Advocacy

Children/adolescents 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 which are specific to that system. The rules are often complicated and sometimes contradictory.

To initiate the services and 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/her rights are protected.

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, people who have had contact with your child as well as parent support and/or advocacy groups.
• Start keeping records including notes on your observations, information you obtain from others, medical records or school records.
• 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.

For additional information about advocacy contact:

Parents Involved Network
800-688-4226
215-751-1800

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