BANNA: Children's Special Health Services Peer Project/Website

2026

Families who have children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) often feel stressed, alone, and unsure where to find help. It can be hard to figure out services like health care, education, and disability supports. Families say they want to talk to someone who understands what they are going through. This project, funded by Montana Children's Special Health Services (CSHS), helps us train staff who are also parents or caregivers of children with special health care needs. These staff provide peer support—emotional support, good information, and help finding resources. The goals of the project are to: Train new and current staff to be strong peer supporters Make sure someone is available to answer our family phone line Improve our website so families can find helpful resources more easily What makes this project special is that the support comes from people who have lived through similar experiences. Families helping families. With this support, families will feel less alone, find answers faster, and feel more confident. They will be more connected to the services their children need to grow and thrive.

family to family, CYSHCN, peer support

Performing Direct and/or Demonstration Services

Other

Family Members/Caregivers

Disadvantaged Circumstances

State

N/A