Family Support Services

The Family Support Services program offered by the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County supports adults in their roles as parents, nurturers and caregivers. The program assists eligible children and youth and their families in learning social and life skills, identifying strengths, and managing demands placed on them by life's challenges.

If you are the parent or primary caregiver of an infant, child or youth who must struggle with behavioral, social or emotional issues, or who has a learning or developmental disability, the MHA Family Support Services program can help. In general, Family Support Services offers support, advocacy and information to parents, spouses, siblings and adult children whose lives are affected by a family member with mental illness or a developmental disability. We also provide these sources to families where a parent has a mental illness.

Parent Advocacy

The parent advocate, provided by the Mental Health Association, can assist or accompany parents or guardians in many situations related to the well-being of their children, including

- attending meetings that concern the child, including school or agency meetings, I.E.P. (Individualized Education Plan) meetings, and C.S.E. (Committee on Special Education) meetings

- attending Family Court, and providing assistance with issues of custody, probation, and child support

- gaining access to legal services or assistance, and providing information about parents' and children's legal rights

- providing assistance with landlord and/or housing issues

- providing access to information on treatment and/or hospitalization alternatives

- coordinating services of other agencies

Parent Support Group

Family Support Services offers a parent support group for parents, caregivers and family members who interact with a child or youth troubled by disability, whether developmental, emotional, social, or behavioral in nature. Our parent support group sponsors meetings at The Mental Health Association monthly. Contact The Mental Health Association at (607) 273-9250 for information and schedules.