Mission, Vission, Guiding Principiles and Goals
Introduction:
The purpose of this document is to establish a mission, vision, goals and objectives for the Better Todays. Better Tomorrows. children’s mental health education program. It also outlines program standards to be followed when offering the program at remote sites and discusses the responsibilities of those trained once they go back to their communities. This document is divided into three general categories:
- Overall vision, mission and goals;
- Program standards for those trained to offer Better Todays. trainings at their locations; and
- Roles and Responsibilities of Trainees.
Better Todays. is designed to present information on signs and symptoms of mental disorders, trauma, suicide prevention and stigma to adult caregivers or gatekeepers for school-age children. This site provides standards and expectations for those receiving Better Todays. training, either as a participant or to obtain qualifications to become a Better Todays. trainer. Trainings for Better Todays. are offered in person and via videoconference hookup originating at facilities on an Idaho State University campus. To enroll in or request a training, contact: todays@isu.edu.
The Vision of Better Todays. Better Tomorrows. is to:
- Decrease suicide and improve mental health outcomes among children and youth by increasing timely and appropriate treatment.
- Improve the mental health of children and youth.
The Mission for Better Todays. Better Tomorrows. is:
- Better Todays. offers training to help adults identify signs and symptoms of mental disorders in children and youth in order to obtain timely and appropriate services for children and youth in their care.
The Guiding Principles for Better Todays. Better Tomorrows. are:
- Communities are responsible for the well-being and safety of their children and youth.
- Invisible disabilities, such as mental disorders or the impact of trauma, pose unique challenges to children/youth and their families.
- Children with mental disorders have the right to have the same quality of life as children without mental disorders.
- Children who have experienced trauma have the right to have the same quality of life as children who have not.
- Failure to provide appropriate and timely mental health treatment to children/youth results in needless deaths by suicide.
- With mental health treatment, children/youth can lead full lives and become productive adults.
- Children and their families have the right to child-centered, family oriented, culturally competent mental health care for children and youth.
The Goals for Better Todays. Better Tomorrows. are:
Better Todays. is committed to
- Raise awareness among adults of the signs and symptoms of mental disorders in children and youth;
- Decrease negative stigma relating to children/youth with mental disorders and their families by providing the latest scientific information on the origins and treatment of these disorders.
- Increase the level of timely and appropriate treatment sought and obtained for children and youth by providing information to adults.
This document was developed, in part, with funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the State of Idaho, and Idaho State University. However, the contents herein do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the State of Idaho or Idaho State University. The contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of any funding agency.