CAMPS • University of Florida Every summer the Center holds a four-day camp for children with craniofacial differences and their families who are followed in local clinics. The camp is designed to help these children develop coping skills and improve self esteem and self confidence. The camp, which is staffed by our team members and UF graduate students, provides an opportunity for 15-25 families to spend time with these specialists and other families with similar problems in an informal setting where they can ask questions, express concerns and develop friendships. Camp Montgomery, the site of the annual camp, is located on beautiful Lake Crystal, about 40 miles east of Gainesville and the UF campus. This camp features individual cabins for families and staff, a large dining/conference hall, a covered basketball court, and extensive lake frontage for boating, fishing and swimming. For more information on this camp contact Ms. Ginny Dixon-Wood, camp director, Dr. Steve Boggs, pediatric psychologist, or Dr. Bill Williams, Center Director. FAMILY NETWORK Sometimes the best help we can get is from someone who has gone through similar problems as we are facing. That is the concept of the family network. Over the years, families who have children with facial differences have been recruited and trained by staff of the UF Craniofacial Center to serve as peer counselors for other families who are still struggling with the issues related to craniofacial disorders. These families have been organized into networks which collectively serve families throughout the region served by the Center. Often, a mother with a new born baby will be visited while still in the hospital by another mother who is a member of the family network. If you would like to contact other families who have a child with a facial difference please contact Ms. Ginny Dixon-Wood, Dr. Bill Williams or Dr. Bill Wharton. FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM The University of Florida Craniofacial Center works cooperatively with the State of Florida Department of Health Children's Medical Services (CMS) and the Florida Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (FCPA) to provide coordinated Family Support services statewide. The objectives of the Family Support Program are as follows: • Develop regional family networks, with the parent of a child with a craniofacial abnormality or a qualified professional serving as coordinator in each case. • Work with the CMS area office(s) in their assigned region regarding assistance to parents of newborns with a craniofacial abnormality to assist in developing effective feeding strategies and obtaining early counseling and other assistance. Regional coordinators also coordinate with hospitals, physicians, nurses and other professionals to improve communication with parents of newborn infants with a craniofacial abnormality to assist in developing effective feeding strategies and obtaining early counseling and other assistance. • Provide (or arrange for) at least one training session in the region to offer information and support to equip parents with the necessary skills to understand and assume the responsibility for managing the routine needs of their child. All CMS offices in the region will be contacted to assist with parent notification. CMS nurse case managers and social service workers will be encouraged to participate in the training session in their region. • Develop a registry of individuals and agencies served through the network. • Develop a directory of regional services available to patients and families and distribute to families, CMS and other health care professionals. • Distribute a listing of publications and videos available from FCPA, as well as information to request materials, to families, CMS, birthing hospitals and other health care professionals. • Prepare and distribute family satisfaction questionnaires to parents or caretakers to identify problems and submit results to the Statewide Program Coordinator. • Designate a contact person at each CMS area office in the region and the FCPA to serve as liaisons between the two organizations. • Ensure regular contact with and support of local family networks in the region.