Harrison family advocacy group expands services

A Harrison-based family advocacy group is relaunching several of its services to reach more people in need.

Allegheny Family Network, which also has offices in Oakland, has expanded and renamed some programs in an effort to broaden efforts, said Misty Chybrzynski Woody, chief development officer.

Some of the newly titled services include:

• Behavioral Health Family Peer Support, which assists caregivers of a child with challenging behaviors.

• Fathers Involved Now, for dads raising children with behavioral challenges.

• Steps to Connect, for parents whose child identifies as LGBTQIA+.

“Family-peer support uses lived experience, training and a strength-based approach to help parents and caregivers maintain dignity and respect, receive information and knowledge and understand the options and resources available for their family during emotionally challenging times,” said Ruth Fox, CEO.

In addition to other changes, AFN has rebranded its logo into a vibrantly colored graphic that represents parents and caregivers wrapping their children with love.

Allegheny Family Network is at 1600 Pacific Ave., in the medical buildings near Heights Plaza. Services are free, with no insurance or income requirements.

Timing was right for the rebranding of services, Woody said, because an increasing number of caregivers are connecting with mental health providers in Allegheny County.

Last year, 8.5% of homes in the county received mental health supports, up from 7.7% in 2020, according to the Allegheny Community Indicators dashboard.

“It’s a journey that can be stressful and confusing,” Woody said.

AFN offers help for parents and caregivers who are seeking advice for dealing with schools, court and the juvenile justice system. Woody said the ongoing pandemic, remote learning and rolling periods of quarantine have spurred an increase in social service referrals, school interventions and mental health service needs.

Through AFN, Family Peer Support services provide information, resources and guidance from trained and credentialed parents in similar situations.

“Family Support Partners can guide parents and caregivers through the journey of receiving a diagnosis for their child for the first time, seeking services for their children and helping their family overcome trauma,” Fox said.

The group also offers self-help support called Circle of Parents, which is for people who want to provide positive reinforcements for their children.

“Circle of Parents promotes positive and encouraging parenting through conversation and mutual support,” Woody said. “The group offers parents the opportunity to talk about parenting challenges, successes and ways to improve the emotional health of their families.”

Woody said family goals and outcomes can increase by reducing stigma through awareness, eliminating obstacles to services and by supporting families with meeting needs for increased income or stable housing.

Anyone enrolled with AFN’s services is also able to connect to housing and employment assistance, as well as an adult education program.

The group also is active in the community with programs for everyone, such as last month’s literacy event and a community garden set to be planted along Burtner Road.

A parent support line and referral service is available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at 1-888-273-2361.