Making change happen - for eachother
and in System of Care

The System of Care Family Roundtable (or simply, the family roundtable) is a place for families with children who have mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges, where families receive information, education, and support as well as give their expertise as families to child-serving systems.

Download a flyer and pass it along. Click here for a version of the flyer in Spanish.

Here are some reasons why families attend:

  • to feel more supported
  • to gain a better understanding of our children and their behaviors
  • reassurance that we are not alone
  • to gain valuable information about services and the system
  • to be a voice for change by informing child-serving systems like mental health, juvenile justice, education, child welfare about what it is really like for families who are in the system

Where are the family roundtables held?

  • Downtown United Presbyterian Church - 121 N. Fitzhugh Street on the 3rd Thursdays from 6:00—8:00 PM
  • PRYD (Spanish Speaking) - 40 Hart Street on the 3rd Wednesdays from 6:00-8:00 PM

To register and reserve a spot for your child in respite care: Contact Karen Draper @ Better Days Ahead, a service of the Mental Health Association at (585) 325-3145 X131.

Frequently Asked Questions

6:00-8:00pm is right during dinner time; will there be food or should I eat beforehand or bring something to snack on?

In order to make the meeting time convenient for most, we scheduled the roundtable late in day but we recognize this is ususally the dinner hour so we almost always serve food at these meetings. 

I can't always find a babysitter in the middle of the week; can I bring my child(ren)?

Yes, you can bring your child.  Teens often sit in on the meeting while younger children will go with a childcare worker, who is employed by Better Days Ahead.  Childcare is free but you MUST register in advance of the roundtable to reserve space.

Transportation can be difficult for me and makes it hard for me to get places; can you help me get to a roundtable?

We recognize everyone's transportation access can be different or change which can make it difficult to get where you want, when you want.  Although we may not always be able to help everyone all the time regarding transportation needs, please give us a call so we can better understand your situation and help if we can.