JulieMagers.com – Page 2 – Behavioral Health Advocate

Wraparound Principles of Care

May 22, 2014 by jemagers

There are many services and supports that can be woven together to meet your child’s and family’s needs. In mental health care, the term “wraparound” refers to an approach to meeting the needs of families with children who have complex needs. A set of principals define this approach to care that “wraps around” the child and is proven to be effective in helping families meet their social, emotional, medical and educational needs. You may hear the term “evidence-based practice,” which means there is scientific evidence that shows it works.

The 10 principles of wraparound care include the following:

Family Voice and Choice

Team Based

Natural Supports

Collaboration

Community Based

Culturally Competent

Individualized

Strengths Based

Persistence

Outcomes Based

You as a parent can take this approach to advocate for and fulfill your child’s and your family’s needs – medical, emotional, educational, and social. Learn more: Ten Principles of the Wraparound Process

Co-occuring / Dual Diagnosis

February 25, 2014 by jemagers

“Co-occurring conditions” refer to the circumstances where our children are facing multiple challenges that impact the social, emotional, and educational health of our children. Because our children are rapidly growing and their brains continue to develop well into their twenties, many diagnoses and challenges may seem like a “moving target.”

“Dual Diagnosis” will often be referred to when a substances addiction is also an issue. This may include alcohol abuse, illicit drug use, prescription medication abuse, as well as any behavior associated with addictions.

You may have recognized your child’s symptoms in several of the “issues” pages above. If this is the case, you may ask your child’s health care providers to assess for the possibility of multiple conditions/challenges/disorders and advocate for a comprehensive treatment plan to address each concern.

Advocates – Supporting Your Voice and Choice

February 25, 2014 by jemagers

ADVOCACY highlighted in green An advocate is an important role in your support network and can be filled by someone you already know, someone hired by you, or may even be a person provided to your family by the health care system or a community organization.

It is important to know the person in this role is helping you and your family communicate your needs and navigate services. They are not working for anyone else. Your best interests are at the heart of their work.

Support Groups

February 25, 2014 by jemagers

It can make a big difference in our journey to know that there are others who understand our challenges, are willing to lend an ear and listen with compassion, and who can help share ideas from a place of lived experience. Support groups are organized in a variety of formats. Below are a few suggestions for finding a group near you that can meet your needs.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

NAMI provides support groups across the nation. www.nami.org is a starting point for you to find an affiliate in your town. Contact your local office or visit their website to learn if there are support groups for families/caregivers of children with mental health conditions. Also ask if there are groups for kids, adolescents, and/or young people entering their early adult years (youth in transition).

Oregon, Portland Metro Area

Think It Over – support groups for parents of children with behavioral issues (in Portland and Gresham).
NAMI Multnomah – “Beyond Basics” parent support and skills sharing group. Call 503-780-7077 for dates and location.
Psychology Today has a searchable database with a variety of therapy and support groups by state. Oregon’s page is here: Oregon Support Groups

Need Help Assembling Support Team?

February 25, 2014 by jemagers

Assembling a support team can be crucial in helping everyone during the acute stages of helping your child, as well as during the longer treatment period that will likely take place over time. One support team may look very different from another.

Your child’s medical response team is different than the support team described on this page. One way to look at it is to envision a series of concentric circles surrounding your child, with the closest circle being the primary medical supports and each circle moving outward providing other levels and types of support.

In navigating the layers of treatments that your child may need, there are a variety of roles that people can fill in helping you, your child, and other family members, too.

The support team for your family and your child may include:

Extended family
Close adult friends
Health navigator or advocacy partner
Teachers or other school personnel
Therapeutic treatment providers, Counselors
Youth group or other extracurricular activity coaches/mentors
Your child’s doctor(s)
Church or other spiritual group personnel