Edmond Parent Café | Mental Health Support for Families

Origins of the Edmond Parent Café Program

The City of Edmond launches its first Parent Café this Wednesday at the Edmond First United Methodist Church. This initiative serves as a direct response to a 2021 city-wide mental health assessment. The findings showed that caregivers of children dealing with severe emotional disturbances lack adequate support systems. City officials spent the last two years securing the necessary funding to address this gap.

The project operates under the System of Care grant, which the city obtained through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration back in 2024. This federal funding provides the backbone for the program's operations and curriculum development. It also allows for strategic partnerships with local entities to provide comprehensive support for families across the region.

Community Partnerships and Service Model

Several local organizations collaborate on this project. Edmond Public Schools receives grant money to fund three licensed behavioral health professionals tasked with providing counseling directly within school buildings. These experts offer immediate access to students who require guidance and support during the school day.

Edmond Family Counseling maintains a separate focus, facilitating group sessions in schools while offering outpatient services tied to the local juvenile justice program. Meanwhile, NorthCare representatives perform outreach directly in the community. They meet families in their own homes and schools, providing crisis management and other necessary services that might otherwise go unmet. This combination of school and community-based support creates a wider net for children in need.

Goals and Future Outlook

The program creates a space where caregivers can trade experiences and find common ground. Jessica Sell, the Lead Family Coordinator for the City of Edmond, describes the café as a non-judgmental environment. The goal is to connect parents with peers who understand the daily difficulties of raising children with mental health challenges.

Reverend Dr. Tiffany Nagel Monroe, senior pastor at the host church, notes that rising loneliness and mental health struggles necessitated this project. The church provides the venue and serves dinner to attendees at 5 p.m. before the sessions begin at 6 p.m. This meal aims to build a relaxed environment, fostering authentic connections that the city hopes will transform lives. The program welcomes all Edmond residents regardless of faith, running on the second Wednesday of each month.