Family Voices of Wisconsin
Contact Information
Liz Hecht
(608) 239-1363
liz@fvofwi.org
Barbara Katz
(608) 233-3726
barb@fvofwi.org
Linda Rowley
(608) 263-5973
rowley@waisman.wisc.edu
Family Voices of Wisconsin (FV WI) with support from both WI Title V and a CMS funded Family-to-Family Health Information Center grant, provides assistance to families of CYSHCN and providers who support them. A cornerstone of Family Voice’s activities is the “Did You Know? Now You Know!” training, offered statewide with a network of parent trainers. Family Voices assists families to access needed information and supports and become involved in systems changes through participation in focus groups, topical calls, a listserv, website, and training. Family Voices also published a newsletter that was disseminated to over 3,800 individuals in 2006. Family Voices has a number of products including a web-based resource guide and a report on effectively engaging parents from minority groups in leadership roles and enhanced decision making.
HIGHLIGHT: Supporting Family Leaders
“I was thrilled to have had
the opportunity to connect
with other parent partners
and learn from one another. I
am so glad that Family
Voices brought us together.”
- a retreat participant
for FV WA
ADVOCACY IN ACTION: Leadership Development
Family Voices of WI’s network of
Parent Trainers have trained more
than 100 parents and providers
statewide using the “Did You Know?
Now You Know!” curriculum. These
training modules offer participants
fundamental information on accessing
and navigating health care and
community supports for CYSHCN.
WORKING TOGETHER FOR CYSHCN:
FV WI is involved in many initiatives, including:
- Providing newsletters and a listserv to inform and connect families to information and opportunities for involvement.
- Co-sponsoring the Annual Medical Home Summit with the WI Title V program, the WI Chapter of the AAP and the WI Academy of Family Practitioners
- Supporting the Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations’ legislative agenda of ensuring that people with disabilities receive the services and supports they need to live their lives as they wish and be full participants in community life.
- Addressing the extensive waiting lists for community services for children.
- Supporting the development of a KASA group in Wisconsin.
Useful Links
- Family Voices of Wisconsin
- State of Wisconsin Information Server
- BadgerCare - State Children's Health Insurance Program
- Children's Hospital of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
- University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital - Madison
- Program for Children with Special Health Care Needs
- CSHCN Regional Centers
- Bureau of Developmental Disabilities
- Birth to 3 Program
- Wisconsin Medicaid Program
- Katie Beckett Program
- Community Integration Programs
- Community Supported Living Program
- Brain Injury
- The Bureau of Community Mental Health
- Wisconsin Family Ties
- Wisconsin FACETS - Parent Training & Information Center
- Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities
- Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy
- Department of Health & Family Services
- Maternal & Child Health Program
- Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
- Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Special Education
- Family Support Program
- Health Insurance Risk Sharing Plan (HIRSP)
- WisTech Assistive Technology Network
- Office of Commissioner of Insurance
- The Waisman Center
- Arc-Wisconsin Disability Coalition
- Brain Injury Association of Wisconsin
- Autism Society of Wisconsin
- Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin (DSAW)
- Spina Bifida Association of Wisconsin
- Spina Bifida Family Network
- Wisconsin Office of Health Care Information
- Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative
