Already a member? Log in here.
Supporting parents of children with mental health challenges to be their child's best advocate
If you’re here, something about your child may have been weighing on you.
Maybe their behavior has changed. Maybe school has become harder. Maybe their emotions feel bigger than either of you expected.
Or maybe you simply have a feeling that something isn’t quite right and want to understand what to do next.
If you’re looking for support, it likely means you’ve already been working hard for your child.
Someone Who Understands
The PA Parent and Family Alliance supports parents across Pennsylvania who are raising children experiencing behavioral or emotional challenges.
We connect parents with trained Parent Peers — parents who have navigated their own child’s mental health or behavioral challenges and now support other families as they find their way forward.
No diagnosis is required to reach out.
All services are free for families.
How Parent Peers Support You
When you connect with the Parent Alliance, you’re not talking to someone reading from a script. You’re speaking with a parent who understands how complicated school and mental health systems can be.
Parent Peers help parents:
Understand mental health services and supports
Prepare for school meetings
Navigate complex systems
Identify practical strategies for daily challenges
Build confidence advocating for their child
Parent Peers don’t take over or speak for you. They work alongside you so you can make informed decisions for your child and your family.
Conversations are confidential and judgment-free.
You Don’t Have to Wait Until Things Feel Overwhelming
Many parents find us when things are already very difficult. But you don’t have to wait until a situation becomes a crisis.
Parents reach out when:
-
Their child’s behavior has started to change
-
Emotions feel harder to manage
-
School meetings feel confusing or stressful
-
They want guidance before agreeing to services
-
They simply want to talk through what’s happening
Early support can make a meaningful difference.
What We Do — and What We Don’t Do
We Do:
-
Provide peer support from trained Parent Peers
-
Help parents understand mental health and school systems
-
Share practical strategies and trusted resources
-
Support parents preparing for meetings
-
Stay connected during challenging moments
We Don’t:
-
Provide therapy or clinical services
-
Offer legal representation
-
Handle custody disputes
-
Manage abuse investigations
-
Take over a parent’s case
If your situation falls outside our role, we help connect you with appropriate resources when possible.
The Parent Alliance's Impact
67
Parents in all 67 Pennsylvania counties
200,000+
200,000+ parents and professionals trained
400,000+
400,000+ website visitors seeking information and support
1,394
1,394 parents served through direct support
