What is FamilySmart™?

FamilySmart™ is a trademark that will identify and endorse practices, research, policies, programs and services, which relate to child and youth mental health and are meaningful and make a difference to families.

Who defines what is “FamilySmart”?

The IF is gathering input from families and those working and interested in child and youth mental health to help define criteria for FamilySmart™. As part of National Child and Youth Mental Health Day on May 7, 2011, the IF is inviting youth, parents, caregivers, professionals and others working or interested in child and youth mental health to come together to discuss the vision for Family Smart™ and help define what it will look like to have that vision realized for children, youth and families in Canada.

How will the FamilySmart™ designation be used?

Organizations and agencies that achieve a FamilySmart™ endorsement from the IF will be recognized with permission to use the FamilySmart™ symbol for their initiative.

What factors are guiding the development of FamilySmart™?

The IF is dedicated to giving a voice to families for child and youth mental health. Input from families is the key factor in establishing FamilySmart™ and developing the criteria that will be used to award a Family Smart™ endorsement. Almost all strategic plans of key systems responsible for child and youth mental health in Canada have identified family or patient engagement as a key priority. Many of those same plans have Quality Improvement strategies. Family Smart™ can play a key role in supporting and providing input into quality improvement that is based on what really matters to families.

What are the origins of FamilySmart™?

The idea for FamilySmart™ came about through discussions amongst families, the IF Executive and leaders in the field of child and youth mental health about how to identify and endorse practices, programs, policies, services and research that families identify as meaningful and helpful to them in addressing and improving child and youth mental health.

Families whose lives have been affected directly or indirectly by mental health are in a unique position to contribute to enhancing the mental health care system through collaboration with service providers, policy makers, researchers, educators and other families based on their personal experiences and desire to improve mental health outcomes for children, youth and families.

For more information on FamilySmart™ and the Institute of Families for Child & Youth Mental Health, contact us.