Statewide family network - families & youth voice matters! - parent support network of rhode island (PSNRI), a statewide family-controlled non- profit organization, will serve as the statewide…

Statewide family network - families & youth voice matters! - parent support network of rhode island (PSNRI), a statewide family-controlled non- profit organization, will serve as the statewide family network of families with children and youth with serious emotional disturbance (SED) and young adults up to age 26 who have DSM- V diagnosis and individual care plans. We are committed to strengthen our infrastructure of family, youth and young adult leaders who will be empowered and knowledgeable and to participate in state and local mental health service planning and health care reform activities and building a strong family & youth support partner workforce. PSNRI will build upon the goals of the statewide family network (SFN) program to: strengthen network organizational leadership and management skills: PSNRI board and SFN management team will participate in going national and state training events to learn more about family driven and youth guided, culturally and linguistically competent mental health practices; receive consultation in becoming medicaid reimbursement; strengthen partnership with local foundations to strengthen our non-profit practices. Foster leadership skills among families of children and youth with SED, and young adults up to age 26 with DSM-V diagnosis: partner with other local diverse family organizations and groups to CO-sponsor family and youth workshops and train 50 family leaders; provide ongoing certification training and supervision to 25 family and youth support partners annually; and implement life skills training with 20 youth and young adults annually. Work effectively with policy makers and service providers that support needs of children and youth with SED, and young adults with DSM-V: further establish PSNRI- children's behavioral health family & youth advisory board and meet monthly; recruit, train, and mentor 25 family, youth, and young adult leaders with lived mental health experience to participate in state and local policy boards; hold annual children's behavioral health forum with 50 participants. Promote peer support and social inclusion of families with children and youth with SED, and young adults with DSM-V: develop and disseminate monthly E-updates and quarterly newsletter to share information about family, youth and young adults training, events, meetings, and activities taking place and highlight effective family driven and culturally competent mental health practices taking place across the state, with state action plan. We will continue to strengthen and partner with the governor's office, general assembly, courts, and state agencies to build leadership and family driven governance to address children's mental health and successful transition into adult mental health services for young adults and work with the local community mental health organizations, child and family service agencies, schools, primary care providers, and other community partners to ensure mental health needs are addressed.