Who We Are

The Family Advisory Council for Empowerment Statewide (F.A.C.E.S.) comprises regional councils in Portland, Lewiston, Skowhegan, Bangor and Rockland. Members are graduates of the G.E.A.R. Parent Network’s Empowerment Institute, which teaches leadership skills and quality assurance advocacy to support the planning and development of children’s behavioral health services in Maine systems of care.

_____________________________________________________________________________

                                                    Our Mission

F.A.C.E.S. seeks to enhance Maine’s family driven system of care by promoting partnerships between families and child-serving systems, including child welfare, children’s behavioral health, early childhood, healthcare, education, juvenile justice and others. F.A.C.E.S.’ collective family voice aims to promote change and to inform policy at home, in communities and community-based organizations, with providers and agencies, and within local, state and federal government.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Caregiver Eligibility Experience raising a child with behavioral health challenges Graduate of G.E.A.R.’s Empowerment Institute Attend four consecutive F.A.C.E.S. meetings to become a voting member “When you use your voice, you have a choice.”

_____________________________________________________________________________

What We Value

That our children and youth…

…become self-aware self-advocates who achieve independence in a society that accepts and values their differences and unique contributions.

…be accepted by their families, service providers and communities for who they are and what they have to offer.

…live, learn and grow in caring environments that support behavioral needs, yet strengthen and encourage their individual capacities as they transition to young adulthood.

…have access to family-driven, youth guided, trauma-informed, and culturally and linguistically competent services that dignify their experiences and value their voice and unique contributions.

…receive guidance and behavioral supports in each year of education, and from community-based organizations as they join the workforce and begin to live independently.

“I remember when I was told I had a disability
that would never change,
but because of my parents’ voices,
our world won’t ever be the same.
Now my voice is stronger,
spreading reason all around,
and I’ll never be alone again,
for other voices I have found.”
— F.A.C.E.S. parent