The Montana Family to Family Health Information Center Awarded Funding

logo for Montana family to family health information center

May 23, 2019

The University of Montana’s Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities announces the reopening of the Montana Family to Family Health Information Center (F2F- HIC) in summer 2019. The parent-led Family to Family initiative will improve access to and sharing of evidence-based health information so parents and families of children and youth with complex health needs and health care providers can make informed health care choices.

The Montana F2F-HIC will support families by providing access to Montana-relevant, evidence-based resources and creating connections to peer-support resources.

"Montana families of children and youth with special health care needs have unique challenges accessing health care. Montana’s Family to Family Health Information Center will be staffed by Montana parents who have experiences with these challenges, making the center positioned to assist families", said Jenn Banna, Project Coordinator.

The Family to Family Center will be directed by a statewide advisory board made up of mostly parents. The Center will:

  • Develop materials, webinars and a social media resources
  • Provide one-on-one, family-to-family, and peer-to-peer support
  • Offer parent and family advocacy training
  • Train health care professionals

"Montana is fortunate to have excellent family advocates,” said Marty Blair, Executive Director of the Rural Institute. “We look forward to helping connect these advocate-partners to improve health-related outcomes for Montana’s children and youth with complex health needs. The Rural Institute will provide the framework and support; the families will lead the project."