ABC for Health, Inc., a non-profit public interest law firm serving families throughout Wisconsin, is working with families of children with special health care needs to create policy and systems changes in managed health care that are responsive to their children's needs.

Managed health care systems are rapidly expanding in Wisconsin. Whether a family has private insurance or public coverage, managed care is a reality for many. Unfortunately, this system of health care delivery is not necessarily designed to best serve those children who have developmental disabilities or chronic health care needs. Lack of information and advocacy in a managed health care system translates into poor health, fear, confusion, and great amounts of frustration.

ABC recognizes this need and is working to:

• Provide families with the tools that they need to better understand their rights and options and ultimately become strong advocates for their children;
• Define and document systemic problems affecting children with special health care needs; and
• Enable families to work in partnership with policy makers and managed health care organizations to make universal changes that better serve children with special health care needs.

ABC for Health has a program dedicated to these activities, the Families MAP (Managed Advocacy Project).

The mission of Families MAP is to create a model advocacy program that will enable families to feel secure in placing their children with special health care needs in a managed health care setting. This program will include advocacy training, educational materials and supportive services.

Family members, advocates, policy makers and representatives of managed care agencies are invited to work with Families MAP. As a member of this project, your participation in meetings is invaluable. Reimbursements for parents are available for travel and childcare expenses, and lunch is provided. By participating in meetings, you will:

• Contribute your personal experience to identify issue areas concerning children with special health care needs in managed care.
• Brainstorm some possible solutions of steps to take toward addressing these issues.
• Get free training on issues the committee identifies to help you become a better, more informed advocate.
• Have access to Health Benefits Counselors for assistance with your family's health care issues.
• Contribute to the development and design of our final project, a Managed Advocacy Program that will be developed as a model program.

FMAP(Families Managed Advocacy Project)'s mission is to create a model advocacy project that will enable families to feel secure in placing their child with special health care needs in a managed health care setting. This project is currently in its third year. This newsletter brings to light issues and problems facing parents and families that have children with special health care needs. It is available in both HTML and PDF formats for your convenience. Click here to view the latest newsletters.

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