U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration: Family-to-Family Health Information Centers

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal Child Health Bureau (MCHB) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2018 Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F HICs). The purpose of this program is to provide information, education, technical assistance, and peer support to families of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and the professionals who serve them. The goal of the F2F HICs Program is to promote optimal health for CYSHCN by helping families and health professionals to partner in health care decision-making and facilitating access to cost-effective, quality health care.

The awardee will be responsible for collecting data on these objectives for the purposes of monitoring and evaluating the overall effectiveness of the program. Baselines should be established for these measures within the first year of the award:

• By 2022, increase by 5 percent from baseline the number of families of CYSHCN and professionals who have received information, education, and/or training from F2F HICs
• By 2022, increase by 5 percent from baseline the number of CYSHCN and families, particularly families from underrepresented and diverse communities, trained to partner at all levels of shared decision-making
• By 2022, increase by 10 percent from baseline the number and type of state agencies/programs and community-based organizations assisted in providing services/information to families of CYSHCN

The F2F HICs are statutorily required to:

• Assist families of CYSHCN in making informed choices about health care in order to promote good treatment decisions, cost effectiveness and improved health outcomes
• Provide information regarding the health care needs of, and resources available to, CYSHCN
• Identify successful health care delivery models for CYSHCN
• Develop, with representatives of health care providers, managed care organizations, health care purchasers, and appropriate state agencies, a model for collaboration between families of CYSHCN and health professionals
• Provide training and guidance regarding the care of CYSHCN
• Conduct outreach activities to families of CYSHCN, health professionals, schools, and other appropriate entities and individuals
• Staff centers with families of CYSHCN who have expertise in federal and state public and private health care systems, and with health professionals

In addition to the seven statutorily required activities, the F2F HICs are expected to:

• Use evidence-based practices related to family-centered care to: provide one-to-one, family-to-family, and peer-to-peer support; help families navigate health care systems; link families to resources and information; connect families to other families for information and peer support; provide outreach and training to families, particularly those from underrepresented and diverse communities, to learn how to partner with professionals, identify needs and strategies to obtain supports, and share decision-making at the individual and systems level; train professionals to work with families with CYSHCNs; and offer strategies/training to families to assume ongoing leadership and advisory roles in systems that serve CYSHCNs.
• Develop partnerships with organizations serving CYSHCN and their families, especially in activities addressing disparities and emerging health trends. Partnerships should include, but not be limited to: state Title V programs and other state agencies/programs; other programs serving children such as Head Start; primary care organizations; parent/family-led organizations; patient navigator programs; federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), and other HRSA programs/award recipients.
• Use and promote evidence-based/informed practices that reflect cultural and linguistic competencies such as: ensuring policies are in place to support culturally and linguistically competent practices; demonstrating evidence of appropriate language access that has current, accurate and culturally/linguistically appropriate information and education for families, accounting for their health literacy levels; and engaging with cultural brokers and/or community health workers.
• Develop resources such as brochures, frequently asked questions and answers, webinars, web-based resources, or other resources for families and providers regarding the health care needs of CYSHCN and resources available in their state.
• Identify and track changes in health care delivery including changes in state law that impact families.
  Integrate the following Family/Professional Partnership Program principles throughout project policies and activities: (1) family-centered care, (2) cultural and linguistic competence, and (3) shared decision-making between families of CYSHCN, health professionals, and appropriate state and community organizations.
• Demonstrate and promote family leadership and connection to the state systems of care for CYSHCN, through such activities as membership or involvement on three statewide advisory councils, partnerships with state entities such as departments of education, social services, or housing.
• Collect, monitor, analyze, and report on data to: (1) measure the number and types of families served (e.g. race, ethnicity, language); (2) measure how effective F2F HICs have been in providing information, mentoring, and training to families and providers in engaging families of CYSHCN as they make informed health care decisions; and (3) inform program development and service delivery.

Amount: Approximately $4,880,700 is expected to be available annually to fund up to 51 recipients. Applicants may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $95,700 total cost (includes both direct and indirect, facilities, and administrative costs) per year. The project period is June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2022 (4 years).

Eligibility: Eligible applicants include any public or private entity; and faith-based and community based organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations are eligible to apply. The law limits the site of eligible organizations to the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Although tribes and tribal organizations may apply, they must meet all applicable requirements, including targeting all CYSHCN across the state for services.

Link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=295201

Note: The actual amount available will not be determined until enactment of a FY 2018 federal appropriation for this program. This program notice is subject to the appropriation of funds, and is a contingency action taken to ensure that, should funds become available for this purpose, applications can be processed, and funds awarded in a timely manner. Funding beyond the first year is dependent on the availability of appropriated funds for the F2F HICs Program in subsequent fiscal years, satisfactory recipient performance, and a decision that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal Government.

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