COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Department of Education

March 4, 2011

TO: Division Superintendents

FROM: Patricia I. Wright, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT: Virginia General Assembly’s Commission on Youth Collection of Evidence-based Practices for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Treatment Needs, 4th Edition (Collection)

The Virginia General Assembly’s Commission on Youth has updated their 2009 document of evidence-based practices that are proven to be the most effective for children and adolescents with mental health disorders.  The Collection, 4th Edition, is intended for parents, caregivers, educators, service providers and others who are seeking current research on evidence-based treatments.  Disorders included in this resource are classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).  The Collection also includes information on

• Screening and assessment instruments
• Juvenile offenders
• Antidepressants and the risk of suicide, and
• Acronyms commonly used in the mental health field

The Collection 4th Edition can be accessed at the Commission on Youth’s Web site: http://vcoy.virginia.gov/collection.asp.  Questions may be directed to Leah Hamaker, legislative policy analyst, at 804.371.2481 or lhamaker@leg.state.va.us, or to Wayne Barry, student services specialist at 804.692.0396 or Wayne.Barry@doe.virginia.gov.

PIW/WB/wb