Defending ChildhoodProtect Heal Thrive

January 25-27, 2011

Sandra SpencerExecutive Director

National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health

sspencer@ffcmh.org

Youth Involvement - Joy Spencer

National Federation National Federation Vision StatementVision StatementThrough a family and youth drivenapproach, children and youth withemotional, behavioral and mentalhealth challenges and their familiesobtain needed supports andservices so that children growup healthy and able to maximizetheir potential.

National Federation National Federation Mission StatementMission 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 HistoryA Bit of History

Family InvolvementFamily Involvement

Family involvement is demonstrated through:◦ Diversity◦ Broad representation◦ Peer involvement

Families should be involved in:◦ Policy◦ Planning◦ Implementation◦ Evaluation

Why Involve Families?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 Family Involvement May Not Be EasyBe 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 Family Involvement May Not Be EasyBe 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 FamiliesWays 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 FamiliesWays 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 More Information on Family InvolvementInvolvement

Principles of Family Involvement

Definition of Family Driven Care

Youth M.O.V.E. NationalYouth 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. NationalYouth M.O.V.E. National

Mission StatementWe 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 YouthWays to Engage Youth

Build a relationship with youthAcknowledge and learn the

culture of youthTrain and be an EFFECTIVE youth

supporterAllow the youth to develop their

own involvement model

Build a Relationship with Build a Relationship with YouthYouth

Building a relationship with youth takes TIME and PATIENCE

Open communication is keyAsk questions (find out what makes

the youth feel wanted and appreciated)

Encourage and value feedbackCreate a caring environment

Youth CultureYouth Culture

Youth have their own culture!Be knowledgeable about youth interestsBe 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 Be an Effective Youth SupporterSupporter

Be flexibleBe youth-focusedRespect youth

cultureRelate to young

peopleFocus 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 Allow the Youth to Build Their Own Involvement Their Own Involvement

ModelModelIf YOU build it, they will (NOT)

comeProvide a safe and welcoming

environmentInclude activities they suggest

that are meaningful and FUNCreate a process for older youth

to mentor younger youth

Thank YouThank YouStory Time

The Tortoise & the Hare – The Tortoise & the Hare – What’s the moral?What’s the moral?

Version #1 Slow & steady wins the

race…

The Tortoise & the Hare – The Tortoise & the Hare – What’s the moral?What’s the moral?

Version #2 Fast & consistent wins the race…

The Tortoise & the Hare – The Tortoise & the Hare – What’s the moral?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 – The Tortoise & the Hare – What’s the moral?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!