The NCED Family Navigation Network: Mapping the Maze

By Marcia O'Malley, Family Resource Coordinator

November 17, 2021

As most parents know, mapping out healthcare when you have a child with a special health care need is anything but simple.

Located with the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities, the Family Navigation Network offers family-led healthcare system navigation. Staffed by family members of children and youth with a variety of health conditions, we support other families in their own leadership and advocacy journey, and we promote family-centered care and family/professional partnerships.

Our staff has both personal experience and training to help make sense of these complex systems. We provide one-on-one information, education, training, outreach, and peer support.

We help families:

Find appropriate care and services
Apply for Medicaid, CHIP, or private insurance
Identify and access community support programs
Develop a family-centered approach to decision-making
Understand youth healthcare transition
Advocate to ensure effective and cost-efficient care
Connect with parent mentors

We are the designated Family-to-Family Health Information Center (F2FHIC) for the state of Nevada, and our work is statewide. Connecting families with the resources that help them better care for their loved one is the heart and soul of our work. We also work closely with other family groups and professionals to help improve services.