Module 1: Overview of the Juvenile Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Treatment Systems

5A. Principles of the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health

The Federation maintains that children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders:

• Have unique needs that require individual services
• Must be respected for their rights, preferences, values, strengths, and cultural and racial backgrounds
• Must receive what is necessary to achieve their full potential
• Belong with families and need enduring relationships with adults
• Must receive supports necessary to remain with their families: Out-of-home placements must be considered as a last resort

5B. Statement on Policies of the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health

Policies, legislation, funding mechanisms, and service systems must utilize the strengths of families by:

• Ensuring family members are equal partners in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of services
• Viewing the child as a whole person and the family as a whole unit, rather than emphasizing the disability
• Empowering families and children to make decisions about their own lives
• Encouraging innovative programming that increases the options and promotes the integration of services