Today Is Policy Day for FFCMH!

Yesterday at the Federation of Families conference, I participated in the Parent Support Provider Institute. There was information given about the progress made on creating a Parent Support Provider certification and also creating an organization to govern and hold the certified members accountable in the profession. So you may ask... What's a Parent Support Provider and why on earth do we need them? And that's a great question because we (all the members of FFCMH) will be educating the public about this.

Parent Support Providers are family members who have been through the complex mental health system trying to get appropiate and best services for their children and families. Because of this experience, they spend their time professionally and personally helping to educate and support other families in getting to services and getting what they need. In my opinion, they are the missing link in mental health services, and they will be the glue that makes services work in the future. As a therapist for families, I see the extreme value in having as many PSPs as possible! In fact, I think I would love to have the certification myself because it will just help to strengthen my ability to serve and the ability to find services and supports for my own family.

Today, however, is POLICY DAY for FFCMH! I am so thankful that I am a part of an organization that provides education on speaking with legislators and feeling empowered about sharing our message with them. This education will make my meeting with Congressman John Shimkus tomorrow the most effective visit possible. Without this education and encouragement, I would not have felt capable of achieving this activity. Once again, thank you FFCMH for being there for me and my family!

It's Time for the 22nd Annual Federation Conference

This week, families and youth will be heading to DC for the Federation of Families annual conference. I'm looking very forward to it because the event is referred to fondly as a "homecoming" for all of the Federation members. This organization was formed by family members who understood the need for peer support, stigma reduction, and continued funding for children's mental health.

Being a member of FFCMH and having the opportunity to tell others about what they do is an amazing experience, and anyone is welcome to do just that. I am so honored that the organization has posted information on their website about my efforts as Mrs. Midwest -- but my work for them is a heart-felt campaign and I appreciate the parents and youth like me and my family that ffcmh works so hard to support.

Today in DC, I am participating in the Parent Support Provider Institute that is being held by FFCMH. The goal of the institute today is to bring national recognition of creating a certification for those who work in the role of a parent support person, ie called a Parent Support Provider. The information today will help to prepare those who wish to take the steps toward certifcation.

There are so many events scheduled this week and I can't wait to report all of the excitement that this conference brings to the promotion of children's mental health.
More info to come soon...

Why should there be family driven care and family run organizations with children's mental health programs?

     In order to make children's mental health treatment effective, it is important to take into consideration the needs of the entire family. Why? Because if the logistics of the treatment services are not manageable for the family, or treatment options are too limited, there is a high probability that there will be no way for the family to follow through for the child's recovery. Hence, there's the development of family driven care, which means that families are included in the child's treatment planning. Family members are encouraged to give their input about what works for their particular family life, including cultural considerations, which helps to guide/educate the service providers. All families have needs unique to them and their services should match those needs.
     But how do families learn to ask for family driven and youth guided care in their services? Through their family-run organizations! Family-run organizations not only provide education for families about services, but they provide peer support, personal empowerment, and a strong force for changing policies and legislation regarding children's mental health. The Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is the national body that helps to unify local and state chapters of family organizations. The FFCMH provides a directory of all these available organizations so that you can find one near you.
http://ffcmh.org/who-we-are/chapters-state-organizations/
     My local family organization is called PACE (Parent And Caregivers Empowered) and I am thankful for the information and support that I can receive there. In a regular monthly PACE meeting, a designated speaker provides information useful to families while allowing time to let families connect with each other and encourage them in the difficulties or successes they may be experiencing. Every chapter functions a little differently depending on the needs of the families that participate. Even though I have knowledge about children's mental health as a therapist, it still helps to know that I have support as a mom and family member. 
     If you would like more information about what it is like to participate in a family run organization, or if you need help learning about family driven care for your child, contact me at greenribbonadvocate@gmail.com or check out the Federation of Families website at www.ffcmh.org.