Nami Ohio

Pac - Nami is the state's coordinator for the parent advocacy connection (pac), a statewide advocacy program developed in concert with three other advocacy organizations with the purpose of providing individual advocacy to families served by the public mental health system. Pac is a critical component of the access to better care initiative which is designed to meet the behavioral health needs of the children in Ohio who are at risk for out of home placement or whose parents might otherwise have to relinquish custody of their children in order to qualify for intensive treatment services. As the project coordinator, Nami's responsibilities include recruiting and screening applications of potential advocates, providing extensive training to parent advocates, and overseeing all fiscal responsibilities. Currently, Nami oversees 10 regional advocates and 197 parent advocates.

Adult programming - adult programs include a variety of different program and initiatives. Family to family is an educational program designed to teach the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively. Nami Ohio coordinates two annual master trainings to train a total of 40 new family to family instructors. Other adult initiatives include customized training for clinicians, educators, universities and the community at large and training support group facilitators to provide support groups to share coping strategies and insights, as well as problems and concerns.

Children's programs - children's programs include a variety of different programs and initiatives. Hand to hand is an educational program designed to foster learning, healing and empowerment among parents and families of children with emotional/mental/neurobiological disorders. Nami Ohio coordinates two annual master training to train a total of 30 new hand to hand trainers. Other children's initiatives include work with custody relinquishment, juvenile justice, annual children's conferences, and other advisory groups related to children.

Nami Ohio also provides a variety of other programs to promote their mission of education, advocacy, and support for mentally ill persons and family members.