What's New

MCHB Announces Newly Funded Family-To-Family Health Information Centers
In keeping with the goal of funding Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F HIC) in all 50 states by 2009, MCHB has awarded grants to 11 new states, bringing the total to 41 and counting. These newly funded F2F HICs, developed in strong partnership with Family Voices in their respective states, will begin their 3 year grants on June 1, 2008. Congratulations to the newly funded centers at:

- University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO
- Southeastern Michigan Health Association, Family Center for CYSHCN, Detroit, MI
- Parents Let’s Unite for Kids, Billings, MT
- Cerebral Palsy of Colorado, Denver, CO
- The Oklahoma Family Network, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK
- University of Delaware, Newark, DE
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
- University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
- Parent Information Center (NH Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities), Concord, NH
- Washington PAVE, Tacoma, WA
- Families Together, Inc., Wichita, KS

“Families, Clinicians, and Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs: A Bright Future” . . . Family Voices article in April 2008 Pediatric Annals Journal
The second of a two-part issue of the Journal of Pediatric Annals, featuring the newly revised Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, includes an article written by Family Voices leaders Polly Arango, Betsy Anderson, and Nora Wells. The article describes the role of families in the health care of their children with special needs. Beginning with an historical perspective and a discussion of the need for ongoing well-child care for all children, it also describes the role of the family in a Bright Futures’ approach that includes families as vital partners in their children’s health.

Medical Assistance Grants from United HealthCare Announced
The United Healthcare Children's Foundation is offering support to meet the needs of children across the United States with assistance grants for medical services not fully covered by health insurance. Parents and caretakers across the country will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $5,000 for healthcare services that will help improve their children's health and quality of life. Examples of the types of medical services covered by UHCCF grants include speech therapy, physical therapy, and psychotherapy sessions; medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids, and eyeglasses; and orthodontia and dental treatments.

Any child 16 years old or younger living in any UnitedHealthcare region of the United States (all 50 states) and in need of financial assistance for healthcare services will be considered eligible for a grant. Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the US, and be covered by a commercial health insurance plan.

Visit the United Healthcare Foundation website to learn more about these grants.

Bright Futures: Family Matters-- Spring 2008 Newsletter Now Available
The current issue of Bright Futures: Family Matters focuses on parent leadership—roles, opportunities, and avenues for training. Read more about various leadership roles parents take on—sometimes out of necessity rather than choice—as well as a listing of leadership training materials from such sources as the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disability, and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. The quarterly newsletter is available on the Family Voices Bright Futures for Families website.

The Family Voices 15th Anniversary Gala Celebration and National Conference was a great success!


What a great celebration of all the hard work that you and others have accomplished -- and continue to accomplish -- on behalf of families and children and youth with special health care needs. 
Check out the photos, materials, and more!