ABOUT WY F2F HIC for CYSHCN
Wyoming Family To Family Health Information Center (WY F2F HIC) for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN).
The Parent Information Center (PIC) has recieved a grant through the US Department of Health and Human Services for a Family to Family Health Information Center in Wyoming.
Working in collaboration with the Wyoming Department of Health, Maternal and Family Health, we will use the same model as the Parent Information Center; however, the main office will be in Cheyenne with part-time Outreach Family Health Liaison’s in three different communities across the state: Cheyenne, the Big Horn Basin and central Wyoming, either Casper or Riverton. We will be family-run and family- led, and our Outreach Family Health Liaisons will all be parents or family members of children with special health care needs.
Purpose
- Assist families of CYSHCN make informed choices about health care in order to promote good treatment decisions, cost effectiveness and improved health outcomes;
- Provide information regarding the health care needs of and resources available for CYSHCN;
- Identify successful health delivery models;
- Develop with representatives of health care providers, managed care organization, health care purchasers, and appropriate State agencies, a model for collaboration between families of CYSHCN and health professionals;
- Provide training and guidance regarding the care of CYSHCN; and
- Conduct outreach activities to families, health professionals, schools and other appropriate entities.
The WY F2F HIC will assist the Wyoming Maternal and Family Health by:
- developing and disseminating family satisfaction surveys for families of CYSHCN;
- quarterly meetings for parent advisory groups to provide input on services for CYSHCN;
- providing follow-up support for families of CYSHCN with Medicaid and SCHIP insurance to ensure that they are following through with visits, especially well child visits, etc.;
- strengthening the medical home in WY which has a significant shortage of pediatricians;
- building the capacity of families and professionals to partner to improve services and outcomes;
- expanding efforts to inform families and professionals of available services for CYSHCN;
- strengthening the design of the transition planning tool and promoting its use among families and professionals;
- developing a postcard that can be used to determine the level of family satisfaction with their children’s services;
- disseminating a transition resources and advocacy document to families of transitioning youth; and
- supporting an annual conference for families and professionals of CYSHCN.
Our Partners
The Parent Information Center, (PIC), is a statewide parent center for families of children with disabilities. PIC provides information, support and referrals to families on their rights and responsibilities under the special education law IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. With PEN, PIC helps families of children with disabilities to understand the accountability and assessment systems of No Child Left Behind, and how they align with special education supports and services to increase students with disabilities potential and achievement. PIC offers workshops and trainings to families and educators on IDEA, IEPs, Positive Behavior Interventions, and other related topics as well as specific disabilities such as Autism, Sensory disorders, Down Syndrome, Attention disorders and more.
The Parent Education Network, Wyoming State PIRC, is the Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC) under No Child Left Behind. Funded by a discretionary grant under the US Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement, Parent Choice and Options, PEN is one of 64 PIRCs in every state across the nation. PEN is a project of Parents Helping Parents of Wyoming, Inc. a statewide non-profit parent organization since 1990. First funded in 1998 as one of the Goals 2000 Parental Assistance Programs, PEN’s purpose as Wyoming’ State PIRC is to offer learning strategies to parents and technical assistance to schools and families to boost parental engagement, both of which ultimately increase student success.
About PHP
Parents Helping Parents of Wyoming, Inc is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1990. Governed by a board of directors, the majority who are parents or family members of children with disabilities, PHP's mission is to help families become more active in their children’s learning and education, to serve and support children with and without disabilities through advocacy, education, and referral.
