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The Federation on the Move
May 2022 Newsletter
NFF News and Highlights
Children's Mental Health Acceptance Week
This is Children's Mental Health Acceptance Week (CMHAW). We're excited to share our latest infographics that reflect the voices of youth and their families about the importance of acceptance of mental health needs. We invite you to check them out and hope you will share them with your own communities. Awareness is not enough. It's time for action!
Join us on Tuesday, May 24th from 2:00 - 3:30 pm ET to hear a powerful panel of young adults reflect on what acceptance of their mental health needs would have meant for them as children/youth.
The 2022 Annual Conference
We're excited to host this year's conference - "Families Can't Wait: Providing Essential Support for Today's Challenges and Tomorrow's Wellbeing" - in Oklahoma City, OK on November 3rd - 5th, 2022.

We invite you to connect and showcase your organization with our national audience by sponsoring and/or exhibiting. Hotel reservations can be made here. Our room block guarantees a reduced rate, and space is limited. We recommend making your reservations early.
Staff Changes
This month we say farewell to our dear friend and team member, Leann Sherman. After five and a half years, Leann is moving on to a new chapter in her life. We wish her well and thank her for the tremendous support and kindness she has shown our team and our affiliates over the years.
We're excited to welcome our newest team member, Jenny Wagoner. Serving as our Business Manager, Jenny comes to us with a wealth of experience. She will be a terrific addition to the team and a great support to our affiliates and to individuals applying for national certification.
Affiliate News
We're excited to welcome our newest Executive Directors:

Welcome, Jodie and Christi! We look forward to working with you both.
Mental Health Month
Since 1949, Mental Health America (MHA) and its affiliates have observed Mental Health Month in May. Two years of pandemic living has taken a toll on everyone's well-being. This year, the theme of MHA’s 2022 Mental Health Month Toolkit is "Back to Basics."
Get the MHA toolkit in English and in Spanish.
NFSTAC News and Highlights
Get the Support You Need
The National Family Support Technical Assistance Center (NFSTAC) invites you to submit requests for technical assistance. NFSTAC is driven by the needs of families and the workforce that supports families. NFSTAC works for you.

NFSTAC provides education, training, and family support resources tailored specifically to families, the family peer workforce, communities, healthcare systems, clinicians and educators. Our network of partners and subject matter experts will work with you to help address your needs. Our technical assistance is always free and we're ready to assist you.
Upcoming Events
Family Connections - Thursday, May 5th
  • Title: Conversations about Our Children
  • Learn more and register here.

Monthly Webinar - Wednesday, May 18th
  • Title: Important Strategies for Family/Caregivers and the Family Peer Support Workforce Working with Families of LGBTQ+ Children
  • Learn more and register here.

Office Hour for Executive Directors & Family Leaders - Thursday, May 26th
  • Title: Spotlight Your Family-Run Org: Strategies for Marketing in Your Community  
  • Learn more and register here.
Legislative and Advocacy Updates
NEW May Advocacy Calendar
If you're looking for ways to support Children's Mental Health Acceptance Week and Mental Health Month, look no further! We recently published a new advocacy calendar that provides step-by-step advocacy activities and information for all 31 days in the month of May. Take advantage of this opportunity to hone your advocacy skills one day at a time this month.
Updated Legislative and Advocacy Webpages
NFF's legislative and advocacy web pages have been updated to help you give you all the tools you need to be an effective advocate. As part of your commitment to children's mental health acceptance, spend some time getting reacquainted with the tools available to you.

  • There is a new Legislation to Know Section that will keep you up to date on newly implemented and proposed legislation and policies that surround mental health. This takes the place of previous legislative newsletters.
  • The Helpful Advocacy Tools and Resources section has been updated to provide more tools to support your growth as an advocate.
  • We have also added a Who Represents Me Link to help you find all your legislators contact and social media information - those representing you nationally and locally.
Event Highlights
Below is a list of upcoming webinars and events that may be of interest to parents/caregivers, families and those who support them. Click the title of any event to learn more and/or to register.
Resource Highlights
We encourage you to explore the resources below for caregivers, youth and young adults, the family peer support workforce and mental health and substance use professionals. Have a resource you'd like to share? Feel free to email us for consideration in future newsletters.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s (1-800-273-8255) network of over 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers across the country.
On July 16, 2022, the U.S. will transition to using the 988-dialing code to strengthen and expand the existing Lifeline.
Mental Health Month Toolkit

Mental Health America (MHA) is proud to announce that its 2022 Mental Health Month Toolkit is now available. They invite individuals and organizations to help spread the word that mental health is something everyone should care about by using the toolkit's materials and hosting awareness activities. MHA's 2022 Mental Health Month Toolkit, Back to Basics, is now available in English and Spanish.
Mental Health Action Day

Mental Health Action Day (May 19th) lifts the conversation from awareness to action and encourages partners to share evidence-based tools that can help people take their first steps toward deeper connection. The Day calls for coordinated action among media brands, local and national nonprofit organizations, technology companies, influential individuals and anyone who understands the importance of mental health — to rally together in support of taking the first step to get help. Learn more and register to join here.
Operation: Conversation

On Our Sleeves created all-new conversation starters that will help you ask the right questions about feelings, coping strategies and mental wellness. And they’ll help you establish a routine of checking in on a regular basis.