Tampa Boasts First Spanish Language Chapter of Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
Tampa Boasts First Spanish Language Chapter of Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health.
During the past ten years, Florida’s Hispanic population has increased by 70%, making it the state’s largest minority group. As the numbers increase, so too do the number of Hispanic children in the state with significant social, behavioral, and/or emotional needs. Unfortunately, these children often fail to receive the necessary services and supports that foster healthy emotional development, and this can sometimes be due to their family’s lack of English proficiency. A recent study found that 79% of Hispanics are speaking Spanish at home.
A national family-run organization dedicated exclusively to helping children with mental health needs and their families achieve a better quality of life has established its first ever Spanish Chapter in the Tampa Bay area. The Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health (FFCMH) Spanish Chapter, Familias Latinas Dejando Huellas – Capitulo Tampa Bay, supports Spanish speaking families by providing information on services that are available for children with serious emotional and mental health needs.
“ The chapter started with the help of the Hispanic Services Council in West Tampa,” said project director Luz Garay. “Families were referred to me by agencies that didn’t have resources to address the mental health needs of Spanish speaking families. I started visiting their homes to see how I could assist, and saw there was a need for a Spanish support group.”
The mission of FFCMH is to help policy-makers, agencies, and providers build a comprehensive array of services and supports that meet the individual needs of children with emotional, behavioral and mental disorders and their families, and to ensure families are equal partners at all levels of program planning, implementation and evaluation with community providers.
The Hillsborough chapter has developed programs according to these guiding principals, including:
- The Recreational Art Program, (RAP), a program that allows creative youth art expression;
- Reading and Story Time circles (RAST), a program that engages older youth to serve as reading tutors for younger children to encourage reading development skills;
- Parent Resource Circles (SUPPORTS) in four communities, which provide opportunities for families to receive emotional and resource supports;
- The Family Education and Advocate Trainings along with the Family Empowerment Summit, providing education and formal advocate training.
"I hope our new Spanish chapter continues to grow,” added Garay. “We will also be going to other areas in Hillsborough County to form additional Spanish speaking support groups, and hope to eventually expand to other states.”
For additional information, contact Luz Garay at (813) 245-4820, or email dejandohuellas2004@gmail.com.