Family Peer Support Services
What is Family Peer Support?
Our Family Peer Support program offers support to families who are caring for or raising a child facing social, emotional, developmental, substance use, or behavioral challenges. Through this support, families can build a structured, strength-based relationship with a MHA Peer Specialist who works closely with parents, family members, and caregivers to benefit the child or youth.
"Family" encompasses the primary caregiving unit in all its diverse forms, recognizing the unique structures that exist in our society.
For more information contact Diane at DOlden@mhaedu.org or call (607) 273-9250.
How Can our Family Support Services Help?
Our Family Peer Advocates are here to support you in navigating the challenges of raising a child with mental health or behavioral needs. They can:
Work with you to create a personalized family support plan that respects your family’s values and culture.
Provide clear, accessible information about various child-serving systems, helping you make informed decisions.
Empower you to advocate effectively for your child’s unique needs and rights.
Help your family develop the skills necessary to support your child’s growth and well-being.
What is a Family Peer Advocate?
Family Peer Advocates have ‘lived-experience’ as the parent (biological, foster, adoptive) or primary caregiver of a child/youth with a social, emotional, behavioral, mental health, or developmental disability). They receive training to develop skills and strategies to empower and support other families. They foster effective parent-professional partnership and promote the practice of family-driven and youth-guided approaches.
Families Together in New York State administers the New York State Family Peer Advocate Credential. The establishment of the FPA Credential recognizes the importance of family-to-family support. The intent of this credentialing process is to formally recognize the expertise of Family Peer Advocates, to ensure all advocates demonstrate core competencies, to expand reimbursement possibilities, and to provide opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.