About
Our Coalition…
The Coalition grew out of the joint effort and commitment of eight family and advocacy organizations: each working on behalf of children with mental health needs and their families. Incorporated in 1999 as a private not-for-profit organization, the Coalition is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of 50% family members.
Funding for the Coalition is provided by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in cooperation with the Baltimore Mental Health Systems.
The Coalition is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and a State Chapter of the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health.
We Believe:
- Children and youth with behavioral health needs are valued and require individualized services to achieve their full potential.
- Families are a constant in a child’s life and are equal partners in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of services.
- Services for children, youth and their families are provided from a strength-based approach and are responsive to the needs of the whole child and entire family.
- Local and state systems of care are family-driven and culturally and linguistically competent.
Values:
- Respect for the dignity and individual differences of each family and the rights of families to make decisions for their children
- Partnership with providers, policymakers, administrators and other advocacy organizations to improve systems of care for children and youth
- Responsibility to assist families with understandable, complete and accurate information
- Commitment to empower families through support, training and education
- Accountable to families, the community, and to funders for the performance of quality of services and supports provided by the Coalition
