Who We Are
The Mountain State Parents Child and Adolescent Network (MSP-CAN) works to improve the service delivery system through a connected set of activities that educate and support parents and caregivers while informing practitioners, administrators, and policy-makers. Our training helps parents and caregivers move past the shame, blame, guilt, and stigma often tied to childhood mental illness. We teach parents about emotional disorders, available treatments, and their local service delivery system. MSP-CAN strengthens parents by building hope and confidence and by helping them work effectively with providers and schools to create individualized, strength-based care for their children. The Network also sponsors parent education and training and instructs parents so they can become trainers themselves. In addition, we educate administrators and policy-makers so they better understand the many factors that contribute to emotional disorders and the need for interagency collaboration and family partnership to achieve the best outcomes for youth and families. Through these efforts, we support collaborative programs that value partnership with families and provide individualized, strength-based care. The Network also plans and conducts research on outcomes for children and their families. Findings from this research are shared with state and government mental health agencies and other concerned parties to show the benefits of these efforts. Beyond training, MSP-CAN offers advocacy that helps parents overcome systemic barriers to an individual’s strength-based care. Through advocacy, parents and practitioners alike learn the communication and problem-resolution strategies needed to partner effectively.
What We Believe
We believe that children and youth facing serious emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges: should be seen as individuals first; have rights and strengths that everyone should respect; and are members of a family. We believe the families of these young people: have their own strengths and needs; should be treated as team members and experts because of their round-the-clock, lifelong experience; find many ways to adjust to family needs; and are a source of strength for their young people. We believe services for children or youth with special needs and their families: should emphasize strengths, be based on need, and remain affordable; should be accessible to that family; should be delivered respectfully, without judgment, and unconditionally; should, when possible, be supported through networking and partnerships with others; and should be provided locally whenever possible.
Get in Touch
📍 2351 Garfield Avenue, Parkersburg, West Virginia 26101
📞 304-428-0365
MSP-CAN brings together parents, caregivers, practitioners, and policy-makers around a shared goal: individualized, strength-based care for children and youth. Whether you are a parent seeking support or a professional looking to partner with families, our training, advocacy, and research efforts are designed to help you move forward with confidence.