February 8th Health Care Reform UPDATE
As has been the case for a couple of weeks now, things are still up in the air with health care reform in general.  Learn more about the current HCR status and options as well as Family Voices’ newest plan of action related to health care reform and the Family-to-Family Health Information Center funding. 
If you are an F2F, please visit – ASAP -- the F2F portal on this website for important information about how you might be able to get funding for your individual center.  (See 02/03 “toolkit” item.) Deadlines are coming up soon, so please do not delay. 

The President’s Budget:  Funding for Disability Programs
The President’s recently-released budget includes significant focus on and funding toward empowering people with disabilities. Read the Disability Budget Factsheet as distributed by the White House.

H1N1: A National Emergency
The H1N1 flu is striking communities across the US at a very fast pace. As the government works quickly to manage information and supports to fight this virus, it is critical that families be informed and take action to prevent contracting this flu. Family Voices is helping to spread the word about what families can do. We have posted relevant resources on our H1N1 information and resource page and will update this as new information is released.

KASA Youth Wins Court Battle to Live in College Dorm
Kids as Self Advocates member Micah Fialka-Feldman, a young adult with an intellectual disability, recently was granted the right to live in the dorms of Oakland University in Michigan alongside his college classmates.  Micah moved in on January 4th!  Listen to a 4-minute NPR piece on Micah’s success and watch a 3-minute Fox2News interview with Micah’s lawyer.  Congratulations, Micah!

FAMILY VOICES Platform on Health Care Reform
President Obama has made health care reform a priority and we believe it is critical to include the needs of families of children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities in shaping new policies and programs. The Family Voices' Platform on Health Care Reform identifies our position on affordable care, comprehensive benefits, and family-centered health systems that must be included in health care reform to meet the needs of families.

Growing Your Capacity to Engage Diverse Communities by working with Community Liaisons and Cultural Brokers
Learn more about building relationships with community liaisons and cultural brokers to reach families of CYSHCN, particularly members of underserved groups, in this new 19-page publication. Visit our online catalog to order your hardcopy or download it here.

Family-Centered Care Tools
These newly-published Family-Centered Care Self-Assessment Tools are designed as an opportunity for health care practices and families to assess current areas of strength and identify areas for growth, plan future efforts, and track progress toward family-centered care. These tools include a Family Tool, a Provider Tool, and a Users Guide. Please feel free to download and use these or order them as a set from our online catalog.

KASA Pocket Guide
Kids As Self Advocates (KASA) has published a new pocket guide, How to be Involved in a Board or Council: Roles & Responsibilities. This booklet is written by youth for youth and contains tips and advice on being an effective member of a board or council. Visit our online catalog to order. For more information about KASA, please visit the KASA website.