New Jersey Alliance of Family Support Organizations Annual Membership Report

The Mission of NJAFSO… To strengthen and promote the wellness of families with children and youth who have emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges by serving as a catalyst and capacity-builder for family support and empowerment organizations.

About the New Jersey Alliance The New Jersey Alliance of Family Support Organizations (NJAFSO) supports family and youth-run organizations across New Jersey and the country through training, technical assistance, policy development, identification of best practices, data collection and analysis, and resource development. NJAFSO partners with other statewide family-run family support organizations on annual conferences within the state and in Washington D.C. on educational and policy efforts to improve services and outcomes for children, youth, and families. NJAFSO is the New Jersey State Chapter for the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health and Youth MOVE National

NJAFSO NJAFSO also disseminates important information about New Jersey’s Child Behavioral Health System and the role of families and family organizations within that system; collaborates with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families’ Children’s System of Care to improve services and outcomes for children, youth and families; works with FSOs to increase their capacity to serve under-served and under- represented families; and promotes parent-professional partnership at local, state, and national levels. In July 2013, the Alliance was awarded a federal grant to develop and implement a Family and Youth Leadership Academy in partnership with Georgetown University and Youth MOVE National!

Before Family and Youth Organizations in NJ Children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs often did not receive appropriate services Many were denied community-based services Lack of access to needed services prevented many from succeeding in school Inadequate community-based resources forced families to make difficult and painful decisions to access care

New Jersey’s Child Behavioral Health System New Jersey’s Child Behavioral Health System changed the world for New Jersey children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs. Family Support Organizations are an integral part of its success. Children and youth with emotional, behavioral and mental health needs receive community-based supports through Care Management Organizations, Mobile response, and other services accessed through the Contracted System Administrator Most youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs progress to postsecondary education, employment, independent living, and being part of the community Families and youth can look to the future with hope

About the Family Support Organizations New Jersey’s Family Support Organizations (FSOs) are family-led, community-based non-profit agencies whose mission is to provide support, education, and advocacy to families and caregivers of children with emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs. FSOs work collaboratively within New Jersey’s System of Care and with community partners to improve outcomes for children and youth with all emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs and their families. They collect and share data from their experience that lead to improved practices in serving children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs. Each FSO also supports the Youth Partnership, a youth organization led by youth and young adults to foster support and leadership of young people with behavioral health needs.

The Role of Family Support Organizations Family Support Organizations (FSOs) help families access services for their children and youth through New Jersey’s System of Care. They also provide support to families through individual peer support and peer support groups, educational workshops, and connection to other needed resources. FSOs help develop youth capacity and leadership through their Youth Partnership activities, which also help reduce stigma and improve community understanding. The majority of FSO staff and boards are caregivers of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges, so they are able to bring personal experience and expertise when working with families.

FSOs Help Parents through Peer Support Groups Family Support Organizations facilitate peer support groups at times and locations that are convenient for families of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs. These meetings provide meaningful opportunities for family to learn about resources, develop their own advocacy skills and create new relationships. Each support group offers transportation, child care and refreshments. 13,216 family members attended 1,550 support groups

Family Support Organizations Help Families… Better understand their children and youths’ strengths and needs Communicate more effectively with education, health, child behavioral health, and other professionals, and resolve disagreements Understand their rights and responsibilities under the child behavioral health system Obtain appropriate services for their children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges Connect with other community resources that assist children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges

FSOs INCREASE Help to Families Family Support Organizations facilitate individual peer support for families of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges in their homes and communities. In 2010, families continued to ask for more services. FSOs began expanding to support more families. Now each FSO has more than doubled the number of families they serve.

Family Support Organizations Serve Families In , New Jersey’s FSOs provided almost 107,000 hours of intensive peer support to 5,753 new families whose children and youth receive support through Care Management Organizations (CMOs)… that is nearly 300 hours of support per day! FSOs also work with those who do not receive services from the CMO. 13,216 caregivers attended FSO support groups. Over 10,895 families reached out for support through FSO Warm-lines.

NJAFSO Promotes Success of FSOs… In-person, telephonic and electronic technical assistance and support were provided to FSOs for a total of 60 sessions or 5/month. 607 family members, youth/young adults and volunteers were trained. Peer Support Certification implemented in Approximately 150 Peer Support Partners are actively involved in the Certification complete with final testing and in-field skill observation. Over the last year, NJAFSO has developed boards, facilitated strategic planning and consulted with system partners on a variety of issues including: integration of primary care, sustainability and elimination of behavioral health disparities.

