Families

Healthy Louisiana

Related

Online

Magellan of Louisiana

Resources

Copyright © 2007 - 2023 Louisiana Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health (LAFFCMH). All rights reserved.

To join our mailing list. click here | For Donations click here

OUR VISION

"One day, Children's Mental Health and Behavioral health challenges will be accepted and treated as

importantly as any other illness."


Louisiana Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is a parent-run organization focused on the needs of children and youth with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders and their families. Many times it is frustrating to have a child with a disability that is difficult to see or understand. Perhaps your child has even been labeled as bad as a result of poor parenting! Sometimes it seems that no one understands the struggles you and your child are going through.


LAFFCMH understands! This website is here to empower you.


We are the state's advocacy organization for families of children and youth with mental health needs. We represent children, youth, and families from diverse cultures and backgrounds. LAFFCMH is here to assist you in obtaining information and resources that will empower you to choose the best solutions for your child, yourself, and your family. Just as each child is unique and different the services each child with emotional, behavioral and mental disorders requires will be different and unique to that child and his/her family.


LAFFCMH empowers parents to deal with the day-to-day problems of caring for a child with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders. In addition, LAFFCMH also works with parents and others to become active advocates to improve mental health care for Louisiana's children. One way this is done is to connect families and other child advocates with lawmakers.

LAFFCMH is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, founded in 1991 by parents and family members of children with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders, in order to improve services to children in Louisiana.


ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

LAFFCMH Understands and is here to Empower You!

LAFFCMH MISSION

The mission and vision of the Louisiana Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is:

"To Cultivate a statewide network of families, caregivers and youth that serve as a united voice that identifies and advocate for appropriate children's mental health and behavioral health supports and services in Louisiana"

LAFFCMH GOALS

The top goal of Louisiana Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is to promote family input/involvement on decision making committees and forums which develop and monitor policy, planning and service delivery for children with serious emotional, behavioral and mental health disabilities at all levels of government's local, regional, state, legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

In Conclusion

Families Are The Experts on Their Children. They have 24-hour, 7 day-a-week Experience Working With Them.

Some warning signs of mental disorders in childhood and adolescence include drop in school performance, worry, anxiety; inability to cope with problems and activities; changes in sleeping and eating habits; aggression; etc.

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY CHILD NEEDS HELP?

LAFFCMH knows you are pressed for time that is why we have made it easy to make a difference. Where else can you volunteer for as little as one or two hours a month and make such a big difference in the lives of so many of Louisiana's children?

WHAT CAN I DO SINCE I HAVE NO TIME?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

* Become an advocate by getting to know your Louisiana legislators.

* Schedule an appointment to meet. It will only take about fifteen to twenty minutes. It does not matter if you did or did not vote for them.

* Meeting your lawmaker before the legislative session begins means she/he will be more likely to listen when you call. It is important to let them know what school and mental health services mean to Louisiana families.

HOW CAN I HELP THE CHILDREN OF LOUISIANA?

LAFFCMH provides information about children's mental health services, issues and resources; opportunities to develop skills required to effectively advocate for children; connections with other parents in your part of the state who are going through the same thing you are; and a forum for parents and professionals to work together.


WHAT DOES LAFFCMH DO FOR PARENTS AND OTHER CAREGIVERS?

Behavioral Health Day is an annual event that provides families an opportunity to visit with their legislators at the State Capitol and provide them with information that affects the behavioral health services that residents of Louisiana receives or needs. We refer to this as, "Advocates' Legislative Education Day".

If you are the caregiver of a child or youth who receives behavioral health services, no one knows better than you or can explain better the needs of your child and the children and youth in your community.

Advocates and family members from across the state gather at this event to rally and raise awareness to the behavioral health needs of both adults and children. Your participation on this day is truly needed.

So, please stay in contact with Louisiana Federation of Families for information on this important event as well as any other information you may need on the behavioral health needs of children, youth and their families.

We can be reached at:

4600 Sherwood Common, Ste 304

Baton Rouge, LA 70816

225-293-3508 – Office

Phone 1-800-224-4010 – Parent Line

Email: Info @ laffcmh.org

WHAT IS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DAY (FORMERLY ORANGE & GREEN DAY)?