Family FAQ February 2006

February 2006

Our system of care community is focused on activities to sustain our system of care efforts. We have discussed how important it is for our families and youth to educate policy-makers on why they should adopt new policy and continue to invest funding into our system of care. We know that families and youth should share their stories now because this is a time when policy-makers are making important decisions. Could you provide some specific strategies to help our families and youth educate policy-makers and legislators?

You are right that now is an important time for family members, youth, and system of care partners to inform public officials about policy and practices that affect children, youth, and families. This means building ongoing relationships with policy-makers and providing them with system of care success stories and information that will guide their decisions to improve services and supports for children and youth with serious emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges and their families. Understanding how the legislative process works in your state is important. Most states have public websites that provide you with up to date information regarding legislative activities, contact information for your legislators, congressional assignments to committees and taskforces, and calendars of events such as public hearings for both the House and Senate. It is a good to identify a lead person who can track this information and share it broadly with families, youth, and partners.

It is important to know the IRS restrictions for non-profit organizations (e.g. not participating in, supporting, or opposing candidates and staying within the limits on lobbying activities). Family organizations have done a great job working within these IRS restrictions to organize families and youth to educate public officials and the broader community.

Another strategy is to develop a public awareness campaign plan that involves your families, youth, and system of care partners. Make sure to fully involve social marketing and evaluation partners who can provide strategies for sharing your messages while incorporating important data. Your public awareness campaign should include activities that will support the sustainability of your system of care.

Below are some Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health policy resources that will provide additional strategies in more detail:

Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health: Target Technical Assistance Tools for supporting the development of a family-driven system of community based services and supports.

Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health: Beyond the Ballot.

Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health

Family Involvement and Advocacy Frequently Asked Questions

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	February 2006 Our system of care community is focused on activities to sustain our system of care efforts. We have discussed how important it is for our families and youth to educate policy-makers on why they should adopt new policy and continue to invest funding into our system of care. We know that families and youth should share their stories now because this is a time when policy-makers are making important decisions. Could you provide some specific strategies to help our families and youth educate policy-makers and legislators? You are right that now is an important time for family members, youth, and system of care partners to inform public officials about policy and practices that affect children, youth, and families. This means building ongoing relationships with policy-makers and providing them with system of care success stories and information that will guide their decisions to improve services and supports for children and youth with serious emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges and their families. Understanding how the legislative process works in your state is important. Most states have public websites that provide you with up to date information regarding legislative activities, contact information for your legislators, congressional assignments to committees and taskforces, and calendars of events such as public hearings for both the House and Senate. It is a good to identify a lead person who can track this information and share it broadly with families, youth, and partners. It is important to know the IRS restrictions for non-profit organizations (e.g. not participating in, supporting, or opposing candidates and staying within the limits on lobbying activities). Family organizations have done a great job working within these IRS restrictions to organize families and youth to educate public officials and the broader community. Another strategy is to develop a public awareness campaign plan that involves your families, youth, and system of care partners. Make sure to fully involve social marketing and evaluation partners who can provide strategies for sharing your messages while incorporating important data. Your public awareness campaign should include activities that will support the sustainability of your system of care. Below are some Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health policy resources that will provide additional strategies in more detail: Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health: Target Technical Assistance Tools for supporting the development of a family-driven system of community based services and supports. Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health: Beyond the Ballot.