It's high time I wrote something as there is much information to share. The trouble is I've been impacted by my child's struggle and have been feeling burned out. Not that I'm not accomplishing things. I've asked for an IEP meeting before the next semester starts in just a matter of days and of course that takes energy. I've been coping with seasonal affective depression. My child did not go to school today, but I didn't let that affect my life.
The wonderful thing is I know I'm not alone. Friday morning I was at the Children's Mental Health Workgroup and two of us in the room had children that were not in school for mental health related school refusal. (Isn't all school refusal mental health related?) Today I drove to Mount Vernon to meet with Statewide Family Network meeting, sponsored by HCA, where 3 of us in the room had children at home with school refusal. (IMHO Yes.)
I got home at 4:50. At 5:11 I realized today is the last day to register to vote (or update your information) to participate in the next election. My school attendance scofflaw just turned 18 on Wednesday. We didn't make it to the DOL to get her first ID (neither of my kids have their licenses). So I don't know if she's going to be ready to vote on the controversial Seattle School Levy coming up in February.
The only reason I remembered the registration deadline is today was I got an email that House Bill 1074 is having it's public hearing tomorrow. I've been following this bill because it pertains to raising the age for tobacco and vapor products to 21. My newly minted, vape-loving adult is unconcerned if it passes because she is certain she can buy everything she now is addicted to on-line. (Yes. She got hooked on nicotine by vaping while still a high school student so I'm certainly in favor of this passing and testified so last year.) If you care to send your testimony in support of this bill, you can do so now https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill//1074. The public hearing is Tuesday, January 15 at 1:30. If anyone plans to attend, please let us know so we can cheer you on.
Unfortunately I didn't remember to mention either the registration deadline or the bill hearing earlier at the Statewide Family Network meeting. Jerri Clark was there to present her MOMI (Mothers of Severely Mentally Ill) Legislative Agenda. She shared a helpful advocate packet and a link to a PBS news story from last week featuring her story: https://www.facebook.com/MOMI-Mothers-of-the-Mentally-Ill-287852191968017/.
I reported about the Adolescent Behavioral Healthcare Access Bill. At least that's what I'm proposing we call it. I'm sick of people talking about PIT. IMHO, PIT stinks and I want to have our new legislation to leave it behind us! I also shared school-based social emotional behavioral health recommendations that are solid and much needed -- especially the recommendations to expand school-based mental health and fully funding school counselors that spend their time delivering services to students.
We also heard reports about key take aways learned at the National Family Conference in Texas earlier this year. Copies of the presentations today are available from Washington State Community Connectors (WSCC).
Today we spoke as parents and advocates about building a shared vision for family behavioral healthcare delivery in our state. The State Children's Behavioral Health Summit this spring is an opportunity for voices of lived experience to join together to share a vision for true family behavioral health care. Each of us brings an experience of what didn't work and what did. We have the realities of what is known to work, what we don't yet understand, and how much we are willing to invest in our children and families. We need all of the best ideas, collaborative intention, and problem solving abilities to pivot our broken system to one of care, but I believe we can!
My legislative priorities for 2019 are:
1. Pass the Adolescent Behavioral Healthcare Access Bill
2. Fully fund special education with a committment to hold a family-centered stakeholder study aimed at overhauling an antiquated and inadequate system that is breaking federal law and does not serve the mental health needs of its students.
3. Ensure that the FYSPRT system has continued support to solidify its integrity during our transition to the Health Care Authority system. We must ensure that WISe continues to be robustly funded so that family centered, intensive in-home services are provided to all famillies in need -- not just those with Medicaid.
4. Meaningful adoption of funding and policy recommendations from MOMI and a clear path to future behavioral healthcare reforms that cannot be accomplished this year.
What do you want to see happen this session?
P.S. As I write this, my daughter is finishing up yesterday's chores. She still has her list of today's to accomplish before she goes to bed tonight. Let's hope she remembers to take her medication tonight so she can get up in the morning for school. Each day is a new beginning. A new chance to make positive changes for the better. I hold on to a vision of what children are capable of, keep the faith to continue to believe despite the mistakes and setbacks, and nurture the stamina to stay committed to keeping her safe as I am able until she finds her way to independence and knowing when it is time to draw the line and take care of myself. It is the way of a parent of a struggling child. Namaste.
