The legislative briefing on May 7th on Capitol Hill had a wonderful turn out. The panel of speakers was wonderful and well informed, and several members of congress participated in the briefing, and offered remarks about the importance of funding for mental health programs.

 

 

Congressman Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania was among the speakers at the legislative briefing.   

 

 

The green ribbon campaign was a major success! Families, providers, partner organizations and supports all wore green ribbons to show their support and spread awareness! In this photo, panelist are all wearing their green ribbons!

 

 

Academy Award Winning actress Goldie Hawn was the honored speaker, who joined the morning panel to advocate for more funding and support for mental health programs. Her passion and dedication to children was inspiring. 

 

  

Youth activities and events were also outstanding all week! Here are some of the youth who performed at the “Hear Me Now” performance at the Harmon theatre in Washington D.C.

"Ice Cream in Support of Children's Mental Health"
Denton County Federation of Families had an ice cream social after the City of Denton's reading of an official Proclamation recognizing May 3 - 9 as Children's Mental Health Awareness Week!

Walk for Mental Health at UMC
In Minnesota there was a “Walk for Mental Health” to raise awareness of the mental health needs of young children, youth, young adults, parents, families and the elderly. Organizers distributed green ribbons and wore green t-shirts to symbolize new life, new growth and new beginnings. The walk started at the U of M, Crookston gazebo on the campus mall at 10 a.m.  A gentle walk around the path was followed by several guest speakers.  Ice cream was available for purchase. The Walk for Mental Health Awareness was sponsored by:  The Polk County LAC; NW MN Council of Collaboratives; and Our Children Succeed Initiative.

Poster Awareness Campaign
G.I.F.T.S., Inc. (State Organization) in Guam created a 2009 green ribbon poster! This poster has been placed at schools, police stations, agencies and various businesses. They had a grand opening for G.I.F.T.S. and invited the First Lady, Judge Barcinas and other community leaders to join in the celebration.

Still want more information?!
 Check out these links to see what other chapters and state organizations did to celebration 2009 Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week!!!
www.gpsn.org

www.ppal.net

www.ohiofederation.org

www.vffcmh.org

www.iffcmh.org

www.msfaacmh.org

Working Definition of Family-Driven Care
January 2008

Definition of Family-Driven Care

Family-driven means families have a primary decision making role in the care of their own children as well as the policies and procedures governing care for all children in their community, state, tribe, territory and nation.  This includes:

1. Choosing culturally and linguistically competent supports, services, and providers;
2. Setting goals;
3. Designing, implementing and evaluating programs;
4. Monitoring outcomes; and
5. Partnering in funding decisions.

Guiding Principles of Family-Driven Care

1. Families and youth, providers and administrators embrace the concept of sharing decision-making and responsibility for outcomes.
2. Families and youth are given accurate, understandable, and complete information necessary to set goals and to make informed decisions and choices about the right services and supports for individual children and their families.
3. All children, youth, and families have a biological, adoptive, foster, or surrogate family voice advocating on their behalf and may appoint them as substitute decision makers at any time.
4. Families and family-run organizations engage in peer support activities to reduce isolation, gather and disseminate accurate information, and strengthen the family voice.
5. Families and family-run organizations provide direction for decisions that impact funding for services, treatments, and supports and advocate for families and youth to have choices.
6. Providers take the initiative to change policy and practice from provider-driven to family-driven.
7. Administrators allocate staff, training, support and resources to make family-driven practice work at the point where services and supports are delivered to children, youth, and families and where family and youth run organizations are funded and sustained.
8. Community attitude change efforts focus on removing barriers and discrimination created by stigma.
9. Communities and private agencies embrace, value, and celebrate the diverse cultures of their children, youth, and families and work to eliminate mental health disparities.

Everyone who connects with children, youth, and families continually advances their own cultural and linguistic responsiveness as the population served changes so that the needs of the diverse populations are appropriately addressed.

Download the working definition here

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