When a child has special emotional, mental health, behavioral, developmental disabilities or substance abuse needs the family of that child is also affected. Success begins with involving parents and caregivers as full partners in their child’s care.
- Family Support Partners
Families receiving care management services through the Tri-County Care Management Organization (TCCMO) are eligible for family support. Parents and caregivers are matched with specially trained Family Support Partners who understand what these families are experiencing and encourage their progress.
Our Family Support Partners are parents and caregivers of children with emotional, behavioral, developmental disabilities, substance abuse and/or mental health challenges. They have first-hand knowledge of the system. They can help families navigate the system because they have done it for their own children. Family Support Partners are there to make sure that the family voice is heard, and the family vision is achieved.
We provide intensive, individual support to families at a place and time that is convenient for them. We attend meetings pertinent to the family and the child to give support to the parent and the family voice. We assist families during critical situations such as hospitalization or entering a residential facility.
- Support Groups & Classes
We provide information to our families on an individual and group basis. We maintain an extensive library of resources and coordinate information sessions and support groups for ongoing training, problem-solving and networking.
- Advocacy
We coach, assist and support families so that they can become more effective advocates in their schools and communities as well as with local agencies and other service providers and system partners. These systems include the Juvenile Justice System, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP), the Mental Health System, Education and Medicaid. We also advocate for the family voice at the local, state and federal levels of government.
Local Support Groups & Workshops
FSO provides multiple support groups and workshops. Most are held on a regular basis, so be sure to check our CGS FSO calendar for upcoming dates and times of the sessions you are interested in. You are more than welcome to attend as many of these groups as you would like.
Cumberland | Gloucester | Salem
- Youth Partnership
The Youth Partnership serves teenagers and young adults 13-21 years of age with emotional, behavioral, developmental disabilities, substance abuse or mental health challenges. Individuals must reside in Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties and commit to weekly meetings and activities, under the guidance of our Youth Partnership Coordinator. Please contact the FSO at (609) 507-9400 for more information.
- FSO Discussion Groups
Caregivers of all types (Parents, Foster Parents, Adoptive Parents, Step-Parents, Guardians, etc.) are welcome to join us at our discussion groups. Along with providing mutual support, we will as a group decide on speakers we would like to hear and subjects we would like to learn more about as well as enjoyable activities we would like to pursue.