Mission of the Ohio Federation for Children’s Mental Health
 

The Ohio Federation for Children’s Mental Health is a family based, family organized, and family driven organization that exists to serve the needs of families of children who are facing mental health issues. Recognizing the challenges that face these families in accessing care that is equal to the needs of their children, the Federation offers a combination of support, education, and advocacy that is based in youth and family strengths and resilience.

As deeply wedded as the Federation is to the principles of family and youth advocacy, education, and support, it is equally based in both the concept and practices of resiliency. The definition of resiliency as accepted by the Ohio Federation is as follows:

Resiliency is an innate capacity that when fostered and nurtured empowers children, youth, and families to successfully meet life’s challenges with a sense of self determination, mastery, and hope. *

The Ohio Federation, its membership, its Governing Board, and its staff, is comprised primarily of present or past primary caregivers who have struggled with the issues of care and treatment for their young family members. Their experiences, understandings, philosophies, and combined sense of passion provide the strength and impetus for the Federation to pursue and achieve its mission.

* Definition developed by the ODMH Children’s Resiliency Workgroup