United Advocates for Children and Families (UACF) was formed in 1992 as a nonprofit advocacy organization to improve the quality of life for all children and youth with mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges and to eliminate institutional discrimination and social stigma. The UACF mission is to promote the emotional, behavioral and social well-being of children, youth and families through transformational leadership. Nationally, UACF provides training in 43 states, with a focus on strengthening community based service delivery to families in local communities.

Beneficiaries of UACF training include families; caregivers; family partners; county mental health agencies; and 43 statewide family organizations funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). UACF currently operates direct service programs in two California counties: Placer and Alameda. The purpose of these programs is to facilitate access to intensive services and supports by parent partners, county staff, and their families.

UACF has been instrumental in establishing the role of certified family partners who assist family members to navigate the mental health system. UACF’s training curriculum entitled “Workforce Connection: Equipping Family Members in the Mental Health Workforce” emphasizes the committed leadership of UACF to workforce development in California. UACF brings its experience in developing productive relationships with county administrators to assure support for family member employees, and the perspective and voice of family members with children in the mental health system, into all the TA Center activities.