Mission
THE PRIMARY ACTIVITY OF THE ORGANIZATION IS AN ANNUAL THREE-DAY CONFERENCE HELD AT THE ASILOMAR CONFERENCE GROUNDS IN PACIFIC GROVE, CALIFORNIA. THE FIRST "GATHERING" WAS IN 1980 BEFORE THE ORGANIZATION WAS OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED. IT HAS BEEN HELD IN THE SPRING OF EACH YEAR SINCE THAT FIRST MEETING. THE CONFERENCE IS ATTENDED BY PARENTS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES, YOUTH, PROVIDERS, SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES, COUNTY AGENCY LEADERS, STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS, AND LEGISLATIVE STAFF. OVER THE YEARS THE CONFERENCE HAS PROVIDED A FORUM FOR POLICY DEVELOPMENT, SPAWNED COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS AMONG COUNTIES AND PROVIDERS, INCUBATED STATE-WIDE PARENT AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, HOSTED NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SPEAKERS, AND SHOWCASED CUTTING-EDGE CLINICAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND THEIR FAMILIES.