"CEHHS Talks Series" on Mental Health Has a Successful Start

DEARBORN, MI - On December 7, 2016, The College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) in conjunction with the Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity (CDSE) sponsored the first in a three-part series of CEHHS Talks focused on mental and behavioral health, advocacy, and support. As a part of campus, community, state, and national advocacy work regarding health and equity, CEHHS and the CDSE are partnering with regional leaders in addressing mental health and mental illness as a part of individual health, and campus and community support of equity and inclusion.
 

Dr. Creekmore talking with one of the attendees

More than 30 participants attended the first of the three talks featuring Dr. Mark Creekmore,Adjunct Faculty and Lecturer for the Center for Political Studies; School of Social Work, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He also served as Board President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Washtenaw and Board Member of the Washtenaw County Community Health Organization (WCCMH). Dr. Creekmore's presentation focused on the nature of the mental health policy environment, the role of policy as regards health and inclusion, as well as the impact of stigma on individual mental health and the health and productivity of our communities.

Attendees received information about new certificates
and training opportunities offered by CEHHS

He also highlighted the role of formal and informal advocacy, as well as the importance of developing positive policy as a community, region, and nation in support of mental health. The talk closed with a Q&A and discussion guided by CEHHS Dean Janine Janosky, regarding the issues addressed as well as details of the upcoming Mental Health First Aid training courses offered by CEHHS in 2017. 

The second presentation of CEHHS Talks is scheduled for January and it will focus in mindfulness, meditation and mental health.

2016 Young Author's Festival Breaks Record Numbers

2016 Young Authors’ Festival Writing Contest Winners, including Grand Prize winner Jet Miller (Defer Elementary, Grosse Pointe Park), 3rd grade winners Hadley Walker, Owen Strieff, Lena Sophia Goethe, and Hussein Mansour; 4th grade winners Joshua Lemanski, Maria Fontes and Nameh Sharif; and 5th grade winners Hanley DeSmyter, Cassidy Woolums and Ali Beidoun

DEARBORN, MI - This year marked the 4th Annual Young Authors’ Festival, a partnership between the UM-Dearborn Mardigian Library and College of Education, Health & Human Services (CEHHS), which was held on November 12th, 2016.

The festival provides an opportunity to help children develop literacy skills, teaches their parents tips and techniques to support their children’s literacy development, and also provides the pre-service teachers in CEHHS with valuable hands-on literacy instruction experience. Around 120 young writers from grades 3 to 5 learned tips on what it takes to be an author from this year’s guest speaker, Newbery Medal-winning author Christopher Paul Curtis.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
encouraged students to read and write

The festival also honored the winners of the 2016 Young Authors’ Writing Contest. About 260 contest entries, a record number, were judged by UM-Dearborn pre-service teachers in Professor Danielle DeFauw’s EXPS 298 course, “Writing to Communicate, Learn and Teach.”

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell stopped by to congratulate award winners and encourage students to read and write. Winning students received Barnes & Noble gift cards and were invited to read their entries aloud at the festival.

 

Newbery Medal-winning author
Christopher Curtis

Curtis, who came with his wife and three young children, spoke from the heart about his life and how he became a writer. Born in Flint, Michigan, and a graduate of UM-Flint, Curtis is the author of the highly acclaimed books, “Bud Not Buddy,” “Elijah of Buxton,” and “The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963.” Curtis also took time to autograph books and have pictures taken with the children attending the event. 

Tiffany Anderson, a 5th grade teacher at Neinas Dual Language Academy in Detroit, brought her entire class to the event. “My students were so happy! They are still talking about meeting Mr. Curtis,” she said. “They have created a board in the hallways of our school promoting literacy and meeting Mr. Curtis.”

Children also participated in 11 fun, educational writing workshops conducted by UM-Dearborn pre-service teachers in LIBR 465: “Literature for Children,” also taught by Professor DeFauw. "I look forward to the Young Authors' Festival every year, said Professor DeFauw. "It provides an authentic learning opportunity for the children, pre-service teachers, and families. We celebrate literacy together."

While the children were in workshops, their parents were getting tips on how to inspire their children to continue writing and reading. Workshop topics included: collaborative group writing, how to create a picture book, creating a story to accompany a piece of music, a bookmaking workshop, and more.

