Details: A SAMHSA sponsored webinar developed under contract by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and presented by the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental will take place Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 2:00pm Eastern Time called Improving Access to Care Through Creating Certified Family Peer Specialists Across the Lifespan.

Description: Family Peer Support services have been available in many states for several years. While this service began organically, it has matured and is now a recognized Medicaid-billable support for families. While Family Peer Support was originally developed as a support for families with school-aged children in child-serving systems, the service has evolved in response to reflect a more robust understanding of family dynamics and the cultural shift towards more children remaining with their families into adulthood.

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This webinar will explore the dimensions of family support across the lifespan. Our presenters will speak from three unique perspectives. We will highlight the subtle differences in providing supports for families with very young children, those with school-aged children and youth, and those families caring for their adult children. Presenters will offer real-life examples and tools that should prove useful for participants. The challenges faced by families as they transition through the various service systems will be highlighted and the importance of family support throughout the lifespan will be described.

Presenters:

• Joy Hogge, Ph.D., Executive Director, Families as Allies, Mississippi
• Zira Franks, MSC, BHT, Program Director, Family Involvement Center, Arizona
• Cindy Seekins, CFPS, Executive Director G.E.A.R. Parent Network, Maine

Moderator:

• Lynda Gargan, Ph.D., Executive Director, National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health