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Out With The Old...In With The New! |
 The year 2007 was a year of transformation and change for families across the state of Florida. In the beginning of 2007, Florida's Families said farewell to Governor Jeb Bush who had become very instrumental in the world of policy and change for persons with disabilities and welcomed in our new Governor Charlie Christ. During this time F.I.F.I. was going though a transformation as well, saying farewell to its longtime Executive Director and Founder Conni Wells and Business Manager Lindsay Phillips. As the saying goes, "out with the old and in with the new" as F.I.F.I. welcomed in new board members, new IFCAP Family Involvement Specialists, as well as a new Health Policy Specialist. As we continue on our journey through systems transformation, parent/professional partnerships and many other issues that face Florida's Families, we look forward to the challenges and accomplishments that await us in 2008. |
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IFCAP
Through the Integrating Families, Communities and Providers(IFCAP) Grant, FIFI successfully conducted an extensive exploration of ideas with key community leaders on services for children and youth with special health care needs, in three areas of the state; Jacksonville, Sarasota, and West Palm-Broward. The process used to obtain the views of the community leaders is called Concept Mapping.
The purpose of Concept Mapping is to gain understanding of the actions that the community believes are critical to the development, expansion and sustainability of a family-centered, community-based, culturally competent system of care for all children and youth with special health care needs and their families in your community. Concept Mapping uses a mixed approach of group interaction and research-based analyses of the responses to produce an unbiased report of the participants' views. Approximately 30 key individuals whose diverse experience and expertise provided critical insight into the development and sustainability of systems of care was gathered. The process was led by two national consultants in Concept Mapping, Marty Hydaker and Lenore Behar.
The final Concept Mapping report will be disseminated to participants, stakeholders, the Florida Legislature and state and community partners. |
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FIFI hosted several trainings in 2007 including the Florida Policy Academy, Ambassadors-"On the Road to Family Driven Care", and Organizational Sustainability "Keeping Afloat" Training.
Florida Policy Academy (FPA)
The Florida Policy Academy (FPA), was held at the Shingle Creeek Resort in Orlando, Florida during the month of June prior to the Family Café Conference. Twelve participants from across the State of Florida participated in activities that educated them on how they can effectively affect policy and also assisted them in understanding the steps they can take to improve the quality of care statewide and within their communities. This years featured speakers were John Reiss; Professor of Pediatrics UF, Tammy Thompson; Health Policy Specialist F.I.F.I., Sheree Keeler; Consultant, John Hall, Executive Director of the ARC and Lindsay Phillips, F.I.F.I. Following the FPA training, participants were given the opportunity to attend the Family Café Conference and the Governors Town Hall Meeting.
Ambassadors-"On the Road to Family Driven Care"
The Ambassadors-"On the Road to Family Driven Care" was held during the month of September in Orlando, Florida. The Ambassador training is a train-the-trainer program from the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. This training takes participants on a journey towards transforming mental health care for children and youth with mental health challenges and their families. The train-the-trainer curriculum consists of practical training skills, historical context, the latest version of the family-driven care definition, as well as a Personal Planning Guide. It also provides participants with Power Point slides with speaker notes, handouts, and resource materials.
Organizational Sustainability Training, "Keeping Afloat"
The Organizational Sustainability Training, "Keeping Afloat" was held in September in Orlando. "Keeping Afloat" is an initiative offered by F.I.F.I. to help family run organizations throughout the state rise and survive the barriers to sustainability and growth. Intended for the seasoned leader, the program addresses leader survival beyond the chaos and stress, developing the capacity to guide the organization through difficult times, enhancing the organizations accountability practices, and adding to the funding base so that each year is not a scramble to have enough funds to continue the mission of the organization. All sessions were interactive and participants were asked to bring their lap tops for hands on activities. "Keeping Afloat" featured National Speaker and Trainer Conni Wells from the Axis Group, Inc. and Jack Levine from the 4Generations Institute.
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F.I.F.I. Policy Training Specialist |
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 Meet Tammy Thompson, the Policy Training Specialist for the Florida Institute for Family Involvement (FIFI). As the Policy Training Specialist, Tammy is responsible for facilitating change through the education of state and local partners, collecting and sharing Florida's family stories and training Florida family leaders on policy at FIFI's Florida Policy Academy. Tammy also participates in community efforts in her native home of Wakulla County networking with local doctor's offices, schools and participating in public events providing assistance and resources. Some of the organizations Tammy has been active in networking with is the Children's Defense Fund, Healthy Child Campaign, Family Cafe and CHAIN.
As the FIFI Policy Training Specialist, Tammy is interested in collaborating with your program on common goals and projects, all leading to better lives and services for Florida's families. If you have questions for Tammy or would like to find out more about her involvement with FIFI please contact her at our toll-free number, (877) 926-3514. | |
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F.I.F.I. Vital Signs
Total Families Seeking Assistance in 2007
7523 Families Assisted
Total Families Helped One to One in 2007
2951 Families |
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Want to Contact F.I.F.I.?
F.I.F.I.
P.O. Box 208
Sopchoppy, Florida 32358
(877) 926-3514 Toll-Free
(925) 475-6525 Fax
Visit our Website:
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F.I.F.I Proudly Supported By:
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