Family-to-Family (F2F) Health Information Center

Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F HICs) are family-staffed organization that provide support, information, resources, and training around health issues to help families of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and the professionals who serve them.

F2F HICs are staffed by family members who have experience navigating health care services and programs for CYSHCN; they have a unique ability to help families make informed decisions.

The F2F HICs are funded through a competitive federal grant process awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal Child Health Bureau (MCHB). MCHB works on the principles that all program are: 1) evidence-based/informed; 2) ensure health equity; 3) are whole-person focused; and 4) are innovative and collaborative.

PEAL Center is a Family Voices (FV) state affiliate. FV provides technical assistance, training, and connections to other F2F HICs and partnering organizations. To learn more about the national initiatives of the National Family Voices, please visit https://www.familyvoices.org/index_html

The PA Family-to-Family Health Information Center is funded by the Health Resources Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau under Grant H84MC26214.

Imagine Different Coalition

Imagine Different: Achieve Different – Congregate Care Project

Funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) the purpose of this project is to develop toolkits for parents, facilitator, providers and policy makers for use in planning transition to family life for children with disabilities and/or special health care needs living in congregate care. The Imagine Different Coalition works for reforms to ensure family life for every child.

For more information and to join the coalition visit: https://www.imaginedifferent.org/

Project MAX

Parent Leadership Development – State Personnel Development Grant

The purpose of Project MAX is to provide training and leadership development to parents and professionals to support systems change. Funded through Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) with funds from the U.S. Department of Education, Project MAX focuses on building the capacity of Pennsylvania schools and intermediate units (IU) to provide students with complex instructional needs with maximum access to and learning of grade level, general education curriculum and Pennsylvania standards. A part of this project is the development of a statewide parent network. For more information visit https://www.pattan.net/category/Educational%20Initiatives/Project%20MAX

Your Child Your Choice

Parent Leadership in Non-Traditional Settings

The purpose of this project is to provide families with the information necessary to support best practices for inclusive education in non-traditional school settings.

Prior to 1975, when Congress first enacted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, many children with disabilities were denied the right to public education. Over thirty-five years later, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children with disabilities who attend public schools are guaranteed a free education, in the least restrictive environment, and an individualized education plan (IEP). Children with disabilities and/or special health care needs who attend public schools are also afforded procedural safeguards under IDEA to assure that school districts follow the intent of the law. However, not all parents choose to have their child attend a public school.

Today, more than ever, parents have a variety of schooling options from which to choose for their children with disabilities. These non-traditional options include: charter schools, cyber schools, parochial schools and home schooling. Though these schooling options may meet the specific needs of the children and families, children with disabilities who attend non-traditional schools are not afforded the same procedural safeguards under IDEA as children with disabilities who attend public schools. As a result, parents need information that is necessary to support best practices for inclusive education in non-traditional school settings. These parents also need support to connect with other parents who may be in the same or similar situation.

Your Child Your Choice is a training opportunity for parents who have selected non-traditional schools for their children with disabilities and/or special health care needs to learn and develop skills to effect changes in the system that will support all children with disabilities who attend non-traditional schools.