For those in need of funding to attend SM Conference.
Identify appropriate agencies or private foundations to approach
*if unable to find funding and in need of financial assistance, please contact us, we have limited reduced fees available. 
Email: conference@selectivemutismcenter.org

Read below about HOW to approach agencies or private foundations for full scholarships including travel expenses. There are a variety of governmental and private agencies and foundations that may have funds available to support the expenses of families and individuals who wish to attend the Selective Mutism Conference. 

Most funders have specific and well-established areas of interest around which they offer grants.  The first step in securing funding is to find those whose interests are a good match with your needs.  If you dont already have relationships with local parenting and advocacy agencies, and you dont know which might fund children, youth, and family issues, go to your public library.  Most libraries have directories which list foundations by region and funding interests.  The reference librarian can offer assistance in your search.

Here are some suggested agencies*:

Your states Developmental Disability Council

Your states Commission on Children and Youth

University Affiliated Program in your state (Center for Learning and Leadership)

Your states National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) chapter

Your states National Mental Health Association (NMHA) chapter

State and/or local Parent to Parent agencies or Parenting Advocacy Networks

*These are suggestions of types of agencies that may have funds for conference support;  SMart Center cannot guarantee that funding proposals will be accepted

After you identify potential funders, call the foundation or agencys office and ask whether they might have funds available to help families and individuals attend conferences for parents of children with special needs.

Be realistic about timing

If your aim is to have funds in time for an SM Conference, you should begin the proposal process now.  If your proposal is accepted, it can take from two to six months from the time you submit a request to the time an agency releases the funds youve requested. You should ask the agency or foundation how long it will take and whether there is a deadline for applications.

 Writing your request

Shape your request according to the guidelines you receive from the agency. Some are very specific about the kinds of information they want and how they want it organized; others provide little information and let the applicant determine what is relevant.

The proposal is an opportunity to marshall an argument that supports your attendance at the conference. 

What to include in your proposalBelow is a typical outline of a funding proposal:

Cover letterinclude the amount of your request.  If you have anyone with connections to this funder, mention those names if appropriate. i.e., Betty Jones, a counselor at my childs elementary school, encouraged me to seek funding for&

Cover sheetInclude your name, address, phone number, etc.

SummarySummarize the amount requested and the purpose, objectives, rationale, and expected outcomes from your conference attendance.

Mission/Goals/ObjectivesTie these to the foundations areas of interest. (i.e., to learn about how to participate in my childs educational plan to accommodate her special needs or to learn how to form a support group in my area for parents of children with anxiety disorders)

Background InformationInclude background information as needed, depending on the foundations familiarity with family support and your organization.  If you want to submit a more streamlined proposal or if there is a page limit, some of this material could be attached as an Appendix. 

Appendices(as needed)

  Other documents as requested by the foundation (i.e., Print the registration page, Conference overview, etc from the website)

PROPOSAL

Requesting Support to Attend The Selective Mutim Conference

Submitted to:

Program Officer

Agency Name

Agency Address

Date

Requested by:

Your Name

Your Organization

Address

Phone

E-Mail Address

 Summary

My name is (your name here) and I am the (parent, grandparent, teacher, etc) of a child who suffers from the anxiety disorder, Selective Mutism.  I am requesting (amount you will need) to attend the Selective Mutism Conference (list city and date)  The Selective Mutism Anxiety Research and Treatment Center is well-known across the globe as a premier center for children suffering from Selective Mutism.  Children with Selective Mutism suffer from a form of social anxiety which severely affects their ability to communicate in select environments (often school and other social settings) despite their ability to communicate normally when in comfortable environments such as the home.  Information and support for these children and families is not easily found, and misunderstanding and inappropriate management of these children is common. With the correct treatment, support and understanding, children and adolescents can overcome their communication anxiety and live normal, productive lives. The Selective Mutism Conference is the only event of its kind to provide an opportunity for families and professionals to learn more about this disorder and to come together for support and understanding.

 As a (parent, grandparent, teacher etc) of a child with Selective Mutism, I feel that (I, my family) would benefit greatly from attending this unique conference.  The theme of the conference is Ridding the Silence One Step at a Time. The content of the presentations and seminars will give a clear direction to those seeking help for selectively mute children, and will include information about educational advocacy for the special needs of these children, as well as activities for the children themselves to learn and interact in a supportive atmosphere.

 Description of the Conference

Based on previous conferences and interest, SMart Center expects to attract at least 125-175  participants.  This conference brings parents, educators and treating professionals as well as other individuals affected by Selective Mutism from all over the US and other countries together with the professionals who serve them.  Such a forum is useful as the experience and knowledge of parents and other individuals receive equal consideration to that of professionals.  The conference is designed to provide education and information about SM  to assist attendees in designing family and school based treatment interventions for selectively mute children.  Additionally, the conference provides an opportunity for those affected by SM to receive emotional support from others in similar circumstances.

 Mission/Purpose

The Selective Mutism Conference is designed to bring together parents, teachers, treating professionals, and others affected by SM to explore ways to increase the well-being of children and other individuals who have Selective Mutism and their families.

In addition, it will provide a location in which families, professionals, and others the opportunity for education, networking and  information sharing.

Goals and Objectives of the Conference

Goal #1 To create an environment for people to form relationships and share similar

 experiences in caring for a child with Selective Mutism

Objective:  Workshops designed to provide interaction between volunteer support parents who have adapted in a positive manner and found techniques to help their children overcome Selective Mutism, with parents of newly diagnosed children, parents who are experiencing difficulty in adjusting to their childs Selective Mutism, or with parents who are simply looking for good ideas and strategies to incorporate into their lives to build self-esteem and greater self-sufficiency in their children and coping strategies for the child and family.

Goal #2 To empower parents, teachers and treating professionals to create the appropriate environment for children to overcome Selective Mutism

Objective:  Seminars, workshops and books and materials available at the retreat will provide current best treatment practice information for children and adolescents with Selective Mutism. Parents will learn how they can best participate in their childs recovery and how to form a team with teachers and therapist.

 Goal #3 To promote networking and sharing of resources at local, state, regional, and national levels

Objective:  Exhibitors and workshops will promote educational and mental health advocacy organizations that can serve as valuable resources for families of children with Selective Mutism.

Goal #4  To initiate an ongoing support network for families that will persist beyond the conference weekend

Objective:  Support groups will be held at the conference for families from the same geographic area, as well as groups based on childs age, gender, and other similar characteristics such as bilingual families.  Workshops will also teach parents how to start and maintain support groups in their home states.

Attendance at the Selective Mutism Conference

    (Include number of people, cost per person, and total cost for each line where applicable)

      Conference Registration  
      Roundtrip Transportation   
      Local Transportation   
      Hotel   
      Meals   
      Child/Respite Care   
      Miscellaneous  

      Total Request