Family Voices
A national grassroots network of families and friends speaking on behalf of children with special health care needs
Family Voices is a national grassroots clearinghouse for information and education concerning the health care of children with special health needs. We stay on top of public and private sector health care changes that affect our children and families through the collective efforts of our families: a volunteer Coordinator in every state; 10 Regional Coordinators; and a small staff working in several locations around the country. Together we share the expertise and experiences of families from around the country with state and national policymakers, the media, health professionals and other families. We work in public and private hospitals, public health programs, in state capitals, in Washington D.C., serving on boards and task forces, etc. bringing the family perspective to policy discussions and decisions. There are many members across the U.S. whom are families of children with special health needs and friends and professionals who know and love our children.
The Principles of Family Voices Guide our Activities….
We believe that 1) All children deserve quality health care. 2) Families with children who have special needs and professionals who work with them have an expert understanding of what works and what doesn’t work within current health care systems. 3) Health systems built upon a set of principles and practices that flow from this expertise can improve the health status of all children and families.
Therefore health systems serving children with special health care needs must adhere to the following principles: 1) Families are the core of any health system 2) Universal access 3) Flexibility 4) Comprehensive, coordinated, community based care 5) Family-professional partnership 6) cost effectiveness 7) quality assurance
North Dakota has a Family Voices State Coordinator who has been very active throughout the state in a variety of capacities. Donene Feist of Edgeley North Dakota is the Family Voices State Coordinator for North Dakota. If there is a family who you are working with or would like a presentation about Family Voices. Please feel free to call at 701-493-2333. In addition Family Voices of North Dakota has collaborated with the ND Family to Family Project on a wonderful, information newsletter for families and professionals, free of charge. If you are interested in receiving the newsletter please call the ND Family to Family project at 1-888-434-7436 or locally at UND School of Medicine at 777-2359. We look forward to hearing from you.
New web site for North Dakota Family Voices http://www.geocities.com/ndfv/
Family Voices Home Page http://www.kidshealth@familyvoices.org/
Wisconsin Family Voices http://www.wfv.org/
Family to Family Network's URL link http://www.med.und.nodak.edu/depts/pt/f2f/
Family to Family Network office staff: Carissa E-mail NDF2F@medicine.nodak.edu
Managed care survey: http://www.chcs.org/famvoice.htm