Family-to-Family Health Care Information and Education Centers

SOUTH CAROLINA

Grant Information

Name of Grantee

Family Connection of South Carolina, Inc. (FCSC)

Title of Grant

Family-to-Family Health Care Information and Education Center for South Carolina

Type of Grant

Family-to-Family Health Care Information and Education Centers

Amount of Grant

$165,000

Year Original Funding Received

2005

Contact Information

Andy Pope
Executive Director
Family Connection of South Carolina, Inc.
2712 Middleburg Drive, Suite 103-B
Columbia, SC 29204
803-252-0914
andypope@familyconnectionSC.org

Subcontractor(s)

Web site developer consultant
Evaluation consultant

Target Population(s)

Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and their families, providers, and other stakeholders.

Goals

  • Develop the capacity of the statewide Family-to-Family Health Care Center.
  • Provide technical assistance (TA) and facilitate peer-to-peer TA of varying intensity and duration, including information, referrals, and short-term assistance.
  • Collect, store, and disseminate information on issues relevant to home and community services and supports, local providers, philosophy of consumer and family-directed care, medical home, and health insurance.
  • Develop and disseminate original materials to assist CSHCN and their families, providers, and other stakeholders with the goal of meeting identified needs or gaps in available materials.
  • Provide input and feedback to CMS, state agencies, and existing Family-to-Family Centers on Family Connection of South Carolina, Inc.'s (FCSC's) ongoing operations and training activities. Identify barriers that will impact future policy decisions and update CMS with reports.

Activities

  • Establish project management.
  • Train at least 120 parents as volunteer Health Care Resource parents.
  • Provide peer-to-peer telephone or e-mail TA.
  • Provide in-person TA.
  • Present at Hopes and Dreams Conference.
  • Collect relevant information and resources.
  • Disseminate information and materials.
  • Identify gaps in available materials, particularly for underserved populations.
  • Develop additional materials.
  • Disseminate developed materials.
  • Provide reports on project activities to CMS and project partners.
  • Provide information on barriers and recommendations for change to CMS and relevant state agencies.
  • Participate in opportunities for exchanges between Centers.

Abstract

Family Connection of South Carolina, Inc. (FCSC), a nonprofit statewide organization consisting of over 15,000 families of CSHCN, will establish a statewide Family-to-Family Health Care Information and Education Center that builds on the best practices from other Family-to-Family Centers. FCSC will promote the philosophy of individual and family-directed supports; provide education, training, and information dissemination to families with CSHCN, parent groups, providers, and other stakeholders; provide training and education on home and community services; help families access their potential eligibility for public programs and benefits; and provide a forum for peer group discussions and interaction. The Family-to-Family Center will draw upon many resources, especially its member families' years of knowledge and experience with the long-term care system. Through parent-to-parent connections and parent/professional collaborations, information for families of CSHCN will be available in a readily accessible manner. Grant-funded staff will collaborate with state agencies and other projects and organizations to develop family friendly materials for dissemination and training. Materials from partner organizations and publications from existing national resources will also be used.

FCSC will maintain a directory of access to new and existing home and community-based resources, which will aid in creating informed and involved consumers in their local communities. FCSC will build on its existing network and develop enhanced relationships with SC ACCESS, a database of comprehensive information and assistance for children and adults of all ages with disabilities, long-term illnesses, or other needs.