Our Programs: Family Options

Family Options is an innovative intervention developed to support parents living with a mental illness and their families. The program is a partnership of UMass Medical School Research Team and Employment Options.

The project serves parents living with a mental illness who have a history of outpatient and/or inpatient services for mental health treatment; acknowledge that they have a mental illness and need support in their daily lives; and live at home with a child under the age of 18 and/or over the age of 18 months.

The initiative provides a well-rounded approach to care-giving and aims to provide increased functioning, well-being and supports & resources for a parent and a child. It will also aim for increased empowerment and support & resources satisfaction for the entire family.

 

The Edge

Unlike many other successful programs in the community whose focus is either only on the child or only on the parent, ‘Family Options’ will provide care management through prevention, for the entire family unit. The program also offers a resource center for families involved in the program.

 

Funding

Family Options has been made possible due to the three-year funding received from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LLP. AstraZeneca plays a conscious role in raising awareness for this program and has developed an evidence-based documentary and discussion guide. These tools are/will be used to educate legislators, ally organizations and other key stakeholders about the program.

 

 

Mental Health America Conference - Washington DC, June 9th, 2007

Download presentation - Betsy Hinden and Toni Wolf, Family Options

 

Download the UPenn Collaborative on Community Integration: Parenting with a Mental Illness