Family Councils for Quality Long-Term Care: Support, Strenthen and Empower
Supported by the Frances Lane Memorial Family Council Fund
of the Edward H. Lane Foundation
Frances Lane
Click on the links below to learn more about this project and resources and opportunities available.
Through this project, Consumer Voice is working with Virginia family councils, and councils across the country.
In Virginia:
Consumer Voice is providing funding in the form of mini-grants ($250 - $1000 each) directly to independent family councils for the purpose of funding council activities.
Consumer Voice is currently accepting applications from Virginia family councils!
Nationwide:
Consumer Voice is supporting and networking independent family councils, and will invite them to participate in educational conference calls. Councils across the country will also have access to a webpage, listserv and mailings with information and resources related to family council advocacy.
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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 family 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.
Free Educational Conference Calls for Family Members Who Are Part of a Family Council
- Growing & Maintaining a Strong, Stable, Independent Family Council: 11/13/08; 3 & 7pm ETCall notes
Call notes and Call Materials:
- Agenda
- Speaker Bios: Kirk Larson, Chairman, Minnesota Veterans Home Family Council, Minneapolis, MN; Jean Murphy, J.D., former Executive Director, FRIA
- Minneapolis, MN Veterans Home - About Us
- Minneapolis, MN Veterans Home - Care Conference Guide
- Minneapolis, MN Veterans Home - Oct. council meeting flyer
- Minneapolis, MN Veterans Home - Strategic Planning 2008
- FRIA Manual - Chapter 6 - Building and Sustaining MembershipFact Sheet: Promoting Participation
- Fact Sheet: Leadership
- Fact Sheet: Family Led Councils
- Fact Sheet: Making Meetings Meaningful
- Fact Sheet: Key Components
- Fact Sheet: Overcoming Obstacles
- Sample Membership Form - Family Council at Holy Cross Nursing and Rehab Ctr., Burtonsville, MD
- Sample Flier
- Additional Resources for Information on Family Councils
- Consumer Voice Publication List and Order Form
- Strength in Numbers - flier and order form
- Family Council Discussion Group and Listserv information
- Family Councils: Focus on Rights and Advocacy: 7/31/08; 3 & 7pm ET
- Call Notes
- State Operations Manual Appendix PP - Guidance to Surveyors for Long-Term Care Facilities*Pertinent Guidelines: F243and F244 - pages 71-7*
- Call Materials:
- Agenda
- Speaker Bio: Robyn Grant, Long Term Care Policy Director at United Senior Action, IN; Consultant, theNational Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC
- Speaker Bio: Donna Smith, Member, Family Council, Presbyterian Homes, Evanston, IL
- Speaker Bio: Susan Bardes, Chairman, Family Council, Wellington Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility, Indianapolis, IN
- Speaker Bio: Bob Bronaugh, Co-President, Manor Care Chevy Chase Family Council, MD
- Fact Sheet: Family Council Rights
- Fact Sheet: Family Led Councils
- Fact Sheet: Continuity and Communication
- Fact Sheet: Key Components
- Fact Sheet: Leadership
- Fact Sheet: Making Meetings Meaningful
- Fact Sheet: Overcoming Obstacles
- Fact Sheet: Promoting Participation
- Fact Sheet: Successes
- Sample Bylaws - Family Council at Holy Cross Nursing and Rehab Ctr., Burtonsville, M
- Sample Membership Form - Family Council at Holy Cross Nursing and Rehab Ctr., Burtonsville, MD
- Sample Flier
- Additional Resources for Information on Family Councils
- Consumer Voice Publication List and Order Form
- Strength in Numbers - flier and order form
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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
We are still accepting applications from family councils. Apply today!
Below is a list of examples of how funded 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
- Host luncheons for residents during Residents’ Rights Week or with other family council members from nearby facilities to discuss current topics and issues.
- Host a Senior Prom
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Visit Consumer Voice's Family Council Center for more information, including information on the following topics:
- Family Council Tips, Tools and Rights
- Fact Sheets
- Residents' Rights
- Federal Law and Regulations
- Consumer Voice Family council Projects
- Family Council Exchange
- Family Council DVD and Guide
- The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- Additional Resources
For more information about this project, please contact Jessica Brill, Consumer Voice Program Manager: jbrill@theconsumervoice.org; (202) 332-2275.
