Family-to-Family (F2F) Health Information Centers (HIC's) are family-run centers that assist families of children and youth with special health care needs and the professionals who serve them. The goal of these centers is to help keep children healthy by promoting regular medical care.
Parents and families with children who have special health care needs often need assistance navigating the complicated issues surrounding health care. F2F HIC's help families make more informed choices by providing support, information, resources and training.
F2F HIC's promote access to community based, self-directed services that are available to children with special needs.
How Can Support Parents Help My Family?
Support parents provide key support to families of individuals with special needs. We offer parents and caregivers the opportunity to connect with another parent or caregiver with a similar situation or special health care need — someone who has “been there.”
How Can I Become a Support Parent?
To become a support parent in the Eastern Region, contact the F2F program co-director,
Debbie Gilbert. To become a support parent in the Western Region, contact program co-director Sondra Gilbert.
Medical Homes
A medical home is not a building, but an approach to providing health care services. A medical home is a partnership between you and your child’s primary doctor. This partnership is respectful of you, your child and the care providers. A medical home ensures better coordination of care between the primary doctor, your specialty care doctors, and other care providers. A medical home is a team that provides comprehensive care for your child in a cost-effective manner.
- Increased patient and family satisfaction
- Your doctor is knowledgeable and willing to work with you and your child to find all medical and non-medical services needed to reach your child’s maximum potential
- Honest and respectful information exchange
- Improved coordination of care
- Your doctor works with you and your child to develop a care plan when needed
- Your doctor knows your child’s health history
- Your doctor listens to your concerns as well as your child’s
- Respects and honors your culture and traditions
- Decreased visits to the emergency room