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August 2019
Get back-to-school ready this August
3 helpful back-to-school to-do's for parents 

The start of a new school year can be both an exciting and intimidating time for your student. Remember how you felt when you moved to a new city for the first time? When you started that new job? No matter the size of the transition, it can be a challenge for many of us. And for your children, this transition may be one of the toughest points of their life so far.
 
As a parent, it's essential to be there to help your child work through their feelings around going back to school or starting school. 


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Starting fr eshman year of college? Here's how to deal if you're stressed

You finished high school, summer is quickly coming to a close, and you find yourself feeling anxious. Not only are you making decisions for yourself about what's next, but your friendships are changing as people head in different directions. Change is inevitable, but starting this new chapter can be a lot to deal with at once.

If you're heading to college, there will be a ton of exciting new changes and challenges coming your way. Fear not - we're here to remind you that no matter which route you end up taking, it will be okay. You aren't alone in feeling like this.

 Head to our blog for three common challenges of starting college and how to take care of yourself as you navigate through them.
Parents go back to school too!
Save the date for our Helping Kids Thrive Parent Conference 
Helping Kids Thrive Parent Conference is a free annual event providing hands-on practical information for parents, caregivers, and guardians to help children of all ages grow in positive ways. This year, we're adding in new classes and a second conference date. You won't want to miss it!

29th Annual  Helping Kids Thrive  Parent Conference
Thursday, September 26, 2019
5:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Creighton Middle School
50 S. Kipling Street, Lakewood

*Second Conference Added*
Helping Kids Thrive  Parent Conference 
&  Community Wellness Fair
Thursday, October 3, 2019
5:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Bell Middle School
1001 Ulysses St, Golden

Be the first to know when registration is live. 
Be a voice for mental health care in our communities
 Become an advocate and help shape the mental health policy conversation
1 - Join our Policy Action Network (PAN)
Become an advocate for mental health - join Jefferson Center's Policy Action Network (PAN).

PAN works to engage elected officials and other decision makers to support adequate mental and substance use resources in our community and end the stigma of mental illness. When you join PAN, we'll send you up to date information about legislation and issues related to mental health and substance use in our community.

Reach out to [email protected] f or more information.
2 - Behavioral Health Legislative Round Up
This past weekend, we hosted the first of our Behavioral Health Community Town Hall Series at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden. More than 40 people, including community members, elected officials, clients, and providers came together to discuss recent mental health and substance use disorder legislation and initiatives. Special thanks to our partners and expert panelists who helped make this possible.  
 
Panel members:  Dr. Kiara Kuenzler, CEO, Jefferson Center for Mental Health; Summer Gathercole, Senior Advisor for Behavioral Health Transformation at CDHS; Doyle Forrestal, CEO, Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council; Ernestine Mondragon, Policy Matters; Dr. Susan Leach, Chief Student Success Officer, Jeffco Public Schools; Brad Sjostrom, LCSW, MAC, Director, West Pines Behavioral Health 
Keep your eyes peeled for information about our next Behavioral Health Community Town Hall. 
Want to know more about mental health and substance use disorders, but don't know where to start? 
Learn the signs and how to help when someone you know is in crisis
Take a Mental Health First Aid class and you'll learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of a range of mental health and substance use disorders, and build the skills and confidence to help someone in crisis.

Thanks to an exciting partnership between Jefferson Center, Rep. Brianna Titone, the Quiat Family Foundation, and Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, you can attend an Adult or Youth MHFA course at no cost to you on Saturday August 24! Lunch will be provided. 
Adult Mental Health First Aid
Saturday, August 24, 2019
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Red Rocks Community College - Arvada Campus
10280 West 55th Avenue ,  Arvada  80002
  Register Now
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Saturday, August 24, 2019
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Red Rocks Community College - Arvada Campus
10280 West 55th Avenue ,  Arvada  80002
  Register Now


Jefferson Center offers these classes FREE to our community every month, 
and would love to see you there. For a full list of upcoming classes,  visit www.jcmh.org/mhfa.
Thank you for making our 10th Annual Putt Your Stuff tournament one for the record books!
More than  300 golfers enjoyed a beautiful Colorado summer evening playing a round of miniature golf, relaxing with family and friends, and learning more about Jefferson Center. We made some new friends, and we raised more than $22,000 to help fund the critical services that Jefferson Center provides to our community!
 
A special thank you to our sponsors:

  BKD CPAs & Advisors
Citywide Banks
 Dilley Printing
 Fastsigns Arvada
 Greiner Electric
 MedKeeper
 Netsmart
 Pietra's Pizzeria
 Rozeboom & Company
 Security Central
 Southwest Lock & Safe
 Westerra Credit Union
 
Boulder Associates
Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
Empowered Partnerships
Innovest Portfolio Solutions
KTK General Contracting
Jeanne Oliver
Rotary Club of Golden
Sooper Credit Union
Elissa Stein & Richard Replin
Tolin Mechanical
West Metro Chamber
Jefferson Center is a nonprofit, community-focused mental health care and substance use services provider. We offer hope and support to individuals and families who are struggling with mental health issues and substance use disorders.
 
Serving our community is at the core of everything we do.
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Jefferson Center
303-425-0300 | [email protected] | www.jcmh.org
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