Let’s Work Together.

Families know what will work for their children. They are also more likely to candidly share their insights with someone who has been in their shoes. Family-driven data is essential to responsive and cost efficient policies and practices.

“There has to be far more give and take between researchers and the people suffering with these disorders,” said Dr. Steven Hyman, director of the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute of M.I.T. and Harvard. “The research cannot happen without them, and they need to be convinced it’s promising.New York Times, December 8, 2018

Families as Allies has routinely gathered data from families since 2005, and our approach to family-driven evaluation was chosen as a national model by the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health.

“In a system of care that is truly family-driven and youth-guided, family members, including youth sit on oversight and policy making bodies. Family/consumer organizations provide multiple resources for supporting child mental health treatment at the youth and family level, as well as research and advocacy at the systems level.” American Academy for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

How We Can Partner With You:

• Research policy issues
• Provide technical assistance on best use of funds to obtain desired outcomes
• Facilitate town halls and focus groups with families and other stakeholders about policy issues
• Assist in arranging public hearings
• Prepare policy briefs and reports related to family-driven care
• Conduct telephone an in person surveys and interviews with families
• Consultation to design and implement research questions and protocols
• Provide trained family members to gather data or train new family members to do so
• Pursue grants and other funding opportunities together