes newsletters and manuals developed by the faculty of the Child Study Center.
Web address: www.aboutourkids.org

Autism Society of America
Information and resources on autism.
Web address: www.autism-society.org

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law works on a broad array of children's mental health issues.
Web address: www.bazelon.org

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF)
The Balanced Mind Foundation (formerly the Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation) provides resources for parents raising a child, teen or young adult with, or at risk for, a mood disorder.br /> Web address: Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-Disorder (CHADD)
CHADD is a national organization representing individuals with AD/HD in providing education, advocacy and support to individuals and families. The organization is composed of dedicated volunteers from around the country who play an integral part in the organization by providing resources and encouragement to families, educators and professionals.
Web address: www.chadd.org

Children’s Defense Fund (CDF)
CDF’s mission is to provide a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. CDF addresses the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF’s mission is also to educate the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick or into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown.
Web address: www.childrensdefense.org

Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)
CWLA is the nation's oldest membership-based child welfare organization committed to engaging people everywhere in promoting the well-being of children, youth, and their families, and protecting every child from harm.
Web address: www.cwla.org/default.htm

Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD)
The Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD) is the official division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) committed to promoting and facilitating the education and general welfare of children and youth with emotional or behavioral disorders.
Web address: www.ccbd.net/index.cfm

Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
The Federation of Families is dedicated to providing education, resources and information to children with mental health needs and their families.
Web address: www.ffcmh.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults living with mental illness and their families.  Founded in 1979, NAMI has become the nation’s voice on mental illness, a national organization including NAMI organizations in every state and in over 1100 local communities across the country who join together to meet the NAMI mission through advocacy, research, support, and education.
Web address: www.nami.org 

National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice (NCMHJJ)
NCMHJJ promotes awareness of the mental health needs of youth in the juvenile justice system and assists the field in developing improved policies and programs based on the best available research and practice. Their web site includes many excellent resources on addressing the mental health needs of youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
Web address: www.ncmhjj.com

National Child Traumatic Stress Network Center
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Center works toward raising the standard of care and improve access of services to traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States. They provide valuable resources for parents, caregivers, educators and professionals on child traumatic stress.
Web address: www.nctsn.org

National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
NDRN is a national organization of protection and advocacy and client assistance programs for children and adults with disabilities.  These programs provide legally based advocacy services for people with disabilities, including mental illnesses, in the United States.
Web address: www.napas.org

National Health Law Program (NHelp)
The National Health Law Program has a number of excellent publications, resources and information on Medicaid and other important health-related topics.
Web address: www.healthlaw.org

National Mental Health Association (NMHA)
NMHA is an advocacy, education and support organization working to address the needs of people with mental health related needs and mental illnesess.
Web address: www.nmha.org

New Freedom Initiative: State Coalitions to Promote Community-Based Care (Olmstead)
Support for states and territories in their efforts to respond to the goals outlined in thePresident's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health Report. The initiative provides financial assistance, technical assistance and training to promote community-based care.
Web address: www.olmsteadcommunity.org

OCD Resource Center
Information and resources available on obsessive compulsive disorder.
Web address: www.ocdresource.com

Parent to Parent - USA
A national non-profit organization committed to assuring access and quality in Parent to Parent support across the country. Parent to Parent programs provide emotional and informational support to families of children who have special needs most notable by matching parents seeking support with an experiences, trained "Supporting Parent."
Web address: www.p2pusa.org

The Trevor Project
An organization dedicated to ending the disproportionately high rates of suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
Web address: www.thetrevorproject.org

Youth Law Center
The Youth Law Center employs staff attorneys that investigate reports of abuse of children in adult jails, juvenile detention facilities, state institutions, and child welfare systems, and uses training, technical assistance and negotiation to bring about needed change. If abusive conditions or practices continue, the Center uses litigation as a last resort to protect children and ensure humane treatment.
Web address: www.ylc.org

Organizations Focused on Special Education and School-Based MH

Centers for School Mental Health -- Technical Assistance Centers
In 1995, two national training and technical assistance centers focused on mental health in schools were established with partial support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Mental Health Services. One center is at UCLA and the other is at the University of Maryland at Baltimore. The web sites include information and resources on school-based mental health programs.
Web address: www.smhp.psych.ucla.edu  (UCLA)
Web address:www.csmha.umaryland.edu (U of MD at Baltimore)

IDEA Partnership
The IDEA Partnership is dedicated to improving outcomes for students and youth with disabilities by joining state agencies and stakeholders through shared work and learning. The web site includes many helpful resources for schools, families and advocates.
Web address: www.ideapartnership.org

Intervention Central
This website offers free tools and resources to help school staff and parents to promote positive classroom behaviors and foster effective learning for all children and youth.
Web address: www.interventioncentral.org

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)
NICHCY is an information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues (including mental illnesses) for families, educators, and other professionals, with a special focus on children and youth -- birth to age 22.
Web address: www.nichcy.org

NationalTechnical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
The OSEP-funded National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports was established to address the behavioral and discipline systems needed for successful learning and social development of students. The Center provides capacity-building information and technical support about behavioral systems to assist states and districts in the design of effective schools.
Web address: www.pbis.org

SchoolMentalHealth.org
This side offers school mental health resources not only for clinicians, but also for educators, administrators, parents/caregivers, families, and students.  The resources included in the site emphasize practical information and skills based on current research, including prominent evidence based practices, as well as lessons learned from local, state, and national initiatives. 
Web address: www.schoolmentalhealth.org

