Family to Family Health Information Centers

To develop and support Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F HICs) which provide information, education, technical assistance and peer support to families of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). The Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (1) assist families of children with disabilities or special health care needs to make informed choices about health care in order to promote good treatment decisions, cost-effectiveness, and improved health outcomes; (2) provide information regarding the health care needs of, and resources available for CYSHCN; (3) identify successful health delivery models; (4) develop with representatives of health care providers, managed care organizations, health care purchasers, and appropriate State agencies, a model for collaboration between families of CYSHCN and health professionals; (5) provide training and guidance regarding caring for CYSHCN ; (6) conduct outreach activities to the families of CYSHCN , health professionals, schools, and other appropriate entities and individuals; and (7) are staffed by families of CYSHCN who have expertise in Federal and State public and private health care systems; and by health professionals.