We were honored to receive funding from Congressman Phillips’ office, marking the commencement of our “Anoka-Hennepin Ambassador Project.” This initiative allows us to collaborate with the Anoka-Hennepin school district, working closely with students, faculty, and the community. Our primary focus is to elevate awareness surrounding mental health and facilitate open conversations to socialize mental health discussions. Together, through the Anoka-Hennepin Ambassador Project, we strive to create a supportive environment that encourages understanding and proactive engagement with mental health concerns.

Anoka-Hennepin Ambassador Project Goals

• Elevate Awareness
• Cultivate Community Presence
• Foster comfort and awareness in dealing with mental health and substance use disorder concerns

The Anoka-Hennepin Ambassador Project Team

Tips for Providers

We’re excited to share that FastTrackerMN has expanded its keyword options to better represent the diverse range of services offered by our dedicated providers. Two new keywords have been introduced:

1. Veteran:
   • Use this keyword if you serve the veteran population.
   • Offer groups or services tailored to veterans.
   • Have providers on your team who are veterans.
2. Adoption/Foster Care:
   • Select this keyword if your location has expertise in adoption or foster care services.
   • Indicate providers with experience working with families undergoing the adoption process or involved in foster care.

These additions aim to enhance the accuracy and specificity of your listings, ensuring individuals can easily find the services that align with their unique needs. Thank you for your continued commitment to supporting our community’s mental health and substance use disorder needs.

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Breaking Language Barriers: A Multicultural Initiative Unveiled!

FastTrackerMN.org is  embarking on a groundbreaking journey to ensure our platform is accessible to everyone. Our Language Translators and Cultural Liaisons from the Hmong, Spanish, and Somali communities are collaborating to enhance the availability of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder resources across Minnesota.

But that’s not all! If your program includes providers fluent in Somali, Hmong, or Spanish, make sure to highlight this information by adding it as a keyword. It helps individuals in need find you easily and ensures effective communication.

Moreover, as we work on translations, we aim to make our site truly reflect the diversity of Minnesota. We’re striving to create an inclusive space that mirrors the rich cultural tapestry of our state.

Stay tuned for more details and be part of our journey toward breaking language barriers and providing accessible support for all.

Thursday, March 14th–Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, & Alcohol in the Digital Age– In an era where digital influence is inescapable, understanding its impact on our youth’s choices and well-being has never been more crucial. We cordially invite you to join in a powerful film that is aimed at unraveling the digital threads that shape the lives of our young generation. “Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, & Alcohol in the Digital Age” is a film followed by expert panel event that delves deep into these pressing issues, offering insights, strategies, and a platform for meaningful dialogue.… Jordan High School: REGISTER

Wednesday, March 20th– Minnesota Social Services Association Conference– This year’s conference focuses on empowering HHS professionals, fostering a culture of support, and building sustainability in our work, while centering anti-oppression, equity, and inclusion… REGISTER

Thursday, March 21st–Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, & Alcohol in the Digital Age– In an era where digital influence is inescapable, understanding its impact on our youth’s choices and well-being has never been more crucial. We cordially invite you to join in a powerful film that is aimed at unraveling the digital threads that shape the lives of our young generation. “Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, & Alcohol in the Digital Age” is a film followed by expert panel event that delves deep into these pressing issues, offering insights, strategies, and a platform for meaningful dialogue.… Lake Middle School: REGISTER

Thursday, April 18th–Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, & Alcohol in the Digital Age– In an era where digital influence is inescapable, understanding its impact on our youth’s choices and well-being has never been more crucial. We cordially invite you to join in a powerful film that is aimed at unraveling the digital threads that shape the lives of our young generation. “Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, & Alcohol in the Digital Age” is a film followed by expert panel event that delves deep into these pressing issues, offering insights, strategies, and a platform for meaningful dialogue.… Two Rivers High School: REGISTER

If you have any news or announcements, you would like added to the FastTrackerMN.org Newsletter, please Email:

Logan Sheppard: Logan@FastTrackerMN.org

We at FastTrackerMN.org have been auditing locations and organizations already listed on our database search site and have noticed that several are not visible in searches due to missing information. Please check each of your organizations and locations to make sure you are not missing vital information so searchers can find you!

If you manage an organization or location, PLEASE READ!

