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Expanding the Voice for Children’s Mental Health Advocacy. Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health DRAFT by Pat Hunt, 12/03. What is the competition?. What is the message?. Children’s Mental Health. . Create a message that everyone can own Give the message its own identity
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Expanding the VoiceforChildren’s Mental Health Advocacy Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health DRAFT by Pat Hunt, 12/03
What is the message? Children’s Mental Health • Create a message that everyone can own • Give the message its own identity • Develop marketing tools & strategies • Promote the message
Be Strategic #1 DELIBERATLY • Share the message • Define short term reachable goals • Understand the long term impact • See the big picture • Employ re/sources effectively & efficiently
Be Strategic #2 CAUTIOUSLY • Share realistic expectations • Have clear goals & tasks • Stay focused on the outcome • Be prepared with timely information • Be flexible & creative in order to support their fullest participation
Be Strategic #3 APPRECIATIVELY • Dedicate resources to public recognition of hard work and accomplishments • Thank people for their efforts • Celebrate success! • Nurture your successors
Who delivers the message? Our typical voices are: • Youth & their families • Service providers • State child-serving agencies (education, mental health, juvenile justice, child welfare) • Adult consumers • Community organizations
How to expand the voices. • Know who is already involved • Make the BEST use of existing voices • Make sure the diverse cultures* of the area are represented • Define strengths & skills needed to accomplish each task of the mission • Recruit individuals with skills to fill the gaps *”Culture” includes beliefs, norms, values, mindset, and way of looking at the world
Labor Protection & Advocacy Public Health Small business Professional guilds Attorneys Motorcycle clubs Pediatricians Boys & Girls Clubs Researchers Business Insurance Industry Siblings Other Disability Populations Retirees Dentists Service Organizations Charitable Organizations Marketers Spiritual Community Natural Leaders Student Organizations Higher ed students Press Where to find new voices.
Know their sense of purpose – how they fit Current Information Universal language Understanding of their role & responsibilities Flexibility Coaching and Mentoring Training Energized Leadership Coordination of effort Practice Sense of accomplishment How to support new voices.
Keep new voices strong. • Know and use their strengths effectively • Provide ongoing opportunities for them to experience success • Acknowledge their efforts and accomplishments