Family peer-to-peer support is an effective support service for many families with complex needs. Trained family providers/advocates help other families advocate for their children.  Families may need help with education, juvenile justice, child welfare, developmental disability, mental health, or substance abuse systems and services.

In Pennsylvania 30 county governments fund this service (see Advocacy Resources for list).  Allegheny Family Network (AFN) provides this support to families in Allegheny county. AFN has adopted the motto “Do For, Do With, Cheer On.” It is a “Family Organization,” meaning that all staff are family members who have raised or are raising a child with mental health and/or emotional needs.  AFN is supported by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and Community Care Behavioral Health.

AFN provides a broad range of services:

AFN Chat Line (1-888-273-2361)
The Chat Line offers a confidential support line for families rearing children who have mental health and emotional needs. It connects families with community services and offers “peer” support.

Allegheny County Community Program (ACCP)
AFN provides Family Support Partners to support families rearing children ages birth to 21 years old with mental health challenges. Partners help families develop the skills and find information needed to help  their children. The ACCP collaborates with Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic and Allegheny Children’s Initiative to provide Service Coordination.

Family Support Groups
AFN offers twelve monthly support groups located in various communities in Allegheny County. The groups are facilitated by AFN Family Support Partners and parents. The agendas are developed by participants. Participation in Family Support Groups is open to any parent raising a child with mental health issues. Three of the support groups are specialized groups designed for specific parent populations:
• Golden Girls and Guys (for Grandparents)
• Diva Discussions (for Moms)
• Fathers Involved Now (for Fathers)
See More Information below for calendar and locations.

Agents of Transformation Trainings
Agents of Transformation is a training offered for parents on advocacy roles at all levels, including supporting other parents. Participants are identified from Allegheny Family Network Programs and are typically parents who have graduated from one of our programs and have the desire to learn how to further their advocacy skills. The training covers how to negotiate the service systems. It also covers how to represent of needs of families and communities to stakeholders and service systems.

High Fidelity Wraparound Program (HFWP)
Pennsylvania is enhancing its Wraparound program (see New Website for PA Wraparound Enhancement). HFWP is a strength-based and family driven program that offers individualized supports to families. AFN provides High Fidelity Wraparound Services with five licensed provider agencies. AFN provides Family Support Partners and the five collaborating agencies provide the Facilitators. Families eligible for this service have a child with a significant history of mental health issues that is currently in a Residential Treatment Facilities or at risk of a second removal from their home. Referrals are made through the Allegheny County CYF, Allegheny Children’s Initiative, Family Resources, Gwen’s Girls RTF, or Human Services Administrative Organization.

More Information
Visit www.alleghenyfamilynetwork.org or call 1-888-273-2361 for information on AFN and its services, including meeting dates and locations.