Donate to Family Voices of Minnesota

Kate Shapland will run the Twin Cities Marathon in support of Family Voices of Minnesota.  Here is her story:

I love to run. I also like to help people who are not as lucky as me. So I have combined two things I love to help make a difference. I will be running the Twin Cities Marathon to help a great organization I heard of called Family Voices of Minnesota. They work with families of children with disabilities and chronic illness. They help them find the special resources and supports they need and they also work to make health care better by working with health care providers all over Minnesota to learn and practice Patient/Family Centered Care. This means that the patient works in partnership with the doctor to learn all they can about their illness and make good decisions about their health care.

This is important for everyone, but especially for people who need extra care and lots of health care. They need to make decisions everyday about their health.

I also know that organizations like Family Voices of Minnesota are very important because I have a brother, Mac, who has disabilities and seizures and he needs lots of health care. Family Voices of Minnesota is changing how people receive health care. They are making things better for children with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Please help me help Family Voices of Minnesota-make a pledge today. I will do my part and run the Twin Cities Marathon-with your support Family Voices of Minnesota will continue to help children with disabilities and their families. Thanks for your support!

http://www.razoo.com/story/Family-Voices-Of-Minnesota

Family Voices is the Minnesota Resource for the Latest Information on What's Happening in Health Care and How it Affects You and Your Family!

Follow Family Voices of Minnesota on Twitter and Facebook 

Click here for the: The July issue of FRIDAY'S CHILD - FAMILY VOICES NATIONAL NEWSLETTER.

This issue highlights family leadership and families who have led the way along with national legislative updates.

Click here for the June issue of: FRIDAY'S CHILD - FAMILY VOICES NATIONAL NEWSLETTER. 

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                   HEALTH REFORM INFORMATION            

Young people are the most likely to be uninsured, with 47% of those age 19 to 34 having gone without health insurance at some point last year. One in three is uninsured now. Read how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Affects Young Americans.  

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act makes a number of improvements in our nation’s health care system for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSH CN) and disabilities.

For more information about health reform:

FAMILY VOICES STATEMENT ON THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

The Common Wealth Fund has a many great resources to explain health reform:

www.commonwealthfund.org/

Kaiser Health News offers a Consumers Guide to Health Reform:

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2010/March/22/consumers-guide-health-reform.aspx

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What's New for Youth?

Read the new articles and information on the Kids as Self Advocates, "What's New" web-page:  http://www.fvkasa.org/about/whatsnew.php. There are some great articles this month!

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A Great Opportunity to be "In The Know" on State Policy!

Feeling out of the loop with what's happening at the State Capitol? Wondering how policies might affect people with developmental disabilities? Pick up the phone!

Every fourth Monday of the month, Arc members are invited to call in and listen to updates on state disability policy, state initiatives, and ways for you to be involved. Call 1.888.311.9051 and enter meeting code 193142#.

For questions or a copy of the agenda, contact meredithsalmi@arcgreatertwincities.org.
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LEARN ABOUT PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANCE (PCA)CHANGES FROM THE 2009 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM THE
MINNESOTA DISABILITY LAW CENTER: http://www.mylegalaid.org/mdlc/current-projects/pca-changes

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National Family Voices 2009 Annual Report, learn more about Family Voices National.

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SEASONAL FLU and H1N1 updates FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS

The Minnesota Department of Health has a web-site that contains a great deal of information about the flu:  www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/index.html