The Montana Minute

Dr. Thomas Strizich, a pediatrician at St. Peter's Hospital in Helena, Montana, talks about the effects of drug exposure to children in the womb and the trends in neonatal drug exposure in our state. For more information and other resources, visit our website at www.health.umt.edu/ccfwd. Audio Transcript

In this episode you'll hear from Chris Graden who is an occupational therapist who has 30 years of experience working with children. We're bringing you this episode in two installments so be sure to catch both part 1 and part 2 of our interview!  Audio Transcript

Native veterans experience many of the same challenges with reintegrating after deployment as non-native vets. Yet, there are a number of unique challenges that make the transition more difficult, making the importance of community that much more relevant. Listen to two Native vets share their experiences of coming home from deployment, one from Vietnam and another from the Middle East, and their advice for connecting to a powerful community.  Visit our sponsor's webpage at: http://grizzlyridersinternational.org/www.grizzlyridersinternational.org   Indian Health Services:  https://www.ihs.gov/vaihsmou/ Office of Tribal Government Relations:  https://www.va.gov/tribalgovernment/ Ira Wolf (Music): http://irawolfmusic.com/  Audio Transcript

What does it mean for a veteran to be part of a community when they return from deployment? For some that means starting by finding a safe and secure home. For others it means coming together in the outdoors to connect with other vets over extreme sports, recreating that sense of camaraderie they might have felt in the service. Two expert veteran guests, Rebecca Stancil and Anton Johnson, will be speaking with me about the importance of community for veterans. Thanks again to our sponsor: Grizzly Riders International  http://grizzlyridersinternational.org/ XSports4Vets: http://xsports4vets.org/ Missoula Housing Authority: http://missoulahousing.org/ Heroes at Home BBQ: http://missoula.com/events/food-drink/th-annual-heroes-at-home-bbq-music-festival/event_ba4b9632-0c27-11e8-8e1f-5f88337f822d.html Project Employment Connect Facebook Event 2018: https://www.facebook.com/events/672979329737692/ Audio Transcript

When a service member returns home it can be difficult to readjust to family life and figure out the "new normal." On this episode, you will hear from a couple, Terry and Delaine, both veterans, with over 20 years of combined service and a handful of deployments. They share how they got through the difficult transition periods of being deployed and returning home. Also on this episode, social worker Meaghan Lee-Moriarity from the Missoula Vet Center. Meaghan shares stories about other vets who have had similar experiences with transitioning home. She also offers helpful advice for veterans struggling with reintegration who might also be affected by PTSD. Link to Why is Dad So Mad book referred to in the podcast Audio Transcript

More of Montana's grandparents are now raising their grandchildren. Dr. Keith Anderson, Professor at the University of Montana explains what's behind this increase in kinship care and how to best support families. We have a lot of resources for this episode, see below for what was mentioned in our conversation. Kinship Caregivers - https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f-kinshi/ Generations United - http://www.gu.org/ State of Grandfamilies - https://dl2.pushbulletusercontent.com/uhDY7UgdGYnOod6G7VFkdKnuzE3yALmr/17-InLovingArms-Grandfamilies.pdf Grandfacts: Montana http://www.grandfamilies.org/Portals/0/State%20Fact%20Sheets/Grandfamilies-Fact-Sheet-Montana.pdf   Grandfamilies.org - www.grandfamilies.org Montana Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Project  http://www.montanagrandparents.org Audio Transcript

Part two of our grief and loss series. If you left the last episode wondering what you can do in the face of a child beginning the grieving process, especially if they've been removed from their home, then this part will answer some of your questions. http://www.helpwithgrief.org/ Audio Transcript    

This episode is on grief and the challenges that frequently accompany a significant loss. The focus is also on how grief can present new opportunities for growth and healing. In this two-part podcast, Dr. Mary-Ann Bowman, who is a Professor at the University of Montana and an expert in the field of grief and loss explains the complexities of grief and describes why it's important to pay attention to someone grieving a loss, especially a child.  In episode two, Dr. Bowman identifies what you can do to help someone who is experiencing grief.   http://www.helpwithgrief.org/   Audio Transcript  

In this episode, Professor Kat Werner who is a founding member and chair of Missoula's human trafficking task force defines human trafficking and its impact in Montana.  Professor Werner describes human trafficking myths, how to identify and help a trafficking victim, and what Montanans can do to help prevent human trafficking in their own communities.    Audio Transcript

Dr. Bonnie Stephens is the Medical Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Community Medical Center in Missoula. In this podcast, she describes the impacts of drugs on babies during prenatal development and the developmental effects this exposure has on children as they age. Audio Transcript

Part 2 expands on the treatment approaches that Chris uses with children. Audio Transcript

Today we're talking about psychotropic medications and our guest is the director of Pharmacy at the University of Montana Curry Health Center, Ken Chatriand. We discussed what psychotropic medications are, why and when they are used for children, and how they are prescribed. Audio Transcript

This episode features Ashley Trautman, MSW/JD who interviews Gaynell Realbird, Meth Initiative Coordinator and a Child and Families Specialist at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky Mountain Region. The pair discuss the experience of testifying in court for child protection workers and provides tips for success and mistakes to avoid. Audio Transcript

In this episode we are joined by Marshelle Lambert, who works as a Supervisor Social Worker at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Marshelle shares some of her knowledge from over 30 years of working with children and families in Montana. Marshelle provides a professional perspective of the implications of increased drug use in rural areas and reservations leading to an increase in children born impacted by drugs. Audio Transcript

Marilyn Zimmerman, Project Director at the National Native Youth Trauma Center, describes the impacts of trauma and historical trauma and how to help children who are living with it. Audio Transcript

Assessment plays a crucial role in protecting children and strengthening families. Tune in to this episode to hear advice from Maria Walker of the Bureau of Indian Affairs as she shares some of her experience working in the field. Audio Transcript