Visions for Tomorrow Teachers Needed
Are you willing to help parents and care givers learn the facts
about children's mental health and behavior challenges?
Applications are being accepted
Contact: Jackie Elfmann, VFT State Coordinator
NAMI IOWA—Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Iowa
5911 Meredith Drive, Ste. E, Des Moines IA 50322-1903
phone: 515-254-0417 or 800-417-0417 email: jkelfmann@aol.com
Who may teach Visions for Tomorrow? Teachers are volunteers who are parents, extended family, or foster parents who have experience raising a child or adolescent who has a behavioral disorder or mental illness. They attend a weekend training session, expenses paid by NAMI IOWA. Teachers agree to teach the course twice in two years and/or present foster parent workshops or professional in-service trainings. Materials are provided by NAMI IOWA.
What is Visions for Tomorrow? VFT is an educational program for people who are raising children and adolescents who have behavioral disorders or mental illnesses. The curriculum is designed to help parents, foster parents and other caregivers face the day-to-day challenges; learn the facts; and find support, resources, and strategies to cope.
Workshop topics include:
Brain Biology
ADD/ADHD, PDD/Autism, Conduct Disorder, Tourette’s Disorder
Bipolar, Depressive Disorder, Eating Disorder
Anxiety Disorders: Obsessive Compulsive, Post-Traumatic, Separation Anxiety,
Generalized Anxiety, Phobia & Panic Disorder
Early Onset Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective
Empathy: Sharing Our Unique Life Experiences
Organization of Data and Record Keeping, Communication Skills
Coping and Self-Care
Problem Management
Rehabilitation, Recovery, and Transition
Advocacy, Judicial, and Stigma
The curriculum may also be adapted for professional in-service trainings provided for educators and other school personnel, daycare providers, respite care providers, emergency first responders, and others whose work brings them into contact with children and adolescents.
Family to Family Teachers Needed
Are you willing to help family members of adults face the challenges of mental illness and
find insight, understanding and empowerment?
Applications are being accepted for 2008 Family to Family volunteer teacher training sessions
Contact: Carol Porch, Family to Family Coordinator
NAMI IOWA 5911 Meredith Drive, Ste. E, Des Moines IA 50322-1903
Phone: 319-351-3498 (Carol’s home phone); 515-254-0417, or 800-417-0417 (outside Des Moines) email:porch@avalon.net or cporch@namiiowa.com
Who may teach? Teachers are volunteers who have a family member who has a serious mental illness and agree to teach the course at least once per year for two years. They are persons who are comfortable with emotional issues families face and able to self-disclose regarding guilt, anger, shame, ambivalence and grief. They must submit an application form and signed agreement and have completed three day training, expenses paid by NAMI IOWA.
What is Family to Family? It is an education course on mental illness that meets for 12 weeks, two and a half hours a week. The course uses a combination of lecture, interactive exercises and group processes to give support, resources, and coping strategies. Class topics include:
Brain Biology
Schizophrenia, Major Depression, Mania & Schizoaffective Disorder
Mood Disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Dual Diagnosis
Basics about the Brain
Problem Solving Skills
Medication Review
Empathy and understanding
Communication Skills
Self-Care
Recovery
Advocacy
Review & Evaluation
This curriculum is designed for adult family members only. Professionals and consumers are welcome to take Family to Family only is they are willing to speak/teach from the family member role and viewpoint.