Philadelphia Community Services for Children and Adolescents

XIII. Advocacy and Support

Children with emotional disorders often require services from more than one service system or agency. For example, a child might be in treatment at a community MH/MR center (mental health system) and require evaluation for placement in a special education class (education system). Each system operates under guidelines specific to that system. The rules are often complicated and sometimes contradictory.

To initiate the services and to find the resources your child needs and is entitled to, you must be able to deal effectively with these different systems. This requires that you act as an advocate for your child - ensuring that your child's needs are met and his or her rights are protected.

A. How To Advocate For Your Child

You can learn to become an effective advocate for your child by taking the steps outlined below. Remember that determination and persistence are two key elements.

Identify the needs of your child. From your observations, note the areas in which you might need help.
Gather information on available resources. Seek support and advice from others, including friends and people who have had contact with your child as well as parent support and/or advocacy groups. (See the list of support and advocacy groups at the end of the chapter.)
Keep records, including notes on your observations and information you obtain from others, records, or school.
Prepare in advance for meetings or telephone calls with agencies, therapists, schools, etc. This means organizing available records and preparing a list of questions you want answered as well as concerns you want to discuss. Learn as much as possible in advance about how a particular agency works, including intake procedures, costs, and the range of services offered. Talk to advocates or other parents.
Make the most of meetings. During a meeting, or when making contact by telephone, make sure you:
- Focus on aspects of the situation relevant to that particular agency.
- Be assertive, yet positive and polite.
- Communicate a sense of teamwork, e.g., "How can we make this happen?"
- If dissatisfied, ask for the name of someone else you can contact.
- Keep records, including the date of contact, the person contacted, and a summary of the conversation. In meetings, take notes, including the names of people present.
Write letters to reach someone who is unavailable by phone or when you want to use copies of the correspondence for documenting steps you have taken.
Follow up to ensure that things occur when promised or services agreed on have actually been delivered.
Continue to monitor services. Arrange for additional meetings if you have concerns.

NOTE: For a booklet with detailed information to help you with effective advocacy for your child, contact:

Parents Involved Network (PIN)
"For the Record"
1211 Chestnut Street, 11th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-751-1800
800-688-4226
www.pinofpa.org

B. Legal Advocacy Groups

Legal advocacy organizations can provide you with assistance in dealing with the different service systems and give you information about your rights. The following is a list of Legal Advocacy Groups.

C. Parent Advocacy Groups And Organizations

Parent advocacy groups provide you with an opportunity to meet with other parents dealing with similar situations as well as to obtain information about your rights and learn how to approach problems you might encounter. Parents who are members of such groups have reported that belonging to such groups has been extremely helpful. Other organizations listed can give you direct assistance in obtaining services for your child. The following is a list of Parent Advocacy Groups.

D. Parent Support Groups

Parent support groups give you the chance to talk with other parents about your child. Some groups offer education for parents in combination with support for the needs of parents. Sometimes these groups are made up of parents only; sometimes a professional will lead or co-lead them. Call the group that interests you for more information.

In addition to the groups listed, hospitals or other treatment agencies may have support groups for parents while their child is in treatment at that facility. Check with your child's therapist for additional information.

E. Pennsylvania Resources

1. Legal Advocacy

F. National Organizations And Training Centers

These national organizations and training centers have resource materials, newsletters, and information on a variety of topics of concern to parents of children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders. Families can write or check the organization's Web site for a list of publications and materials.