Children’s breakout session being led by pre-service teachers from CEHHS
in Professor Danielle DeFauw’s LIBR 465: Literature for Children course

Jet Miller, Grand Prize Winner, with
Professor Danielle DeFauw

   
Raya Samet, the embedded librarian within CEHHS, worked closely with Professor Danielle DeFauw, her students, and the library committee that planned and hosted the event. “This event is a prime example of what UM-Dearborn does best,” she said. “It is a true collaboration which has a wide metropolitan impact on the young people in our community as well as on the future teachers in our program who will soon be teaching literacy skills in the field. It’s an invaluable experience for everyone involved, and what better place to celebrate literacy than in the library?”

This event is sponsored by the College of Education, Health and Human Services; the Mardigian Library; the Salloum Family in honor of Abdallah & Leila Salloum; Mrs. Judith Smith; the Metro Detroit Book and Author Society; the Hub for Teaching & Learning Resources; the Office of Metropolitan Impact; and the UM-Dearborn Barnes & Noble College Bookstore

Dean Janosky Invited as Keynote Speaker to World Congress in Abu Dhabi

Dean Janosky at the 2nd World Congress
on Nursing in Abu Dhabi, UAE

 ABU DHABI, UAE - Janine Janosky, Dean of UM-Dearborn College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) was invited as keynote speaker to the "2nd World Congress on Nursing" that took place on November 28-30, 2016  in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The three-day congress was aimed to all healthcare professionals and this year the discussions were around the shift in medicine and healthcare from management of disease to promoting wellness, as well as how caring for families in nursing practice can improve patient care outcomes and community health in general.

Dean Janosky's participation was on Day 1: November 28. The title of her keynote presentation was "Population and community health-centered innovations for workforce preparation and public health and healthcare systems".

The focus of her presentation was on the development and implementation of higher education health and wellness population and community-centered academic education and training programs for workforce preparation.

She provided context for the interrelationships of concomitant determinants and interactions that together impact wellness and good health, the need for workforce preparation, the benefits and challenges of these programmatic approaches, as well as anticipated near future careers and professions.

This is the second year that Dean Janosky is invited to participate on this world congress that brings together specialists from more than 20 countries around the globe.

CEHHS Attends 2016 Crain's Health Care Leadership Summit

Troy, MI - On November 17, 2016, the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) participated in the 2016 Crain's Health Care Leadership Summit held at the Detroit Marriott in Troy.  More than 400 leaders from multi-sectors, such as health care, public and community health, policy and law, among others, gathered at the Summit to discuss changes in health and health care both nationally and regionally. This year summit focused on the era of the consumer and health care.

The presence from CEHHS was hosted by Jonathan Larson, Lindsey Tarrant, and Jennifer Teller. They engaged attendees and presented the work of the Center for Disparity and Equity Solutions (CDSE) and CEHHS, highlighting partnership opportunities with health and health care industry and policy makers.

Lindsey Tarrant and Jennifer Teller talking to attendees

Summit attendees showed high interest in the work of CDSE and CEHHS including partnerships in customized professional development and leadership training, as well as paraprofessional training partnerships such as Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT).

The Crain's Summit included speakers who addressed changes in the health care landscape, the engagement of millennials in health care discussions, and specific trends in Detroit-Area health and health care.  The College of Education, Health, and Human Services is excited to partner with these leaders to address health in our region.

Attendees showed great interest on Professional Development and
Leadership Training partnership opportunities

CEHHS Participates in the DACTM/MDSTA Fall Conference

Elizabeth Morden

WARREN, MI - Elizabeth Morden staffed the College of Education, Health and Human Services (CEHHS) table at the 2016 Fall Conference for the Metropolitan Detroit Science Teachers Association (MDSTA) and the Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics (DACTM) on Saturday, November. 5, 2016.

The event was held at Cousino High School in Warren, MI. Liz greeted many area teachers and shared information on CEHHS graduate and doctoral programs. Several alumni stopped by the table to catch up on new program offerings including the STEM2 certificates.

LEO instructor Jeff Bouwman presented with David Bydlowski and Andy Henry, both from Wayne RESA on GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment ) Program in the Middle School Classroom.

David Bydlowski and CEHHS LEO Jeff Bouwman

 Jeff has been using GLOBE's activities which address scientific topics related to the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and soil/pedosphere with his middle school science students in the Gibraltar School District.

