III.  Coaching Level

F2F and its collaborating partners will create opportunities for families to coach groups of families in their communities so these families can gain access to the services, advocacy and assistance they need to reduce barriers to community living for their children with special health care needs and disabilities. 

This Level asks parents to use their knowledge and capacity to build the knowledge and capacities of other parents to bring about positive outcomes for children with disabilities in their communities. Activities at this level assist in the dissemination of data to local communities across the state. 

There are three options for training and guidance at this level. Families can participate in or start their own support groups with assistance from F2F.  (For example, Parent to Parent of Georgia runs five support groups targeting the Hispanic population every month.)  Families can organize a C.A.F.E. Health, which stands for Concerned Adults Focusing Efforts on Health.  Families select topics for discussion, and with assistance from F2F, recruit appropriate professionals and other interested families for frank discussions on relevant health topics.  (For example, families might select the medically fragile waiver, recruit someone from the appropriate state agency along with families who have successfully completed the application process, and hold a C.A.F.E. Health for families interested in a new application.  Finally, parents can assist in organizing, or just participate in a Town Hall Meeting, which is formal training on relevant health topics given by leaders in the field.  (For example, a meeting on the new State-Contracted Medicaid providers is organized by F2F and families, run by these providers, and families can attend to learn necessary information.)

• Support Group:  Provide support and information to families
• CAFÉ on Health: Small group meetings on specific health topics
• Town Hall Meetings:  Meetings to disseminate medical information in local communities