FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM
FAQ’S FEEDBACK
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What is the Family Scholars Program FSP)?
The Family Scholars Program (FSP) is an opportunity to identify, encourage and train family leaders. This program
strives to provide Family Scholars with the knowledge, tools and resources to enhance their development as family
leaders, and to promote policies, programs and systems at the national, state and/or local-level that address important
issues impacting the health and well-being of women, children and families, including children and youth with special
health care needs.
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Who should apply to this program?
The FSP is for individuals that are interested in impacting Title V programs, are involved within Title V, are leaders at the
community, state or national level, and have a strong desire to develop their leadership skills. For a complete description
for the eligibility criteria for Scholars, please click here. ( hyperlink for this: http://publish.amchp.org/MCH-Topics/AG/Family-Scholars/Pages/Family-Scholars.aspx ) For the eligibility criteria for Mentors, please click here. (hyperlink for
this: http://publish.amchp.org/MCH-Topics/A-G/Family-Scholars/Pages/mentors.aspx )
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What are the requirements of Family Scholars?
In general, Family Scholars are required to actively participate, attend and be on time for calls/activities, engage with
their Mentor and other Family Scholars, attend the AMCHP annual conference, visit the Hill to meet with their
representative, and complete post-conference activities. AMCHP creates a supportive environment by addressing
questions, providing examples and connecting participants with others that have gone through this experience. More
detailed information can be found at:http://publish.amchp.org/MCH-Topics/A-G/Family-Scholars/Pages/FamilyScholars.aspx
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What is the time commitment?
Every month, the program will involve a 90 minute conference call or webinar. Participants will be asked to read
materials (e.g., articles, visit a website or other publication) in advance in preparation for the call and asked to complete
an activity related to the topic of the call (e.g., write your story, research an item related to Title V in your state).
Additionally, each scholar will have monthly communication by phone with their mentor for approximately 30-60 minutes.
The program will run from July 2011 through June 2012. The AMCHP Annual Conference will be held February 11-14,
2012 in Washington, DC.
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How will I be supported in scheduling, preparing for, and making visits to Capitol Hill with regard to the
Title V block grant?
AMCHP’s policy team will identify key Congress members for Hill visits, and provide contact information for scheduling
meetings. Prior to the conference, there will be a family specific call scheduled with members of the policy team to
discuss where legislative issues currently stand, what to expect at a Hill meeting, what key messages should be
delivered, and to provide relevant materials.
During the conference, there will be a legislative briefing to provide an update on the Federal budget and legislative
issues, as well as a review of how to make a visit to the Hill. At this briefing, attendees will also have an opportunity to
share their personal experiences in making visits to the Hill. Throughout the conference, members of the policy team
make every effort to be available to provide additional support as necessary. For example, they may answer questions,
provide additional materials, directions to the Hill, etc.
FSP staff will also provide you an opportunity to connect with past scholars and mentors to ask them questions about
their experiences and how to prepare to address as well as what to plan for to address individual concerns.

How will my role/relationship with Title V/ MCH/CYSHCN change as a result of participating in this
program?
Each scholar and mentor is encouraged to communicate and strengthen their relationship with their Title V program.
The extent to which this happens is very dependent on both the participant and Title V program. Therefore, we strongly
encourage the applicant to discuss with their Title V program what expectations they have of the family leader if they are
selected and what kind of support they will provide. There is opportunity for the program participants to share the
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resources and tools with Title V staff, to join them on Hill visits and to raise questions with the program participants to
learn how other states are delivering Title V services.
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What type of topics will be covered throughout the year?
There are a variety of topics covered throughout the program, and these may shift from year to year. For 2011-2012 the
following topics will be the focus of the program:
 Introduction to Title V, MCHB, and AMCHP
 Role of Families in Title V and Parent-Professional Partnerships & Family Leadership Development
 Policy versus Advocacy; Getting to know your elected officials
 Writing Your Story
 Life Course Framework & Setting the Stage for AMCHP Annual
 Preparing for the AMCHP Annual Conference
 Peer Coaching & Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
 Life after AMCHP Annual: Now What?
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What is a ‘Family Mentor’ and how will they support me during the program?
Family Scholars are matched with seasoned family leaders (Family Mentors) that have previously participated in the
program and have attended the AMCHP conference within the last three years. Each mentor is assigned three to four
scholars. Mentors assist family scholars before, during, and after the conference. For example, Mentors offer guidance
and support through monthly calls, an in-person meeting at the conference, assistance in preparing for the Hill visit, and
assistance with post-conference requirements, as well as share their experiences in their state and as family leaders.

What is my role at the annual AMCHP conference?
There are several responsibilities of the family scholars during the conference. Some examples include:
 Actively participate in scheduled onsite (at the conference) sessions.
 Meet with an assigned Family mentor in person during the annual conference.
 Attend all of the in-person Family-specific events at the AMCHP Annual Conference and attend the regional
meeting.
 Attend sessions that will help you learn or develop one of more of the MCHLC.
 Take personal leave, if required, to visit your Congressional Delegate or Senate member or staff members in
their DC office while attending the AMCHP Annual Conference.

What can I look forward to gaining from this experience?
Family Scholars gain a variety of skills and insight from participating in the program. Past participants report that the
program helped them to: appreciate that learning is an on-going process, understand how important networking is,
define their strengths, become more skilled at speaking with representatives in DC as well as the local level, and gain
knowledge and confidence.

What does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship covers the conference registration, expenses for travel, lodging, and meals that are not provided as one
of the conference activities (luncheon or dinner). Additionally, as a scholar or mentor for the year, you are provided a
free membership to AMCHP. You will receive our monthly newsletter and biweekly members brief.

Where will I stay?
As a Scholar and Mentor you will be staying at the conference hotel, the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.
Program staff will provide you with further instructions as it gets closer to the conference dates.

Will I have to share a room?
To provide a full scholarship for all Scholars and Mentors, participants are asked to room with another participant.
Program staff will provide you with further instructions as it gets closer to the conference dates.

Are there any out of pocket expenses?
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You will be asked to pay for cab rides, shuttles, or other expenses related to travel to and from the conference. After the
annual conference, you will be asked to submit receipts for reimbursement. Staff will inform participants what expenses
are reimbursable.

Is childcare available at the conference?
At this time, AMCHP does not offer on-site child care options. However, AMCHP can offer a child care stipend to family
scholars who attend the conference. The stipend can be used to assist with any additional costs incurred to care for the
scholar’s child(ren) while the scholar is away from home. This year the program can offer $35 per day. The scholar
must complete a request for stipend form and a W9 federal tax form. The stipend is paid in addition to reimbursements
related to the annual conference.
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