About Us

Home

About Us
The Family Resource Network and Family Training and Advocacy Center grew out of a long
tradition of strong advocacy by family members. Over the last three decades people like Loretta
Ferry, Tom Gargan, Ed & Rita Goebel, Len Hoffman, Mary Ellen Rehrman, Jim Scott, and
Vivian Spiese put in countless hours working to see that their loved ones had access to services
delivered in a recovery oriented manner. Their work continues with the next generation of family
members as they not only continue to seek the best services, but, also work toward the time
when including a significant person in the recovery process will be seen as standard.

The Family Resource Network (FRN) was started in 2007, with a small grant provided by the
Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health/Mental Retardation Services (DBH/MRS). The
Family Resource Network was established in response to the need of families to access
information about the behavioral health system and the support groups who educate them. Due to
the cooperative relationship of the FRN members, families are able to acquire more immediate
information, and have a choice of support groups. The Family Resource Network has become
an active participant with the DBH/MRS regarding the Day Transformation efforts of providers,
developed standards for family inclusion, and participates with the Pennsylvania Psychiatric
Leadership Council.

Members:

Family Support Specialist
Family Training and Advocacy Center (FTAC)
Mental Health Association of SEPA: Parent Involved Network (PIN)
Mental Health Association of SEPA: Training & Education Center (TEC)
National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI)-- Philadelphia Affiliates:
North, Northeast, Northwest, & Hispanoparlamente
Northeast MH/MR Center: Psychoeducational Program (PEP)
Philadelphia Connections

Other FRN Family Participants:

We look forward to other behavioral health family support groups joining our collaborative.
If interested, please contact us (click here).