Contact Information

Family Voices of ND is the Family Voices State Affiliate Organization.

Family Voices aims to achieve family-centered care for all children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities.  Through this national network, Family Voices provides families tools to make informed decisions, advocates for improved public and private policies, builds partnerships among professionals and families, and serves as a trusted resource on health care.

History of Family Voices of North Dakota

Family Voices of North Dakota has been assisting families of CYSHCN since 1997, when Executive Director Donene Feist, a mother of a young child with hearing impairment, recognized the need for family assistance in navigating health care systems.

With grants from Family Voices National, CSHS, then at the ND Department of Human Services and private donations, FVND became established as a resource for families and professionals.

In 2000, Family Voices of North Dakota became a 501(c3).  From 2004-2007, Family Voices of North Dakota was awarded $50,000 annually from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) to run a Family-to-Family Health Education and Information Center, and continued to receive funding from CSHS.

In 2007, Family Voices of North Dakota was awarded $95,700 annually by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to continue and enhance its operation as a Family-to-Family Health Information Center (F2F HIC) through 2010.  With this additional funding FV of ND hired 3 part-time staff, resulting in outreach to more families