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

NAMI Presents: Children’s Challenging Behaviors in Faribault, Waseca, St. James, Albert Lea

Posted by Andy Alt

The following information is sourced from the SCCMHI blog:

NAMI Presents:

Children’s Challenging Behaviors

• Are you concerned about your child’s behavior?
• Are you looking for resources and information?
• Are you curious what behavior is ” typical” and what isn’t?

Let’s get together and talk about our children’s challenging behaviors, learn new parenting strategies, discuss ideas for support and self-care, and connect with other parents for encouragement and hope!

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Sexual Abuse: A Survivor’s Story

Merely Me's Profile on Health Central

By Merely Me / Merely Me’s SharePosts

March 17, 2009

My palms are sweating, my heart is beginning to pound, and I am already near tears.  I have just written my first sentence and I am already having an emotionally difficult time in writing this post.  I feel the subject is so important that I am willing to do this in hopes that I will help someone else who has been through this.  This isn’t some academic research article.  I am writing this as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.

South Central Minnesota Mental Health Resource List

NAMI presenting two workshops in Faribault: Children’s Challenging Behaviors, Kidshops

Posted by Andy Alt / http://northfieldmn.wordpress.com

From Tina at SCCMHI, I received a copy of the following email:

NAMI Minnesota will be in Faribault on Saturday, May 16, 2009 presenting two workshops at Kids Avenue located at 2700 Cardinal Lane in Faribault.

The first workshop, Children’s Challenging Behaviors, is for parents, caregivers and/or foster care parents of children with challenging behaviors and/or mental health diagnosis.  It will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and includes lunch.

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.

Eating Disorders

The following are links to local and National resources that are relevant to eating disorders. If you have any suggestions, especially ones that are specific to Northfield or Rice County, please contact me or leave a comment.

St. Olaf College Resources | Eating Disorders

Center for Human Resources
220 Division Street
Northfield, MN 55057

This is a list of Current Offerings and presentations available by Dorothee Ischler.

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.