United Advocates for Children and Families (UACF) is a family-run organization that advocates with the California State Legislature and Administration on behalf of children who have emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges. UACF advocates on issues of importance that will affect the lives of children with mental health needs and their families.

Meeting the mental health needs of children with emotional, behavioral and mental health needs is a persistent challenge. Many factors contribute to failing to access services for children: poverty, no insurance coverage, stigma, shame and blame issues, language and cultural background issues, as well as the difficulty of qualifying for and accessing public mental health services.

UACF believes that no child who needs mental health care should be denied access to services. This means that services are available, are acceptable to the child and their family, are evidence-based with good outcomes, and culturally appropriate to meet the needs of the child and their family, and are provided in a place and at a time so that the family is able to participate in the ongoing treatment.

UACF public advocacy efforts adhere to the following core values and principles:

• Mental health services require appropriate funding
• Mental health services need to be expanded so that parents do not have to turn to child welfare and juvenile justice systems for needed mental health care for their children.
• Mental health services advocacy requires collaboration between youth, their families and children’s policy-makers, both public and private.

To find out more about UACF's current policy positions and how to advocate for a better mental health system for children and their families, use the links below

Make a Difference
UACF Policy Positions and Legislation
Take Action on Stigma and Discrimination