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Family Voices is a national nonprofit led by families and friends of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and disabilities. We connect a network of family-led organizations across the United States that provide support to families of CYSHCN.
We promote partnership with youth and families at all levels of health care, from individual care to policy and decision-making, to improve policies and systems of care for children.
Do you have a child or teen who has special health care needs or disabilities? Find support in your local community.
¿Tiene un niño o adolescente que tiene necesidades especiales de salud o discapacidades? Haga clic aquí para buscar ayuda.
Find help in your community
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Family Voices Affiliate Organizations (FVAOs)
What are Family Voices Affiliate Organizations?
A Family Voices Affiliate Organization (FVAO) is a statewide/territory-wide/tribal, parent/family-led non-profit organization, with a Board composed of a majority of family members of CYSHCN, that meets the requirements of an FVAO and works to advance the mission, vision, and principles of Family Voices. FVAOs are a critical part of our collective effort to keep families at the center of children’s health care.
There is an FVAO in most states, and only one FVAO is approved per state. In many cases, the FVAO is the same organization that serves as the Family-to-Family Health Information Center (F2F) in that state, though not in all cases.
FVAOs stay connected through a listserv, national meetings, monthly national calls, and quarterly regional calls. The affiliate network works with the Family Voices policy team to inform our policy work and take collective action.
If your organization is interested in becoming a Family Voices affiliate, please contact Ian Whitney for more information and an application.
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Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2Fs)
What are F2Fs?
Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2Fs) are family-led organizations that support families of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). Family Voices provides technical assistance to the F2Fs through the Family Engagement and Leadership in Systems of Care grant, funded through 2028 through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal Child Health Bureau.
The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) funds F2Fs in every state, the District of Columbia, five US territories, and three F2Fs serving American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Each F2F is staffed by highly skilled, knowledgeable families with first-hand experience of the challenges faced by CYSHCN and their families. These uniquely qualified staff provide critical support to families caring for CYSHCN, particularly families of children with complex needs and those from communities that experience worse outcomes.
F2Fs also help healthcare providers, state and federal agencies, and legislators understand and respond to the needs of CYSHCN and their families.
Find a Family-to-Family Health Information Center (F2F) or Family Voices Affiliate Organization (FVAO)
F2Fs and FVAOs in U.S. Territories:
F2Fs and FVAOs serving Tribal Communities:
Family Voices News
Washington Update October 6, 2023
Congress avoided a government shutdown last Saturday by passing a temporary 45-day continuing resolution until November 17, 2023. Congress Launches MCO Investigation: House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Senate Finance...
Washington Update September 27, 2023
All eyes, ears, and efforts in both chambers of Congress will be focused on the federal budget. It expires on 9/30/23- and agreement to pass appropriation bills and/or a temporary continuing resolution appear nowhere in sight. Read the full newsletter here
Community Code of Kindness
Family Voices is excited to share a new position statement that was created in collaboration with several other organizations. The organizations included in this statement helped to create and adopt the attached collaborative interactions for our national...
Washington Update September 21, 2023
The September 30th deadline for passing a budget is looming, and no agreement is in sight. This memo gives an overview of what HHS programs would be affected by a government shutdown. Those with mandatory funding, such as the F2Fs, would not be affected. Read the full...
New Data Profile on Health Care Transition for Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities is in its third year of work to empower youth to lead their own transition to adult health care. One of the key products from the second year of the project was an updated data profile,...