Stories of Hope and Change... "Natasha" Young teen daughter’s behavior changing dramatically, having difficulty making friends, feeling she must repeat certain behaviors over and over, and talking of hurting herself. Daughter in two different psychiatric hospitals for extended periods of time. What is happening? Three years later: daughter in special school, feeling good, looking great, happy, very smart, advocating for herself, using coping skills she has learned, and taking medication to help manage mental illness. Having attended hospital and PFSA support groups, mom and dad better understand what to expect, know how to obtain services and do not feel so alone. The family is working with Home and Community Based Waiver Services to learn new skills. An intensive case coordinator reviews individualized needs with the family, the service team, the school, and professional service providers, and implements emergency assistance. A skill builder helps this teen build her social skills and participate in new activities such as dance and guitar lessons. The PFSA family partner meets regularly with the family to help sort out expectations and to brainstorm new perspectives and approaches for family members’ communications. Each family member is responding positively to in-home help. "Timmy" Eight-year-old Timmy cannot control his outbursts. His single Mom is very afraid he will be taken from her. She has learned to calmly carry out many strategies to help Timmy, his sister and herself weather his explosive behavior. However, she also realizes that she needs help and cannot "fix" her son. Family advocates listen closely to Mom's frustration and fright, help her understand and formulate crisis plan, and prepare with and accompany her to school special education meetings. By sharing their own experience dealing the need for psychiatric hospitalization and placement, advocates have helped Mom think more positively about services that are "out there" and gain Mom's consent to work with providers. With consent and trust, advocates alert clinicians of Timmy's needs.