Family Councils for Quality Long-Term Care: Support, Strengthen and Empower

Family councils can play a crucial role in voicing concerns, requesting improvements, supporting new family members and residents, and supporting facility efforts to make care and life in the facility the best it can be. Through the Family Councils for Quality Long-Term Care: Support, Strengthen and Empower initiative, the Consumer Voice is working with Michigan and Virginia family councils, and councils across the country to support and strengthen their advocacy efforts for improved quality of care and life for residents of nursing homes.

Click on the links below to learn more about this project and resources and opportunities available.

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Michigan and Virginia:

The Consumer Voice is making pass-through grants available in the amount of $250 to $1,000 each to independent family councils in Michigan and Virginia for the purpose of funding council activities.  Click the links below to apply today!

Frances Lane

Supported by the Frances Lane Memorial Family Council Fund
of the Edward H. Lane Foundation

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Michigan and Virginia Family Council Grantees and Examples of how they've used their Funds

Congratulations to the following family councils, which have been awarded funding!

  • Arden Court, Fair Oaks, VA
  • Envoy of Alexandria Family Council, McLean, VA
  • Birmingham Green Family Council, Manassas, VA
  • The Cedar's Golden Living Centers, Charlottesville, VA
  • Crump's Family Council, Glen Allen, VA
  • Heritage Hall Family Council, Leesburg, VA
  • Sleepy Hollow Manor Family Council, Annandale, VA
  • Trinity Family Council, Charlottesville, VA
  • Westminster Canterbury of Lynchburg Family Council, Lynchburg, VA
  • Belvoir Woods Health Care Center Family Council, Farifax, VA
  • Fairlane Family Council, Detroit, MI
  • Montrose Medilodge Counci, Montrose, MI
  • The Laurels of Carson City Council, Carson City, MI

Below are some examples of ways funded Michigan and Virginia Family Councils have used their funds:

  • Administrative supplies such a flip charts, paper, markers etc. for family council use
  • Mailings and pre-paid postage sent to families to request contact information
  • Business cards: To help publicize and make the family council known among family members and residents
  • Display tables/ Bulletin boards: To provide and post information regarding, upcoming family council events and other family council news
  • Brochures/ Newsletters: To provide family council information to present and future residents and their families
  • Website to communicate with family council members who are unable to regularly attend meetings
  • Social events for residents
  • Refreshments for family council meetings
  • Welcome packets for new residents
  • Employee recognition events and gifts: To help show support for and honor superior nursing home staff members
  • Guest speakers: To speak at family council meetings about relevant topics and issues
  • Buttons or vests for family council members: To help make the family council members visible and known throughout the facility
  • Luncheons for residents during Residents’ Rights Week or with other family council members from nearby facilities to discuss current topics and issues

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Other Events and Opportunities for Councils Nationwide

Nationwide:
The Consumer Voice supports and networks independent family councils nationwide. Councils across the country  have access to the Family Council Center, a free listserv, mailings with information and resources related to family council advocacy and free conference calls.

Family Council Discussion Group/Listserv

This discussion group is a listserv that enables you to send messages to others in the group, and look at previous discussions. It is for family councils across the U.S., and allows council members to network with one another, share successes, accomplishments, and challenges, converse and get feedback, and learn about resources and opportunities available for family councils through Consumer Voice. This discussion group/listserv is confidential; it is only open to family council members and family members. It is not open to ombudsmen and facility staff.

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Additional Resources

Visit the Consumer Voice's Family Council Center for more information, including information on the following topics:

For more information about the Consumer Voice's family council work, please contact Jessica Brill Ortiz, Consumer Voice program manager: jbrillortiz@theconsumervoice.org; (202) 332-2275 ext. 225.

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