Family to Family Health & Education Information Center
Project Description:
Since 2005, with funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Maternal & Child Health Bureau (MCHB), the Partnership for People with Disabilities Center for Family Involvement, in collaboration with Medical Home Plus and Parent to Parent of Virginia has implemented Virginias Family to Family Health Information and Education Center (VA F2FHIC) - called the Family to Family Network of Virginia. Over 3,000 parents of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and providers have utilized this centralized resource center for emotional, informational and advocacy support, and training. While there has been progress toward the Congressional goals for F2FHIECs, continued funding is needed to provide adequate culturally and linguistically competent parent support and to support families in effective systems advocacy.
With funding from MCHB, the Partnership for People with Disabilities Center for Family Involvement (home to the Family to Family Network), and its collaborative partners will focus on:
 Individual Advocacy Goal: Culturally and linguistically diverse parents of CYSHCN use information and resources available to them to collaborate with professionals in making decisions about their childrens long term/health care needs and in accessing community supports.
 Peer Advocacy Goal: Culturally and linguistically diverse parents of CYSHCN receive one to one support through a network of experienced and trained family navigators.
 Systems Advocacy Goal: Culturally and linguistically diverse parents of CYSHCN work as parent leaders with professionals from many disciplines advocating to improve the long term care/health care system in Virginia.
Keyword(s):
Family Support
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training, Other Direct/Model Services
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Other
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
