Juno Duenas

Juno Duenas is a prominent advocate for children with special health care needs and their families, serving as the Executive Director of Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, a parent-run organization based in San Francisco.1 With over three decades of experience in family advocacy, Duenas has been a significant force in improving support systems and care for children with disabilities and their families.1

Career Highlights

Duenas began her journey with Support for Families as a parent attending support groups. She later joined the staff and eventually became the Executive Director.1 Under her leadership, the organization has provided crucial services including:

• Information and resources for families
• Education and support programs
• Advocacy for improved systems of care

Achievements and Contributions

During her tenure, Duenas has been instrumental in:

• Pushing for family-centered care in hospitals, which has led to significant improvements in pediatric care1
• Advocating for keeping children with disabilities at home rather than in institutions1
• Creating innovative programs like the Information and Resource Conference for families1

Vision for the Future

Duenas has identified several areas for improvement in the care system for children with special health care needs:

• Streamlining healthcare financing to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for families
• Providing better operational support for family advocacy organizations
• Incorporating disability and special health care needs into broader diversity conversations1

Juno Duenas retired from her position as Executive Director on December 18, 2020, leaving behind a legacy of tireless advocacy and significant improvements in support for families of children with disabilities.1