G.E.A.R. Parent Network empowers parents of children with special needs to effect life decisions based on their family’s individual strengths and needs by providing safe and supportive avenues for: emotional support, problem solving, sharing common experiences, seeking knowledge about community resources and advocacy, identifying the strengths and needs of their child/children and families and accessing information and education related to children’s issues.

G.E.A.R. believes in a system of care that helps children, youth and families function better at home, in school, in the community and throughout life.

MISSION STATEMENT

We value:

·Community-based, family-focused, culturally competent systems of care.

·Full family and child participation in planning and delivery of services.

·A family-friendly system of accountability based on positive outcomes.

·We value our partners in advocacy.

·We value the expertise a family offers.

·The opportunity to collaborate.

·Professional research and public education.

·The opportunity to make a difference for families and children by

  improving their quality of life.

Our goals:

·To increase awareness of children's behavioral health and needs

·To act as a catalyst for change in mental health systems, in Maine.

·To act as a voice for children with behavioral health issues and their families.

·To advocate in the public forum for comprehensive, coordinated,

community-based, family-centered service.

·To provide education to systems government, service providers, families

and other concerned citizens about youth and families with behavioral

differences.

·To provide resiliency trainings in all communities, so that they can

implement protective factors in their homes and communities. This

would be a huge public awareness effort on behavioral health prevention.

As a family organization whose primary mission is Children's Behavioral Health Issues the following is our values and goals:

Our Values and Goals