Statewide Family Network Program

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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2018 Statewide Family Network grant program. The purpose of this program is to better respond to the needs of children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance (SED) and their families by providing information, referrals, and support; and to create a mechanism for families to participate in state and local mental health services planning and policy development. SAMHSA expects that this program will be a catalyst for transforming mental health and related systems in the state by strengthening coalitions among family organizations and between family members, policy makers, and service providers. The SFN grant program builds upon prior work of SAMHSA to establish a child/adolescent and family focus in programs serving children and adolescents with mental health challenges. Although significant progress has been made, further support will help to ensure the development of self-sufficient, empowered networks that will participate in state and local mental health services planning and health care reform activities associated with improving community-based services for children, youth, adolescents, and young adults with SED. The goals of the SFN program are to: • Strengthen network organizational, leadership, and management skills. • Foster leadership skills among families of children and adolescents with SED. • Work effectively with policy makers and service providers that support the needs of children and adolescents with SED. • Promote peer support and social inclusion of families with children and adolescents with SED.

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