Family Peer Support Services

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Family Peer Support Services

We believe that parents and caregivers are the experts on their own children.

Please click HERE to submit a referral

New Directions Family Peer Advocates provide Family Peer Support Services to parents and caregivers of youth who are experiencing mental health or behavior challenges. Our team of parent professionals support parents by providing a “peer” service, meaning the service provider is someone who has lived experience raising a child with a mental health diagnosis. All program staff are trained and credentialed as New York State Family Peer Advocates.

We believe that parents/caregivers are the experts on their own children. We use a trauma informed care approach in all the work we do. We believe in focusing on and building upon strengths and solution focused planning. Services are free, provided at times and locations convenient for the parent/caregiver, and are family-driven. The goals and needs we work on are identified by you, based on your family’s unique circumstances.

What do we do?

We help parents/caregivers to:

Learn more about their child’s diagnosis and ways to support their child.
Identify their own needs and engage in self-care.
Feel less alone by connecting them with other parents/caregivers experiencing similar situations.
Engage/re-engage with family members and build natural supports.
Learn more about the services that are available to them in the community and connect them to resources that meet their needs.
Provide support and resources related to education, mental health services, hospital/ER care, social services, and community supports.
Become advocates for their child and themselves.

Which Family Peer Support Services program is right for you?

Depending on where you live, and whether or not your family is eligible for Medicaid, there is a version of Family Peer Support Services which is just right for you. These are your choices:

Family Peer Support Services (all 8 counties of WNY): Support and advocacy for families who are enrolled in Medicaid.

Erie County Family Peer Advocacy: Support and advocacy for Erie County families who have private (non-Medicaid) insurance, or uninsured. Funding provided by the Erie County Department of Mental Health and NYS Office of Mental Health.

Niagara County Family Peer Advocacy: Support and advocacy for Niagara County families who have private (non-Medicaid) insurance, or uninsured. Funding provided by the Niagara County Department of Mental Health and NYS Office of Mental Health.

To find out more about our Family Peer Support Services, please call us at (716) 486-3298, or email us at familyadvocates@ndyfs.org!

View and download the Family Peer Support Services Information Sheet