Vermont statewide family network project - the project name is the vermont statewide family network project, IT will increase awareness and support through an array of technical assistance,…

Vermont statewide family network project - the project name is the vermont statewide family network project, IT will increase awareness and support through an array of technical assistance, information, support, and resources relating to organizational infrastructure and sustainability, collaboration, leadership and empowerment, and the promotion of peer support and social inclusion. The target populations to be served through the statewide family network (SFN) are families/caregivers with children and youth who have serious emotional, behavioral, mental, and social disorders across all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic status throughout the 14 counties that span vermont with a targeted focus on the 13 most rural counties. Information shows a diverse and challenged population. Vermont spans 9,250 square miles with a 2021 population estimated to be approximately 645,570 residents. Of its 14 counties, chittenden county is the largest. Its metropolitan area is the most populous; an estimated 225,562 lived there in 2020. There are 49.4% males and 50.6% females in VT. Age: 18.3% are under 18 with 4.7% of those under 5. According to the 2021 U.S. Census bureau report 94.2% of the state's population is white, 2.0% is hispanic/latino, 1.9% is asian, 1.4% is black/african american, 0.4% is american indian or alaska native. The vermont agency of human services, department of mental health, february 2022 report estimates that during the 2021 fiscal year 10,517 children/youth ages 0-17 accessed mental health services. 52% of those were ages 0-12, and 42% were ages 13-19. The report also stated that in 2020 the rate of youth ED visits for mental health concerns increased. The department of mental health further reported of the 24,205 medicaid members (0-18) who received mental health services 11,548 (48%) of those received mental services in a school. Goals and objectives are goal 1: promote peer support and social inclusion for families/caregivers with children, youth, and young adults with SED. Goal 2: provide technical assistance, information, support, and resources to foster family/caregiver leadership and empowerment skills to effect systems change and improve access to quality mental health services. Goal 3: work effectively with policy makers, service providers and other organizations that support the needs of children, youth, and young adults with SED. Goal 4: strengthen network organizational business management skills and relationships that promote sustainability and longevity. Objectives: increase awareness and support through an array of technical assistance, information, support, and resources relating to organizational infrastructure and sustainability, collaboration, leadership and empowerment, and the promotion of peer support and social inclusion. We anticipate that we will serve 400 children and youth annually and 1,200 within the lifetime of the project.