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.

Eligible applicants include public and private entities, including an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined at 25 U.S.C. 450b), faith-based organizations, and community-based organizations. The law limits the site of eligible organizations to the 50 States and the District of Columbia. Although Tribes and tribal organizations may apply, they must meet all applicable requirements, including targeting of all children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) across the State for services. Applicants must have experience related to the �purpose� of the program, the effort must be family-staffed/run, and the effort must have a focus on health for CYSHCN (as defined by the MCH Bureau). For example, if an applicant is a family organization with a history of funding that is condition-specific or related to education, mental health or developmental disabilities, as with any applicant, evidence of health for the broad CYSHCN population must be evident in their application. Applicants MUST demonstrate that they have EXISTING and effective fiduciary, administrative and management systems. If a different fiduciary agency is needed, such as a university, activities must still be family-staffed/run for the entire grant period.

Evaluation criteria vary based on the grant/cooperative agreement program. Refer to criteria included in the notice of funding opportunity for each specific program. All qualified applications will be forwarded to an objective review committee. Based on the recommendations of the objective review committee, the HRSA program official with delegated authority is responsible for final selection and funding decisions.