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The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health is an American family-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization linking more than 120 chapters and state organizations focused on the issues of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and/or mental health needs and their families. It was conceived in Arlington, Virginia in February, 1989 by a group of 18 people determined to make a difference in the way the mental health care system works. The organization works to develop and implement policies, legislation, funding mechanisms, and service systems that utilize the strengths of families. Its emphasis on advocacy offers families a voice in the formation of national policy, services and supports for children with mental health needs and their families.〔http://www.ffcmh.org/aboutus/our-mission〕 The National Federation's headquarter is currently located in Rockville, Maryland. It employs about 10 full and part-time staff, providing managerial and administrative support to its membership base, as well as technical assistance to federally funded "system of care" communities, as a part of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families (CMHI) initiative, managed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. ==Formation== The National Federation of Families started in 1989 when 18 individuals, consisting primarily of parents and family members, convened in Arlington, Virginia to start a family-run organization, dedicated to making sure family voice was heard throughout all the systems geared toward children. They decided to call themselves the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health to emphasize the strong presence of families banding together to support each other and provide advocacy for their children. Prior to this formation, what would become to be known as (family-driven care ) was little to non-existent in the world of mental health and the explicit needs of children with emotional, behavioral and/or mental health challenges and their families were not being adequately met. There was a stigma that bad parenting led to a child's mental health challenges and this often made the parents of children feel ashamed and embarrassed, despite having done nothing wrong. Seeing a need for change, the newly formed Federation of Families set out to improve the systems that supported their children. A mission and vision was set which has guided the National Federation for over twenty years and still guides the day-to-day work of the organization. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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