Tennessee Voices for Children (TVC) would like to invite you to participate in a new training series called the Bradley Hand ITC Parent-2-Parent Advocacy Training Program. There is an urgent need for more advocates across the state to assist families in finding and receiving appropriate services for their children with mental health needs. TVC would like to offer advocacy training for volunteers, equipping them to help families in need of support and information. The training will include information about Mental Health diagnosis and treatments, Insurance issues, Special Education law & advocacy, and positive behavioral interventions in the school setting. This “family friendly” training will be led by the Tennessee Voices for Children Outreach staff, who are also parents of children with mental health disorders.  This training is free of charge, although you will need to provide your own housing and transportation.

There will be several Parent-2-Parent training sessions across the state this Fall.  The first phase of training involves 18 hours of classroom instruction, completed (1) over an intensive weekend or (2) three consecutive Saturdays.  A manual of helpful information will be presented to you during the training session, and will be yours to keep when the course is completed.  This classroom phase will be followed by an apprenticeship with TVC Outreach Staff, which is necessary to receive recognition as a TVC Parent-2-Parent Advocate.

Here are the dates for upcoming trainings.  For more information about how to become a Parent-2-Parent Volunteer Advocate or to register for an upcoming training session, call Doris Pell McLean at 1-800-670-9882.

Parent-2-Parent Brochure (.pdf file)