Florida Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health (FFFCMH)

A nationally affiliated, parent-run organization focused on the needs of children and youth with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders and their families.

Our Mission

to provide leadership in the field of children's mental health
to help others understand the needs of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders.
to ensure the support and access to community-based services for all children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders and their families.
to provide information and advocate for services needed by these children and youth and their families.

Our Families

Emotional, behavioral and mental disorders can effect families of all income, education, racial, ethnic and religious groups.
Although families are different, they have many things in common. They need services that support their efforts to help their children learn, develop, and grow within their own homes and communities.
Often, family members must learn to cope with the difficult and demanding behaviors of their children, and may face high costs for special treatment, education, or other services.
Our families have many strengths. Some have learned to manage their challenges well, and have developed strategies they can share with others.

Our Children

Approximately 6 to 8 million children and youth in the United States have an emotional, behavioral, or mental disorder in need of treatment. This represents about 12 percent of all children in the United States. Of these, about half have problems that are severe and persistent.
The problems take a number of forms. The children may be self-abusive or aggressive toward others; or they may be withdrawn, fearful or depressed. Some with the most serious disorders may be out-of-touch with reality and have unusual fantasies or hallucinations.
The causes of these problems are largely unknown and may vary from child to child.
A wide range of therapeutic, educational and social services are essential to address the needs of these children and their families.

The Federation Can Help You

Learn more about you're your child's educational rights and Individual Education Plan (IEP) and process
Form partnerships with school
Find information on specific disabilities
Find other parents like yourself to talk to
Locate resources
Learn about state and community systems of care and what they offer you and your family
Understand mental health managed care and how to make it work for your family
Receive information on conferences and programs related to children's behavior and mental health issues that may interest you

The Florida Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is a project of the Florida Institute for Family Involvement and a part of the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. If you have questions or feel that the Federation might help you and your family, please contact us:

Phone: 703-684-7710
Web Site: www.ffcmh.org
Mail: Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health, Inc.
1101 King Street, Suite 420, Alexandria, VA 22314

Florida Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
c/o Florida Institute for Family Involvement
P.O. Box 208
Sopchoppy, FL 32358
Phone: 877-926-3514
Web Site: www.fifionline.org