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Bringing Family Lived Experience To You
August 1st, 2025 | Volume 3, Issue 10
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NFF News and Highlights
Register for the 2025 NFF Conference
Sponsor the 2025 NFF Conference
Virtual, November 3rd, 5th, 7th, 2025
SAMHSA-Sponsored Webinar - Crisis Intervention Teams: Partnering with Families of Loved Ones with Serious Mental Illness and Serious Emotional Disturbance
August 6th, 2:00 p.m. ET
Lynda Gargan on Just a Mom Podcast
NFSTAC News and Highlights
Webinar: Building Trust and Connecting with Families Experiencing Challenges
August 27th, 2:00 p.m. ET
NFSTAC Resources
Legislative & Advocacy News
Legislative and Advocacy Facebook page
August Advocacy Resources
National Wellness Month
International Overdose Awareness Day
Events and Resources
NAMI's From Theory to Therapy: The Evolution of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis in U.S. Mental Health Care
August 5th, 2:00 p.m. ET
SPARK's Contracting to Provide Peer Services: Is Your Organization Ready?
August 20th, 2:00 p.m. ET
PACER Center's Executive Function Tools for School and Work
August 25th, 3:00 p.m. ET
Vibrant Emotional Health & NASMHPD's Connected Through Care: 988 and Caring Contacts
August 26th, 2:00 p.m. ET
Mobile Recovery's Campus Surge Event Series
August 31st-November 10th
HHRC's Youth Experiencing Homelessness and Serious Emotional Disturbance
August 11th, 1:00 p.m. ET
2024 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health
Child Mind Institute's College Readiness Toolkit
Flourishing Families Workshop Series
October 9th-November 13th
MD Coalition of Families' Ten Things to Know About IEP Meetings
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Note from the
Executive Director
Reflecting on Achievements to Inspire Advocacy
The end of the summer can be a great opportunity for reflection on the achievements you've accomplished during the first half of the year. As many organizations close out their fiscal years and submit year end reports, they have a chance to look back on all of the positive things they've done, the challenges they've overcome, and the work left to be completed in the latter half of the year. Take a moment to congratulate yourself on your successes in a particularly challenging year.
As we head into the busy back-to-school season, let those successes inspire you to continue supporting families and creating family-driven spaces for family expertise to guide practices, policies, and systems. In this month's newsletter, we have a tip sheet to support families in IEP meetings, a college readiness toolkit for youth with mental health or learning challenges, new national substance use data, and several opportunities to build your skills with trainings designed for families and the workforce that supports them.
Our final SAMHSA webinar this year is just one week away and it's one you'll want to put on your calendar! Join us to hear about how Crisis Intervention Teaming can divert individuals with co-occurring disorders from justice involvement. We have one more NFSTAC webinar for you this month, too! We'll learn how to build trust and connect with families who want support.
Take care of yourself this National Wellness Month. Remember to make time for your mental and physical well-being, because you deserve wellness just as much as the loved ones you support do!
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Lynda Gargan, PhD
Executive Director,
National Federation of Families
| | Register for and Sponsor NFF's 36th Annual Conference | | | |
Join us virtually for the National Federation of Families' 36th Annual Conference on November 3rd, 5th, and 7th! If you’ve never experienced our conference before, this is the year to join us!
The NFF Annual Conference is a one-of-a-kind event that brings together families, caregivers, family peers, community leaders, providers, advocates, and policymakers from across the country. Together, we explore the most pressing issues impacting families and the mental health and well-being of their loved ones—all through the lens of a family-driven approach.
Now more than ever, we need to enhance and grow family leaders to navigate a rapidly changing landscape. This virtual conference offers a powerful platform to connect, learn, and grow alongside a national network of passionate and dedicated individuals. Reserve your spot by registering as a virtual attendee below. Show your support for the family peer workforce while spreading the word about the work your organization does by sponsoring our virtual conference!
| | Join us for this training about how communities can implement a CIT Model that ensures that law enforcement, individuals with serious mental illness and serious emotional disturbance (SMI/SED), and their families are working together to prevent behavioral health crises from escalating to justice system involvement. Madonna Campbell-Greer, CIT International Board Member, was integral in developing the initial CIT trainings that have been used worldwide to support law enforcement officers in learning and implementing evidence-based, effective responses to 988 and 911 calls that involve individuals with SMI/SED. Ms. Campbell-Greer will share some of the specifics of the CIT training, as well as how local and state police departments can train their officers. CIT-trained Officer Lt. Steven Thomas will share about his experience supporting families during a mental health crisis. Muriel Jones, mother of a son with schizoaffective disorder, will explain how she worked together with her local law enforcement team to support Muriel’s son through implementation of CIT that resulted in a partnership and collaboration that successfully kept him in the community and out of the justice system. | | |
On episode 112 of the Just a Mom podcast, Lynda Gargan shares some of her personal story of raising a son with mental health challenges, as well as her professional journey that led her to NFF. Lynda and podcast host Susie Gurley discuss the importance of listening to their children, advocating for them, and mental health education. Lynda does a deep dive on all of the ways NFF works for families addressing mental health challenges and our mission. Lynda stresses the importance of treating the whole person and how, unfortunately, there is such a division between treating those who experience both mental illness and substance use disorder. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the annual NFF Conference, which will be held virtually this year.
