Family Support Partners Now Available at Abiding Presence!

As part of our ELCA mental health grant, Family Support Partners from NAMI-Northern Virginia are now available to meet with parents at Abiding Presence! Family support partners work with parents in the congregation and community who have a child with mental or behavioral challenges in order to provide resources and support.

Family Support Partners are trained parents and caregivers who use their personal experiences to help other youth and families build on their strengths, navigate services, develop supports and find hope. Family Support Partners understand first-hand the challenges families may experience because they have navigated mental health/behavioral health/substance use systems with their own child. They have been trained to support other families and can help you and your family:

• Identify and use your strengths

• Express your family’s voice and choice

• Connect with effective community supports, services and treatment options

• Better understand and navigate services and benefits

• Feel supported

• Understand your rights

• Develop self-advocacy skills and find time for self-care

• Find hope!

Family Support Partners are available at Abiding Presence on a walk-in basis at the following times:

Tuesdays, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Family Support Partner services are confidential and open to all in the community.

Contact Pastor Heidi with any questions or for more information!