Youth and family voice is closely tied to success in treatment and recovery of children and youth with mental illness:
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A national model,
family-driven care, calls for families to have primary decision-making authority in the care of their own children.
Youth and family voice began in public education and mental health systems. The federal Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) has included family- and student-directed Individual Education Plans (IEP) in the educational system for many years. In the mental health system, the federal Systems of Care model and “wraparound” services have promoted a family-focused planning process for treatment.
What's happening in Texas
Texas gradually is implementing family-driven care practices, such as ensuring that families and youth are represented on advisory councils. For example, the 76th Legislature created an advisory consortium to oversee development of a local service system for children and youth with complex mental health needs. The legislature required the consortium to have an equal number of family advocates and representatives of state child-serving agencies.
State agencies also have created positions to ensure family and youth have a voice in the development of policies and practices:
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The
Texas Youth Commission, an agency in the Texas juvenile justice system, has hired seven full-time family liaisons across the state to serve as peer mentors and advisors to families of incarcerated youth.
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A mental health youth transformation summit recently took place as part of the Texas mental health transformation initiative. Texas youth joined Texas Health Institute staff and mental health partners for a two-day summit to talk about health care benefits, challenges and recommendations.
Advocacy Organizations
State and national youth and family advocacy organizations support including youth and family voice in mental health services. Many provide training, technical assistance, advocacy, and personal and legal support to accomplish this goal. They also recommend ways to include youth and family in educational and mental health policymaking.
Youth and families increasingly serve on advisory councils to federal, state and local agencies and programs. Many agencies and organizations hire youth and family members who have personal experience with the mental health system. Responsibilities may include acting as peer mentors, developing training and technical assistance tools, and recommending changes in administrative policies and practices.
Peer Support Specialists
In many states, including Texas, agencies and organizations hire adult, youth and family peer support specialists who have progressed in their own recovery from mental illness to assist others in the recovery process.
Because of their life experience, peer support specialists have a skill set and expertise that professional training cannot replicate. They may assist clients in articulating their goals for recovery and monitoring their progress, model effective coping techniques, and provide self-help strategies based on the specialist's own recovery experience.
TEXAS RESOURCES
Mental Health America in Texas - promotes mental health, prevents mental illnesses through research and education, improves care and treatment for people with mental illnesses, and advocates for the rights of persons with mental illnesses through public policy.
NAMI Texas - helps improve the lives of people affected by mental illness through education, support, and advocacy.
Advocacy, Inc. - advocates for, protect, and advance the legal, human, and service rights of people with disabilities.
Texas Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health - addresses the unique needs of children and youth with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders and their families.
Texas Mental Health Consumers - encourages, educates, trains and organizes people who have received services, voluntarily or involuntarily, from the mental health system to advocate for themselves and to support each other.
Depression and Bipolor Alliance Support in Texas - Depression and Bipolor Alliance Support in Texas is a nonprofit organization in Texas striving to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders by providing self-help support groups and educating the public about these treatable medical disorders.
See:
http://www.dbsatexas.org/
Family to Family Network - Family to Family Network has a vision for ALL children where education, and families working together are making dreams become realities. It is based on knowing that children must have a good educational foundation and experiences within their home communities to prepare them for independent living and accomplishment of their goals.
Family to Family Network has developed a number of programs that provide families with information and referral services, education and support through networking.
See:
http://www.familytofamilynetwork.org/
The Children's Partnership - Austin/Travis County is a system of care community that employs several family liaison positions within the infrastructure of their network. For more information, see: http://www.childrenspartnership.com/
NATIONAL RESOURCES
National Mental Health of America - Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association) is dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives. With more than 320 affiliates nationwide, there is representation of a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation – everyday and in times of crisis. See: http://www.nmha.org/
National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health - The National Federation works to support as the voice of families in the formation of policy that serve the needs of children with mental, emotional, and behavioral health challenges. As the national office, the focus is primarily on national level policy initiatives, thereby linking the policies of our 127 state and local chapters. Visit: http://www.ffcmh.org/
Depression and Bipolor Support Alliance - The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a patient-directed national organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses.The organization fosters an environment of understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically-based tools and information written in language the general public can understand. Visit: http://www.dbsalliance.org/
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill- The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders. See: http://www.nami.org/
National Institute of Mental Health- The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the largest scientific organization in the world dedicated to research focused on the understanding, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of mental health.The mission of the (NIMH) is to diminish the burden of mental illness through research. Visit: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Youth Motivating Others Through Voices of Experience (MOVE) National -This group has created the definition of youth-guided care, and has developed the characteristics of what it means to be youth guided, youth directed and even youth driven, depending on the developmental level of each person. See: http://youthmove.us/
National Mental Health Information Center - was developed for users of mental health services and their families, the general public, policy makers, providers, and the media. The SAMHSA Health Information Network (SHIN) includes the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) and the National Mental Health Information Center (NMHIC) . SHIN connects the behavioral health workforce and the general public to the latest information on the prevention and treatment of mental and substance use disorders. http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Place to Start -In particular, the information contained herein pertains to children that have a medical problem, emotional problem, developmental delays, ADHD and/or other neurological disorder. Visit: http://www.adhd-add.info/index.html
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law - For three decades, the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law has been the nation's leading legal advocate for people with mental disabilities. The mission of the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is to protect and advance the rights of adults and children who have mental disabilities. See: http://www.bazelon.org/
Peer Support Specialist - The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) developed a report involving the evolution and emerging new practices with Peer Support Specialist positions. See: http://www.nasmhpd.org/general_files/publications/ntac_pubs/reports/peer%20support%20practices%20final.pdf
Publication: Family driven Care: Are We There Yet? - A roadmap for system transformation for family members, educators, and mental health professionals produced by the Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health at the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, May 2007. See: http://cfs.fmhi.usf.edu/resources/publications/fam_driven_care.pdf
Michigan Department of Community Health, Bulletin MSA 07-52: Revisions to Mental Health and Substance Abuse Chapter, September 1, 2007
