Children's Mental Health Conference Brings Together Top Research, Professionals, Parents and Community Agencies, April 8-9 in Miami

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Sir Richard Bowlby keynotes 'Linking Forces,' educational event with 16-year history in community

MIAMI, March 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Institute for Child and Family Health (ICFH) presents the sixteenth Linking Forces Conference, bringing together the people who care for and work with children and adolescents in the community. The conference, held April 8-9, 2010 in Miami, includes presentations from top practitioners and researchers on children's mental health issues. Keynote speaker Sir Richard Bowlby will discuss the work of his father, Dr. John Bowlby, the pioneer researcher of the infant-mother relationship and its impact on psychological and social development.

"The Institute for Child and Family Health (ICFH) has been involved with Linking Forces since it began with the school system in 1992. Two years ago when the district discontinued its support of the conference, we took it on because it was too important to the community to lose," said Robert D. Nolan Ph.D., Executive Director of ICFH. "We were able to gain community support and funding from the Children's Trust to revive it in 2008, and this year it's funded in part by the Trust and Our Kids. For the first time, we'll have out-of-state and international attendees, and we plan to continue building the conference in that regard for the future."

For sixteen years, the conference has brought together the agencies and systems that serve children with emotional and behavioral disabilities. Special topics and resources for parents of emotionally disturbed children are also offered.

"Linking Forces provides an excellent value, at a time when money for community-based agencies is tight, offering low-cost continuing education for licensed clinicians and Master Plan Points for school professionals," said Nolan.

Linking Forces XVI takes place April 8-9, 2010 at the Miami Airport Hilton. Up to 11 hours of Continuing Education (CE) credits are available, four sessions are eligible for play therapy CE credits and 12 Master Plan Points (MPPs) have been approved for school personnel. Registration is just $125, and includes all conference sessions as well as continental breakfast and lunch.

The Linking Forces conference is designed to provide education and resources for mental health professionals, teachers, school counselors, community health professionals, juvenile justice professionals, case managers, parents and anyone wishing to learn about the programs, services and interventions available in the community. Registration is open to anyone in these groups in or outside of Florida. For more information or to register, visit www.icfhinc.org and click on "Our Programs – Child & Family Counseling."

About ICFH

The Institute for Child and Family Health (ICFH) is a private, not-for-profit organization that has been providing health, behavioral health, educational and prevention services to the children, adolescents and families of Miami-Dade County for over 60 years. It is one of the oldest and largest community health centers exclusively dedicated to the well being of children and families in the state of Florida. ICFH serves over 25,000 children, adolescents, and families per year. For more information about ICFH, visit www.icfhinc.org. Become a fan on Facebook to receive updates.

SOURCE Institute for Child & Family Health