The Florida Family Leader’s Network (FFLN) SummitsFFLN Summits

At the FFLN inaugural summit in September 2018, 80 participants met to discuss the development of a network of family leaders and professionals committed to developing family professional partnerships for those serving children and youth with special healthcare needs.

The theme of the summit was “Breaking Down Silos.” Of the 80 participants, 45 were family leaders. Also, in attendance were professionals and educators from a range of health-related disciplines, emerging professionals from the University of South Florida Master’s program in Maternal and Child Health Education, Science and Practice, as well as trainees from the University of Florida Pediatric Pulmonary Center and the University of Miami, Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program. Since 2018, the FFLN has hosted an annual summit.

In 2021, the theme of the summit was “Thriving and Transforming in the Business of Giving.” 180 participants met virtually for two days. Marisol Rose shared her leadership journey from being “just a mom” to State Parent Consultant for Early Steps, Florida’s early intervention system.

Other session topics included living loss, how to tell stories more effectively, what keeps dads awake at night, and disparities in healthcare. Mac Starnes and Oliver Stabbe, youth advocates, shared their journeys to becoming leaders and the passions that drive them. Several sessions provided networking opportunities, a central goal of the FFLN.

The following sessions are now available:

Marisol Rose, State Parent Consultant, Early Steps
“Not Just A Parent” – My Story of Transformation
https://youtu.be/PR1040fuDB8

Mac Starnes, Youth Advocate
Youth Advocate Speaks: Tips and Tricks for Engaging Young Adults in Their Own Care
https://youtu.be/PQ5TEO8eMhE

Oliver Stabbe, Youth Advocate
Youth Advocate Speaks: “I’m Taller on the Inside”
https://youtu.be/-s8f-s8fr5I

Abraham Salinas, Asst. Professor University of South Florida School of Public Health
Co-Parenting Children With Special Healthcare Needs: What Keeps Dads Awake At Night

Adrienne Hibbert, Black Doctors of South Florida
Equity is the answer: Let’s talk about bias in healthcare, parenting, and financial access
https://youtu.be/rhgs3bbqqD0

Megan Cote, Molly Black, Jana Villemez, National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness
Supporting Families of Children with Complex Health Care Needs in Grief Across the Lifespan
https://youtu.be/mxfaNu6rZ1A

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MORE THAN A CONFERENCE, WE ARE A COMMUNITY

Growing Together,
Growing The System

Consistency

We have been and will continue to be a network of different perspectives working towards the same goals

Improvement

We come together as a network to strengthen our collective work building on what came before us

Community

We are stronger in community, and will be here for you, learning and growing together

Learning

Everyone in the network brings with them the power to teach and learn, we will grow our collective strength improving the network for others

A Video is Worth a Thousand Words

A Video By:
Mac Starnes

MORE THAN JUST A CONFERENCE

A Network of Compassion
Conference Reviews

“I was fortunate to attend the FFLN Summit in 2019 for the first time. Somehow I had missed the invitation for the previous event and what a loss that was not doing this sooner. From the moment I arrived I felt a strong connection with every single person who attended. We had some wonderful presentations and great breakout workgroups to figure out to do even more to help others. I am truly grateful to have been able to attend and really needed to be a part of this. I plan to never let another one slip by me again.”

Paula Keyser Burns

West Central Early Steps Family Resource Specialist

“The FFLN Summit is one of those amazing opportunities where family members and medical/system representatives come together as equals with the same goal to better serve and take care of our children with special health care needs. It’s a safe space to discuss, learn, be amazed and feel inspired. Come and join us!”

Nancy Torres

Family Navigator, UM Mailman Center

“As a champion I feel one must be aware of the: who, what, and why to effectively support, advocate and provide services. Since attending the FFLN Summit, I have walked away confidently knowing that I can either answer those questions or connect with the FFLN members to assist me. The FFLN Summit experience provides a platform of kaleidoscope perspectives from patients, families, and community partners to see the differences, but adjust to see the bigger picture.”

Chanda Jones

Case Coordinator University of Florida Jacksonville Healthcare, Inc.

“I had the opportunity to attend Florida Family Leaders Network Summit (FFLN) last year. The camaraderie of the group was inspiring. It was great networking the Family Resource Organization Movement (FROM) and FFLN. Those of us that live, love and support our families have the greatest ability to impact and make the most significant improvements. The Summit is a great educational and networking resource for families”

Diane Ciccarelli

Waiver Support Coordinator

“The FFLN Summit in 2019 was a wonderful, educative and satisfying experience! Meeting so many family leaders, doing such inspiring work in their respective communities led to many takeaways. It has enabled me to facilitate the growth of family-professional partnerships in my home country, India. I look forward to many more opportunities to learn from each other, understand different perspectives and insights, to take our work forward.”

Neena Rao

Photos From
Our FFLN Summits