Michigan statewide family network IX - acmh, through statewide family peer support, advocacy, education, information, leadership and networking opportunities will empower families/caregivers of…

Michigan statewide family network IX - acmh, through statewide family peer support, advocacy, education, information, leadership and networking opportunities will empower families/caregivers of children, youth, and young adults with SED across michigan to meet the mental health needs of their children and utilize their voice of experience to inform and transform mental health services, supports and policy in their community and our state. This will be accomplished by providing information, training, resources and technical assistance for community partners, service providers and families and youth. The work will increase family voice, family-driven youth-guided care, peer support, family/professional and community partnerships to enhance statewide infrastructure. The need for enhanced infrastructure to respond effectively to and meet the needs of families/caregivers of youth with SED is great in our state, where historical barriers to access, capacity and consistency coupled with increasing numbers of children and youth with emerging or escalating mental health challenges are flooding the pre-existing GAP between the number of children and youth needing services and those receiving IT. In addition, nearly one-fourth of MI children aged 3-17 have experienced two or more adverse childhood experiences, 3% higher than the national average. This number is likely to rise following 2+ years of pandemic related stressors, historical and current events with health and mental health related implications including the flint water crisis, last fall's shooting at oxford high school and the aftermath of follow-up threats, school closures and a rise in reactive suspensions or expulsions of students. The toll on the mental health of kids, families, and school communities across our state is likely immeasurable with many needing additional support. The goals and activities of this project were designed to utilize the experiences and expertise of families and acmh resources, training and support to inform and guide statewide strategies to help mitigate the current mental health crisis in our state and increase access to quality mental health services and supports that meet the needs of youth with SED and their families. Project goals include: - increase direct support to families of children, youth, and young adults with SED and expand access to a continuum of family peer support across michigan. - increase the number of family leaders throughout MI able to successfully advocate for their children's needs, support one another and use their voice of experience to improve mental health services, supports and policies for all youth and their families. - increase family participation, voice and leadership within mental health/related work forces program, policy and service planning to enhance the development of/access to services that meet the needs of youth with SED and their families. - strengthen the capacity, skills leadership of acmh, families and partners to enhance statewide infrastructure to support mental health needs and increase access to FD-YG care. - increase public awareness about the needs, issues & challenges of children, youth and young adults with SED and their families, and services, supports and policies that meet their needs. Other project activities include certifying 50+ parent and youth peer support specialists across our state, expanding the peer support continuum, creating and distributing a statewide crisis toolkit, and training for michigan schools to help them support youth with SED and partner with their families. Through enhanced family peer support, training, technical assistance, and leadership and networking opportunities acmh plans to reach at least 250 family members and professionals yearly and 750 over the 3-year project.