Celebrate Babies and Nurturing Relationships with MI-AIMH: October 27-31, 2008

The MI-AIMH Executive Board, Training and Membership Committees enthusiastically invite all MI-AIMH chapters to celebrate babies and nurturing relationships during the week of October 27-31, 2008!

Each chapter celebration may be big or small – a brown bag lunch, a video/DVD from the MI-AIMH/WAIMH Media Library, a clinical discussion group, a half day training with a local IMH trainer, a reflective practice group – whatever you wish.

Join hands with other MI-AIMH chapters across the state as each plans a meeting or   event to celebrate babies. Demonstrate the power of keeping babies and relationships in mind as we gather together some time during the week in every infant mental health community in our state!

The MI-AIMH Executive Board, Central Office staff, Training and Membership Committee members are ready to help with ideas for a successful meeting, a new IMH Faculty Registry posted on the web, MI-AIMH publications, Baby Stages and Preschool stages wheels –  whatever you might need.

Questions?  Contact Bonnie Daligga (daliggab@trinity-health.org), Kay Loftus (kaydc@cablespeed.com), Jan Ulrich (ulrichj@ewashtenaw.org) or Deb Weatherston (dweatherston@mi-aimh.org) for additional information.   

Here are some of the planned events!

Metro Detroit Chapter, Healthy Start Oakland and MI-AIMH’s Diversity Committee "Celebrate the Baby"
October 29, 2008
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Huntington Woods Library, Huntington Woods, MI

The Protective Shield
Through the use of a case presentation by Deborah Johnson, Family Support Specialist, Gloria Kaye, Supervisor, and Karol Wilson, Family Assessment Specialist of Health Start Oakland, we plan to explore the culture of pain and what happens when the shield is damaged through trauma. We will demonstrate how the concept of a protective shield can begin the process of repair and the healing of old wounds. Through this process we will discuss how this activity empowers parents by offering them a simple and concrete method of providing and strengthening the process of creating a secure base of trust and security for their infant. Click to download details and registration form.

For additional information:  Karol Wilson at  wilsonk@trinity-health.org or Bonnie Daligga at daliggab@trinity-health.org 

MI-AIMH and the Leelenau County Family Coordinating Council "Celebrate the Baby"
October 27, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Suttons Bay, MI

Relationship-Based Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health
Deborah Weatherston will present an intensive workshop emphasizing the use of relationship to support and strengthen relationships to promote infant mental health. This will be the first in a collaborative series of 4 workshops. The format will provide a chance for reflection and discussion – which is key to learning and understanding IMH and learning to be more reflective in our work.

For additional information, contact Joan Shirilla at shirilla@chartermi.net or 313-407-1172 or Bob MacEachran at bmaceachran@co.leelanau.mi.us or 231-526-0222.

Healthy Beginnings "Celebrate the Baby" 
October 30, 2008
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Hillsdale, MI

Nurturing Your Child’s Emotions
Learn how your child feels and how you can help them with their emotions. Click to download details and registration form.

For additional information, contact Andrea Bricker at 517-437-7395, Ext. 116.

The Capital Area Network for the Early Years (CANEY) "Celebrate the Baby"
October 29, 2008
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Brown Bag Video Presentation and Group Discussion)
Union Conference Room (at top of Handicap Ramp), 838 Louisa Street, Lansing, MI

When the Bough Breaks
A 2008 PBS documentary examining the infant mortality gap between African American and Causasian infants. The documentary explores evidence suggesting that the stresses of chronic racism may be contributing to higher rates of premature birth and infant mortality among African American infants. 

For additional information, contact Holly Brophy-Herb at hbrophy@msu.edu.

Washtenaw-Livingston Chapter of MI-AIMH "Celebrate the Baby"
Monday, October 27, 2008
6:00 p.m.
3544 Oakwood Street
Ann Arbor, MI  48105

To celebrate babies, the Washtenaw members of MI-AIMH will gather for a potluck for some planning and information sharing.  Everyone is asked to bring as much information as they can find about the proposed policies and/or past records of candidates in local, state and federal elections as they relate to infants, toddlers, young children and their families.  We’ll plan to go to the polls prepared to keep babies in mind!

Click to download details and registration information.

R.S.V. P. to 734-975-4094.

Livingston County "Celebrate the Baby" and Nurturing Relationships with MI-AIMH
Thursday, October 30, 2008
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 
Livingston Education Service Agency
McGuffey A Conference Room
1425 W. Grand River Ave.
Howell, MI  48843

Please join us for an afternoon brown bag lunch session for Early Intervention and Infant Mental Health professionals working in Livingston County. We will be viewing and discussing "Hello Dad:  Infant Communication for Fathers".

R.S.V.P. to Lori Waite at 517-540-6808 or WaiteL@livingstonesa.org by October 30, 2008.