December 2011 Edition of Heart-to-Heart

Family Guide - April 2010 Edition 

Young Adult Scholarships Available     

Michigan Family-to-Family Health Information & Education Center
       Training Schedule 2011 - 2012  


The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Welcome to the Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) Family Center!
The parent-directed section of CSHCS is named the Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs.  We help shape CSHCS policies and procedures and help families navigate CSHCS.  We also offer health resource information and emotional support to all Michigan families of children with special needs.  To call on us, enrollment in CSHCS is not required. 

How to reach us:
 -Call the CSHCS Family Center Phone Line at 1-800-359-3722, or, 
 -Send an email to:  cshcsfc@michigan.gov 

History

The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs is a section of Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS).  It is Michigan's prominent family-centered care initiative.  Every state has a similar special health care program under Title V of the Social Security Act.  It was founded in January 1988 by Dr. Bill Clexton. Originally named the Parent Participation Program (PPP), it was renamed to the Family Center in 2006. 

When CSHCS launched PPP, it was a national innovation to employ a parent of a child with special health care needs to represent families on the Title V administrative team.  Because of the trial's success, numerous Title V programs nationwide have adopted the concept.  Today, the Family Center is comprised primarily of parent consultants who have children with special health care needs. 

Purpose

The Family Center's primary purpose is to help shape CSHCS policies and procedures and to help families navigate the CSHCS system.  Through its Family Support Network of Michigan, the Center provides emotional support and information to statewide families of children with special health care needs.  The Center is also the coordinating partner of Michigan's Family-to-Family Health Education and Information Center. 

Services

Services of the Family Center of Children and Youth with Special Health Needs include:
  -Answering the CSHCS Family Phone Line (1-800-359-3722)
  -Distributing the Heart-to-Heart Information Updated a newsletter of interest to families
  -Coordinating Relatively Speaking, a biennial conference uniquely for siblings
  -Directing the Family Support Network of Michigan 
  -Administering scholarships to enable Michigan parents to attend conferences 
  -Leading training & presentations related to children with special needs and to parent- professional collaboration
  -Coordinating Michigan's Family-to-Family Health Information and Education Center
  -Assisting youth with special needs and their families in the transition to adulthood

Online Payment Option 

CSHCS clients with payment agreement obligations can now make online payments via the credit card or e-check options.   Click here to pay your payment agreement fee . 

CSHCS Brochures

CSHCS Family Guide 

Link for ordering CSHCS Brochures    -   Click the 'Children's Health Care' link.

Online Brochures (you can print from here):
     Using Other Insurance with CSHCS   
     CSHCS Insurance Premium Payment Benefit    
     FSN Brochure   
     CSHCS Informational Brochure: Arabic    English     Spanish     
     Being Prepared for an Emergency Booklet    
     Children with Special Needs Fund (CSN) 

Informational Links

Heart-to-Heart 
Transition to Adulthood 
What is CSHCS? 
Michigan Department of Community Health Online Courses 
Health Resource Support Parent Training 
Family-to-Family 

Other Links for Families

Family Village  - A Global Community of Disability-Related Resources by the University of Wisconsin