Parent Empowerment Program (PEP)
The Parent Empowerment Program equips family peer advocates with the knowledge and skills to navigate the mental health system — and help other families do the same.
INQUIRE ABOUT PROGRAM DETAILSWHO IT’S FOR
Built for Parents and Caregivers Who Support Other Families on the Same Journey
PEP is designed for family peer advocates — parents or caregivers of children with mental health challenges who support other families facing similar struggles. PEP is typically organized by healthcare or school systems whose staff want to strengthen caregivers’ ability to advocate effectively for their children.
The Parent Empowerment Program (PEP) trains family peer advocates to help other families get the care their child needs. Participants learn about the latest advances in diagnosis, treatment, and services for children with mental health conditions and how to navigate the systems that shape access to that care, from mental health services to schools.
PEP has two components:
- A five-day interactive seminar that builds the knowledge, skills, and confidence to support other families effectively.
- 12 follow-up group calls — held twice a week for six months — to deepen learning and sustain practice.
All participants receive a comprehensive family empowerment manual and materials.
Specialized tracks in child welfare and juvenile justice are available for programs supporting parents and staff working with children in these systems.
PEP covers:
Problem-identification and priority-setting skills
Engagement, listening, and boundary-setting skills
Group management skills
Mental health evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment
Navigating the mental healthcare system
School systems and special education options
Schedule a Training
REACH offers customized PEP training for groups of 15 or more. Visit our Group Training page to learn more, or join the waitlist to be notified about upcoming dates.
Join the Notification ListHear from READS participants
Hear from the educators who have completed READS and brought transformative mental health training into their residency programs.
“Bringing together a group of motivated academic pediatricians to discuss the importance of teaching behavioral health to residents is such a gift from REACH. We need to tackle this issue as a team and share resources and strategies.”
— Catherine Kent, MD
Pediatrician, Portland, OR
Having the ongoing training and being able to talk to your peers AND have some support from instructors really did help with confidence building. You always question yourself and whether you’re doing the right thing… but when you see improvement, especially working with families and children, it reaffirms that you’re on the right track.
Kristin Mason, LCMHC, MSW, ESMHL
Vermont
READS Questions Answered
Everything residency faculty and program directors need to know
about READS — how it works, who it’s for, and how to get started.
The REACH School Mental Health Program (SMHP) is a science-backed training designed to equip school staff — teachers, counselors, psychologists, and administrators — with the tools to identify at-risk students early, manage behavioral challenges effectively, and connect students to evidence-based support. It is delivered to groups of 15 or more and can be organized by school systems and districts
SMHP is built for any school staff member who works with children — including classroom teachers, school psychologists, counselors, and building administrators. The program is layered: some content applies to all school staff, while deeper clinical content is tailored for psychologists and counselors working directly with students.
SMHP covers three core areas: classroom management strategies that reduce behavioral problems and improve learning environments; proven tools for identifying children at risk for behavioral and emotional problems; and evidence-based therapy programs for school psychologists and counselors supporting students with anxiety, depression, disruptive behaviors, and trauma.
The Action Signs Toolkit is a unique REACH resource that helps teachers and school staff recognize warning signs in students who may be at risk for mental health challenges. It is practical, easy to use, and designed specifically for non-clinical school staff. The toolkit is available as a free download, with a license to use it in your school.
SMHP is delivered as a customized group training for schools and districts with 10 or more participants. REACH works with your institution to schedule and deliver the program in a format that fits your staff and calendar. Contact our Group Training team to discuss delivery options — including on-site and virtual formats.
SMHP is grounded in the same rigorous, evidence-based science that underlies REACH’s clinical training for healthcare clinicians — adapted specifically for the school environment. It equips both non-clinical staff and licensed mental health professionals in the same building, creating a shared language and a more coordinated, effective response to student mental health needs.
SMHP participants receive mental health screening tools designed for school settings, the Action Signs Toolkit, and supporting materials for both classroom application and clinical use. School psychologists and counselors also receive evidence-based therapy frameworks for use with students directly.
Visit REACH’s Group Training page to learn more about scheduling an SMHP for your school or district. SMHP is available for groups of 15 or more. Our team will work with you to identify the right training configuration, timeline, and delivery format for your institution.
Yes. Join the SMHP waitlist to be notified when new training opportunities become available. You can sign up directly on this page. If you’re looking to organize a group training for your school or district, contact our Group Training team directly to get started.
Still Have Questions?
Our team is ready to help you find the right training solution for your organization and those you serve.
CONTACT USAdditional Resources
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