Weekly Family Discussion Group A Novel Follow-up after Family to Family George Kaufmann President, NAMI Southern Santa Barbara County Tom Franklin Family to Family Teacher, NAMI Southern Santa Barbara County Marian McKenzie Family to Family Teacher, NAMI Southern Santa Barbara County

Family to Family Graduate “Wants” Chance to have dialogue Convert class learning into practical skills Keep knowledge “fresh” Stay connected with other class members Affiliate “Wants” Increase NAMI membership Keep Family to Family graduates actively engaged

Planning Determine specific topics of interest to family members Focus on skills and information which meet practical needs Combine reference material and group discussion Use already trained Family to Family teachers to facilitate

Reference Material Family to Family manual “Additional Resources” tab at end of each class section NAMI.org website NAMI California and NAMI National convention presentations Internet search by topic

Current Topics Recognize signs of relapse in ill relative Plan for the time when you’re no longer there Special topic: Synopsis of 2017 NAMI convention presentations/sessions Understand public and private mental health systems Be aware of impact of illness on well siblings Know about and encourage employment for ill relative

The Implementation Set meeting time Promotion plan: Affiliate newsletter, announcements at NAMI meetings, email Build it and they will come Find and use engaged Family to Family teachers to facilitate

The Results Currently in third annual cycle of 50 topics Four Family to Family teachers share facilitations with others in reserve Attendance ranges from 10-20, averaging 15 Attendees: mix of regulars, semi-regulars and occasionals Affiliate membership is up by more than 20% from 2015