the statewide family voice for families caring for children with mental health needs maryland...

The statewide family voice

for families caring for children

with mental health needs

Maryland Coalition of Families Maryland Coalition of Families for Children’s Mental Healthfor Children’s Mental Health

The Coalition provides… One-to-one information, support and

advocacy Family Leadership Institute Public policy Research Publications Training

Services, Supports and AdvocacyServices, Supports and Advocacy

Building a network of information and support for families across Maryland caring for a child with mental health needs in all systems of care  

Improving services for children and youth in all systems of care

The Maryland Coalition of Families for The Maryland Coalition of Families for Children’s Mental Health is a family Children’s Mental Health is a family organization dedicated to:organization dedicated to:

The Statewide Family VoiceThe Statewide Family Voice

Maryland Coalition of Families for Children’s Mental Health

2010 Children’s Mental Health Day in Annapolis

Welcome!

MD CARES/Baltimore City MD CARES/Baltimore City Voice for Families Voice for Families

MD CARESOne-to-one support Focus and support groupsEducational programs/training for families School mental healthFITT – Family Informed Trauma TreatmentTherapeutic Foster Care – Kennedy Krieger

The heart of the Coalition’s work is The heart of the Coalition’s work is one-to-one support to families! one-to-one support to families!

Family Advocates

Family Support Partners

Family Navigators

Family Support Partners. . .Family Support Partners. . . Work with a specific population of families with

children referred to the Wraparound Initiative and RTC Waiver in all jurisdictions.

Role of the Family Support PartnerRole of the Family Support Partner Provide emotional support to the family Help the family to identify people on the Child and Family

Team (CFT) Support the family in getting their needs met Work with the family to organize and prepare for meetings so

that their voice is heard Go with the family to meetings, such as at school Connect the family to information and resources Offer support groups, educational programs,

and family activities

The Family Navigator. . .The Family Navigator. . . Is a parent or primary caregiver of a child or youth who

is or has been involved in multiple child-serving agencies.

Empowers other families caring for children with special needs.

Provides family-to-family support, education, advocacy, coaching, information and referral and follow-up.

Role of the Family NavigatorRole of the Family NavigatorFacilitate families accessing resources by. . . Making phone calls to connect families with resources. Providing guidance in completing forms and applications. Reviewing documents such as IEP’s or reports. Empowering families to effectively articulate their

concerns and needs. May include accompanying families to meetings. Educating families on laws, policies and procedures.

Coalition Staff MembersCoalition Staff Members All 30 Coalition staff are legacy family members. Staff receive training from U of MD Innovations and

are working toward Wrap Certification. CANS Certification HIPAA Certification We emphasize to families that Coalition Staff

Members are not therapists or lawyers. We are FAMILY!

Focus Group with Families Who Focus Group with Families Who Have Children in Tx Foster CareHave Children in Tx Foster CareStrained relationship with foster familyStrength of this relationship was often identified as a

major factor in the child’s and family’s progress toward reunification

More communication with foster familiesStay involved in their child’s life – child will be

returning home

Focus Group with Families Who Focus Group with Families Who Have Children in Tx Foster CareHave Children in Tx Foster CareConcern about how foster families talk about

biological families to the child Planning for reunification should begin when the

child enters foster careMore training should be available for foster families

and biological families

The Coalition can help you!The Coalition can help you!For more information about our Baltimore City office,

contact the office at:

2701 N. Charles St. 4th Floor

Baltimore MD 21218

410.235.6340

angelavl@mdcoalition.org