Mental Health Resources

The National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is a national family-run organization dedicated exclusively to helping children with mental health needs & their families achieve a better quality of life. The Federation has published a guide to systems of care for families, "Family Guide to Systems of Care for Children with Mental Health Needs" to inform caregivers and families about how to seek care for children with mental health needs. The content & format were determined by families across the country. The report is at http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/Ca-0029/default.asp

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law & UPENN Collaborative on Consumer Integration has released "In the Driver's Seat: A Guide to Self-Directed Mental Health Care". The guide contains a description of self-directed care, offers advocacy strategies & tactics, & offers an in-depth look at how self-directed care initiatives work & how they are funded. The appendices include a series of fact sheets, such as "Financing Self-Directed Care" & "State Initiatives on Self-Directed Care," designed for state policymakers & others & can be copied & distributed. The guide is at http://www.hcbs.org/files/140/6977/self_directMed_mental_health.pdf