Family Voices of Indiana

By: Paul Hathcoat - Special Needs Director - White River Christian Church

In the world we live today, it is often difficult to connect with others. We are regularly spread out, hunkered down, distracted, self-focused but also lonely. For families caring for children with health care needs and disabilities, that environment can lead to isolation and hopelessness as they seek resources and connections within the healthcare system. There is hope though!

Family Voices Indiana is a non-profit organization based in Fishers, IN. They are dedicated to “being a family-to-family resource that strives to help families access the system from the inside, in order to achieve better outcomes for their loved ones,” says Holly Wheeler, the organization’s Executive Director. They achieve this through supporting families who have children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities through education, outreach and community partnerships. Their mission statement places a high priority on providing “information, training and one-on-one support” to help families “make informed decisions, advocate for improved systems and policies, and to build partnerships between professionals and families.” There are many non-profits in our world that seek to improve the lives of those they serve. What is different about Family Voices Indiana though, is their individual personal experiences which all employees share. Director Wheeler explained that “every employee at FVI has a child with a special healthcare need or disability,” and that, “they themselves have struggled to navigate the healthcare system while caring for a child with significant challenges and disabilities.” This dynamic has created a group of people focused intently on truly connecting with families and individuals, not just providing services and education for them.

Outside of their assistance to help families navigate the health care system, FVI also endeavors to connect families with community services, respite opportunities, legal services and recreational activities. Are you aware of the free community connections options around you? Does your child need a summer camp that is equipped and capable of supporting them well? Would you like

your child to get involved in 4H or take local swim lessons but also have their health conditions managed as to not be a barrier to participation? These questions and more were answered in our discussions with the FVI team. They “advocate for inclusion and connect families with activities and experiences that match their needs and desires,” says Holly Wheeler.

The benefits and the necessities of human connection and mutual support between families and people sharing their lives through difficult situations is well documented. Studies and research have actually shown that families who receive family-to-family support have better outcomes, and that is exactly what Family Voices Indiana is all about. “I hope they walk away from reading this article just knowing that they are not alone” says Wheeler. “We have people ready and willing to talk, support, guide, and befriend those around us in need, and, we’re never closed!”

There are several ways that you can connect and get involved with Family Voices Indiana. They have three Facebook pages, one of which is in Spanish. They are active on Twitter (@FVIndiana), Pinterest, LinkedIn and Instagram (family_voices_indiana) as well. Their main website link is http://www.fvindiana.org/, and contact number is 844-F2F-INFO (844-323-4636). Thank you to Holly Wheeler and her team for meeting the needs of so many families and individuals in our communities.

Do you run a non profit? Would you like to be a part of the non profit spotlight or nominate someone else to be in an upcoming issue of Special Needs Living? Email us at SpecialNeedsLivingIndy@n2pub.com