Finding Unicorns and Other Ways to Create Your Own Support System
Engaging Informal/Natural Supports in Mental Health Care
You may have heard about asking an informal or natural support to join your child’s treatment planning team. Who are these magical creatures, and do you know any? Join our panelists as they discuss what an informal or natural support is, and how to get them engaged in your planning team.
Resources and Links from the Presentation
Please Note: The Idaho Parent Network has not reviewed these links for content or consistency of message. The views expressed are solely those of the individual authors and/or agencies. They are presented solely for informational purposes.
Resource From Presentation
Local Resources
Idaho Parent Unlimited
Idaho Federation of Families
Other Resources:
- UPENN Collaborative on Community Integration – Community Integration Tools
- Project 10 Transition Education Network
- Louisiana Department Of Developmental Disabilities – How to Develop Natural Supports
- Defining “Peer Support”: Implications for Policy, Practice, and Research
- Enhancing Recovery through linkage with Indigenous Natural Supports
Session Presenters
Angela Lindig
Executive Director, Idaho Parents Unlimited (IPUL)
Angela has been with Idaho Parents Unlimited (IPUL) since 2009 working with families who have children with disabilities and special health care needs. Her firsthand experience brought her to this work when her first daughter was born with a rare genetic condition. Angela and her husband are also parents to a son and adopted daughter. Angela is a former Chair of the Idaho State Independent Living Council, and she also spearheaded the effort to create Idaho’s first universally accessible playground – the Adventure Island Playground – located in Meridian’s Settler’s Park. Angela holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services with a Concentration in Child and Family Services.
Amy Marie
Parent, Secretary, Idaho Parent Network for Children’s Mental Health
Amy, a mom of 8 and a native Oregonian, considers beautiful Coeur d’Alene in North Idaho her home. That is where she spent most of her adult life and married her sweetheart. They became foster parents, and added 5 children to their family through adoption. Along with childhood trauma, collectively her children have a variety of severe emotional disturbances, developmental, and neurological disorders. This has brought a lifetime opportunity for learning and growth, and has strengthened her compassion and empathy that fuels her passion to serve others. After relocating four years ago, and working to rebuild a new support system for her family, she became involved with the Idaho Parent Network, Region 7’s Behavioral Health Board and CMH Subcommittee, serving on various prevention workgroups. She reviews documentation for YES, provides parent voice and feedback to the State, has been a resource for the DHW and Optum for presentations, interviews, and training videos, and now is a part of the IGT-Family Engagement Committee. Amy serves as Chair of the Citizen Review Panel, which reviews open CPS cases in Eastern Idaho and participates on the statewide leadership team. She enjoys being a part of the Community Suicide Prevention Board and is the Executive Board Secretary of Community Youth in Action. Amy loves babies, singing, musical theater, reading, traveling, watching movies, and cuddling.
Celeste Seibel, MS
Assistant Professor of Practice, Wraparound Trainer/Consultant, Portland State University, System of Care Institute
Celeste is a researcher, evaluator, trainer, and consultant who specializes in positive youth development, supportive interventions for youth who experience serious mental health challenges, Wraparound, and Systems of Care. Ms. Seibel has over ten years of experience with designing and evaluating Wraparound enhancements that promote youth empowerment, training practitioners in Wraparound fidelity & best practices, and consulting on Systems of Care transformation. Ms. Seibel has been leading the statewide rollout of Wraparound in Idaho since 2018. In her free time she enjoys doing yoga, listening to vintage vinyl records, reading, snuggling her cat, and traveling around the world.
Laura Wallis, P.E.
Parent, Co-Director, Idaho Parent Network for Children’s Mental Health
Laura is a Professional Civil Engineer, Advocate for Children’s Mental Health, Member of the Region 7 Children’s Mental Health Subcommittee, a Professional Meeting Sitter-Inner, and Champion Dessert Sampler. Laura loves speaking at events where she can share a bit of her journey as a parent of a special needs child in the hopes that her (sometimes hilarious) stories will help families feel less alone and the professionals who work with families like hers feel more confident and able to impact positive change. Laura is grateful to have been a part of the Youth Empowerment Services (YES) implementation process and looks forward to the day when every child has access to the mental health supports they need.