Students of the Frederick Douglass International Academy Present on Cornelius Henderson, Michigan Graduate and Civil Engineer

DEARBORN, MI - In a prelude to the University of Michigan’s bicentennial celebrations, elementary and middle school students from the Frederick Douglass International Academy in Oak Park gave a fascinating, multi-media presentation on the life and achievements of Cornelius Henderson, the African American civil engineer and Michigan graduate who was instrumental in the building of the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor tunnel.

Khamari Bell, Darnell Cobb-Spears, Micheal Chesser, Princezz Cobb-Spears, and Makayla Wadsworth crafted Henderson’s biography using an array of historical documents and photographs.  Their presentation on October 14th was well received by students, faculty, and staff from the Dearborn and Ann Arbor campuses as well as members of the community.

Forty-five people attended the bicentennial event in College of Education,
Health, and Human Services (CEHHS)

 Principal Rashid Faisal wrote and received the University of Michigan Bicentennial Activity Grant to bring the students to UM-Dearborn.  He explained how G.W. Whiting and Donna Y. Ford’s Scholar-Identity Model had served as the framework for the project.  A doctoral student in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services, Faisal engages students in original research to foster the development of their academic identities and to increase their preparedness for college.

CEHHS would like to thank Julie Anne Taylor, professor of education in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS), and Tabatha Brown, data coordinator at the Frederick Douglass International Academy, for helping coordinate this event.

Salute! to the Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity

DETROIT, MI - The Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity (CDSE) - a community-driven organization by the University of Michigan-Dearborn, College of Education, Health, and Human Services, received the Breakthrough Award from the Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC) during its annual awards dinner Salute! to Healthcare on November 3, 2016 at the Atheneum Suite Hotel in Detroit.

CDSE received the 2016
Breakthrough Award

The Breakthrough Award is presented to an individual or organization for their impact on the health and well-being of southeast Michigan through community engagement and innovation. This year GDAHC decided to honor the Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity (CDSE) with this award.

The overarching objective of the CDSE is to develop evidence-based solutions that seek to create equity across education, public and community health, healthcare, wellness and human services. To achieve this aim, the CDSE partners with community, corporate, education, government, health and wellness organizations spanning the Detroit area, the State of Michigan and the United States.

Working in collaboration with these stakeholders and through the application of leading-edge research, the CDSE seeks to implement actionable solutions by way of innovative programs and policies, systems and environment best practices and responsible evaluation mechanisms—among other channels.

Center of Disparity Solutions and Equity team members

  Currently, there are more than 20 professionals, from the University of Michigan-Dearborn as well as a number of regional organizations and institutions, associated with the CDSE. These regional organizations range from healthcare payers to free clinics to health systems to school districts to social service organizations and more.

Examples of the substantial work, with actions implemented, that have been completed include:

1. hotspotting to identify geographic areas of high concentration of chronic diseases and at-risk populations
2. across-sector collaborations to lessen the disparities and burden of determinants of health;
3. working of institutional policies to increase equity; and
4. convergence of education and health and human services entities to increase educational attainment and quality of life. Some of the areas of clinical focus has involved, but has not been limited to: autism spectrum disorder, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities.

The CDSE features knowledgeable faculty and staff members who are passionate about eliminating disparities across education, health and human services. These experts bring together other faculty members, students and communities in effort to help eliminate disparities.

The CDSE works from the position that progress and positive change can be realized, that equity throughout the areas of education, public and community health, healthcare, wellness and human services is a true possibility.

CEHHS Education Student Applies Knowledge to Help Children in Haiti

Rachel and Valmy. Valmy was the first child
sponsored through Reach Out

Rachel Marple, visited Haiti, for the first time, six years ago on a mission trip with an organization called Reach Out to visit remote villages located in the mountains to install water filtration systems. During this trip she remembers having met a young man with Down syndrome whose family was unaware that his condition even existed. “It was then and there that I decided to pursue a degree in which I could take overseas what I was learning here at home”, Rachel said.

Now, she is currently earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education: Learning Disabilities at UM-Dearborn College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) and she is also the co-founder of the non-profit organization “Reach Out: LaFond”.

