Massachusetts Consortium

FAMILY PARTNERS INITIATIVE

		FPI RESOURCES
	Overview of the Family Partners Initiative October 2005 The Principles of Partnership: Guiding Principles of the Family Partners Initiative Preliminary Planning Activities, 2002-2004 Brief Descriptions of the Six Family Partner Specialist Roles Accomplishments of the Pilot Program Next Steps: Launching the Family-Professional Partners Institute
		ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS

		Affiliated Pediatric Practices Boston University School of Public Health, Maternal & Child Health Department Coordinated Care Service at Children's Hospital, Boston Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Massachusetts Hospital School UMass Memorial Health Center, Pediatric Primary Care Clinic
		MENTORS' ORGANIZATIONS
		MA Family Voices Tufts University Center for Children MA Families Organizing for Change Home First Program, HMEA Family TIES of Massachusetts Neighborhood Health Plan

A pediatric practice, a health plan, and a hospital-based specialty care clinic were among six pilot sites that took part in the recent Family Partners Initiative.

Each hosted a Family Partner � a specially trained parent of a child with special health care needs � in a role designed to influence policy and program design.

Goals

The goals of the Family Partners Initiative were twofold:

to demonstrate sustainable partnership roles for family members in health care organizations, and
to develop a detailed understanding of the key factors for building successful partnerships.

Training and Support

The Initiative provided training and support for both the Family and the Organizational Partners.

Family Partners underwent a two-day orientation program and are supported through meetings and individual mentoring relationships. Organizational Partners received consultation and technical assistance.

The Partnership Roles

Family Partners were paired with a range of health care organizations as consultants, advisors and educators.

In the pilot program, they (see link to full listing at right):

Provided training to dozens of member service representatives at a major health plan.
Organized Parent Advisory Groups for a network of pediatric practices.
Developed an employee orientation program for a facility providing medical, educational and recreational services to CYSHCN.
Created a brochure for parents about the coordinated care services offered by a children's hospital.

Most important, the inspired new and renewed commitments to including family members in the creation of public health policy affecting children with special health care needs.

The Family Partners Initiative is led by the Consortium's Family Participation Work Group, and is largely supported through a grant from the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

For further information about the Family Partners Initiative, please contact us.

FPI RESOURCES