Indiana Family to Family

By Emily McKinley, Health Information Specialist As the year is coming to its end, the debate centering on the Affordable Care Act is charging full-steam ahead. As with any change, this one is hard, and depending upon each consumer’s seat, the reasons vary widely. Some consumers are discouraged by the inaccessibility of  www.healthcare.gov  and are anxiously awaiting an opportunity to submit applications and view their coverage options. Each day Family Voices is receiving reports that the website is running more smoothly, and meanwhile more consumers are accessing the information they need.  Consumers may also submit an application over the  phone  by calling  1-800-318-2596, via mail, or in-person.  To find an in-person assister, visit  LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov .  Be sure to be aware of any deadlines if you choose a mail in option. Some consumers have had previous coverage cancelled and are uncertain about what changes will bring for them. President Obama announced

Family Voices Indiana shares the following request from IU School of Medicine, Dept. of Pediatrics, Children’s Health Services Research: Survey for Children ages 18 months to 8 years of age who have a Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Lafayette and surrounding areas, and Bloomington and surrounding areas Survey for families in Lafayette area:   https://redcap.uits.iu.edu/ surveys/?s=vWQyEk3taG Survey for families in Bloomington area: https://redcap.uits.iu.edu/ surveys/?s=YahjtBpxVV If you would prefer a paper copy, please contact Angela Paxton: 317.278.3435 (phone) 317.278.0456 (fax), email: arpaxton@iu.edu

You can now sign up to receive weekly updates via text message! This new Family Voices Indiana service provides families and professionals with specific information from Family Voices Indiana programs including notice of upcoming trainings, reminders, short tips and ideas, and newly released Family Voices Indiana resources. Your plan’s text messaging rates will apply. Simply text "FVIndiana" to   313131   for English or "FVIndianaEs" to  313131  for Spanish

Many parents-to-be read  What to Expect when You’re Expecting  in the months leading up to their baby’s birth. But for some, they receive the unexpected. Their baby is born months too early, or with a cleft palate, or with cerebral palsy. These parents  aren’t sure how they are going to pay the mounting bills; they aren't sure where to turn for help; they feel all alone, like no one understands…. That’s when Family Voices Indiana can help. The family to family health information center is staffed with families who have walked this path; families who have children with similar needs; families who are trained to help other families who need resources and support. Your tax-deductible donation to Family Voices Indiana can help us reach the approximately 300,000 children with special health care needs in our state. You can make a difference in the life of a family who is embracing the unexpected and is creating the best possible life for their child. You can learn mor

Each month, Family Voices Indiana provides the families we serve with a summary of the month’s hottest items. If you missed us on  Facebook  in November, here is the latest! November Awareness: Nov 11: Veteran’s Day. If you are a member of a veteran or military family, you are in good company. We have specialists with military ties to help you navigate the military and veteran health care and school systems. Nov 14: World Diabetes Day. Creating a plan for how diabetes will be managed at school should be a team effort that includes school staff, families, and health care providers. It is vitally important that the work of this team is documented i n written plans. You can find info here:  http://bit.ly/1cYiSss . Nov 17: World Prematurity Day.  Read Juniper's story in honor of World Prematurity Day:  http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2012/reports/juniper/ .      Adoption Month: You can learn more about children waiting for a forever home in Indiana here:  www.in

Family Voices Indiana shares the following from the National Council on Disability. We apologize for the late notice, but it was just sent to us today. See the notice for information about registering to comment by phone. Have Something to Say about Disability Policy? Tell NCD at This Week's Public Comment Opportunity ( Wednesday  and  Thursday ).  Throughout the year, NCD convenes four quarterly meetings and sometimes other forums and events at which there are periods designated for public comment. It is during these times that NCD seeks to learn about emerging issues and areas of concern for NCD's diverse stakeholders to inform and help direct the work of the Council.  On  December 4 and 5 , the National Council on Disability (NCD) will meet in Topeka, Kansas to host one of its quarterly board meetings. We’ll have two opportunities for public comment and would love to hear from you – in person or by phone. Advanced registration is requested (please register by the end of

Family Voices Indiana shares this opportunity to positively impact future nurse practitioners and social workers: Seeking 27 families who are willing to be interviewed by Graduate Students about their experiences raising a child with special health care needs or disabilities. Interviews will take place during the Spring Semester of 2014 at mutually agreed upon times.  Families will receive a $50.00 stipend for their participation. Please RSVP by January 10, 2014. 12 parents for class of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: Looking for families whose child(ren) are under age 10 and are medically complicated Interviews can happen in person or via phone 15 parents for class of MSW Social Work Students: Looking for all kinds of disabilities of any age Preference for in person interviews in Central IN, but could be via phone Interested families should send the following to  ryrodger@iu.edu Adult Name Child Name Child Age Child Diagnosis Phone number to r