
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
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From the Center for Infections Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) COVID-19 vaccines appeared to protect patients from severe illness leading to emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalization, according to a pre-Delta (B1617.2) variant study published late last...
Washington Update September 23, 2021
A full moon, Fall begins, and the acceleration and/or deceleration of reconciliation and infrastructure! Before we take a look at what is happening on the Hill, let’s pause to celebrate this welcome Fall news: Pfizer will reportedly send their vaccine trial data for...
Washington Update September 15, 2021
Where to focus your eyes this week in DC! The Senate is back in town after their August recess. Senator Schumer has set a “soft” deadline for Senate democratic led committees to finish drafting their portions of the reconciliation bill. Meanwhile, we get our first...
Washington Update September 8, 2021
Welcome to the Fall of 2021 where much of the focus in Washington will be on reconciliation. If you recall, Democratic senators agreed to a $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill prior to the August Recess. Now begins the real work: what will be included. It is a massive...
Vaccinating During Pregnancy Has Become Even More Urgent As ICU Beds Fill Up
From NPR, All Things Considered: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is doubling down on its recommendation that people who are pregnant get the COVID-19 vaccine following new data underscoring its safety and effectiveness throughout pregnancy. This...