Parent Resources

BYS Family Services

  • Parenting Today Newsletter
    • Helpful topics such as: “When is it appropriate for your child to get a phone?”, “Mental Health and Mental Illness, What does it all mean?”, and “When are youth ready for social media?”
    • Read all articles here: www.askbys.org/parenting-today
  • ASKbys Podcast
    • Helpful topics such as: “Connecting Parents to a Community Health Navigator Regarding Sexual Assault” and “Parenting and Athletics: A Conversation with a Licensed Counselor and High Performance Coach”
    • Listen to all podcasts here: www.askbys.org/askbys-podcast
  • Parent Peer Support Groups
    • For parents of children 5-18
    • Peer groups are designed to connect and support parents in similar life stages
    • Facilitators lead group discussions
    • Peer support groups offer a safe place to share and explore family dynamics
    • Various parenting styles will be discussed
    • Supportive and practical feedback will be provided
    • Sign up on website: www.askbys.org/parent-peer-support-groups
    • Email: parents@askbys.org

 

Family Acceptance Project

  • Their purpose is to “increase family and community support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified (LGBTQ) children and youth to decrease health and mental health risks and to promote well-being”.
  • Through their research, they have “identified more than 50 specific family rejecting behaviors” that contribute to increased risk for suicide, depression, drug use and other health risks and more than 50 specific family accepting behaviors that help protect against risk and promote well-being”.
  • Their website provides various resources for families, including culture-based resources
  • Website: lgbtqfamilyacceptance.org
  • Email: fap@sfsu.edu

 

HopeCentral

  • Provides parent education and support for parents of children who have recently been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
    • Autism: First Steps course was developed by the Autism Center at Seattle Children’s Hospital, which includes a detailed overview of ASD and resources for ongoing education for parents and treatment for their children.
  • Provides comprehensive ASD Evaluations and primary care
    • Long term care includes speech, occupational, ABA, and physical therapy, social skills groups and more
  • Website: www.hopecentralhealth.org/autism-services
  • Address: 3826 South Othello St, Seattle, WA 98118
  • Call: (206) 455- 9845

 

Parenting In a Crisis By: BYS Counselor Helen Burke
  • Assess (imminent threat?)
  • Get support (911 or 988)
  • Be present (be more, do less)
  • Make a plan (practice in the straightaway what you will need in the curve).

 

More detail:

Assess: Is there an imminent risk to the safety of your child or another person (access to weapon, statement of intent to harm or kill self or others)?

 

Get Support: If answer to #1 is yes, call 911 or if it is safe/possible, take your child to the closest ER.

  • When you call 911, let them know your child is experiencing a mental health emergency, and ask that they dispatch an officer with mental health crisis training or that they call the Kitsap Designated Crisis Response team.
  • If you need help but there is not an imminent threat to safety, call Volunteers of America crisis support (partnered with Kitsap Crisis Response; staffed with clinicians 24/7. (888) 910-0416. They will talk with parents or children, and can connect you to Kitsap Crisis Response team if needed to send someone for an assessment if appropriate. During COVID, their advice may be to take your child to the ER for COVID screening and safety assessment.
  • If texting seems better, text “help” to the Coffee Oasis text line for youth (360.377.5560)

 

Be present with love: General tips as you support your child

  • Stay calm, breathe together, use grounding touch if its ok with your child
  • Ask “what do you need?” and practice active listening
  • Give your child your undivided attention, eye contact, ice/cold water change in temp helps to change state of nervous system
  • Don’t be afraid to ask direct questions like “are you thinking about killing yourself?” This let’s your child know you care and that you can handle the intensity of what they might be experiencing – that you are able to hold their story.
  • Avoid debating your child or conveying your disagreement; just acknowledge their experience, validate their struggle, let them know you love them and will do all you can to support them and get them the help they need
  • Remind your child of their strengths

 

Make a plan: Follow up after crisis

  • Safety planning – put away weapons, dangerous medications and substances, sharps
  • Work with your child to list what is helpful and unhelpful when in crisis
  • Build/reinforce a safety net – Contact your child’s primary care doc – make a plan for support such as regular check ups with doctor, plan for therapy, potential for medication if appropriate

 

Helpful Resources: