Project Grant H79SM089788

PA PARENT AND FAMILY ALLIANCE - THE PENNSYLVANIA PARENT AND FAMILY ALLIANCE (PARENT ALLIANCE), A STATEWIDE PROGRAM OF ALLEGHENY FAMILY NETWORK, IS SET TO ENHANCE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN. OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, IT WILL TRAIN 30 PARENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS TO INFLUENCE POLICIES AND CHILD-SERVING SYSTEMS, FACILITATE THE INCLUSION OF THESE PARENT LEADERS IN DECISION-MAKING BODIES WITH A TARGET PLACEMENT RATE OF 80% POST-TRAINING, AND ESTABLISH A PARENT ADVISORY BOARD TO REVIEW SERVICE POLICIES. COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WILL ALSO DEVELOP WORKSHOPS ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES FACED BY PARENTS, AIMING FOR 80% PARTICIPANT SATISFACTION. A STATEWIDE SURVEY WILL ASSESS RESPITE CARE NEEDS, LEADING TO THE CREATION OF A RESPITE SERVICE PROGRAMS DATABASE. MONTHLY ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS WILL SHARE FAMILIES' LIVED EXPERIENCES, WITH AN EXPECTED 10% ANNUAL INCREASE IN RECIPIENTS. THE PROJECT WILL PARTICIPATE IN STATEWIDE COMMITTEES TO ADVOCATE FOR PEER SUPPORT MODELS, ENSURING FAMILY INPUT INTO TRAINING AND BILLING STANDARDS, AND PRESENT AT CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS ANNUALLY, FOCUSING ON THE NEEDS OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. ADDITIONALLY, A CHATLINE WILL PROVIDE REFERRALS FOR 340 FAMILIES OVER THREE YEARS, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE OFFERED TO 10 ORGANIZATIONS AIMING TO IMPROVE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT CAPABILITIES, SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCING THE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SED/COD IN PENNSYLVANIA.