
Resources
There are many places to look when trying to find information to help your child. Whenever possible we try to link you to resources on programs that were created by the programs themselves. Sometimes that isn’t possible, and the Parent Network has created resources from the information we have gathered through experience. As an example:
- Take a look at our tips on taking the CANS and on filling out EPSDT paperwork.
- Look at our resources designed to help youth take charge of their mental health care.
These resources are created by volunteers and are current at the time they are created. If you find any of our resources are out of date, please let us know so we can update them.
We have added links below to organizations that may help you find resources for your child with mental health concerns. We do our best to keep the link up to date. Please let us know if you find anything broken or improperly linked. If you know of a resource we are missing, please let us know.
Local Resources:
- Youth Empowerment Services yes.idaho.gov
This is the State of Idaho’s information website about children’s mental health program for children with serious emotional disturbance, which is a legal term that identifies a mental health diagnosis paired with a functional impairment.
- Idaho Federation of Families idahofederation.org 208-433-8845
The Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health is tasked with engaging families who have children with mental health concerns in the State of Idaho. They are a wonderful resource for statewide information and provide training webinars to help you parent a child with a mental health concerns. They can get also you linked to local Parent Network members in your area.
- Idaho Department of Health & Welfare healthandwelfare.idaho.gov
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) includes many divisions, such as the Division of Behavioral Health (DBH), Children’s Mental Health (CMH), Family and Community Services (FACS) which runs the Developmental Disabilities programs, and Medicaid.
- Idaho Parents Unlimited, Inc. (IPUL) ipulidaho.org 800-242-4785
This organization is tasked with many things, one of which is helping families in Idaho understand how to navigate the education process, including advocating for your child, creating 504 or IEP’s, and helping your child with special needs be successful in school. Another area that IPUL provides services is the Family to Family Health Information Center. They are federally charged with helping families navigate complex health systems for their children with special health care needs.
- Idaho State Department of Education sde.idaho.gov
The State Department of Education (SDE) is responsible for supporting local districts. Idaho is a local control state, which means individual districts are responsible for creating policies and procedures without the direct control of the SDE. This means each district may do things a little differently. Many special education programs, such as those created through IDEA have federal requirements and are overseen by the SDE Special Education department for compliance. The Idaho Training Clearinghouse is designed to link parents and professionals with special education training opportunities and resources across the state.
- Youth M.O.V.E. Idaho (Motivating Others through Voices of Experience)
Youth M.O.V.E. Idaho is a youth-driven advocacy group that is part of Youth M.O.V.E. National. They advocate for youth who have mental health concerns as well as help other youth become their own advocates. They strive to give every youth a voice to help their own recovery. There re local Youth M.O.V.E. groups in multiple communities around the state. If you would like to discuss finding or creating a group in your area, contact the Idaho Federation of Families.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness – Idaho idahonami.org
NAMI is a national organization, but there are 5 affiliates in different areas of Idaho. Contact information for the affiliate near you can be found on their website. Many chapters offer local training for families.
National Resources:
- National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health www.gucchdtacenter.gerogetown.edu
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
- National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health www.ffcmh.org
- Adverse Childhood Experiences acestoohigh.com
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network www.nctsn.org
