What's New

Resources for Families Effected by Hurricanes
With hurricane season upon us, Family Voices and Family to Family Health Information Centers want to help families of children and youth with special health care needs prepare for, and deal with, the havoc that severe storms cause to their physical and emotional well-being.

In Lousiana, the Down Syndrome Association of Greater New Orleans provides up-to-the minute emergency information for families of children with special needs and individuals with special needs. In addition, they can help families who have evacuated their area with in-state information, links, and phone numbers, regarding LA Medicaid, presecription medication and other needs. Karen Scallan of the LA Family to Family Health Information Center can also be contacted for assistance.

The following resources are provided to help families deal with disasters:
- A Guide To Help Children Cope With The Psychological Effects Of A Hurricane
- Disaster Planning Guide for Families
- After the Disaster: A Children's Mental Health Checklist
- Emergencies, Mental Health, and Traumatic Stress
- Disaster Preparedness for Families with Children
- Mental Health Services in Disasters and Major Trauma

Family Voices announces new Core Statements and Strategic Directions
At its meeting in October 2007, the Family Voices Board of Directors revisited the organization’s tagline, vision, mission, principles and strategic directions.

This document outlines the revisions that have been made to the core statements and the new directions set for Family Voices as a result of the Board’s initial work. Our updated core statements will serve to better reflect our work. Additionally, over the next four years, Family Voices will focus on the new strategic directions to work toward achieving family-centered care for all children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities. Detailed action plans for each direction will be completed in the near future.

We invite you to read and share Family Voices’ revised core statements and new directions. Should you like to copies of this document, please simply contact the National Office toll-free at 1.866.835.5669.

Summer Edition - Bright Futures: Family Matters
The latest issue of Bright Futures: Family Matters newsletter is out—and it’s all about oral health. This issue, entitled Healthy Oral Health, offers parents resources and training information to enable you to release the parent leader within. This 1-pager is also available in PDF format, for you to print and distribute.

Download the Healthy Oral Health here or visit the Bright Futures for Families website to read past issues.

Public Comment Sought for Healthy People 2020
Now is the time to submit your comments on the proposed vision, mission, overarching goals, and framework of Healthy People 2020. Written comments must be submitted by September 2 by visiting the Healthy People website. Comments submitted after September 2 and before September 15, 2008 will be considered by HHS but not reviewed by the Advisory Committee. You may also attend the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2020 Meeting, which will be held via the internet on September 4th and 5th. Click here to pre-register.

Family Voices Partners with AMCHP
Family Voices and the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate collaborative planning and address opportunities to work together on a variety of issues. Specific joint activities will include the Family Scholars program, policy work, and an issue brief on families working with state Title V programs. Read more about this exciting intiative in Friday's Child.