Established in 2002

The Children’s Mental Health Collaborative was formed in 2002 to improve mental health services for children and youth in Dane County.  Formation of the collaborative was motivated by increasing awareness nationally and locally of a serious concern for children’s mental health services. 

The Collaborative is a diverse group of stakeholders (school district administrators, mental health manager, school staff, funders, providers, etc.) who have come together to more effectively address the mental health needs of our children.
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​In addition to the large group collaborative meetings, there are three subcommittees that have been formed to focus on specific areas of change: Advocacy, Best Practices, and Continuum of Care. 

Vision

The Children’s Mental Health Collaborative (CMHC) exists to advance the social-emotional wellness and mental health of all children and families in Dane County using an asset-based lens by building networks among schools, health systems, and community agencies.  Through its work, CMHC will support equitable mental health access and outcomes by strengthening systems that respect and empower communities.  ​

Function

​The Children’s Mental Health Collaborative will:

• Actively engage in community conversations to increase access and eliminate barriers to equitable health and wellness outcomes. 
  
• Advocate and work for sustainable change on multiple system levels by leveraging our collective voices, time, talent, and resources.  
  
• Center the voice of children and families regarding their strengths, needs, and gaps in services with dignity, responsiveness, and care.
  

Equity Statement

The Children’s Mental Health Collaborative (CMHC) is committed to prioritizing equity in our work and beyond, through the use of an intersectional, anti-racist lens that supports and validates all races, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, national origins, immigration statuses, faiths, and political viewpoints.  ​

Our Theory of Change