We invite all Illinois families of children with special healthcare needs to share their feedback and experiences at this virtual forum.

Join us for an opportunity to connect with other families and share your feedback on topics that matter to you. 

Our next Family Advisory Council (FAC) open forum is on May 7 from 9 to 11 a.m. 

Members will discuss how they can partner with the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) to share their families’ stories, successes and helpful tips and resources they’ve learned along the way. 

The FAC will also open the floor to hear your ideas as they discuss DSCC’s messaging to families, digital communication channels and more.  

This free virtual meeting is for all Illinois families of children with special healthcare needs. You do not have to be a Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participant to attend. 

You can sign up on Zoom to join the meeting. Please note that live Spanish translation will be available.

The FAC guides our efforts to strengthen teamwork, improve communication and empower families to have a voice in their children’s care. The council also connects families to resources and other families who are on a similar journey. 

You can find the minutes from past meetings and more details on our website’s Family Advisory Council page. You can also learn more about some of our FAC members on our Meet Our Family Advisory Council Members page.

If you have questions or would like more details on how to participate in the FAC, please email dsccfac@uic.edu.

We hope to see you on May 7!

DSCC’s updated Family Advisory Council makes it easier for families to take part and share feedback.

Feedback from our parents and participants is important to us at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC).

We have updated our Family Advisory Council (FAC) setup to make it easier for families to take part and share their input.

The FAC’s mission is to bring together families and our staff and leadership to promote the delivery of participant and family-centered services.

Our updated council will connect families to resources and provide guidance to strengthen our teamwork, improve communication and empower families to have a voice in their child’s care.

Our Family Advisory Council will consist of 15 family members and two DSCC staff members. Members must agree to a one-year commitment with an option to stay for a second.

The FAC will meet in person twice per year. Meeting locations will include Springfield, Chicago and southern Illinois.

We plan to hold a virtual meeting in September 2020. We will hold two more virtual meetings per calendar year via telephone or video.

FAC members will receive $100 per face-to-face meeting with travel reimbursement, lodging fees and per diem included. Members will receive $50 per virtual meeting.

Family engagement is essential for a successful Family Advisory Council. FAC members will have a shared responsibility to facilitate meetings and keep participant- and family-centered values at the forefront of discussions.

We ask that FAC members not only attend scheduled meetings but also share ideas, provide feedback and give support to other members. These are crucial components for a strong and productive committee.

Eligible FAC members must:

• Be a family member of a current or former Core or Home Care program participant
• Have knowledge of and interest in improving systems of care for children with special healthcare needs
• Have time for quarterly meetings
• Can travel to the regional hub for face-to-face meetings

Please contact Adell Scott (adells@uic.edu) or Claire Richardson (clairer3@uic.edu) if you have any questions or recommendations. You may also reach them by phone at (217) 558-2350.