Family Support Organization Collaborative

Connecting, Collaborating, and Strengthening Partnerships to Improve Systems for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs and Disabilities and their Families.

Join the Minnesota Family Support Organization Collaborative (FSOC) to foster connections, share expertise, and enhance services for children and youth with special health needs and disabilities and their support systems, including families and caregivers.  

About the Collaborative

The Minnesota Family Support Organization Collaborative is a space where family support organizations come together to collaborate, share knowledge, and build lasting partnerships. Through our gatherings, we co-create strategies to better serve families with children and youth who have special health needs and disabilities. Our goal is to improve systems by leveraging the collective wisdom and resources of organizations across Minnesota.

Purpose

The FSOC was formed following a 2023 environmental scan where family support organizations expressed a strong desire for deeper collaboration and authentic partnerships with MDH.  

The collaborative is designed to:  

• Connect organizations with peers for relationship-building and knowledge sharing.
• Collaborate on solutions that address the needs of families in Minnesota.
• Strengthen Partnerships with MDH’s Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN) section, helping guide its priorities and plans.

Features of the FSOC:

• Bi-Monthly Virtual Gatherings: Engage with peers in bi-monthly virtual meetings to discuss best practices, share experiences, and learn from each other.
• In-Person Events: Opportunities for face-to-face networking and collaboration are in the works.
• Steering Committee Guidance: Guides the direction of the collaborative and works directly with MDH to shape systems of care for families.
• Partner-Led Learning: Participate in interactive workshops, peer consultations, and storytelling sessions designed to inspire action and growth.
• Shared Decision-Making: Co-create strategies and solutions that reflect the needs and strengths of family support organizations across the state.

How to Join the Collaborative

Interested in becoming part of the Family Support Organization Collaborative? Sign up to participate and become part of a network dedicated to improving systems of support for families across Minnesota.

After registering, you’ll receive:

• A welcome message from a member of our Children and Youth with Special Health Needs and Disabilities team.
• A link to access our online collaboration hub where you can connect with other FSOC members (this will come directly from the Basecamp platform).  

Joining the FSOC ensures that:

1. You will receive our regular newsletter, which includes information on upcoming gatherings and valuable resources.
2. You will be granted access to our online collaboration hub, where you can engage with peers, share knowledge, and access tools designed to support your organization’s work.

Upcoming Events and Gatherings

Virtual Gatherings

Join our bi-monthly virtual meetings where family support professionals come together to share experiences, learn from one another, and explore resources that can help support families. Meetings take place on the last Wednesday of even-numbered months (February, April, June, August, October, and December) from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

In-Person Gatherings

We are exploring opportunities for regional and statewide in-person gatherings, based on the expressed interest of our members. Stay tuned for updates!

Steering Committee

The FSOC Steering Committee is composed of representatives from family support organizations across Minnesota. These leaders bring diverse perspectives and are committed to driving systemic change. Committee members serve for one-year terms and actively contribute to planning and decision-making for the collaborative.