The Family Advocacy Committee began meeting two times per month in February 2010 to support the Parent Support Network meetings being facilitated by Monica Sewell and Dannie Dosch.

“The purpose of this effort is not to start a new process, but to build on what is already being done. The John T. Vucurevich Foundation wants to provide help through the Black Hills Mental Health Substance Abuse Collaborative.”

Martha Anderson – Parent- Independent Living Specialist, Western Resources for dis-ABLED Independence Dannie Dosch – Parent- Victim Specialist, Federal Bureau of Investigations- Facilitator Black Hills Parents 4 Parents Support Network- Advisor/Liaison to the Family Advocacy Committee- Parent Representative on the Systems of Care/Systems Transformation Steering Committee Burke Eilers – Parent Director, Youth & Family Services Counseling Center Tommie Leenknecht – ParentAdvocate, National Alliance on Mental Illness Dianna Marshall – Parent - Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) - Program Director, South Dakota Advocacy

Services Tamie McMeeken – Parent - Juvenile Court Services Officer, Seventh Circuit Monica Sewell - Parent - Facilitator Black Hills Parents 4 Parents Support Network - Advisor/Liaison to the Family Advocacy Committee - Parent Representative on the Systems of Care/Systems Transformation Steering Committee Stephanie Schweitzer Dixon – Parent- Director, Front Porch Coalition Sheila Troxel Snyder – Parent- SD State University 4-H Cooperative Extension Service- State Coordinator - Operation: Military Kids

Alys Ratigan -- Facilitator- MH/SA Collaborative Coordinator

MISSION STATEMENT :

The Black Hills Parents 4 Parents Family Advocacy Committee provides support and education to individuals and families giving them a voice in the access and delivery of behavioral health services leading to positive outcomes both personally and systemically.

Parents 4 Parents is a Chapter of the

VISION STATEMENT :

Assisting organizations and families to work together in partnership – one family, one team, one plan.

Parents 4 Parents is a Chapter of the

GOAL 1: Be a Resource for Individuals and Families Looking for Education, Information, Services

and Support

a) Assist with convening Parent Support Group meetings

b) Identify and promote trainings and materials that educate / support families.

c) Identify and train families/advocates who can be available to meet with families who attend the Parent Support Group

Goal 2: Increase Public Awareness of the Parent Support Group and Resources Available

a) Provide communication links to families and agencies

b) Increase the knowledge of community members who have consistent contact with individuals / families in need and educate them to make appropriate referrals (i.e., pastors/medical personnel/cosmetologists)

Goal 3: Identify and Train Advocates in Specialty Areas to Assist in a Peer Support System

a) Identify a list of issues to be addressed.

b) Define role of Advocates.

c) Ask member agencies of the MH/SA Collaborative to hand-pick persons/families with first hand experience who could possibly serve as coaches/advocates for families who are struggling with various issues.

d) Identify appropriate training and support/guidance for Advocates.

Goal 4: Help Families be Part of Decision Making at All Levels by Being the Point of Contact for a Collective Voice and a Feedback Loop to Providers

a) Make it easier for families to participate in SOC meetings

b) Promote the System Transformation Philosophy

c) Conduct regular surveys to targeted groups to ensure their voice is part of decision making both locally and state-wide

Goal 5: Advocate for Systemic, Legislative and/or Funding Changes to Benefit Families

a) Address Unresolved Issues / Barriers that Emerge in the Parent Support Network

b) Develop a one-stop shop concept for people/families to receive support and information

c) Address emerging trends

Family Advocacy Committee (Steering Committee) members named their efforts Black Hills Parents 4 Parents, and developed their Mission, Vision, Goals and Objectives.

They became a Chapter of the National Federation of Families For Children’s Mental Health in March 2011.

They developed a website featuring local resources for parents / families, and it is being debuted today! parents4parentsbh.org

They are planning quarterly conferences for parents on various topics with the first planned for October 22, 2011.

They have contracted with 211 to research and print a Mental Health Resource Guide for the Black Hills.

211 also provided information for a folded list of Pennington County “Basic Needs” Resources which is in your folder today.

What is the relationship between the Parents 4 Parents Family Advocacy Committee and Systems of Care (SOC) / Systems Transformation efforts in the State of South Dakota?

Monica Sewell – Parent, Peer Family Support Advocate, Facilitator of the Parent Support Network meetings, and Member of the Systems of Care (SOC) / Systems Transformation Committee

Parents 4 Parents is a Chapter of the

Parents 4 Parents is a Chapter of the

parents4parentsbh.org