
Quick Links
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 March 9, 2022
It wouldn’t be a week in Washington if a deadline with a fiscal cliff wasn’t looming! As both chambers of Congress kick off the March legislative work session this week there is likely to be a lot of roaring as they deal with a March 11 government funding deadline, a...
White House Unveils COVID Plan Focused On People With Disabilities (Disability Scoop 2.28.2022)
2.28.2022 - Following criticism from disability advocates, the Biden administration is taking new steps to better address the needs of people with disabilities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.
CDC Adds IDD To List Of Conditions At Increased Risk From COVID-19 (Disability Scoop 3.7.2022)
3.7.2022 - Nearly two years into the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is for the first time acknowledging that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have an elevated risk of severe disease from COVID-19. Read more.
Disability Advocates Want CDC To Reinstate Indoor Mask Guidelines (Disability Scoop 3.7.2022)
3.7.2022 - Dozens of advocacy groups are calling for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to walk back major changes to its mask guidance arguing that the new recommendations are harmful to people with disabilities Read more.
Washington Update March 3, 2022
“If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb.” As both chambers of Congress kick off the March legislative work session this week there is likely to be a lot of roaring as they deal with a March 11 government funding deadline, a lengthy list of...