| | Affiliate and Partner News | | | |
New Leadership at Parents Helping Parents
After nearly a decade of guiding NFF affiliate Parents Helping Parents (PHP) in Oklahoma with compassion, vision, and tireless dedication, their Executive Director, Becky O'Dell, retired in May. With more than 35 years of nonprofit service, Becky has left an indelible mark—not only on PHP but on countless families who have found hope and healing through their programs. PHP’s Board President shared, “Becky’s leadership was transformative for PHP. It was her vision, dedication, and innovative approach that elevated our mission, expanded our impact, and inspired our team to achieve new heights. Becky's legacy will continue to shape our success for years to come.” Thank you for your years of impact, Becky, and NFF wishes you a happy retirement!
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In June, Tree Kelley took the reigns as PHP’s new Executive Director. Before moving into this position, she served as PHP’s Board President. With 23 years of nonprofit experience, Tree brings deep expertise in strategic planning, board development, and building impactful programs of work. She’s a professional grant writer with a talent for development and a passion for creating strong professional networks. Tree knows the challenges of parenting a child with mental health and substance use disorders personally. Her vision for the future of PHP includes parents having someone to talk to when they are feeling lost and alone. She hopes to be able to offer direction, resources, and an empathetic ear. Tree told us, “It was PHP who helped me when I found myself in turmoil when my son's addiction landed him in jail, and later prison. I don't know what I would have done without their support.” Congratulations in this new position, Tree. We can’t wait to see where you take PHP!
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Dr. Mirline Fourron recently took over as the Executive Director of NFF affiliate Federation of Families of Central Florida, Inc. (FFCFL). She is a dedicated changemaker, licensed dietitian nutritionist, and tireless supporter of families navigating mental health challenges who leads with compassion and clarity. Born in Les Cayes, Haiti, Dr. Fourron blends academic knowledge, personal insight, and a wide-ranging background in health leadership, advocacy, and family-centered care to guide her work. Her own experience supporting loved ones with mental health conditions fuels her passion for creating responsive systems of support. Dr. Fourron is deeply committed to building spaces where families feel uplifted, understood, and equipped to thrive. Her vision centers on elevating family voice, fostering meaningful collaborations, and expanding access to services that strengthen both individuals and communities, because strong families are the foundation of a resilient society.
Dr. Fourron envisions FFCFL as a powerful and trusted presence in the community, one that uplifts families through meaningful support, advocacy, and genuine connection. She hopes to cultivate spaces where families feel seen, heard, and respected, and where their lived experiences inform the services and systems that impact their lives. She dreams of an FFCFL that fosters the growth of family leaders, builds strong and authentic partnerships, and champions healing. Under her leadership, FFCFL will continue to walk alongside families not just as service providers but as true partners in their journey toward hope, resilience, and wellness.
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It is with profound sadness and deep respect that we remember the life and legacy of Beresford S. Wilson, Jr. who served as the Executive Director of NFF afiliate FAVOR, Inc. in Connecticut from 2018-2023. A fierce advocate, visionary leader, and devoted champion for children, youth, and families, Beresford leaves behind a legacy rooted in compassion, courage, and an unshakable commitment to family voice.
Beresford’s journey was not just professional—it was deeply personal. As a father and caregiver with lived experience, he knew firsthand the challenges families face when navigating complex behavioral health and education systems. Rather than letting those challenges define him, he used them to fuel a life of purpose. At FAVOR, Beresford helped transform the organization into a statewide leader in family advocacy and systems change. He was instrumental in ensuring that services across Connecticut became more family-driven through partnerships that shifted how state agencies and communities center family voice in decision-making. His presence in meetings, trainings, and legislative hearings was unforgettable—grounded in authenticity, enriched by lived experience, and driven by love.
To know Beresford was to know his kindness, his unapologetic passion, and his unwavering belief that families—when supported—are the most effective change agents we have. Beresford’s legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the systems he challenged, and the community he strengthened. We mourn his passing, but we celebrate the immense impact he made. His work will continue through FAVOR's work across the state as we carry forward his vision of a world where every family is heard, valued, and supported. Your voice will echo through the movement you helped build. You will be missed dearly but never forgotten!
