FAMILY VOICES for FAMILY CHOICES

FVFC has been created to address the unique needs of families whose children have been diagnosed as SED (severely emotionally disturbed) or at risk for significant behavioral health concerns.  The Mental Health Association, working through the County's One Community Partnership initiative, is providing leadership and mentoring to form and empower this new organization in its quest for advocacy and services that will bring families to their rightful place in pursuit of service and opportunity for their children.   The Mission Statement of Family Voices for Family Choices is: To nurture hope for families and youth impacted by, or at risk of, emotional and/or behavioral challenges, through education, empowerment, and advocacy.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1.     Family Voices for Family Choices is dedicated to changing the future by creating opportunities to empower youth and support their families.   2.     Family Voices for Family Choices believes that youth and families must be respected for their rights, preferences, values, strengths and cultural backgrounds.   3.     Family Voices for Family Choices believes that youth and families have unique needs that require unique services.   4.     Family Voices for Family Choices embraces the concept of the family as a whole-unit and focuses upon their strengths instead of their challenges.   5.     Family Voices for Family Choices views families as the primary decision-makers for their own care and well-being.   6.     Family Voices for Family Choices believes that providers must partner with youth and families by sharing power, resources, authority, responsibility, and control.   7.     Family Voices for Family Choices believes that youth and families must be provided with accurate and complete information, empowering them in making their own decisions.   8.     Family Voices for Family Choices believes that family networking is a driving force leading to self-advocacy and empowerment.   9.     Family Voices for Family Choices is dedicated to engaging in peer support activities to reduce isolation, gather and disseminate information, and strengthen the family voice.   10.   Family Voices for Family Choices is dedicated to preventing school suspension, decreasing high school dropouts  and  diminishing contact with the justice system by bringing awareness and education regarding behavioral health to  those in contact   with children with emotional /behavioral issues.     11. Family Voices for Family Choices believes that long-term,  positive change for individual families, as well as the overall  system of care, will be attained by families “giving back” to others  through education, advocacy and mentoring.    12. Family Voices for Family Choices is dedicated to removing  barriers and discrimination created by stigma and prejudice     associated with behavioral health challenges.

Summary of Accomplishments

·         Family Voices for Family Choices was initiated in July 2006 and held its first Advisory Board meeting in September 2006.  This organization, which was formed under contract with the Mental Health Association of Broward County through funding provided by Broward County Children’s Services Administration Division, consists of family members who seek to develop a family-run organization.  ·         An initial Planning Retreat was held in September of 2006, at which Advisory Board positions were established and filled by Advisory Board members.  Official organization name, Family Voices for Family Choices, was created and preliminary Mission Statement was adopted. ·         Three individuals were recruited and selected to serve as the preliminary Board Members for the organization in September 2006. ·         An Application for Board and Advisory Board membership was developed in September 2006 and distributed to potential candidates. ·         Family Voices for Family Choices, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Florida as a non-profit organization on October 20, 2006.  Additionally, on that same day, Family Voices for Family Choices, Inc. obtained its Federal Employee Identification Number. ·         Family Voices for Family Choices, Inc. submitted application to the IRS under a Group Exemption Ruling of the Mental Health Association of Broward County, Inc. for 501 (c) (3) status. ·         A set of organizational By-Laws were developed in December 2006 and were approved by Advisory Board in January 2007.  By-Laws were adopted by Board of Directors in February 2007. ·         An organizational Strategic Plan was developed and implemented in February 2007. ·         A Recruitment and Selection Committee, a subcommittee of the Advisory Board, was established in February 2007.  A chairperson was nominated and committee established “Desired Qualifications” for potential Board members and Mechanism/Procedure for review and acceptance of Board applications. ·         A Policy and Procedure Committee, a subcommittee of the Advisory Board, was established in February 2007. ·         The originally drafted Mission Statement was reviewed and revised in February 2007 to more accurately reflect the intent of the organization. The revised Mission Statement was adopted by Advisory Board in March 2007. ·         Organizational Guiding Principles were developed in March 2007, specifically stating the operational values of the organization. ·         A proposal was submitted to One Community Partnership.  The focus of this proposal was a multi-tiered public awareness campaign designed to encourage family involvement through various artistic events and displays and the enhancement of organizational membership. ·         A Recruitment and Selection Plan was developed in April 2007, outlining activities and strategies to increase family participation and Advisory Board development.