Resources for Parents/Caregivers

The CLIP Parent Steering Committee

  • The CLIP Parent Steering Committee is comprised of the CLIP Administration staff, the CLIP Parent Advocates, and other advocates who have direct experience with the CLIP system.
  • The Committee began as a networking and support group in 1997, shortly after the first parent advocate was hired at Martin Center in Bellingham. As additional advocates were hired at other CLIP Programs, the group expanded, and began to develop formal strategic plans. The Committee meets routinely every other month and are active in other community-based support, training, networking and advocacy efforts at the regional, state and national level. There is a deliberate effort to integrate Steering Committee activities with regional and statewide advocacy efforts. (For example, representatives participate in the annual Community Connectors Retreat and on the statewide network of parent organizations, SAFE Washington.)
  • The Committee meets routinely every other month. On an ad hoc basis they attend the CLIP Directors’ Association and the CLIP Quality Management Steering Committee.
  • Committee members are active in other community-based support, training, networking and advocacy efforts at the regional, state and national level. There is a deliberate effort to integrate Steering Committee activities with regional and statewide advocacy efforts. (For example, representatives participate in the annual Community Connectors Retreat and on the statewide network of parent organizations, SAFE Washington.)
  • Click Here to Read A Letter to Parents by Parents
  • Support for Parents & Caregivers of Youth in a Children’s Long-Term Inpatient Facility Click Here to Register for the CLIP Connects Us Parent Support Group-A Virtual Support Group Hosted by Jasmine Martinez
  • PSC Goals:
  • Primary goal: have visible and effective parent support and inclusion in the CLIP treatment programs.
  • Insure parents receive necessary information, mentoring, access to training and opportunities for support.
  • Be instrumental in quality improvement activities at each CLIP program-changing the mindset.
  • Be a resource to professionals who are serving families with complex needs.
  • Accomplishments:
  • Best Practice standard for CLIP parent advocate role
  • CLIP grievance procedure template
  • Satisfaction & Outcome Surveys
  • Develop CLIP Parent Advocacy brochure
  • Develop an informational welcome letter for all parents at admission
  • Develop CLIP Parent Advocate “best practice” job description
  • Current Initiatives
  • Bi-annual CLIP parent training weekends
  • Parent Rights and Responsibilities
  • Ongoing training at the CLIP programs regarding the parent role
  • Recruit parents to vacant Parent Advocate positions in CLIP programs.
  • Provide problem solving and consultation to CLIP programs without a Parent Advocate on an as needed basis.

History of parent advocacy in CLIP

  • Each CLIP Program has funded a Parent Advocate position. CLIP Parent Advocates actively engage and support parents before, during, and even after their child’s treatment.
  • The advocates insure that parents receive necessary information, mentoring, access to training, and opportunity for full engagement with the treatment process.
  • They assist parents in feeling empowered to make changes in their own and their child’s life. Advocates partner with families to create positive outcomes.
  • The Advocates are also instrumental in the quality improvement activities within their respective CLIP Program.
  • In 1997 in response to the needs of parents and other family members, the first parent advocate was hired by a CLIP facility. Over the next several years, all the CLIP facilities hired parent advocates.
  • CLIP parent advocates are themselves parents of children with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders.
  • CLIP parent advocates work closely with program staff to actively engage parents in their child’s treatment.
  • Advocates work to assure that parent voice is fully included, valued and respected.
  • Advocates work with program staff to improve program quality and responsiveness to families