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August 17, 2021
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NEWS & VIEWS
Featured Spotlight
Happiness Happens Month
 
It is not a stretch to assume that we all want to be happy. We seek happiness through connection to friends, family, co-workers, community, nature, and art. Experiencing happiness allows us to live longer, more satisfying lives.
 
August is Happiness Happens Month which is dedicated to celebrating what makes us happy. This month of celebration grew out of The Secret Society of Happy People (SOHP) which was founded by Pamela Gail Johnson in 1996. They initially began with one day in August dedicated to celebrating happiness but in 2000 expanded it to the whole month.

“The month reminds us that happiness happens one small moment at a time and it’s our job to recognize those moments when they happen. It reminds us that sometimes a small action boosts our happiness. It reminds us that happiness is a personal experience and it’s also contagious!”

(Source: bitsofpositivity.com)

What makes you happy? It may seem easy to name and count our happy moments. Yet we often only think about those big moments – the birth of a child, a birthday celebration, a graduation – and miss all the small moments that make us feel good and make us smile. Hearing a child laugh, receiving unconditional regard from pets, witnessing a rainbow, receiving a text from friend, holding the door for a stranger – these are all moments of happiness that enhance our sense of well-being.

Take some time in August and beyond to be mindful of those small moments that happen on a daily basis. Take some time to create happy moments by doing something nice for yourself. Take some time to create happy moments by doing something nice for someone else. Stay tuned for more on happiness at the 2022 START National Training Institute.
PERMA Tip
The E in PERMA represents Engagement. Seligman described Engagement as ‘being one with the music’. Engagement is also described as being in Flow – focusing and being completely absorbed in an activity. Engagement enhances cognitive and emotional skills.

To identify activities that put you in flow, think about what comes naturally to you and creates energy. Recall activities from your childhood that created joy and took your attention. Listen to the words you use. “I love to ….” or “It’s so great when…” may give you direction for those things that put you in flow.

To help identify activities in others that create engagement and flow, listen and observe. Listen for the same words referenced above. Observe when others seem more energized and when they ‘light up’ while engaged in an activity. Look for times when someone can sustain attention and not be distracted by their surroundings. Once identified, opportunities for these types of engaging moments should be a constant in that person’s life. 
START Spotlight
Share Good News. We welcome START programs to share their good news - this could be a START team member accomplishment, kudos to an entire START team, an update about a well-received training delivered in your community, or any other news worth celebrating! Your good news updates will be shared as part of future editions of CSS News & Views.
Click Here to Share Good News
Upcoming Professional Development
MHIDD Course for Mobile Crisis Responders 
Registration is open for Next Course Beginning on September 7, 2021
 
This live 6-week online course offers the expert training and support needed to develop expertise in providing effective crisis supports to people with intellectual/developmental disability and mental health needs (MH/IDD). Topics address best practices in crisis assessment, response strategies, and disposition recommendations. Registration fee is $149 per person.

“I appreciated the case study and being able to apply what we learned into our jobs.  It was very informative and it already helped me in my job.” - Course Participant
 
Click Here to Learn More and Register
MHIDD Course for Care Coordinators & Case Managers 
Registration is open for Next Course Beginning on October 11, 2021

This live 6-week online course is designed to improve knowledge for care coordinators and case managers to successfully support children and adults with IDD and mental health service needs and their families. Speakers will include family members and people with lived experiences along with experts in the field. Dr. Joan B. Beasley will demonstrate how the information provided can be applied to improve the ability of care coordinators/case managers to identify service and support needs, and monitor outcomes for individuals and their families. Registration fee is $299 per person. 

 

“The format is flawless and helps facilitate a learning experience in a non-traditional way” - Course Participant
 
Click Here to Learn More and Register
MHIDD Course for Direct Support Professionals 
Registration is open for Next Course Beginning on November 2, 2021

This live, 6-session course gives Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to provide individuals with IDD and mental health service needs (IDD-MH) positive, person-centered, strengths and wellness-based supports and services. The course facilitators will demonstrate how the information reviewed during session can be applied in the day-to-day support of people with IDD-MH. Registration fee is $149 per person. 

"This course offers the content I need to do my job and the many facets of one’s life we must always consider." - Course Participant
 
Click Here to Learn More and Register
Learn More About START
Have a healthy and happy week,

The Center for START Services
 
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Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire