The Family Education and Resource Center ("FERC") is a new family/caregiver-centered program that provides information, education, advocacy and support services to family/caregiver of children, adolescents, transitional age youth, adults and older adults with serious emotional disturbance or mental illness living in all regions of Alameda County. These services are provided in a culturally competent manner, reaching out to people of various ethnicities and language groups.

The FERC is a component of Alameda County's Community Services and Support plan, funded with Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) dollars and operated by the Mental Health Association of Alameda county (MHAAC) under contract with Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services. In addition to providing outreach, education and support to family/caregivers of people with mental illness, the FERC facilitates input and feedback to Alameda County Behavioral Healthcare Services decision makers at all levels about the important roles family/caregivers play in supporting their loved ones and about the experiences and needs of family/caregivers. The FERC works closely with County and contract agencies to promote a family/caregiver perspective and toward the goal of creating a more family/caregiver and consumer driven system of care.

FERC programmatic components include: (1) a warm line; (2) education, training and support for family/caregivers; (3) a resource center; (4) assistance with AB-1424 (communication with providers); (5) support for the development of family leadership; and (6) the collaboration with other MHSA-funded programs.

FERC's main office is located in East Oakland, satellite offices are located in Hayward, Oakland/Fruitvale and in Fremont and will also locate to Livermore and North Oakland.

For further information, please visit the FERC webiste at www.askferc.org.