Parent Advocacy Connection

NAMI Greater Toledo offers a Parent Advocacy Connection Program

All services provide a free, safe and confidential place to talk things through with others who understand your experience. They are led by people who have had similar experiences.

What is the Parent Advocacy Connection (PAC)? 

PAC Mission

The mission of the PAC Program is to empower, educate, encourage, and equip families to partner with professionals in promoting access to services that are family-centered, community-based, comprehensive, and culturally competent.

PAC is a NAMI Ohio grassroots program that offers trained Parent Advocates with lived experience who reflect the cultural and ethnic make-up of the families they serve. When children require services from multiple sources (i.e., mental health, schools, juvenile courts, developmental disabilities, and alcohol/drug addiction services agencies), it can be difficult for parents to navigate their way through these various service systems.  Families may become overwhelmed and have difficulty expressing their concerns and the needs of their child(ren).  

NAMI Ohio’s service coordination process recognizes this challenge and has made support for families available through the Parent Advocacy Connection (PAC).

What Do Parent Advocates Offer?

PAC Parent Advocates Will:

•         Listen and support the parent’s decisions without judgment
•         Assist in navigating child-serving systems
•         Help parents understand their rights
•         Help organize and prepare for meetings
•         Supply information about child‐serving systems, children’s   behavioral health and development, and community
•         Help parents identify resources
•         Help reduce loneliness
•         Provide hope and ideas
•         Encourage self-care activities
•         Render advocacy support
•         Facilitate familial engagement with service providers
•         Share their own personal lived experience
•         Model collaboration between families and professionals
•         Respect a family’s culture
•         Keep information confidential

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