LaFond is a community located 40 miles from Port-au-Prince that struggles with impoverished conditions and children do not have access to quality schooling. “Reach Out:LaFond” was created to inspire people to sponsor the education of students. In Haiti, many students are required to live without their parents in order to go to school in faraway places, so the mission of this organization is to provide a better education to children within their own community.

 

Djerson, a student in LaFond, practices
writing sentences in English

In addition to be the co-founder of “Reach Out:LaFond”, Rachel serves as the Treasurer and Mission Trip Leader. Currently there are three members who maintain the organization and they are in the process of adding two new board members to the team. The organization has approximately 50 families sponsoring over 65 children in LaFond.

Rachel is very active working on finding sponsors and planning the trips. Currently the organization is fundraising for the construction of a new church; they partnered with another organization to bring shoes to students; they recently started a lunch program in which students receive a hot meal during the school day and this past summer they had their first medical mission trip. “We were able to see and treat 688 patients throughout the 4-day clinic”, Rachel said.

Volunteer nurses seeing a young patient during the medical mission
trip

Rachel mentioned that the Special Education: Learning Disabilities program is providing her tools to share with the teachers of the school in LaFond. For example, they are working with staff to implement an RTI program (Response to Intervention) within the schools that will help identify at risk students before waiting for them to fail. Rachel reflects on her education, “I truly believe that as a result of my education, Reach Out will produce more effective teachers and in return have children who are flourishing academically.”

Looking to the future, Rachel would like to work with the school administration in order to implement a PBIS program (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports). The organization also set a goal to help schools add on a grade each year until hitting the 12th grade. Right now, schools go from Pre-K to 7th grade.

“We want to see our students grow up to be world changers, and I believe they will be as long as they have access to education. After all, people only know what they are taught!”, Rachel said.

Elementary students pose for a photo during recess

To learn more about ReachOut:LaFond, visit their webpage at http://www.reachoutlafond.org

CEHHS Offers New Programs during the UM-Dearborn Graduate Open House

DEARBORN, MI - On October 18th, 2016 the UM-Dearborn Office of Graduate Studies hosted a Graduate Open House.  The purpose of the open house was to give potential students a chance to visit campus and meet with faculty and staff to learn more about the graduate programs available at UM-Dearborn.

   

Dr. Stein Brunvand explaining about
masters level programs

The College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) was present with several faculty and staff members who were on hand to meet with the more than 60 prospective students who came out to learn specifically about the Masters and Doctoral level programs in CEHHS.  Attendees expressed particular interest in the two newest programs, which are the Master of Arts in Community Based Education and the Master of Arts in Program Evaluation and Assessment.

Dr. Stein Brunvand, Director of Master’s Degree Programs for CEHHS, was very excited with the turnout at the event.  “The open house was a great way to connect with prospective students and address their questions about our many programs.  I look forward to reviewing their applications and seeing them on campus as students in the near future”, said Dr. Brunvand. 

Dr. Christopher Burke talks with a student
about Doctoral programs

 

All students who attended were offered a waiver of the $60 application fee if they applied to their program of choice by November 18th.  Students can pick from 10 Master’s programs as well as an Educational Specialist (Ed.S) and a Doctoral (Ed.D) program.

CEHHS is currently accepting applications for the 2017 Winter, Summer and Fall terms.

Visit the CEHHS website for more information.

 

CEHHS Student Internship Opportunities with Quicken Loans

DETROIT, MI - Dr. Susan Everett, Chair of the Department of Education, and Dr. Stein Brunvand, Director of Master’s Degree Programs for the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS), met with representatives from Quicken Loans on October 14, 2016 to learn more about their student internship programs.

 

(from Left): Cecil Johnson, University Relations Manager,
Emily Bliss, Training Consultant; Stein Brunvand, CEHHS Director
Master's Degree Programs and Christopher Carline, Training Consultant

Cecil Johnson, University Relations Manager at Quicken Loans, shared information about the wide range of paid internship opportunities including those in training and curriculum development, instructional technology, assessment and evaluation and marketing.

Training consultants Emily Bliss and Christopher Carline encouraged students from a variety of majors to apply including instructional technology majors and teacher certification students.  Internships are available during the fall, winter and summer.

