About Us

Who we are

Overviw

Overview of Family Voices Colorado

Family Voices Colorado is a grassroots organization run by parents of children with special healthcare needs. The support you receive is from someone who understands the many challenges of having a child with special health care needs in their life.

Every day we give parents the information and knowledge they need to navigate complex health care systems in order to get things like wheelchairs, oxygen, or a surgery for their children. With our help, parents are able to be the heroes their children are counting on!

Parents also receive the information about other systems they should access based on their child’s diagnosis and needs.

Family Voices CO works at the policy level to ensure children with special health care needs have a voice. We listen to the challenges from the family perspective, tracking trends, in order to create systems change. We monitor policy activities to ensure families receive the services they need.

Colorado’s health care systems – both public and private –are difficult for families to navigate. Family Voices CO understands both the private and public health systems. They also understand how the systems can work together.

Through working with Family Voices CO, parents are supported and empowered, resulting in stronger families and an increased ability to advocate effectively on behalf of their children.

Families of children with special healthcare needs often access multiple systems. Consequently, they experience the system barriers more quickly. Family Voices CO collaborates with the systems working to reduce the barriers through policy work and systems change. Family Voices CO promotes improved decision-making, better outcomes and higher quality services for all.

F2F Heah info Center

What is a
Family-to-Family Information Center?

Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2Fs) are family-led centers funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). There is one F2F in each state, in the District of Columbia, in five U.S. territories, and there are three F2Fs serving tribal communities.

Family Voices Colorado is the

Family-to-Family Health Information Center for the State of Colorado.

Each F2F is staffed by highly-skilled, knowledgeable family members who have first-hand experience and understanding of the challenges faced by families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN). These uniquely qualified staff provide critical support to families caring for CYSHCN, particularly families of children with complex needs and those from diverse communities.

F2Fs also assist providers, state and federal agencies, legislators, and other stakeholders to better understand and serve CYSHCN and their families.

How do Family-to-Family
Health Information
Centers Help?

How Do F2Fs Help Families?

Each F2F provides free, 1:1 assistance to families, helping them:

• Find appropriate care and services
• Apply for Medicaid, CHIP, or private insurance
• Get referrals to providers
• Address insurance denials
• Identify and access community support programs
• Advocate to ensure effective and cost-efficient care
• Connect with parent mentors

How Do F2Fs Help Providers and Systems?

F2Fs also work with health care professionals, hospitals, and public agencies to help them better meet the needs of CYSHCN and their families. They most often request assistance for:

• Obtaining help for a patient/family
• Addressing changes to state policies and programs
• Learning about family experiences
• Partnering to improve services