Differences Between Formal and Informal Supports for …

1 L~'\ Formal *rnformar*Invested in the outcomes and interests ofthe body or entity they formally to the interests and outcomes thatcomprise the family's hopes and on providing pre-definedinterventions and in daily life in natural ways andparticipating side by side with the youthand to be accessible during times thatfamilies are not together (day-time officehours, limited periods, etc.).Can easily accompany the youth andfamily across a day or a week, when theyare naturally success based on the systems'expectations and demands for thefamily's of success based in family'sor individual's system of beliefs andvalues, rather than the system's providing Formal Supports aretrained to be emotionally distant from thefeelings of the people they Supports are closer to the youthand family, as they have been selectedby the family's choices and lifestyle.

2 \Approaches to the youth and family arefrequently based in the authority of theposition and shared history give rise torelationship that empowers access andsupport to the are for a life as "good" astheir own, and the enthusiasm they bringfrom their natural relationship to thefamily moves this experiences with difficult youth andfamilies shape and diminish theexpectations that Formal support peoplehold for individual children and Supports have knowledge aboutresources and practices of the individualfamily and the community they live infrom a community based Supports have access to theresources that the system they representholds in its services and and commitments may bebased on conditions imposed by peoplewho are very distant

3 From the family(supervisors, managers, is more often unconditionaland controlled directly by the key actorand is less influenced by people outsidethe family.~.'---\.~BQI~g!_Na!~~~. ~UPDort~m~h~iQ~J~~!!tlCar~ of C_hildre_n and AdolescentsDo natural Supports constitute an alternative to behavioral health services?How are natural resources identified?How else can I tell if I am effectively using natural resources?~--Listing of Informal , CommunitY &Neighborhood Based Groyps')Artistic Organizations:choral, theatrica1, writingMutual SUpport Groups:Alcoholics Anonymous, Epilepsy Self-Help, La Leche LeagueBusiness Organizations:Chamber of Commerce, tradeassociationNeighborhood or Book Clubs:crime watch, beautification, ChristmasdecorationsCharitable Groups:Red Cross.

4 United Way. CancerSocietyOutdoor Groups:garden club, Audubon Societyconservation clubChurch Groups of Houses of Worship:service, prayer, maintenance,stewardship, acolytesPolitical Organizations:political parties, caucuses, league ofWomen VotersCivic Events:Fourth of July celebration, art fair,HalloweenSchool Groups:PTA, pro, printing club, MADDC ommunity Support Groups:friends of the library, block clubService Clubs:Zonta, Kiwanis, RotaryGroups for the Elderly:Meals on Wheels, supportSocial Cause Groups:peace, rights, advocacy. serviceEthnic Associations:Sons of Norway.

5 Black Heritage ClubSports Leagues:PAL (police athletic league), localsportsHealth & Fitness Groups:aerobics, dancing, sportsVeteran's Groups:VFW, American Legion, AmvetsInterest Clubs:poodle owners, antique car ownersWomen's Groups:cultural, political, social, educational,vocationalLocal Governments:town, township, electoral unit, firedepartment, emergency unitYouth Groups:4H. Scouts, YWCA/YMCA, FutureFarmers of AmericaLocal Media:radio, newspaper, local access, cable1 VMen's Groups:cultural, political, social, educational,vocationalAdapted, with permission, from: EQUIPO Familiar del Barrio Training Manual; Working as Partners:Supporting and Strengthening Families in Our Community, Abriendo Puertas Family Center, Miami, FL, inconjunction with Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL; funded by the AnnieE.

6 Casey Foundation.