ABOUT Wyoming Family 2 Family
Wyoming Family To Family Health Information Center (WY F2F HIC) for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) is funded through a grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (grant #H84MC12902-03-00).
F2F Brochure
While providing support for families across the state, WY F2F has Outreach Family Health Liaison's located in Cheyenne and Casper, with the Director in the central office in Buffalo. We are a family -run and family- led, with our Outreach Family Health Liaisons parents or family members of children with special health care needs.
What We Do
If you live in Wyoming, and you have a child or a family member with a physical, mental, or developmental disability, then the WY F2F HIC can help. If you have a child that was recently diagnosed with a chronic health issue, or if you've been living with disabilities for a long time, you'll find answers to many questions.
- What is the condition my child has?
- What does it mean for our family?
- What are the resources and government programs we can tap into to help provide care?
- How can we find out about them?
- What about accessibility and disability equipment?
We know how overwhelming and challenging it is to raise a child with a disability or special health care need? Why re-invent the wheel? Many of us have found ways to work through the red tape, and can offer lots of help. For funding, SSI disability paperwork, and health insurance questions, or accessibility equipment, there are many with experience. In addition to the practical advice, there's lots of friendly support to help get through the tough times.
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.
Parents Helping Parents of WY, Inc is part of two national networks, the ALLIANCE (www.taalliance.org) and Family Voices, (www.familyvoices.org) which promote the partnership of families, professionals and advocates for the involvement of families as valued decision makers in their children's lives.
