News Release Details
AVON, Conn., Nov 19, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Magellan Health Services, Inc. is helping to draw attention to children's mental health issues by presenting on the company's innovative child and youth-based programs at the 20th annual conference of the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health (National Federation). The conference, taking place November 20-23 in Atlanta, Georgia, is expected to draw 1,000 family advocates, child mental health professionals and youth leaders from across the country.
Magellan is presenting on three programs that promote prevention and resiliency by emphasizing family-driven and youth-guided care:
-- MY LIFE and MY Fest -- Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring Future Empowerment (MY LIFE) members will join Greg Dicharry, development manager of Peer and Family Delivered Services for Magellan, to present information on how to produce youth-led events such as MY Fest, a music and arts festival held in Phoenix, Arizona in June of this year. MY Fest raised youth awareness of behavioral health issues and promoted positive life choices and community involvement. More than 1,200 youth and families attended the free event. Due to the success of MY Fest, a second festival is planned for April 11, 2009. MY LIFE is a youth leadership program developed by Magellan of Arizona and designed to identify and implement strategies for inspiring and supporting young people to be fully engaged in their communities. The program is made up of youth between the ages of 13 and 23 who have experience with mental health, substance abuse and foster care-related issues and have a desire to have a positive impact on their community mental health system. The group gives teenagers and young adults an opportunity to use their experience, talents and voice to make positive changes in their lives while helping others to do the same.
-- Supporting Families through Kinship Care -- Pat Hunt, Magellan's national director of Child and Family Resiliency Services, and David Hall, manager of Child and Family Resiliency Services in Florida, will present on an innovative program developed in Brevard County, Florida to help children and youth with behavioral health conditions access needed services to stay with their families and avoid foster care. The Kinship Navigator program promotes early mental health and wellness care, strengthening and preserving parent/family connections, and linking participants to community resources and natural supports such as family, friends and coaches. The workshop presentation will review methods for tracking outcomes, and strategies for engaging youth, their families and program partners in the Kinship Navigator program.
-- Transforming a Culture for Principle-Driven Practice -- Pat Hunt also will present a poster session that describes Magellan's comprehensive approach to embracing the principles of resiliency, recovery and cultural competence by making them an integral part of all Magellan public sector programs. The presentation will highlight a principle-driven approach that guides Magellan's decisions, and shapes service development in programs such as MY LIFE and Kinship Navigator.
"We are delighted to join the National Federation and other advocates for children and youth at this important forum," said Russell C. Petrella, Ph.D., president of Magellan's behavioral health division. "With programs centered on family-driven and youth-guided care, families, young people, providers and administrators have a shared decision-making role in the care process and responsibility for outcomes. Together we are working to deliver the services and supports children need to safely live at home, achieve in school and be active participants in their communities."
"Our focus at this year's conference is on eradicating stigma and promoting positive mental health, two key areas that are in great need of attention by the human services community in the United States," said Sandra Spencer, executive director of the National Federation. "We are pleased to have the support of Magellan Health Services in helping us to bring this topic front and center."
Earlier this year, Magellan partnered with the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health as a national sponsor of the organization's Children's Mental Health Awareness Week. The sponsorship enabled the National Federation to expand its ability to develop educational materials and resources to promote children's mental health.
About Magellan: Headquartered in Avon, Conn., Magellan Health Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGLN) is a leading specialty health care management organization. In addition to behavioral health care, the company manages radiology benefits and specialty pharmaceuticals. Its customers include health plans, corporations and government agencies.
SOURCE: Magellan Health Services, Inc.
Magellan Health Services, Inc.
Tina Carroll, 314-387-5345