Dr. Everett and Dr. Brunvand were able to tour some of the Quicken Loans owned properties in downtown Detroit to learn about the culture and climate of the work environment where interns are placed. Interns gain real world experience by working on authentic tasks with a designated team at Quicken Loans.

The internships also include opportunities to learn about city, participate in volunteer activities in the community and enjoy many of the wonderful events that downtown Detroit offers.

For more information on student internships, please see current postings on the Quicken Loans site.

CEHHS Open House is a Spinning Success

DEARBORN, MI -The “Spin to Win” wheel attracted many future students and their families to the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) tables at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Open House on Saturday, October 8, 2016. 

Academic Advisors Lindsey Tarrant and Jonathan Larson passed out prizes and answered questions about the undergraduate programs.  Lindsey also led the CEHHS presentation providing details about CEHHS programs.

 

Tahnee Prokopow, Director of Health Professions
Advising

Pre-health advisor Tahnee Prokopow’s presentation had an overflow attendance of prospective students who were interested in pursuing a health professions graduate degree.  Dr. Julie Roddy helped students understand the differences between community health education, public health and health policy studies.

There was also tremendous interest in the Child Life Specialist degree and many attendees visited with the Vice President of the Child Life Student Association, Aminah Muhammad.

Department Chairs Don Bord and Susan Everett look forward to the matriculation of these enthusiastic future CEHHS students.

(from left) Jonathan Larson, Academic Advisor;
Deb Peffer, Director of Admissions and Orientation;
Donald Bord, Health and Human Services Department Chair and
Lindsey Tarrant, Academic Advisor

Neloms and Glover Present on Raising Awareness of Social Issues through Music Video Production

Drake Glover and Quan Neloms

DEARBORN, MI - To an audience of students, staff, and community members, Quan Neloms and Drake Glover presented methods for raising awareness of social issues through music video production on October 8, 2016 in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS).

Quan Neloms

Recipient of the Fannie M. Richards award, Neloms teaches United States history and digital storytelling at the Douglass Academy for Young Men in Detroit.  He created an afterschool program, the Lyricist Society, through which high school students create music videos on social issues.

In 2016, three of his students, Drake Glover, Deon Butler, and Kamar Graves received the EMMY® for best high school music video from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in Michigan.

During the presentation, Glover described the creative process and the motivational impact that his involvement in the Lyricist Society has had.  Preservice teachers learned about Neloms’ model and methods for advancing academic achievement through the production of hip hop music videos.

CEHHS would like to thank Julie Anne Taylor for having coordinated this event.

CEHHS Develops and Leads Executive Leadership Development Program for Professionals

TROY, MI - The College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) successfully delivered a Leadership Development Training program in partnership with Molina Healthcare of Michigan. The program was held from June until October 2016.

Molina Healthcare Offices in Troy, MI (Photo by COSTAR GROUP)

CEHHS Dean Janine Janosky; Associate Dean Laura Reynolds and Project Manager Jennifer Teller custom designed a series of executive leadership training sessions specially for Molina Healthcare of Michigan. The objective of these sessions was to increase employee knowledge and skill development of principles of leadership, industry-expertise, and collaborative management.

Dean Janine Janosky (Photo by Claudia Lugo-Meeks)

"CEHHS was honored to collaborate with Molina Healthcare for the development and delivery of the executive leadership development program", said Dean Janosky, "The culture of Molina to grow and support their current emerging leaders shows the value placed by Molina."

The sessions were held once a month on-site at Molina Healthcare offices in Troy, Michigan to a group of more than 30 rising leaders. The 3-hours training sessions covered topics such as workplace adaptability; servant leadership; industry changes focused on healthcare system; collaborating across the organization and managing competing priorities.

Associate Dean Laura Reynolds and
Project Manager Jennifer Teller
(Photo by Claudia Lugo-Meeks)

Participants valued the experience and saw the direct application in their roles as leaders. Some of their comments were:

- “I have grown as a leader as the result of this course. I recently transitioned from one level of leadership to another. The refresher on some concepts and the introduction to others will help me to succeed.”

  

- “The final class pulled all of the information together quite well – in particular Sinek’s video – making it time well spent.”

- “I feel I will be improving my leadership skills and thought processes based on the information provided.”

The College of Education, Health, and Human Services continues its commitment to help improve our communities and make a positive impact on Southeast Michigan through collaborations with other institutions.