School Psychiatry Program and the Mood & Anxiety Disorders Institute (MADI) Resource Center
The School Psychiatry Program and the Mood & Anxiety Disorders Institute (MADI) Resource Center, both part of the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), jointly created Schoolpsychiatry.org. This website is committed to enhancing the education and mental health of every student in every school. The website has resources for parents, educators and clinicians to ensure that each group is working together to support children and teens with mental health conditions.
Web address: www.schoolpsychiatry.org

Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers
The Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers is an innovative project that supports a unified technical assistance system for the purpose of developing, assisting and coordinating Parent Training and Information Projects and Community Parent Resource Centers under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Web address: www.taalliance.org

Wrightslaw: Special Education Law
The Wrightslaw web site is designed for families, advocates, educators, and attorneys looking for accurate, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities, including those with mental illnesses.
Web address: www.wrightslaw.com

Professional Organizations

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
Web address: www.aacap.org

American Academy of Pediatrics
Web address: www.aap.org

American Psychiatric Association (APA)
Web address: www.psych.org

American Psychological Association (APA)
Web address: www.apa.org

American School Counselors Association (ASCA)
Web address: www.schoolcounselor.org

American School Health Association (ASHA)
Web address: www.ashaweb.org

National Association of Social Workers
Web address: www.naswdc.org

National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD)
Web address: www.nasmhpd.org

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
Web address: www.nasponline.org

Academic Centers Focused on Children's Mental Health

Center for the Advancement of Children’s Mental Health
Peter Jensen, M.D. directs this center dedicated to a variety of issues related to children and adolescents with mental illnesses. Dr. Jensen’s center is located at Columbia University.
Web address: www.kidsmentalhealth.org

Center for the Promotion of Mental Health in Juvenile Justice
The Center for the Promotion of Mental Health in Juvenile Justice is dedicated to providing expert guidance to juvenile justice settings regarding best practices for mental health assessment and referral. This center is located at Columbia University.
Web address: www.promotementalhealth.org

Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida -- The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health
The goal of the RTC is to improve services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disabilities (SED) and their families by strengthening the knowledge base for effective services and systems of care.
Web address: www.rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu

Georgetown University Child Development Center -- National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health
Since 1984, the technical assistance center has been dedicated to working in partnership with families and many other leaders across this country to reform services for children and adolescents who have, or are at risk for, mental health problems and their families.
Web address: www.georgetown.edu/research/gucdc/cassp.html

New York University Child Study Center
Web address: www.aboutourkids.org

Portland Research and Training Center, Portland State University – The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health
The Center promotes effective community-based, culturally competent, family-centered services for families and their children who are, or may be affected by mental, emotional or behavioral disorders. The web site includes publications and an excellent newsletter – Focal Point.
Web address: www.rtc.pdx.edu

YaleChild Study Center
The mission of the Center is to understand child development, social, behavioral, and emotional adjustment, and psychiatric disorders and to help children and families in need of care.
Web address: info.med.yale.edu

Organizations Focused on Suicide Prevent ion

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Web address: www.afsp.org

ColumbiaUniversityTeenScreen Program
Web address: www.teenscreen.org

JED Foundation
The work of the JED Foundation is focused on college students.
Web address: www.jedfoundation.org

National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
Web address:  www.mentalhealth.org/suicideprevention

SOS – Signs of Suicide Program
Web address: www.mentalhealthscreening.org/highschool

Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN)
Web address: www.spanusa.org

SuicidePrevention Resource Center(SPRC)
Web address: www.sprc.org

Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program
Web address: www.yellowribbon.org

Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide
Web address: theguide.fmhi.usf.edu

Websites for Children & Teens

KidsHealth
KidsHealth has separate areas for children, teens and parents.  Each of these sections includes its own design, age-appropriate content, and tone. There are many in-depth features, articles, animations, games, and resources developed by experts in the health of children and teens.  For information for teen mental health, click on “teens” and then click on “Your Mind” to access a broad array of resources for teens.
Web address: www.kidshealth.org

Mindzone – Cope. Care. Deal.
Mindzone is a mental health web site for teens that includes plenty of extremely helpful information.  The funding for Mindzone comes from the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands with support from the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
Web address: www.copecaredeal.org

Reach Out!
This Australian-based website contains valuable information for any teenager to help improve their mental health and wellbeing during the transition-age years. The interactive site includes coping tips, forums, fact sheets, personal stories and resources regarding mental illness, school, employment and relationships.
Web address: www.reachout.com.au

Step Out of the Silence
A virtual community where youth can share their experiences with mental illnesses through artwork, prose, poetry, photography, and graphic art. The website also offers information on how youth can participate in anti-stigma campaigns and advocacy efforts regarding mental health.
Web address: www.stepoutofthesilence.org

The Trevor Project
An organization dedicated to ending the disproportionately high rates of suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
Web address: www.thetrevorproject.org

August 2009

Please Note:  If there is a resource that you would like added to this list, please contact Dana Markey, Program Coordinator, at  NAMI Child & Adolescent Action Center, at 703.600.1117 or e-mail danac@nami.org.  Thanks!

 

 

 

Related Files

Internet Resource List for Children & Adolescents Mental Health Websites (Word Document)

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