Programs & Services

Conference Scholarships No Longer Available Due to Funding Cuts

In past years, generous funders have subsidized parent scholarships for our annual Child and Adolescent Mental Health conference. Unfortunately, this year we have already exhausted our conference scholarship resources. We are extremely disappointed that we cannot offer more conference funding because we know how much the families we support value the information they gain and the connections they make at the conference.

If you were planning to apply for a scholarship to attend the 2008 conference, please read on for suggestions of where you might find funding.

• Some money has been set aside in both Dakota County and Washington County to pay partial costs for parents attending the 2008 MACMH conference.  For information on Washington County funding, contact Jenny Tobin at 651-351-3120.  For information about Dakota County funding Suzette at 651-645-2948, ext 102.

• Dakota County has announced the availability of one-time grants to help children with E/BD or SED supplement their formal treatment plans.  In some cases, it may be possible to use this money to cover the costs of attending the 2008 MACMH conference. Dakota County parents who are interested should contact Suzette Scheele at 651-645-2948, ext. 102.
  
  
• STARS is committed to sending parents who have a child with a mental health issue from their four-county service area (Benton, Stearns, Sherburne, and Wright) to the MACMH conference. They can help with registration and lodging expenses – as well as associated costs when indicated. If you are a parent of a child who has a mental health disorder and live in STARS’ service area, contact Mary Christen Czech at 763-271-5321 or 877-333-0083.
  

• You can request funding from your child's school. Ask the Special Education Director in your district about possible funds set aside for parent training. Also try the PTA.
  
  
• CADI, MR/RC and Consumer self-directed waiver dollars can be used to fund the conference fee and possibly some associated expenses. Be sure to contact your social worker early so the funding is included in your annual budget.
  
  
• Try contacting your local Children's Mental Health Collaborative, Family Service Collaborative, Local Advisory Council (LAC), Local Coordinating Council (LCC), and other local parent organizations. In fact, if you get involved now you can campaign for scholarship money to be part of the group's annual budget. For phone numbers and contacts at these organizations call MACMH.
  
  
• Many corporations have local community support programs. For example, try calling your local Wal*Mart, Target, Cub Foods, or Rainbow Foods! Ask to speak to a manager who should be able to tell you about their giving program.
  
  
• Contact your church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious organization.
  
  
• Try local civic organizations such as the American Legion, VFW, Elks Club, and Masonic Lodge. Many of these groups are involved in children's causes. These organizations are often more willing to give if you offer to report back on your experience--this also opens up another opportunity to spread awareness about children's mental health.
  
  
• Ask your health insurance company to contribute to your cost. It may be a slim chance, but a good idea. Make the case that your access to the information and resources presented at the conference is preventative care they should subsidize, just like they offer discounts on exercise programs and other preventative care.

We wish all parents much success in securing funding and look forward to a lively and informative 2008 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference.

• To ensure you receive information about our annual conference, e-mail your current contact information to info@macmh.org or click here to download the MACMH mail list form.