Family Voices - Florida
Family Voices Florida is a project of the Florida Institute for Family Involvement. It is a statewide network of families and friends speaking on behalf of children and youth with special health care needs.
Our Children & Youth
Our children and youth with special health needs are like other children that live in the towns, cities, and rural areas of Florida, attending school, going to church, and enjoying recreation and community events. But, unlike most children and youth, they also have health conditions that can make their lives more difficult for themselves and their families. Some have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities; others live with a chronic illness; many have a brief but life threatening medical problem, and others require life saving equipment, treatment and medicines all of their lives.
Our Families
Our families come from every corner of the state and are made up of men, women, plumbers, farmers, teachers, nurses, writers, and housewives. They work or are unemployed, rich, poor, some have insurance, some have Medicaid, and some have nothing… because any family can have a child with special health care needs. They have questions and they have concerns about the health care system. They love their children and want them to have a healthy, happy future and to become productive citizens.
Our Friends
Our friends are our neighbors, the providers who provide medical care or services, and support us during our most trying times, the policymakers who fight for the programs and dollars that keep our children alive and in our communities, and the countless others who believe in the health and wellness future of our children.
What We Believe
- All children and youth deserve quality health care that is affordable, adequate, and in their own community - regardless of the family's health, income, employment, location, pre-existing condition, or prior use of services.
- Families are the core of any health system and should be respected and valued for their expertise and commitment to their children.
- Families should have access to all of the services their child may require - prevention, education, screening, diagnosis, primary and specialty care, hospitalization, medication and supplies, equipment, and rehabilitation - all available as close to the family's home as possible.
- The health of children improves when families and professionals make decisions together, respecting the expertise, talents, and resources that each brings to the care of the child with special health needs.
Family Voices
- Family Voices-Florida (FV- FL) is part of a national organization concerned about health care for children with special health needs. We stay on top of health care changes that affect our children and families.
- FV- FL promotes policy change through family-professional partnerships that recognizes families as the expert in their child's care.
- FV- FL shares the voices of families from around the country within our state and national policymakers, the media, health professionals, and other families.
- FV- FL works together with policymakers and health care professionals to shape a system of care that will best meet the needs of our children.
- FV- FL shares information and resources (FREE) with families and professionals around the state about health care for children with special needs.
More Information
If you or someone you know would like more information on Family Voices-Florida or want to a part of this national movement to improve the health care system for children and youth with special health care needs contact us directly at:
Family Voices- Florida
c/o Florida Institute for Family Involvement
P.O. Box 208
Sopchoppy, FL 32358
877/926-3514
E-mail: JessicaJdelgado@aol.com | tammy49@peoplepc.com
Web: www.fifionline.org
Family Voices - National Office
3411 Candelaria NE, Suite M
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Phone: (505) 872-4744
Fax: (505) 872-4780
Toll-Free: 1-888-835-5669
E-mail: kidshealth@familyvoices.org
Web: www.familyvoices.org