Contact Information
Doreen Hodges
(202) 230-8201
kingtitusmom@yahoo.com
Family Voices of DC (FV of DC) provides information and support to
families of CYSHCN and the professionals who serve them in several ways: direct
support, parent matching, training, focus groups, topical calls, listservs and
conferences.
HIGHLIGHT: Building Capacity
FV of DC is taking steps to expand its capability to assist families and professionals.
FV of DC is formalizing its infrastructure and has a new Executive Director, who will
put into place a new Board of Directors and an Advisory Council of parents. It is
expected that these steps will promote FV of DC as a key player in the District. FV
of DC has been re-establishing its connections with key partners, including Title V.
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS: Developing Family Leadership
FV of DC works with numerous families within DC who need help in
establishing eligibility for their children on Medicaid including waivers and
spend downs. FV of DC helps families:
- complete forms needed to access Medicaid
- select Medicaid HMOs from within their choices
- connect with the Medical Assistance Program Administration
ADVOCACY IN ACTION: Family Support
The following is an example of
effective support that FV of DC
provides on an ongoing basis to the
families of DC. A Mom, with special
needs, needed therapy services and
basic health care for her two children
with special needs, but the family had
no health insurance. They were
referred through an HMO to FV of
DC. FV of DC was able to help the
family complete the paperwork and
contact the appropriate office and in
under 30 days, the Mom and the two
children were back on Medicaid.
WORKING TOGETHER FOR CYSHCN:
Last year, FV of DC worked in partnership with other advocacy groups including
Autism Speaks and Health Insurance Partnerships within Families USA on
improving rehabilitative services for CYSHCN. A bill was introduced in the District to
stop insurance companies from limiting rehabilitative services for children with
developmental disorders such as cerebral palsy. FV of DC provided testimony about
the importance of these services for CYSHCN. Through testimony, and the hard
work of these partners, the bill passed. The next step will be to provide trainings
throughout the year to help families understand the bill and therefore get needed
services for their children.
