Champions for Children's Mental Health Health

Family peer support - balancing the needs of a family, following the suggestions of professionals and learning how to navigate the healthcare system can make the day-to-day work of a parent of a child or youth with Mental Health concerns tiring and frustrating. Families report that it often helps to have another parent to talk to and share their experiences along the way. A family support provider (fsp) is a parent or family member of a child or youth with behavioral and/or Mental Health concerns that has leadership and partnership skills that can be helpful to other families and the system that serves them. A champion'Champions's for Children's Mental Health fsp will: - help families better understand the system of care for children and youth with special needs - serve as an advocate for families - help families develop skills so they can advocate for themselves - attend healthcare, school, and court meeting with families - serve as an emotional support and a positive role model to parents and caregivers - assist the system in providing services that are family driven and responsive to the needs of those it serves - work with families in solving problems related to the care of their child or youth - assist in identifying and training new leaders in the arena of family involvement - build community awareness about Champions for Children's Mental Health and our services