Defending Childhood Protect Heal Thrive January 25-27, 2011 Sandra Spencer Executive Director National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health Youth Involvement - Joy Spencer

National Federation Vision Statement Through a family and youth driven approach, children and youth with emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges and their families obtain needed supports and services so that children grow up healthy and able to maximize their potential.

National Federation Mission Statement The FFCMH, a national family-run organization serves to: Provide advocacy at the national level for the rights of children and youth with emotional, behavioral and mental challenges and their families Provide leadership and technical assistance to a nation-wide network of family run organizations Collaborate with family run and other child serving organization to transform mental healthcare in America

A Bit of History

Family Involvement Family involvement is demonstrated through: ◦ Diversity ◦ Broad representation ◦ Peer involvement Families should be involved in: ◦ Policy ◦ Planning ◦ Implementation ◦ Evaluation

Why Involve Families? Families know the children best. Families know their children’s needs. Families know what treatments work. Families know the behaviors that present problems. Families are and can be the best advocates for better services and supports. Families can support other families. Families can influence policy.

Family Involvement May Not Be Easy It requires significant and sustained effort. It must be deliberate and conscientious from the start. Family involvement should NEVER BE ASSUMED. It should be fully integrated into both program and policy - not a separate component that is added on.

Family Involvement May Not Be Easy Individual families and family-run groups need training, encouragement, and financial support to have: ◦ Voices that are heard. ◦ Information they can use. ◦ Responsibility for decisions. ◦ Peers and mentors for support. ◦ Tools and resources to develop skills and to use them. ◦ Independence and courage to speak the truth.

Ways to Engage Families Build formal and informal environments of trust to open the doors of communication (focus group meetings, education forums, support, groups, social events, etc.) Find the person or organization that is the gatekeeper in the community, get their support Create peer to peer networks - methods for families to connect with each other for information (calling trees, list serves, chat rooms, newsletters) Sponsor conferences and summits involving family members in the planning and as presenters to promote cross learning

Ways to Engage Families Allow family members to be a part of program planning Allow family members to create and implement service satisfaction surveys Support grassroots family advocacy and youth organizations Hire families in leadership positions in administration and management within the grant program Develop brochures and videos that describe the grant and the available family and youth peer support opportunities

More Information on Family Involvement Principles of Family Involvement Definition of Family Driven Care

Youth M.O.V.E. National Youth M.O.V.E. National, a subsidiary of the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, is a youth led national organization devoted to improving services and systems that support positive growth and development by uniting the voices of individuals who have lived experience in various systems including mental health, juvenile justice, education, and child welfare.

Youth M.O.V.E. National Mission Statement We the members of Youth M.O.V.E. National will work as a diverse collective to unite the voices and causes of youth while raising awareness around youth issues. We will advocate for youth rights and voice in mental health and the other systems that serve them, for the purpose of empowering youth to be equal partners in the process of change.

Ways to Engage Youth Build a relationship with youth Acknowledge and learn the culture of youth Train and be an EFFECTIVE youth supporter Allow the youth to develop their own involvement model

Build a Relationship with Youth Building a relationship with youth takes TIME and PATIENCE Open communication is key Ask questions (find out what makes the youth feel wanted and appreciated) Encourage and value feedback Create a caring environment

Youth Culture Youth have their own culture! Be knowledgeable about youth interests Be conscious of the differences in youth and the different stages of youth development Address young people appropriately (avoid referring to adolescents as children or kids) Embrace and learn from your youth

Be an Effective Youth Supporter Be flexible Be youth-focused Respect youth culture Relate to young people Focus on a youth- driven and youth-run process LISTEN Be willing to share power Understand the complexities in the lives of young people Tell the youth of their importance Reconnect youth with the community

Allow the Youth to Build Their Own Involvement Model If YOU build it, they will (NOT) come Provide a safe and welcoming environment Include activities they suggest that are meaningful and FUN Create a process for older youth to mentor younger youth

Thank You Story Time

The Tortoise & the Hare – What’s the moral? Version #1  Slow & steady wins the race…

The Tortoise & the Hare – What’s the moral? Version #2  Fast & consistent wins the race…

The Tortoise & the Hare – What’s the moral? Version #3  Identify your core competencies, change the playing field to suit your core competencies and then win the race…

The Tortoise & the Hare – What’s the moral? Version #4  Work as a team and then win the race together… Working Together Always wins the race! Working Together Always wins the race!