MISSISSIPPI FAMILIES FOR KIDS

THE COUNSELING PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WHO ARE MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY CHALLENGED DUE TO DEPRESSION, ADHD, CONDUCT DISORDERS AND OTHER MENTAL ISSUES. PART OF THIS PROGRAM IS THE SYSTEM OF CARE MODEL. THIS MODEL IS AN ORGANIZATIONAL PHILOSOPHY AND FRAMEWORK THAT INVOLVES COLLABORATION ACROSS AGENCIES, FAMILIES AND YOUTHS FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING ACCESS AND EXPANDING THE ARRAY OF COORDINATED COMMUNITY-BASED, CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY COMPETENT SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

HELP ME GROW - THE PURPOSE OF THE HELP ME GROW SYSTEM IS TO IDENTIFY AT- RISK CHILDREN AND TO HELP FAMILIES FIND COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE HELP ME GROW SYSTEM TRAINS PHYSICIANS IN EARLY DETECTION SCREENING, SURVEILLANCE, AND CONNECTION TO SERVICES. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT HAVING THIS SYSTEM INCREASES EARLY IDENTIFICATION FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE AT- RISK FOR DELAYS. FAMILIES IN MISSISSIPPI SUFFER BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE4 LIMITED HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, LEAVING CHILDREN UNTREATED. THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE HELP ME GROW SYSTEM IS TO CLOSE SERVICE GAPS AND PROVIDE QUICK ACCESS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CENTRALIZED INFORMATION AND REFERRAL CENTER THAT WILL (1) CONNECT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO AN ARRAY OF COMMUNITY BASED CHILDREN'S HEALTH, EARLY CARE, AND EDUCATION, FAMILY SUPPORT AND MENTAL SERVICES WHERE THEY LIVE, AND (2) TO STRENGTHEN SKILLS IN DEVELOPMENTAL SURVEILLANCE AND SCREENING AND ENHANCE THE EARLY DETECTION OF CHILDREN AT RISK FOR ADVERSE DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES.