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Show APRIL 4, 2008 PAGE B5 Summit County News 2008 Renewable Energy and Energy Free Class For Parents of Children and Efficiency Improvements Program Announced Teens With Mental Health Issues Farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses have new opportunities toinstall energy efficiency upgrades and new renewable energy systems, according to Jack Cox, USDA Rural Development State Director, in Utah. Recently, USDA Rural Development released its NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) for this year’s Section 9006 clean energy grant and loan guarantee program. The program rules are similar to last year’s, with a few changes. Congress recently boosted total 2008 funding for this program from $23 million to $36 million in recognition of the value and demand for Section 9006. For grants, the USDA is making $15.9 million available for 2008. The USDA has established two grant cycles this year, with application deadlines of April 16th and June 16th. 50% of the grant funding will be set aside for each cycle. Applications not funded in the first cycle will be reconsidered in the second cycle. USDA will review and decide applications for loan guarantees on a continuous basis, but must be received by USDA no later than June 16th. Applications for combined loan guarantee-grants will be reviewed bi-weekly and USDA also must receive those applications no later than June 16. The USDA has provided funding resulting in $205 million in loan guarantees. Grant applicants have the option to submit applications online from www.grants.gov and submit their application electronically. Loan guarantee applications can only be submitted in paper form. Further information on the program including fre- Subscribe To The News! Don’t Miss a Single Issue! 336-5501 Calling all WWII Veterans... We are trying to identify all living WWII Veterans who reside in Wasatch County and their addresses. Call Paul at WHS 654-0640 ...Wasatch High School is looking for you! quently asked questions, official application forms and templates, checklists, tips, case studies, application instructions and regulations can be found at www.farmenergy.org. USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested nearly $91 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available on line at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ut or by visiting a local office, or calling (801) 524-4320; Contact: Donna Birk,Program Information Coordinator Most mental health issues in children and teenagers are primarily manifest through behavioral problems. A child or teen with ADHD or bipolar usually looks completely normal on the outside which leads many people, including well-meaning relatives, teachers and neighbors, to conclude that the child has a behavioral problem as a result of poor parenting. Often these families become isolated as they feel judged and criticized by those who do not fully understand the nature of their child’s neurological disorder. NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) recognizes these unique challenges and has created a pilot program for parents who have a child or teen with a neurological disorder. Twelve families benefited from the first NAMI BASICS class in Wasatch County which was held February 12 through March 18. These families came together each week and received valuable information on how to cope, how to find resources and how to navigate the educational, justice and mental health system. They also received support and encouragement from knowledgeable instructors, as well as from each other. Just knowing there were other families who were struggling with the same types of problems helped ease some of the isolation and frustration that families feel when they have a child with mental health issues. This class will be offered again starting Tuesday, April 15, at the Wasatch County School District Offices on 200 North. The class runs for six consecutive Tuesdays from 6:00-8:30 p.m. The class is free of charge to parents and caregivers living in Wasatch and Summit Counties but space is limited and filling up fast. Please call and get registered right away. To register, please call Wendy Mair, Family Resource Facilitator at Heber Valley Counseling (435) 6543003, ext. 3318 or email info4families@gmail.com. This article was submitted by Wendy Mair, The Utah Family Coalition’s Family Resource Facilitator for Wasatch County. Wendy may be reached at Heber Valley Counseling Tuesdays through Fridays, (435) 6543003, ext. 3318 or email info4families@gmail.com. NAMI BASICS Class Overview In the first session parents will learn to about normal reactions to having a child with a neurological disorder and how our individual belief systems and principles play a role in how and when or if we come to a place of acceptance about our child’s disorder. The second session will cover brain development and current research on brain mechanisms involved in the specific mental disorders as they pertain to children and adolescents. There will be an in-depth look at each of the different neurological disorders and symptoms being diagnosed in children and teens and a discussion about how the diagnostic process works. Treatment options, medications on the market, different types of therapies and counseling that have worked, along with success stories will be shared during the third session. During the fourth class parents will learn about how their child’s mental illness impacts the entire family and ways to improve communication and cooperation within the family unit. They will also receive tips, skills and ideas for problem solving, handling challenging behavior and crisis preparation and response. An overview of the systems that your child may be involved in - like the school system, mental health system, juvenile justice system – and the importance of keeping good records will be the topic of class number five. Learning about how these systems work and what you can do to improve outcomes will be invaluable to parents. The last class in the program will give parents the information they need to build an advocacy team for their child and to connect with resources in the community that will advocate for your child. The final class also reminds parents about the importance of self-care and will give parents the opportunity to join the NAMI in the fight to end discrimination and ensure access to appropriate treatment services for all persons with mental illness. USU’s Engineering State Summer Program Seeks Utah, Idaho Teens Utah State University hosts the 19th annual Engineering State program June 9-12 for all local, national and international high school students. The application deadline has been extended until March 31. The program is designed to give students a glimpse of various engineering professions through an in-depth, hands-on experience. Participants will have the opportunity to build relationships with experienced faculty and staff from every department in the College of Engineering, and will be treated to a tour of the state-of-the-art Space Dynamics Laboratory and USU’s new engineering building. “Students will learn about new engineering technologies and solve common problems using today’s innovations and strategies,” said Scott Hinton, dean of the College of Engineering. “They will also work with Utah State’s nationally acclaimed faculty and make new friends in the process.” Engineering State provides students with opportunities to explore the most up-to-date strategies, tools and engineering technology. Go-carts, canoeing, swimming and friendly competitions are part of the week and students can win prizes and apply for university scholarships. The $100 application fee cov- Please call Paul Sweat at the high school for more info at 654-0640 ers housing for the week in university housing and all meals. Qualified applicants must be high school students entering their junior or senior year in Fall 2008, have a strong interest in math, science, technology or aviation and display citizenship excellence on their scholastic record. For more information, or an online application, visit http://www.engineering.usu.edu/ estate or call Kathy Peacock at (435) 797-2843. |