For many parents, children and families, incarceration of a family member is a reality.  Often times, the children of the incarcerated are left behind.  For those caring for children of incarcerated family members, there is support.  Having an incarcerated family member or being incarcerated can have a significant affect on someone’s mental health.  The Family and Corrections Network has a resource for caregivers of children whose parents are incarcerated.  The resource discusses how to answer common questions about incarceration in ways that support the emotional well-bing of the child.  Take a look at the brochure by visiting:  http://www.fcnetwork.org/cpl/CPL103-Conversations-Questions.pdf

You could also visit their website for more information about children and families of the incarcerated at www.fcnetwork.org

DMV is supporting the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) in promoting its 2013 campaign message “9-1-1 Wants You to Know.” District residents are advised to create a safety profile at www.smart911.com, which can include pertinent addresses, phone numbers, and specific medical conditions. Information in the profile will automatically be displayed to 9-1-1 during emergency calls.

Last August 2012, Mayor Vincent C. Gray established the DC Heath Benefit Exchange Authority to implement President Obama‘s new health care law. The bill, which is known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), was signed into law March 23, 2010 and as a result, thousands of Americans including District residents, small business owners, and their employees will soon have access to comprehensive, affordable health coverage.  Many individuals and families will qualify for help paying for health insurance premiums.

As a national leader in fulfilling the promise of the health care law, the District of Columbia through its DC Health Benefit Exchange (HBX) is building a new online marketplace, called DC Health Link. DC Health Link is for District residents and small businesses to get the facts about their rights and benefits, shop for coverage, and compare options side-by-side before choosing the plan that best meets their needs and budgets. Residents will begin to enroll in the health plan of their choice on October 1, 2013, with coverage starting January 1, 2014.

To learn more about DC Health Link and the affordable, high-quality health insurance options offered as well as about the new Medicaid options, attend any of the DC Health Link Town Hall meetings.  See list below:

Wednesday, July 10, 2013 (Ward 7) 
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church
3000 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20020

Tuesday, July 16, 2013 (Ward 7)
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Deanwood Recreation Center
1350 49th Street, NE
Washington, DC 20019

Saturday, July 20, 2013 – Ward 5
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center
1100 Michigan Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20017

Tuesday, July 23, 2013 (Ward 1) 
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Columbia Heights Community Center
1480 Girard St. NW
Washington, DC 20009

Monday, July 29, 2013 (Ward 4) 
6:30 pm- 8:30 pm
Takoma Educational Campus
7010 Piney Branch Road, NW
Washington, DC 20012

Thursday, July 25, 2013 (Ward 3) 
6:30 pm- 8:30 pm
Friendship -Tenley Library
4450 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016

Saturday, July 20, 2013 (Ward 8)  
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Savoy/Thurgood Marshall Gymnasium
2427 Martin Luther King Jr., Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20020

Tuesday, July 30, 2013 (Ward 6) 
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Brent Elementary
301 North Carolina Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20003

Wednesday, August 7, 2013 (Ward 2)  
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Foundry United Methodist Church
1500 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Thursday, August 8, 2013 (Ward 6) 
6:30 pm – 8:30 m
Watha T. Daniel Library
1630 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

Saturday, September 14, 2013 (Ward 8)
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Fort Stanton Recreation Center
1812 Erie Street, SE
Washington, DC 20020

Come out and join us! Experts will be available to share information and answer questions about the Affordable Care Act, the new online health insurance marketplace (DC Health Link) for individuals, families and small businesses and the new Medicaid options.  For more information, please visit www.dchealthlink.com.

Tell your neighbors and friends to mark their calendars and be there!

*This post was copied directly from an email sent from the DC Government and DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority.*

Here’s a public service announcement about children’s mental health.  This video was uploaded by the Charity Child Guidance Center.  For more information about their program visit www.help4mykid.org.  At MBK, we provide mental health services to children in need.  For more information about our services, email us at contact@mbktransitional.org.