Support for youth ages 0–21 and their families facing serious mental health challenges, across Utah.
A Utah System of Care Partner
The System of Care (SOC) is a statewide program under the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) designed to support youth and families facing serious mental health challenges.
With the help of peer support specialists and the High Fidelity Wraparound process, youth and families receive individualized support that helps them remain in their homes, schools, and communities.
Refer a Family for Support
The Approach
The System of Care is a family-driven, youth-guided approach to mental health support. Instead of families navigating systems alone, SOC brings together professionals, peer support specialists, and trusted natural supports to create a coordinated plan that reflects what matters most to the family.
System of Care helps youth and families coordinate mental health services across providers and systems.
Families work with a team to create an individualized plan based on their needs, strengths, and goals.
Families receive support from trained peer specialists and professionals who help guide decisions and access to services.
Supports are designed to help youth remain in their homes, schools, and communities whenever possible.
2026 Strong Families Conference
This annual family-focused conference brings together practical tools for emotional wellness, stronger communication, navigating complex systems, and parenting through stressful moments. Both the youth and caregiver track sessions center on family connection, advocacy, coping skills, and support so families can build resilience at home and feel more confident working with professionals.
Join Mrs. Feelings on a simple day filled with complex feelings and see what happens when we hold them all inside. Learn new ways to empty the “feelings balloon” before it pops.
This session helps caregivers strengthen connection, trust, and understanding through practical relationship-building strategies. Caregivers will learn communication tools for high-stress situations, reducing conflict, and creating calmer, more supportive family dynamics at home.
Learn from a peer how to navigate healthcare, education, and additional services, advocate for your child, communicate more confidently with professionals, and recognize that you know your child best.
Learn specific, doable tips for bringing your best self to joyful and difficult parenting moments, managing your own emotions, giving yourself grace, and leaning on support systems when needed.
The 2026 conference included a panel of parents and caregivers who have experienced mental health issues within the family and working with the Intensive Care Coordination team to improve their family and community connections. All panelists offered insights into what it looks like to engage in long term support, and answered questions about how they came to a point where they were able and willing to reach out for intensive supports. This session was not recorded, but join us in future years to hear more stories like theirs!
Tools to recognize and reduce stress and anxiety, manage emotions and moods, and build healthy coping and emotional regulation skills.
Learn new ways to express complex feelings instead of holding them inside until the “feelings balloon” pops.
Build a support-squad map, practice confidence-building scripts, and learn how IEPs, counselors, trusted adults, and school systems can support youth.
A practical introduction to talking about emotions through journaling, including when and where to use a journal.
A space for youth to connect, reflect, share what helps when life gets difficult, discuss what adults misunderstand, and talk about what gives them hope.
The Utah Parent Center partners with families statewide to support participation in System of Care by providing:
Our mission is to help parents help their children live included, productive lives as members of their communities.
Get In TouchOur parent consultants can help you connect with the right Utah Parent Center program and services — always free of charge.
