See what people are saying about the Family Involvement Center and the Arizona Institute for Family Involvement! 

Family Involvement Center has substantial experience in the support of family members/parents, youth and extended family.  Your efforts in training family members to be effective peer-to-peer support partners as well as responding to unique situational and cultural families is most commendable.  I wholeheartedly support your work.”  

                                                               Ed Pastor, US Congressman, Arizona 

“I was witness to the birth of the Family Involvement Center, based on a tremendous need to focus on the key role of family members at all levels of service reform in Arizona.  I have watched this new organization turn into a national leader in the family organization movement.  Our company currently holds contracts in over 30 states and provinces.  We work with literally dozens of family organizations.  I rate the Family Involvement Center in the top three such organizations in North America, based on its leadership, risk taking, ability to support family members during stressful times, ability to organize large numbers of family members to be part of the design and delivery of the behavioral health system, and its sheer competency.  I have always found them responsive and inspiring.  Most importantly, they do what they say they will do, a rare trait in any organization."

                                                               John VanDenBerg Ph.D., President of Vroon VanDenBerg LLP

“My knowledge about the Family Involvement Center’s work gives me confidence that you are highly capable… I know that you are active in transformation activities in Arizona, and I have welcomed the knowledge and practical experience that you/your staff have brought to the collaborative work of the National Wraparound initiative…” 

                                                               Janet S. Walker, Ph.D., Research and Training Center on                                                                Family Support and Children’s Mental Health, Portland                                                                 State Unviersity

“If there were any doubts about the value of a family-run organization, they are completely gone now.  I want to thank you so much for referring me to Jane Kallal and the Family Involvement Center.  My 2 1/2 days in Arizona were much more productive in learning about family work than other places I have visited.   Jane and Family Involvement Center are doing exactly what I have been yearning to find within systems of care.  I met so many beautiful people at the Family Involvement Center who have the kind of patience and caring commitment to family work that is combined with real knowledge and confidence.  They all gave me such a warm welcome.  I met Betty, Josie, Sherry, Bob, Laurie, Toni, Anna, Angelica, Robin, Dawn and Deidre, as well as Denise, who worked at the FIC before; and some of the parents they are working with.  They really have it going on!  Needless to say, I need some time to reflect on and absorb all of the information I brought home with me.  Thank you so much for referring me to the Arizona Institute for Family Involvement as an extremely valuable teaching resource about comprehensive support for family-driven service!”                                                                

                                                               Beth Berndt, Family Leadership Director McHenry Co. (IL) 
                                                               Family CARE, January 2008

"It is clear that Arizona has made important strides in terms of developing a true system of care on a statewide basis.  Despite no legislation or mandate to work together, a number of child-serving agencies are working collaboratively...  Family Involvement is one of the true strengths of the Arizona efforts.  Families are clearly the partners they need to be. 

                                                               Report of federally-sponsored site visit to Arizona                                                                (December 2005), Child and Adolescent Statewide                                                                Infrastructure Grant

"MIKID and the Family Involvement Center have a rich history of providing support and education to Arizona families that have families with behavioral health needs.  In addition, these family organizations have been important participants in system reform efforts toward achieving services that reflect family voice and choice.  There is much that can be gained by this kind of partnership.”

                                                               Sandra A. Spencer, Executive Director,                                                                                  The Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health