Caring for Our Most Vulnerable Children
 

CLEVELAND: Gary M. Blau, Ph.D., chief of the Child, Adolescent and Family Branch at the Center for Mental Health Services, will speak about federal activities to transform the children's mental health system across U.S., the core components of the federal System of Care Program, and the success and accomplishments of the System of Care Program both nationally and in Cuyahoga County at noon on Friday, October 12, 2007, at The City Club of Cleveland.

Blau, a clinical psychologist, provides national leadership for children’s mental health and for creating “systems of care” across the country. He is responsible for implementing a wide variety of programs designed to improve the lives of children and families, including the Statewide Family Network Program and National Children’s Mental Health Social Marketing Campaign. He is also responsible for translating the President’s New Freedom Commission Report for children and families and for implementing the children’s portion of the CMHS Action Plan.

Prior to this, Blau was the bureau chief of Quality Management and director of Mental Health at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families and the director of Clinical Services at the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern, Connecticut.

Blau was formerly a member of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Director’s Division of Children, Youth and Families and served as its chairperson. He has received several awards including the Pro Humanitate Literary Award for literary works, Governor’s Service Award, Phoebe Bennet Award, and Making a Difference Award.

Blau has numerous publications and has been the editor of several books, including the Handbook of Childhood Behavioral Issues: Evidence Based Approaches to Prevention and Treatment. He currently holds a clinical faculty appointment at the Yale Child Study Center.

Tickets are $18 for members and $30 for non-members. Lunch is included. They can be purchased by calling The City Club at 216.621.0082 or visiting the website at www.cityclub.org.

• The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections: A New Era

Jane Platten, new executive director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, will present her vision for the future of the board at noon on Wednesday, October 17, 2007, at The City Club of Cleveland.

A new more efficient and technologically advanced elections system is anticipated now that Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner has instituted a new board and management at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Platten will address the changes, procedures, and improvements she expects to put into place to assure accurate, well-run elections in the future. She will also touch on how automation, not just of voting equipment but of registration and absentee voter rolls as well, can produce greater accuracy and accountability in department operations.

A graduate of John Carroll University, Platten has been an administrator in Cuyahoga County government for sixteen years in the offices of the County Commissioners and the Auditor.

Tickets for this City Club Special Program are $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Lunch is included. They can be purchased by calling The City Club at 216.621.0082 or visiting the website at www.cityclub.org.