Polly Arango, Special Health Care Needs

For more than 20 years, Polly Arango, BA, has been a writer, speaker, and advocate for children and families in New Mexico and across the country with a special focus on making family-centered systems of care a reality for youngsters who, like her son Nick, have special health care needs. In 1992, she cofounded Family Voices, a national grassroots network with 45,000 families and friends working together to improve care for children and youth with special health needs. Arango served as its first executive director. Arango represents families and family-centered care issues in her own county and state, as well as on many national boards and commissions and in international forums. She is the coauthor of: New Mexico, a New Guide to the Colorful State; Touring New Mexico; Family/Professional Collaboration; and Partners at Work, as well as many articles on health care, New Mexico, and family.