NJ Family & Youth Leadership Academy Launched 1 st year completed June 7, youth and family graduates are completing 9 months of training and coaching  86% of participants increased their KNOWLEDGE OF CHILD SERVING SYSTEMS by at least 25%  73% of participants increased their KNOWLEDGE OF ADVOCACY by at least 50%  89% of participants increased their ADVOCACY SKILL by at least 50%  99% of participants increased their KNOWLEDGE OF LEADERSHIP by at least 75%  86% of participants increased their LEADERSHIP SKILLS by at least 50%

FSO Findings 98.4% of parents responded that FSO staff provided services promptly and efficiently 100% of parents said that FSO staff were courteous and professional 100% of parents reported that FSO staff were informed and made an effort to get information to assist me 97% of parents indicated that FSO staff were knowledgeable and answered my questions 98.6% of parents agreed that FSO staff modeled self advocacy skills 95% of parents said “I would recommend FSO services to other families”

Outcomes 96% of families are better able to lead their child’s treatment and plan 97% of families are better able to understand the System of Care 97% of families have more support in their lives 99% are satisfied with the Family Support Organization Based on Spring 2014 CQI Report

Families receiving support from FSOs demonstrate: Greater optimism about their life and ability to cope than prior to FSO involvement; Increased social networks (friends and family) that help them deal with their challenges; Enhanced ability to communicate effectively regarding their family issues; Greater knowledge of their child/family strengths and needs; rights and responsibilities; and service options. The data on this page is a summary of information from the FSO network’s FANS and Efforts to Outcome data.

What families say about FSOs: “Without the Family Support Organization, I know that I would not have my sanity…Having someone to reassure me, not passing judgment on where I live, my financial situation or being a parent of a child with emotional challenges I didn’t understand, made me feel like a mother again and that I can be a part of that process.” “The FSO was a lifeline to information, assistance, and guidance through this trauma.”

What families say about FSOs… “The FSO has been a tremendous support for me…It was the first place where I felt that people truly understand. My Support Partner was there to listen and offer support. She let me know that I am not along on this life-long journey!” “The FSO has been a blessing to me and my family. They have provided advice, helped me coordinate services, and attended meetings with me when I needed support and experience my care manager didn’t have.”

What families say about the FSO staff “ My FSO Support Partner has taught me how to become a stronger mother. I have become much more confident with her help. I have been able to stand up for myself and my daughter. Without the FSO, I would not have been able to achieve everything that my daughter and I now have.” “My FSO Support Partner has been a great support to me, from going with me to the hospital to attending school meetings. My son is one of the success stories but I could not have made it without my Support Partner.” These quotes are from families assisted by the FSOs.

Family Support Organizations Promote High Expectations, Endless Possibilities ! FSOs are successful in their mission… supporting and empowering families across New Jersey!

About the Youth Partnerships Youth Partnerships (YPs), led by a young-adult Youth Coach, help youth to engage with other youth with mental, emotional and behavioral health needs. Through support groups, social activities, and leadership development, youth and young adults ages find their voice to affect change in their own lives and the lives of others. YPs have their own boards, websites, logos and funding! YPs are local chapters of Youth MOVE National with about 200 members.

Youth Partnerships have their own outcomes… Because of Youth Partnerships, 89% of youth better understand their own mental health needs 94% of youth can better make decisions about services and other things in my life 91% of youth have more support like friends and caring adults 86% of youth are better leaders in their own lives and the lives of others 95% of youth love the youth partnership!

Youth Partnership Outcomes “The Youth Partnership keeps me off the streets when there is nothing else to do. We have fun, socialize, talk about problems, and do community service. We try to eliminate bullying, drugs, peer pressure, and racism. We also try to stop the violence and keep each other off the streets.” “The Youth Partnership lets me meet new people. I get good advice about what to do and how to handle my past mistakes and peer pressure. Youth Partnership keeps me away from things I shouldn’t do and it’s also fun!” These quotes are from youth in FSO Youth Partnerships.

Network of Family and Youth Organizations New Jersey has the most comprehensive youth and family infrastructure the nation! The network provides access to family-driven and youth-guided support for families and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges in every county! New Jersey has a network of 15 Family Support Organizations and Youth Partnerships that cover all 21 counties: Atlantic-Cape; Bergen; Burlington; Camden; Cumberland-Gloucester-Salem; Essex; Hudson; Hunterdon-Somerset-Warren; Mercer; Middlesex; Monmouth; Morris-Sussex; Ocean; Passaic; and Union.

NEW JERSEY ALLIANCE OF FAMILY SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS 3956 Black Horse Pike, Suite B161 Mays Landing, NJ Phone (609) fax (609) njfamilyalliance.org