| Mentor Research Institute
Accepts Donation of Research and Screening
Tools to Help Oregon Families February 18, 2005 — Portland, Oregon—Mentor Research Institute (MRI) has accepted a donation of $750,000 worth of screening and research tools from InCrisis, LLC. The donation will support MRI in obtaining grants to develop information and referral networks using StepOne Online in Oregon. This resource, StepOne Online, is currently available only to families in Oregon. StepOne Online is a comprehensive, reliable, valid and useful online screening tool. It is available on the Internet and allows parents to screen their children for mental disorders and the risk of violent, suicidal and self-harming behavior. The system was created by InCrisis, a company located in Bend Oregon. Michaele Dunlap PsyD, a psychologist and President of MRI, states, "Ultimately, MRI hopes to develop this resource to help screen, triage and refer parents to the most appropriate health care and mental health care professionals in their communities. MRI also wants to demonstrate the benefits of this ethical, professional and family supportive approach to screening adolescents." StepOne is secure and is designed to protect family privacy as well as involve, educate and empower parents to seek care they believe is appropriate and necessary for their child. Today, InCrisis and Mentor Research Institute presented StepOne to key administrators, Directors and mental health care providers in Oregon's Department of Health and Human Service (DHS). The DHS Youth Suicide State Prevention Workshop discussed screening, mental health issues and updated State of Oregon's suicide prevention plan. The StepOne presentation invited DHS to use StepOne. DHS administrators were alerted to the potential impact of online adolescent screening on service needs in Oregon. Michael Conner, PsyD, psychologist, presented to the DHS gathering and stated, "There are many adolescents out there who have mental disorders and have not been identified. StepOne will increase the demand for necessary and essential services." According to MRI, research nationwide indicates that 20 percent of our children have mental, emotional and behavioral disorders that impact family, social and school functioning. Very few of these children are appropriately identified. StepOne is available 24-7, generates detailed reports for parents, provides referral information and initial guidance, and can be used by schools, physicians and mental health professionals. StepOne can screen hundreds of people at once. Parents, schools and health care professionals can use StepOne to monitor children and measure the benefits of programs and treatment.
Founded and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Mentor Research Institute is a 501c3 non-profit educational and research organization with a focus on mental health for youth and families; homelessness, effective intervention, public and professional education. Corrected/Revised: November 15, 2005 Mentor Research Institute is a non-profit educational and research organization with a focus on mental health for youth and families; homelessness, effective intervention, public and professional education. Mentor Research Institute # # # |