Having a child with special emotional and behavioral needs can be overwhelming. Many parents may think they are all alone and have nowhere to turn for help.

There is a monthly support group that provides education and a place for parents to vent and talk to others going through what they are.

Traditionally, most community services were provided in isolation. However, One Community One Family, in partnership with Community Mental Health Center, Inc., is a system of care, where all community partner services are integrated, which creates a much better outcome for the child, reports Brenda Konradi, systems of care project manager.

“Mental health is hard for people to understand .… (In order to) get a good grip on things, we need to get all those people around the table .... so that the left hand knows what the right hand is doing.”

Systems of care are family and youth driven because “When it comes to what is going to work in your home, you’re the experts .... It’s very important to have that youth and family voice,” she stresses.

United Families is the family support component of One Community One Family. It is dedicated to empowering families through education and support to best cope with life’s challenges. The group strives to help all families, including those with children who have identified mental illness. “Everybody that’s connected (to the program) is pretty passionate” about it,” the manager reveals.

Lead family contact Kathy Barnum and family support specialist Kathy Riley both have children who have struggled with emotional and behavioral difficulties.

“People don’t understand that when you’re walking those streets by yourself, it’s difficult to to find the resources …. but there are people really wanting to help you,” Riley emphasizes. Now she, along with other parents and caregivers, “have a place to get educated and ... talk to others with children like this.”

At each monthly parent meeting, a meal, child care and guest speaker are provided. Examples of topics include single parenting, medication, alcohol and drug problems, probation, individualized education plans, understanding diagnoses, guardianship and parent and youth rights.

“We need to listen to them (the parents). Kathy does a good job of helping people find their voice,” Konradi stresses.

Other components are Child and Family Team meetings coordinated by a facilitator. The group is made up of individuals (friends, relatives, teachers, social workers, probation officers, clergy, employers or others) who will help with the goal of developing a plan that promotes the family’s strengths, while also addressing their needs.

At these meetings, “every time the child is asked, ‘What will work for you?’” the specialist comments. “Every child and parent has to say something positive they did .... (Examples include) when mom asked them to pick up their clothes without arguing or something good that happened at school … We celebrate all small victories.”

Barnum announces, “We’re trying to build on their (children’s) strengths … so often we build on what’s wrong.”

Having gatherings like this, where the child and the family can talk with a support team and work out their problems, actually saves taxpayers money, Konradi notes. “If we have to put a kid in a residential facility .... you’re typically talking six figures every year.

“When we bill Medicaid and other things, .… it’s not even half the cost, and the kids are home in their community and learning how to live in the real world.

“I had a kid tell me that ‘living at that facility … taught me how to live in a residential facility.’ We need to teach kids how to live in a family, and the community needs to support it.”

Children and teens also participate in youth groups. “This is an opportunity to talk to other kids and feel like everybody else .... accepted,” adds Riley.

A youth focus group was also initiated recently. “Everything was private, no adults in the room.” She reveals that her son “said ‘it was awesome .... Everybody wanted to know what I thought.’”

Riley reveals her dream: “When anyone moves into any community, the welcome group will say, ‘We’ve got systems of care in our town” and be proud of it .... A lot of people don’t realize how important that is.”

“We’re working on getting the word out. There are a lot of people who could benefit” from joining these groups. “I have seen very good things happen in just two months .... those Aha moments ... and the bond between parents,” Barnum indicates.

“One thing really cool is a shift I’ve seen .… It seems like for the kids who come here, the shame is not as big …. Kids stop by who aren’t involved in services anymore,” Konradi reports.

“Everybody is working together, finally. The acceptance is coming. I want that stigma (associated with mental health issues) to go away,” Riley comments.

Funding for United Families comes from a Family Involvement Initiative Grant from the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, as well as from the Local Coordinating Councils for a Drug-Free Indiana.

In addition, a newly awarded federal grant, the Children’s Mental Health Initiative, from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, will allow for expansion into new counties (Jennings and Rush) and for the addition of new staff. Currently, Ripley, Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Ohio and Switzerland counties are receiving services under this grant.

Batesville’s parent gatherings are held the last Monday of every month at the CMHC Intensive Youth Services building, 215 E. George St. However, there will not be a May meeting since it falls on Memorial Day.

Aurora’s meetings are the last Tuesday of every month at the Southeastern Indiana Economic Opportunity Corp. office, 110 Importing St. Both meetings are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information or to register, persons can contact Riley at 212-2420.

Diane Raver can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 114; or diane.raver@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.