-Jenny Garcia Bridges, FAVOR Executive Director
| | NFSTAC News and Highlights | | | |
Celebrating NFSTAC's Accomplishments
Over the past five years, NFSTAC has delivered training, technical assistance, and resources to families, the family peer workforce, and other stakeholders. Celebrate our accomplishments, including:
- 24,372 website visits
- 108 training events
- More than 1,200 resources created and compiled
- 16 workforce development listening sessions
- 151 technical assistance requests met
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Webinar: Building Trust and Connecting with Families Experiencing Challenges
August 27th, 2:00 p.m. ET
Join us for a dynamic webinar that introduces the fundamentals of coaching and Internal Family Systems (IFS) as powerful frameworks for supporting individuals and families. We will use the 8 Dimensions of Wellness as a holistic guide for navigating care across all areas of life. Together, we’ll explore self-awareness, tools, and strategies that honor diverse lived experiences to enhance connection, empowerment, and healing. A live coaching demonstration will be included.
| | NFSTAC Presents at the Pre-Innovation Institutes Training | | |
In July, the NFSTAC team traveled to National Harbor in Maryland to facilitate a training about our Family Peer Specialist 101 online course to support current and future family peers in mastering the five core competencies. We had a great turnout with some familiar faces from our affiliates and some new friends and future partners.
Thank you to everyone who came to the training! We are grateful to have connected with you, learned alongside you, and had some fun.
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Our team has worked with family members and the workforce to create a number of resources for families and family peers, including:
Find more on the NFSTAC Resource webpage!
| Stay tuned for some exciting new NFSTAC products coming soon! You can visit our Resources webpage to be the first to know. | | | | |
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a full report, summary, and blog that provides data about the number of family caregivers under age 18 in the U.S. and the effect this role has on them, as well as what supports are and are not available to them because of their age. GAO summarized their findings by saying, "Federal programs focus on supporting adult family caregivers...States and service providers may not know about [state-based support] because HHS's website doesn't include information on all those who may be eligible for support. We recommended clarifying this information on HHS's website."
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Follow our Legislative and Advocacy Facebook page and use the data and facts shared there in concert with your advocacy skills to represent the voice of families where you live. Some highlights shared this month include:
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National Wellness Month
National Wellness Month in August brings awareness and focus to a large area of life that many people can tend to neglect or forget about. It’s easy to prioritize meeting the needs of a job or loved ones before tending to and meeting your own needs. This awareness month serves as an important reminder to check in with yourself and others, finding ways to take care of yourself a little better and remember to meet more of your needs. There are many aspects of healthy living that need care and attention in order for you to live the best life possible. National Wellness Month celebrates all the different types of health and healthcare: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Learn how to prioritize your well-being and enhance your mental and physical health in this blog post.
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2024 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health
SAMHSA released the latest report of the results of the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health that informs policymakers, providers, and other stakeholders on decisions about how to support those with substance use disorder.
In addition to the full report that includes the key indicators and explanations, SAMHSA has released slides with charts summarizing the data to educate stakeholders about the prevalence of substance use.
In this blog post, learn how this data can be applied to reduce substance use. The blog also includes an explanation of how this annual survey relates to SAMHSA's commitment to supporting individuals with substance use disorder and their families.
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Child Mind Institute's College Readiness Toolkit
This new toolkit from the Child Mind Institute has guidance for teens with mental health or learning challenges, as well as a section for parents, on how to start college off well. They provide a list of "Things to Know Before You Go," tips to self-regulate, steps to overcome every day challenges by building a positive routine, and tools to develop and achieve a student's own personal vision.
In addition to the toolkit, Child Mind Institute has a wealth of resources to support college-aged youth and their parents on the topics of preparing for college and addressing mental health or eating disorders while attending college.
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Flourishing Families Workshop Series
Flourishing Families' workshop series is a highly interactive weekly, 2-hour educational class offered to families by Boston University's Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. In this workshop series, you will learn and practice strategies to build positive relationships with young adults. Topics for these sessions include personal and family values, the power of empathy and responding, resource coordination, tools to engage in difficult conversations and upholding boundaries, and shifting away from shame and blame.
The Fall series runs from October 9th-November 13th. Registration is required.
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MD Coalition of Families' Ten Things to Know About IEP Meetings
Family members of children with behavioral health challenges and the family peers that support them are usually familiar with the complexities of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. It can be overwhelming to navigate the various meetings and requirements. With family peers' extensive knowledge of the IEP process, they provide invaluable support to families every step of the way. Use this tip sheet that NFF affiliate MD Coalition of Families created to introduce families to the IEP process this school year. Add it to your back-to-school toolkits for families returning to the challenging IEP process.
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