home > news

Our research is designed to promote the transformation of mental health care by increasing knowledge of supports, services, and policies that:

New Job Opportunity: Youth Summit Assistant Coordinator
The RTC is seeking a youth candidate to help us coordinate our Youth Summit, which will be held as a pre-conference session from June 21-22nd, 2009; and to assist in planning how youth perspectives will be represented and responded to during our Building on Family Strengths Conference, which immediately follows the Youth Summit. The closing date for this job position is September 22, 2008.
See our job opportunity flyer for more details.

New PSU Student Job Opportunity: Underrepresented Researchers Mentoring Program
We are looking for PSU students to participate in the Underrepresented Researchers Mentoring Program.  This program offers underrepresented students the opportunity to increase their research skills and knowledge while working in the field of children’s mental health research. The program is intended for students of color, first generation college students, and students with disabilities. The closing date for this position is October 13, 2008.
For more information about requirements and how to apply see our student job opportunity flyer.

New Featured Discussion: "Classmates Are Affected by Domestic Violence "
A recent study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research examined the impact of children from “troubled families” on their peers. The presence of these children from “troubled families” caused a statistically significant decrease in classmates’ math and reading test scores and a statistically significant increase in classmate disciplinary actions and suspensions. Do you think that the peer effects of “troubled children” in the classroom can be generalized to other issues beyond domestic violence?
Join this month's discussion and share your thoughts.

Children’s Stigmatization of Common Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
This article, produced by researchers associated with the Research and Training Center, reports on the results of an online survey that aimed to asses the levels of stigmatization among children towards peers with ADHD and depression, two of the most common emotional and behavioral disorders among youth. Data showed that both ADHD and depression had higher stigmatization rates than asthma, and depression was overall more stigmatized than ADHD. The results also showed that children viewed peers with ADHD and depression as being violent or dangerous; past studies have found that a perception of danger appears to be an important factor contributing to social distancing.
Read more in the publisher's abstract.

Take our Focal Point Survey and Enter a Drawing for a $25 Gift Card!
Are you a Focal Point reader? If so, we invite you to take a 3-minute survey to let us know what you think. We will use the data from the survey to help us improve the quality of our work, and to demonstrate to our funders that our activities have a positive impact. Your responses will be anonymous. At the end of the survey, you will have the chance to enter into a drawing for a $25 e-gift card to Amazon.com. Contact Nicole Aue at aue@pdx.edu with questions or concerns regarding the survey.

RTC Impact Surveys
Many of you have received--and responded to--invitations to participate in surveys about how useful you found our Center's publications, presentations, conference and technical assistance. Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out one or more of the various surveys over the last year or so. This month, we compiled an informal report on some of the findings. Now you can read about the results of the Impact Surveys.

New Publications/Tools from the RTC:

--Children's stigmatization of childhood depression and ADHD: Magnitude and demographic variation in a national sample.

--Individualized services in systems of care: The wraparound process.

--Child care and employed parents of children with emotional or behavioral disorders.


Search our Publications page by title for more information.

The RTC makes its products accessible to diverse audiences. If you need a publication in an alternative format, please contact the Publications Coordinator.

Benefits and Challenges of Evidence-Based Practice for Children and Adolescents
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) can enhance care systems for children and adolescents with mental health problems, according to this report by the American Psychological Association. When effectively implemented, EBP utilizes available resources so that youth with mental health problems can receive the treatment and services needed.

Handbook for Families Affected by Autism
This Autism Speaks publication provides guidance to families on how to best plan the first 100 days after their child is diagnosed with Autism.

Transition Difficulties for Young Adults With Mental Illnesses
A Government Accountability Office report has shown that young adults with severe mental illnesses, particularly between the ages of 18 and 26, have a difficult time transitioning into productive roles in society. New federal initiatives are aiming to provide better support to help this population transition from childhood to adulthood.

Youth Participation in Decision Making Processes
This report analyzes the various approaches to youth engagement that youth programs and organizations have developed to include young people in decision making activities.

Troubled Children Affect Classmates’ Test Scores and Behavior
Troubled children not only score lower on standardized tests, but their classmates are also receiving lower scores, according to a recent study. In addition, boys seem to experience a greater level of impact from troubled classmates than girls do.

Research Shows That Genetics Has an Influence on Delinquency
Researchers have isolated specific genes that can help predict serious and violent delinquency when combined with social factors.