Children with Autism and Asperger’s 13th Annual Training Event

Posted by Andy Alt on October 6th 2009

TinaMarie Lugo sent me the following: (I apologize for not getting it posted sooner; she sent it on Sep 24th)

Greater Minnesota Family Services

13th Annual Training Event

Children with Autism and Asperger’s Diagnoses

Presented by:

Dr. Elizabeth Reeve

Webcast – The Fostering Connections Act: Building Supportive Pathways for Older Youth

Posted by Andy Alt on April 30, 2009

The information below was posted on the blog of the South Central Children’s Mental Health Initiative (SCCMHI) by Tina Lugo.

You are invited to participate in a Webcast on

“The Fostering Connections Act: Building Supportive Pathways for Older Youth”
Friday, May 15th
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. — 1:00 p.m. CST

To view webcast go to: http://www.nga.org/webcast

**No Registration Required**

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices is pleased to announce the third webcast related to the Fostering Connections Act. We encourage you to pass this invitation along to any colleagues or listservs that might be interested in this event.

The Fostering Connections Act includes several provisions that provide opportunities for states to build supportive pathways for older youth in and transitioning out of care. This webcast will highlight two states, Connecticut and Massachusetts, that have developed a strategic approach to implementing the Fostering Connections Act to support youth. These states also have long standing programs already in place that support older youth
and align with the Fostering Connections Act.

Andy’s Drug Use

Andy’s Drug Use
By Andy Alt / Mental Health in Northfield MN

April 7, 2009

My name is Andy Alt, and in my life, I have abused drugs. I couldn’t help but notice the issue of substance abuse has arisen in Northfield. I felt it might be time to finally do my part to help, if I’m able.

I started smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol when I was 12, marijuana and hash oil when I was 13. I started sniffing gasoline around the same time. I sniffed to the point I’d pass out and have dreams, wake up, and start sniffing again. I dropped acid about ten times, from the ages of 15 to 16. I stopped doing acid because I noticed I was beginning to have difficulties verbalizing my thoughts when I tried to explain things. To this day, I have the same difficulty. I took acid a few times afterward but then quit for fear of further damaging my brain.

Bullying – SF971 and HF1198

An editorial published in the Northfield News (March 25, 2009, Bullying is bad, but state needs priorities) was about legislation addressing bullying.

State Senator Kevin Dahle (D, MN District 25) responded on his web site. He didn’t specifically mention the Northfield News, but I assume the editorial he referred to in his post is the same article I linked to above. Below are two excerpts from Senator Dahle’s post.

Whose Priority?

A recent newspaper editorial criticized a legislative committee for taking up a bill which further defines bullying in the public schools. The bill (SF971) would require school boards to develop policy for training educators on dealing with bullying, reporting such instances, and for instituting disciplinary action should it happen. The final sentence of the editorial wondered why, with a multi-billion dollar deficit, we would be discussing these types of issues.
[...]

Preview of the Minnesota Senate agenda for 2009

State Senator Kevin Dahle (MN District 25) has posted a 2009 Session Preview. A few items on the list:

• College Affordability/College Readiness and Retention
• Juvenile Justice Initiatives/Data Privacy Issues
• Elections Law
• Role of Nuclear Energy in Minnesota’s energy portfolio/Greenhouse Gas reductions
• Health Care Reform/Pharmaceutical Reform/Children’s health insurance
• Minimum Wage/Consumer cost savings measure

Using meditation to ease the stress of the holiday season

Northfield News, December 9, 2008: Take time for relaxation these holidays By: DAVID HENKE, Staff Writer

Excerpt:

NORTHFIELD — Each day, at the Northfield Buddhist Meditation Center, visitors and members gather, take off their shoes and sit on zafus and zabutons, solid black floor cushions arranged around the meditation hall. As silence settles over the room, a member rings a small, ornate gong three times, and the meditation commences.

Zach Pruitt and Kathy Sandberg write about addiction

Yes, I’m finally getting around to mentioning this:

Northfield News, November 18, 2008: What does addiction mean to our community?, a guest column by Zach Pruitt and Kathy Sandberg (or by Kathy Sandberg and Zach Pruitt)

Youth 12-step Recovery Group at First United Church of Christ

Posted by Andy Alt / northfieldmn.wordpress.com

Dec 15, 2008

Youth 12-step Recovery Group to deal with chemical dependency issues. Here’s the rest of the information:

We will be using a meeting room located at First United Church of Christ (View map).The First UCC is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of 3rd Street and Union, just West of the old Middle School. To help obtain anonymity, we will be using a door on the west end of the building along 3rd Street.