A
BRIEF PROJECT HISTORY
Mid-1993
– Parents with Psychiatric Disabilities project was funded
through the insight of the NYS Office of Mental Health to raise
awareness of the strengths and needs of parents. Meetings were
held with parents, providers and system representatives.
1994
– Informational materials were compiled, developed, and
distributed through a toll-free telephone number. Data on regional
support groups were gathered for a referral data base.
1995
– Contracted with the MHA in NYC/Bronx to hold a dialogue
in the NYC Area in order to receive some start up funds for the
development of support services. Additionally, a legal forum was
held in the fall in Utica.
1996
– The program worked to identify and link existing and developing
programs with parents, and facilitated the creation of new services.
An advisory council drew representatives from mental health, social
services, legal, public policy and business communities together
with parents to continue to identify issues critical to parents
with psychiatric disabilities and to guide the project’s
direction.
1997
– Focus group of 14 parents from all over New York State
was convened to assess ongoing needs. We worked with a consortium
to address needs. A conference on Pregnancy, Parenting and Mental
Illness provided a training opportunity for recipients and professionals
in the fields of mental health, reproductive health, family planning,
preventive services, family support and legal advocacy.
1998
– We conducted roundtable discussions regarding childcare
access and the needs of parents with psychiatric disabilities.
1999
– The project produced and distributed Helping
Yourself Through Family Court Proceedings: A Guide For Parents
With Psychiatric Disabilities and continued distributing information,
referrals, brochures, and other available resources on an ongoing
basis.
2000
– We produced a manual, Working
with Parents with Psychiatric Disabilities and Their Children:
A Family-Centered Approach. Data for the manual were gathered
through community dialogues held in five counties throughout the
state. In addition, a provider survey was developed and distributed
to discern the services available in New York State for Parents
with Psychiatric Disabilities.
2001
–The first statewide meeting was held for consumers and
stakeholders and regional task forces were developed throughout
the state. The program website enlarged to include publications,
task force meeting minutes and much more.
2002
– The second statewide meeting was held and an executive
summary of the meeting and the presentations were posted on the
website. The Children Bibliography was produced and distributed.
2003
– The third statewide meeting was booked to capacity! Task
forces began working on projects that reflected the needs of their
regions. The program director created a program brochure for use
by all task forces and this helped to increase participation by
additional stakeholders throughout the state. Trainings were developed
and presented to help treatment and social service providers identify
and empower parents with psychiatric disabilities to parent successfully.
2004
– The task forces continue their work while redefining their
geographical boundaries. After conducting three consumer focus
groups and interviewing service providers, work has begun on a
Family Support Tool Kit to help all stakeholders better increase
their skill to work with parents with psychiatric disabilities.
The fourth state wide training is held and booked to capacity.
2005
– The Family Support Kit was completed while presentations
were given across the state. We began to offer additional training
in Common Sense Parenting, an evidence-based program that works
well for parents with psychiatric disabilities.
2006
– The Resource Section of the Parent Support Toolkit was
enlarged for its second printing. In order to giv emore stake
holders easy access to training. Regional trainings were held
in Kingston and Batavia, as well as in Albany. The focus of the
trainings is intergrating knowledge of and activities for parents
with psychiatric disabilities into existing programs. The PWPD
website redesigned and expanded.
Our
thanks to the many people who have worked with us on this project
over the years!