The Family Support Organization (FSO) of Middlesex County is a family-run and county-based nonprofit organization. The FSO opened its doors in 2003 to provide information, advocacy, guidance and peer support with a family perspective. FSO is a partner of the New Jersey Division of Child Behavioral Health Services (DCBHS). The employees and the board members consist of past and present caregivers of children with emotional and behavioral challenges.
The mission of the Family Support Organization of Middlesex County is to offer support to families of children with emotional and behavioral challenges. An important goal is ensuring that quality child-centered services are created, delivered and maintained among families. Through culturally respectful training, speakers and advocacy programs, FSO strives to meet this goal.
The vision of the FSO is to grant families of children with emotional and behavioral challenges a user-friendly and needs-based system of unconditional care services. The organization runs support groups and information sessions that bring families and caregivers together for ongoing companionship, training, problem solving and networking.
Located at 1 Ethel Road, Suite 108A, in Edison, FSO is currently responsible for serving families of children with emotional and behavioral challenges in Middlesex County. FSO administers support over the phone to any and all families. The nonprofit also gives referrals and guidance to families that need help navigating the mental health system as well as the availability of services within the Department of Children and Families.
As a Family Support Partner in accordance with the State of New Jersey, FSO has a unique understanding of the mental health system. As caregivers to children with emotional and behavioral challenges, the staff and board members are able to provide support and mutual understanding to the families they serve.
Family Support Organization Programs
Because I Love You (BILY)
A six-week parent enhancement course, BILY is a nationally acclaimed self-help program used in hundreds of communities that is designed to help parents and caregivers whose children have behavioral challenges. Some of the primary issues the program addresses are the destructive teenage behaviors of drug abuse, stealing, violence, dangerous activity and failure at school. BILY intends to support parents of kids with behavioral, emotional or mental health complexities. It promotes structure, consequences and consistency in raising children. Meetings are held at easy access locations to ensure that transportation is not a barrier preventing the success of family togetherness.
Parent and Caregiver Emotional Support Group (PACES)
PACES has regular sessions at the Edison office every Monday evening. The goal of these meetings is to bring families together for positive ongoing companionship, education, training and networking, while developing critical problem-solving skills.
Youth Partnership
This fun program is for teens and young adults ages 13-21 with emotional and behavioral challenges. Participants volunteer in the community to express a youth-oriented voice throughout the state and diminish stigmas in the community. Participants also enjoy outings, such as bowling and going to the movies, that encourage peer-to-peer support.
The Family Support Organization of Middlesex County welcomes you and your family to learn more about its programs and services. For further information, call (732)287-8701 or visit www.njfamily.org.
