Mission

The Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem Family Support Organization is devoted to ensuring that families of children with mental health, emotional and/or behavioral challenges are provided with compassionate, community-based and culturally sensitive care. We are dedicated to providing families with family-oriented and youth guided support, education and advocacy.

Responsibilities of Our Organization

Support

We provide intensive face-to-face support to families and caregivers at the time and place that is most convenient for them. We also provide support by phone, when convenient for the family. We attend Child-Family meetings, Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings and other pertinent meetings regarding the child and family. We also assist in critical situations, such as entering a hospital or detention facility.

Education

We provide education on various levels and in various forums. The staff will meet with individuals seeking information regarding their individual needs. We also offer various forums and workshops to educate families and providers within the Tri-County area on changes, updates and decisions being made within the mental health systems.

Advocacy

We provide advocacy in many forums. On an individual basis, we advocate for our families' needs as we encourage them to advocate for themselves. In addition, we advocate for families as a whole within the various systems which includes the Behavioral Health System, Juvenile Justice, DYFS, Mental Health, Education and Medicaid. We also advocate at the state and federal levels on behalf of the families we serve. We attend pertinent meetings and hearings. We strive to ensure that the "Family Voice" is heard at all levels.

History

The Children's Initiative was designed in 1995 by a team of family members of challenged children. In their opinion, the current system of care was not proving successful for the most difficult children and their families. They found that children were entering the system and staying involved in the system for a long period of time. They also discovered that families did not have the opportunity to participate in the care and services their children received. The plan was to design a children's initiative unique to New Jersey and our population.

There are total of fifteen Family Support Organizations throughout the state of New Jersey. Family Support Organization partners with the Care Management Organization to ensure quality assistance is provided. The roles and responsibilities of the Family Support Organization and the Care Management Organization collaborate to meet the immediate and long-term needs of families as we support, educate and empower.