Finger Lakes Parent Network, Inc. is parent-governed, and focused on the needs of children and youth with emotional, behavioral and/or mental disorders and their families. The mission of FLPN, Inc. is to support and empower families so that they can improve the quality of their lives and help their children to achieve their full potential within the community.
Family support services that reduce stress and help families to care for children with emotional problems at home and/or in their own communities are provided by FLPN, Inc. Services include:
parent support groups, information and referral, peer advocacy, parent education, respite care and child and family recreation. An Intensive Support Services Program is offered to prevent placement of high-risk children. The agency offers family support services in the nine counties of Allegany, Chemung, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Wayne, and Yates.
FLPN, Inc. is a non-traditional program that is run by and for parents. Parents also hold a majority of the seats on the Board of Directors (eight of fifteen). Collaboration between families and service providers is an integral part of the program..
The program began in 1990 as the Finger Lakes Family Support Project with a $70,000.00 grant from the NYS Office of Mental Health and was sponsored by the Steuben County Community Mental Health Center. Having assessed the need for ongoing support for families of children with emotional, behavioral and/or mental disorders, four parents of emotionally challenged children and a Project Coordinator from the Elmira Psychiatric Center established the Finger Lakes Family Support Project. Family support groups, facilitated in each county by a Family Consultant and offering on-site child care, were offered in Cheumung, Ontario, Steuben, and Wayne. As the program developed, peer support, advocacy, referral services, parent education and respite services were added, and the program expanded to serve nine counties. Family Consultants, often accompanied by parents, made informational presentations in schools, parent and/or community organizations and county agencies.
Program staffmg gradually increased from five to 190 persons and the budget grew to over $960,000. In 2001, .511 families were provided with 36,416 hours of service. From July 1990 through December 1995, the program was administered by the Steuben County Community Mental Health Center, with support from Pathways Inc., and was directed by a professional staff member from the Elmira Psychiatric Center. The Finger Lakes Parent Network received its corporate seal in November 1994. A Board of Directors was established in April 1995 and in December 1995 FLPN, Inc. received official notification of not for profit status.
Program Funding
The 2002 budget for Finger Lakes Parent Network, Inc. totals approximately $960,000. The largest percentage of program revenue comes from the NYS Office of Mental Health from two sources: $250,952 in State Family Support Services funding and $227,848 in Community Reinvestment funding (Commissioner’s Pool). 38% of program revenue comes from the County Mental Health Departments in Allegany, Chemung, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca,, Steuben, Tioga,Wayne, and Yates.