Family Voices of Tennessee
Parents, Family members, Advocates, and Professionals are all served by FVTN. FVTN operates Tennessee's Family-to-Family Health Information Center for families who have children with special health care needs: disability, chronic illness, physical or mental health conditions.
This program is a partnership with the TN Department of Health (Title V, Children’s Special Services), Vanderbilt University, TN Voices for Children, and other agencies.
Family Voices Funding
The Tennessee Affordable Care Act Family-to-Family Health Information Center is funded by a grant from the US Department of Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Project # H84MC00004-09-00). For more information on the Affordable Care Act, please go to Family Voices Links in the upper left column of this page.
Operated by and for families in our state:
- To assist families as they navigate public and private health systems and insurance plans (including TennCare and commercial plans)
- To educate families about how to access services and resources for their children and how to work with health providers
- To listen to families as they describe their encounters with health systems and help guide them to possible solutions
- To work with families, health care providers, public and private agencies, and advocacy or support groups to promote family-centered care and medical homes for children with special health care needs
- To promote discussion and linkages among families, providers, managed care programs, and government to better serve the health care and related needs of children and families in Tennessee
Toll-free family line: 1-888-643-7811
Family Voices of Tennessee Activities
- Educating families and professionals about quality programs and best practices for children with special health care needs
- Assisting families to navigate health care and related service systems and avoid or overcome barriers to care for their children
- Training families to be the best possible advocates for their children´s health and training professionals to work with families
- Supporting families to have a voice in the design, development, implementation, and monitoring of health policies and programs for children and families
- Working with professionals and families to improve children´s health policies and programs in ways that are helpful to families
- Promoting family-centered care, family/professional partnerships, and Medical Homes for children with special health care needs
- Helping document family needs and family stories as a basis for policy planning and service implementation
- Outreach to families and professionals to raise awareness for children´s health issues and build the network of Family Voices
Join the Family Voices Tennessee Network...It’s FREE
If you are seeking assistance or would like more information about Family Voices or our Newborn Hearing Program, then please drop us a line and tell us a little about your family.
Write to familyvoices@tndisability.org
THANK YOU! We promise to respect the confidentiality of the information you shared with us.
For additional information or assistance, please contact:
Family Voices of Tennessee
c/o Tennessee Disability Coalition
955 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Phone: 615-383-9442; ext. 13
In-state toll-free number for families: 1-888-643-7811
Fax: 615-383-1176
Email: familyvoices@tndisability.org
Register NOw!
3rd Annual Family-to-Family Conference
March 31st, 2012
9:30am-2:30pm
Downtown Nashville Library
Go Here for the Conference Announcement
Mandatory registration, ensure your lunch by registering early!
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Interested in exhibiting information to members of the community learning about Emergency Preparedness?
Saying GoodBye
For those of us who are parents of children with special health care needs and/or disabilities, we know how the birth of our child impacts our lives. Parents often change career paths due to necessity or change of priorities. This has been true for the Howe family of Nashville, TN.
Alex Howe,1984 - 2011
Alexander (Alex) Eugene Howe’s impact started with his family and has reached beyond to his community and circle of friends. In 2002, his mother, Dara Howe, wrote, “I have taken an active interest in disability and health care policy since the birth of my youngest son Alex in 1984. Because of his pervasive disabilities and special health care needs, Alex receives services through the Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services waiver and Tenncare. On behalf of all children, I am intent on promoting family-centered care that is comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate.”
Alex inspired Dara to work on behalf of all children and their families in Tennessee so that they have a voice about the care and services they receive. Dara’s first career in communications was quickly put to use to help bridge the gap between families and providers. With support from the Tennessee Disability Coalition, she established the first Family Voices national chapter in Tennessee. After several more years, she obtained one of six national pilot grants in 2001 for the TN F2FHIC (Family-to-Family Health Information Center). This program was just refunded and will continue to be a vehicle for families of children with special health care needs and/or disabilities to help other families find resources and support.
With a graceful spirit, Alex inspired many people, beginning with his mother on the day he was born and moving forward to all who had the honor to know him.
