Family/Youth Support Partners Work Group Process

1. Family/Youth Support Partners Work Group Process The Family Youth Support Partner (FYSP) work group has been meeting since August 2010. The group has spent significant time looking at how other Systems of Care (Kansas, Washington, Ohio, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Maryland) utilize and structure their family support. The specific areas of the FSP model that FYSP work group have been analyzing to inform the Arkansas design include: • Training and Certification: Certification standards and training to equip those hired as Family Support Partners (FSP) as well as the training necessary for mental health providers that will be hiring and supervising these individuals. • Position and Role: The responsibilities and contribution of the FSP in the life of the community and for families involved in Wraparound. Defining how the FSP will be active on the Care Coordinating Council as well as provide time limited direct support to families that lead to increased resiliency. • Supervision and Placement: The way the Arkansas Family Support Partner will fit within the existing mental health structures already in place in our developing Systems of Care.

2. Family Support Partners- Working Definition Family Support Partners are peer counselors who model recovery and resiliency in overcoming obstacles common to those who live with children or youth with behavioral health care needs. Family Support Partners come from legacy families and use their lived experience, training, and skills to help caregivers identify goals and actions that promote recovery and resiliency for their family. Family Support Partners are employed, contracted or supported by agencies committed to family driven, culturally competent and individualized care. Family Support Partners have completed all required training programs and received certification. • Peer Counselors- families with lived experience working with other families • Legacy Family- a family that has multiple experiences with the mental health and other social service systems often spanning generations and family members. • Lived Experience-  Knowledge and insights that can only be obtained by having a child with mental illness, whose care you are responsible for, in your family.  

3. System of Care Wraparound Plan Multi-Agency Plan High Need High Cost Care High Recidivism Multi-Agency Plan Placement Risk

4. Family Support Partners-Roles

5. Duties with families in Wraparound(A) • Will have direct interactions with families and serve on the Wraparound teams as a resource and support for the parents. (see attached pyramid) • Will work alongside families to work on specific family goals or help them identify community resources, natural supports and strategies for success. • Will use and document support activities throughout the Wraparound process and use standardized reporting forms to gage the progress of the families they serve. • Will help families decide what they want and need and use their strengths to advocate for their needs. • Will attend meetings with families during the Wraparound process, as requested by the family. • Will refer families to the FYAN Family Resource Center, other local support groups (Family Nights) and community based resources.

6. Duties with families new to the mental health system or in need of short term guidance. (B) • Will take phone calls, e-mails or meet individually with a small number of caregivers from the community that are in need of an orientation to, information on, or advocacy in the behavioral health and other service systems. • Will have a follow-up check with caregivers after their initial contact. • Will document and report on activities related to phone and in person contacts. • Will refer families to the FYAN Family Resource Center, other local support groups (Family Nights) and community based resources.

7. Duties with the community (C) • Will provide leadership and guidance to support groups, family nights, educational programs, and other family activities. • Will serve as an Arkansas family representative on the local Care Coordinating Council and when it is appropriate at state or national functions. • Will refer families to the FYAN Family Resource Center, other local support groups (Family Nights) and community based resources.

8. Initial Training: • Required agency orientation. • Use the 2 NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) State Trainers to provide NAMI “Basics”Curriculum • Training on boundaries, ethics, engagement, cultural competency and confidentiality. • Use the 2 NAMI State Trainers to provide the NAMI Family 2 Family Support Group Curriculum. • Use the 2 day Wrap Training (slightly modified for this purpose) using current trainers: • This is a total of 7 days of training; An additional ½ - a whole day could be added to orientate pilot FSP’s into the vision of a demonstration project. Continuing Education: • The FSP will attend the CCD meetings each month and receive a one hour follow up meeting for the FSPs, the State Coordinator and DBHS SOC staff – this serves as a monthly continuing education. • A quarterly or annual 2 day “Masters”refreshers course will be developed as training needs are identified from the field as well as trainings for trainers. • Additional training at the FYAN conferences and training events.

9. Next Steps • Develop outcome measures. • Develop an implementation plan for FSP in current demonstration projects. • Explore youth support. For more information on the Family Youth Support Partner Please Visit: https://ardhs.sharepointsite.net/ARSOC/FYSPWG/default.aspx?InstanceID=1&Paged=Next&p_StartTimeUTC=20101027T150000Z&View=%7bF3172522%2dD961%2d40BB%2d9904%2d3688D914B102%7d. Or contact Joyce Soularie at Joyce.Soularie@Arkansas.gov

10. Recommendations to the Arkansas Children’s Behavioral Health Care Commission • Approve the definition for Arkansas Family Support Partners. • Approve the role of the Family Support Partners. • Approve the initial training curriculum. • Approve the Work Group’s next steps.