Programs and Services

Family Support Project

The Family Support Project includes a legislative initiative developed by family members, persons with disabilities and policy makers, to design and implement cross-disability, family-directed support services in Pennsylvania. The project has also collected examples of Best Practice in a variety of areas. Additional information is listed alphabetically by topics in Resources and Links.

Talking Points
Talk with your local legislators about the Family Support Project. The links below provide specific discussion information:

• Why are such supports and services needed?
• Do Family Support Services Work?
• How can we help without creating more bureaucracy and larger government?

About the Project
Family Support Services are designed to enhance the quality of life and to help assure that children can remain at home and in their communities. Family Support Services are unique to each family and child. Examples of support services that can be used by families include respite care, assistive technology, vehicle modification, independent living skills training and attendant care.

In Pennsylvania, Family Support Services are available on a limited basis through the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Retardation through the County Mental Retardation offices for children with a diagnosis of mental retardation. A grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council addressed the need to expand such services to children with any disability. Their grant to UCP of PA has created the opportunity to educate legislators and government administrators about the need of families for support services.

UCP of Pennsylvania created a statewide Advisory Committee to bring together the views of parents of children with disabilities, adults with disabilities, state policy makers, representatives of disability organizations, state legislators and county government. This committed group of individuals is representative of the state's diversity in terms of disabilities and minority populations. Their grass roots support helps the Project to stay in touch with the true needs of families of children with disabilities.

In addition, a Family Support Network was created to provide opportunities to all families and other interested parties to participate in the project and educate policy makers and the general public.

For the first several years, forums were conducted throughout the state to obtain additional input from persons concerned about children with disabilities and their families. The Family Support Network has grown to more than 1,000 members.

The Family Support Project continues to advocate for services to families of kids with disabilities and also for families where the parent has a disability.

Join the Family Support Network
Influence the course of legislation that will help children with disabilities and their families. Help educate public officials and others, help organize a meeting with your local disabilities organization, share your story, or simply stay informed about the Family Support Project's progress, you can help make the proposed legislation the law by joining the network.

For more information about Family Support Project, please contact UCP at (866) 761-6129 or send an e-mail.

http://www.ucpofpa.org
Updated: 08/23/2006