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Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health |
The Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health (FFCMH) is a national parent-run organization which focuses on the needs of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders and their families. It provides an opportunity for family members to work with professionals to improve services for their children, and for family members to belong to an organized group to advocate on behalf of their children.
FFCMH is founded on the principle that family support is the center of formal and informal services and tangible goods that are defined and determined by families. It is "whatever it takes" for a family to care for and live with a child or adolescent who has an emotional, behavioral, or mental disorder. It also includes supports needed to assist families in maintaining close involvement with their children who are in out-of-home placement, and to help families when their children are ready to return home.
Family support services include, but are not limited to, the following components:
- Family self-help, support, and advocacy groups and organizations;
- Information and referral;
- Education that will support families in becoming active, informed decision-makers on behalf of the family and the child;
- Advocacy with and on behalf of the family, if needed;
- Capacity to individualize, provide flexible support services, and meet unplanned needs quickly and responsively;
- In-home and out-of-home respite care with an emphasis on neighborhood and community participation for the child, and conceptualized not as a clinical service but as a support for the whole family;
- Cash assistance;
- Assistance with family survival needs (housing, food, transportation, home maintenance); and
- Other supports, as determined by the family.
FFCMH
1021 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2971
(703)684-7710