The Association for Children’s Mental Health (ACMH) is currently accepting applications for it’s Statewide Parent Advisory Committee. Application for a seat on the ACMH Parent Advisory Committee is open to all parents/primary caregivers with experience raising a child with a mental health, emotional and/or behavioral challenges. Involvement is NOT limited to parents with experience in any particular system, such as public mental health, foster care, juvenile justice or special education. All parents/primary caregivers who are passionate about mental health issues and have personal experience raising a child with mental health challenges will be considered. ACMH be accepting applications until January 31, 2021 – download an application below:

To learn more see additional information below or download the PAC Flyer, application or ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Overview Documents below:

PAC Flyer 2021

Overview – ACMH Parent Advisory Committee

Application – ACMH Statewide Parent Advisory Committee – fillable

Up to 15 parents will be selected to serve on the committee. Once selected, members will be asked to serve for a minimum of one year. Committee calls will be held once monthly via technology. Face to face meetings and events will be scheduled 2 to 4 times a year. Members will be expected to attend and fully participate in committee calls, meetings and events; if unable to attend a call, meeting or event, the ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Coordinator should be notified in advance if possible. Meetings may be photographed, videotaped or recorded.

Committee Purpose and Objectives:

The purpose of the ACMH Parent Advisory Committee is to provide the opportunity for parents/primary caregivers of children with mental health challenges to have a voice in decision making that affects their lives and some of the services and supports available to their families. The committee members and other decision makers will work together to create positive changes in policies that impact children, giving them the opportunity to advise legislators, mental health administrators and community members about important issues that matter to families navigating children’s mental health services. The committee will have the following objectives:

• Advising ACMH and other state leaders about the experiences and interests of families raising children with mental health challenges;
• Promoting family voice in decisions impacting Michigan families regarding behavioral health;
• Providing opportunities for parents to develop leadership skills, maintaining both a personal perspective as well as working toward positive statewide system change;
• Fostering and supporting partnerships and relationships between parents and system partners throughout the state.

Each ACMH Parent Advisory Committee member will play an essential role in raising awareness and integrating family perspective into Michigan policies and legislation. All committee members will be asked to:

• Commit to serving on the committee for a minimum of 1 year;
• Represent the voice of local families raising children with mental health challenges by discussing issues that are important in their communities;
• Possess and demonstrate a strong desire to advocate for positive systems change for families raising children with mental health challenges;
• Attend and fully participate in monthly calls as well as scheduled meetings and events 2 to 4 times a year. If unable to attend a call, meeting or event they must contact the ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Coordinator in advance whenever possible;
• Work closely and collaboratively with fellow parent committee members and system partners;
• Provide feedback to ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Coordinator regularly with recommendations regarding children’s mental health related issues and committee activities.

Criteria for Participation:

• Be a resident of the state of Michigan;
• Have had personal experience or are currently raising a child/children with a mental health and behavioral challenges;
• Possess the passion and desire to advocate for positive systems change for children’s mental health;
• Have the ability to work in collaboration with fellow committee members. This includes:
  • respectfully conveying their thoughts and opinions;
  • listening to and integrating opinions of others;
  • providing supportive feedback to others in a respectful way;
  • conducting themselves in a professional and collaborative manner,
  • and demonstrating an openness and willingness to create positive impact from a statewide perspective.

Benefits for Participation:

• Gain leadership and advocacy skills.
• Have your voice heard by system partners and decision makers as you represent families raising children with mental health challenges.
• Connect with other parents and learn from their experiences
• Inform and influence processes, ranging from local to statewide impact.
• Create positive changes for Michigan families navigating children’s mental health systems.
• And more!!

How to Get Involved:

Interested parents/primary caregivers who meet criteria for participation will follow the required steps to submit an application. By doing so, parents/primary caregivers agree to fulfill the roles and responsibilities as described.

As part of their application process, applicants will be asked to provide at least one reference.

If you have questions, please contact:

Laura Marshall, ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Coordinator Phone: 517-420-2193
Email: lmarshall@acmh-mi.org