A resource for families and caregivers about children’s mental health and
how to navigate the system.

As a family member or caregiver, you will find information and resources that will help you navigate the complexities and challenges of having a child with mental health issues. Whether it is understanding child and youth behavior in new ways or helping you answer "now what?” to shedding some light on how the child-serving systems work.

Hello!

We, the families in System of Care, are pleased to bring families in Monroe County a website which was designed especially for the unique needs of families who have children in the public mental health system.

This site will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) which family members and caregivers have asked about raising a child with emotional and behavioral challenges. Questions rangie from challenges in school to legal issues, and what to look for in a counselor, taking care of you, plus much more.  Use the links at the top and down the left to find what you're looking for.  

New content will be routinely added to the site so check back often or be sure to bookmark us or join the Monroe County System of Care facebbook fan page to get updates.

Contact the webmaster if you have any suggestions on how to improve this site.

Is there a family support agency?

Yes! They are called Better Days Ahead (BDA) and they specialize in services and support for families who have a child(ren) with emotional and behavioral challenges. BDA is a family-run organization putting families together to support one another. Learn more.

You are not alone.

The System of Care Family Roundtable is a group of family members and caregivers who meet monthly to learn about a variety of topics ranging from child behavior to understanding Medicaid and anything else related to raising a child with mental health challenges and provide input into how to change the system. Learn more.

Warning signs – what to look for.

Children and adolescents with mental health issues need to get help as soon as possible. Here is a short list but please click here for a more complete list of signs and symptoms. 

  • Sad or hopeless feelings that don’t
    go away
  • Behavior change coinciding with a
    big life change
  • Withdrawal from friends & family
  • Using alcohol or other drugs