Standing Together: How to Get Involved in System of Care

You have something we want – your experience and perspective.

 “Standing on common ground” also means creating opportunities for people to come together.  Whether you’re a family member, caregiver, mental health provider, community member, educator, parole officer (anyone who touches youth with emotional and behavioral challenges and their families) OR you are one of “our youth”, then you have experience and a perspective that we, as a System of Care community, want to include and understand more fully.
 
There are multiple ways you can lend your voice (or your time) to the children’s mental health initiative that Monroe County ACCESS is spearheading, which we call a System of Care.  Remember to check the Event Calendar for meeting dates & times.  Share your experience, expertise, perspective by…  
 

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Why get involved in System of Care activities?
 

Using your voice and sharing your experience and perspective will help the Monroe County Office of Mental Health and other child-serving systems enhance existing services and supports and maybe even create new ones, like the Community Care Pilot  that launched in the Fall of 2009 and is funded by Monroe County ACCESS through the SAMHSA grant.

 
Benefits to participating – what has been said by those who have participated in System of Care activities:
 
“I want to ‘give back’ and help other families by improving the system so other families will have an easier time getting the help they need for their child.” – family member
 
“I think it’s important for adults to know that the youth have just as much to say about what works and doesn’t work when it comes to our treatment plans.” – youth
 
“It’s a great feeling to be part of something bigger and the Community Collaborative helps you see the big picture and influence change – we’re able to make recommendations and see them come to life, like the Community Care Pilot” – family member
 
“I like learning what other agencies are doing successfully – it’s a great way to share ideas and problem-solve issues, like how to recruit families to participate in an advisory committee, with a larger group of people.” – mental health provider
 
“We have to figure out better ways of getting the services and supports our students need and having a venue where we can problem solve school/mental health issues on a systems level is another way of addressing those needs.” – education administrator
 

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