Our mission is furthered each day through our coaching and support efforts on behalf of children with mental health disorders. Our coaches (advocates) have an excellent reputation for providing in-depth education, information, support, and referrals that help families choose and access resource options that best address the needs of their child and family. Last year we provided direct advocacy for more than 1,500 families of children with mental health disorders and professionals/educators throughout the state. MACMH staff also provides information and referrals to mental health professionals, including teachers, school nurses, and social workers.

Education Advocacy

Our education coaches help families navigate the educational system, create bridges between parents and schools, and train parents to advocate for their child. To maximize educational opportunities for students with mental health disorders, our coaches speak on behalf of children with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. We do this by:

• Explaining the rights and responsibilities families have in the school system.
• Assisting families in determining educational needs and the most appropriate placements, accommodations, and modifications.
• Helping families and school teams develop effective individual program plans, such as IEP/IIIP/IFSP, or 504 accommodations plans.
• Guiding families toward increasing competency and confidence so they can act as their child’s advocate.
• Assisting adolescents through the transition planning process and by supporting their ability to advocate for themselves.
• Providing telephone coaching, file reviews, and family workshops; we also accompany families to school meetings when possible.

Mental Health Coaching
Our mental health coaches help families learn more about early and effective interventions for children’s mental health disorders by offering support, information, referrals, and assistance; by building bridges between parents and professionals; and by training parents to advocate for their children.

Our advocates will:

• Speak on behalf of children with mental health disorders.
• Explain the rights and responsibilities families have in the multiple systems that serve children with mental health disorders.
• Help families understand their child’s diagnosis and explore options for suitable services.
• Connect parents with support groups in their areas.
• Guide families toward increasing competency and confidence so they can act as their child’s advocate.
• Assist parents who are providing support and information to other parents.
• Provide telephone coaching, file reviews, family workshops, and accompany families to meetings when possible.

Support Groups

MACMH has developed a listing of parent support groups and community resource persons throughout Minnesota. Using this listing, our staff can connect interested people with more than 50 parent support groups, community resource persons, and parent liaisons across the state.

Family Catalyst
After a very successful first year, MACMH is recruiting applicants for Year 3 of the federally-funded Family Catalyst Project. As a Catalyst, you will receive structured training, mentoring, and support to facilitate change in the state’s children’s mental health system. Do you want to initiate change in the children’s mental health system?—
Be a Family Catalyst!

Watch for 2011 Catalyst Information!