For Immediate Release                                                                                          For More Information Contact:

                                                                                                                                Kristal Goehring, 281.292.0601 ext. 302,

                                                                                                                                kgoehring@healthcaremontgomery.org

 

Heart of Montgomery County to host Children's Mental Health Conference in August

Event features local law enforcement and education system experts, continuing education opportunities

 

Heart of Montgomery County, Inc. will host its first ever Children's Mental Health Conference from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on August 14 at the Lone Star College – Montgomery campus as part of "Children's Mental Health Month." The forum will include two panels featuring local experts who will speak about law enforcement and education system issues affecting parents and adults who work with children with mental health concerns. The conference also will include two continuing education unit (CEU) opportunities and exhibitors from local agencies affiliated with children and mental health.

Scott Poland, Ed.D., will deliver the first CEU opportunity presentation from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., which will cover self-injury, suicide and the Choking Game.  Judge Edie Connelly will give a CEU presentation from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on issues related to Montgomery County children and the importance of mental health care.

Each CEU opportunity is open to social workers, licensed professional counselors, licensed chemical dependency counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, Ph.Ds and Type II nurses. The meeting site is located at the college, Room A-202, 3200 College Park Drive in Conroe and admission is free. Because seating is limited, advance registration is required for both CEU presentations.

The purpose of the conference is to make parents and adults who work with children aware of available mental health resources in the county. Heart, a Collaborative consisting of 57 individuals, organizations, businesses, non-profit agencies and providers, also hopes to increase dialogue among Montgomery County agencies affiliated with children and mental health and to make each aware of what services other organizations offer.

"Heart is thrilled to bring so many people and agencies together to make the community a better place for children," commented Jeanne M. Knapp, President of Heart. "We hope to help people understand that being mentally healthy, even in kids, is just as critical as being physically healthy. We are grateful to have the support of experts like Dr. Poland and Judge Connelly, who are passionate about helping children and adolescents grow into successful, happy people."

 

The schedule of events includes:

7-7:30 a.m.                                Registration for Dr. Poland CEU presentation  

7:30 – 9:30 a.m.                       Dr. Poland CEU presentation     

9:30 – 10 a.m.                          Booth browsing

10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.              Panel I: Navigating the Educational System for Kids with Mental Health         Issues

11:30-12 p.m.                           Booth browsing and registration for Judge Connelly CEU presentation

12     – 1 p.m.                              Judge Connelly CEU presentation

1 – 1:30 p.m.                            Booth browsing

1:30 – 3 p.m.                            Panel II: Navigating the Law Enforcement System for Kids with Mental Health Issues

 

Sponsors of the event include Heart and its Friends for Life program, as well as Lone Star College – Montgomery.  Friends for Life is a joint program of Heart and Tri-County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services. Kingwood Pines is providing the CEUs for both presentations. Heart is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is funded entirely by grants and private donations.  All contributions are tax deductible. Please visit www.healthcaremontgomery.org  or call 281-292-0601 for more information.