KEY THINGS TO CHECK ON YOUR PROFILE:

• Do you have locations listed?
  • Your organization is not what shows up in searches. Even if your organization information is the same, you need to create at least one location. Add a location for every location where you provide services. If your locations have the same name, add the city to clarify.
• Are your locations complete?
  • Please make sure you select if your location is MH or SUD
    • If you are an SUD facility or provider, you MUST add a correct license number for that location:
    • Facilities can find license numbers HERE
    • MHCP providers make sure you are listed HERE
    • Tribal programs must include the name of the Tribe.
  • Add all insurances THAT EACH LOCATION accepts.
  • Add all key words associated with that location.
  • MOST IMPORTANT: enter all services provided at that specific location with their availability.
  • Do not list SUD services if that location is not primarily licensed as a SUD program. If your MH clinic locations offers SUD services, please create a duplicate location, including license for SUD searchers.

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Please watch the below 5-minute video if you need help with making sure your profiles are complete.

Use this code until 12/31/2023.

Thursday, October 26th- School Refusal: Facts, Guidance & Resources @ Plymouth Psychology Group 9655 Schmidt Lake Rd Suite 150, Plymouth, MN 55442 REGISTER

Wednesday, November 1st- Saint Paul College Basic Needs Tabling – 235 Marshall Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55102 11-1pm *FASTTRACKERMN.ORG will have a table here.

Saturday, November 4th- NAMI State Conference “Mind and Body Connection” will be held at the Saint Paul RiverCentre CEUs available REGISTER

Wednesday, November 8th- Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health and the Complicated Relationship for People with Diabetes REGISTER

If you have any news or announcements you would like added to the FastTrackerMN.org Newsletter, please Email us:

Samantha with Substance Use Programs – Samantha@FastTrackerMN.org and
Jessica with Mental Health – Jessica@FastTrackerMN.org

Forward this newsletter to a friend!

Use this code until 12/31/2023.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Wednesday, October 18th @ 1:30PM- CEs Available Help Families Empower Change with CRAFT REGISTER

Wednesday, October 25th 11:00AM- Free Webinar: The ASAM Criteria Third Edition or Fourth Edition, a Conundrum Or Not? REGISTER

Thursday, October 26th- School Refusal: Facts, Guidance & Resources @ Plymouth Psychology Group 9655 Schmidt Lake Rd Suite 150, Plymouth, MN 55442 REGISTER

Saturday, November 4th- NAMI State Conference “Mind and Body Connection” will be held at the Saint Paul RiverCentre CEUs available REGISTER

Wednesday, November 8th- Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health and the Complicated Relationship for People with Diabetes REGISTER

If you have any news or announcements you would like added to the FastTrackerMN.org Newsletter, please Email us:

Samantha with Substance Use Programs – Samantha@FastTrackerMN.org and
Jessica with Mental Health – Jessica@FastTrackerMN.org

Forward this newsletter to a friend!

Here are some tips to prevent holiday stress and maintain sobriety that can be put in practice by all.

Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community or other social events or communities. Many may have websites, online support groups, social media sites or virtual events. They can offer support and companionship.

Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like last year, don’t set unrealistic expectations of yourself or others.

Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion.

Learn to say no. Don’t feel pressured into giving time, effort or money that will cause stress. When it comes to sobriety, make sure your not caving to peer pressure, bring your own non alcoholic beverages.

Don’t abandon healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt.

Take a breather/don’t forget self care. Take a break by yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Caring for yourself will give you the reserves to manage both holiday stress and drinking urges, and let you bring your best self to your family gatherings.

Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, triggered to use and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, IT’S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP!

Find a Mental Health or Substance Use provider/ program with IMMEDIATE availability at Search – Fast Tracker (fasttrackermn.org)

DHS seeks input on online search tools for finding mental health and substance use disorder treatment

The Minnesota Department of Human Services is asking stakeholders to complete an online survey by Jan. 20, 2023, to improve currently existing online tools that direct individuals to mental health and substance use disorder services.

The survey gives stakeholders an opportunity to identify what tools are currently being used and what improvements could be made to those tools.

Also included in the survey are questions regarding the culturally specific functionality of these online tools and how that can be improved. The responses will be used to determine how to direct funding related to these online tools and any potential new tools.

Instructions for navigating this web-based survey:

Click the RESET button to reset answers on the current page in the survey.
Click the SUBMIT button on the last page to submit your completed survey to DHS.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Tue, Jan 24: Exercise and Eating Disorders: Helping Clients Return to Healthy Engagement with Exercise – Free Online Webinar -1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST

See you all next year!

If you have any news or announcements you would like added to the FastTrackerMN.org Newsletter, please Email us:

Samantha with Substance Use Programs – Samantha@FastTrackerMN.org and
Jessica with Mental Health – Jessica@FastTrackerMN.org

Forward this newsletter to a friend!