Family Support Program

Family Support Services is an element of the community-based system of care for families of children with disabilities.  Family Support Services at NRCIL consists of an array of formal and informal services with an emphasis on self-determination and family control. In this program, families work together to achieve a non-discriminating and embracing community for their children with disabilities.  Family Support emphasizes full parent participation in service planning and evaluation of services in the child’s own home and community whenever possible. NRCIL advocates for flexibility and responsiveness from the formal service system. Family centered planning allows families to choose the services and goals which best meet their individual family needs.  The components of this program combine to assist and empower families to reach these goals.

 

Included in supports are:

 Parent Groups give parents and family members of children with disabilities the opportunity to meet other families with similar issues and build natural supports.

 Respite and Recreational Activities provides the opportunity for short breaks to assist in reducing or preventing stress for Jefferson County families of children with mental health disabilities.

 Family Support and Advocacy (educational and daily living) enables parents to become effective members of their child’s medical and educational teams, locate resources to help parents better understand their child’s disability, provide support through the special education process and assist parents to become their child’s best advocate.  

Youth Advocacy Leadership and Empowerment (YALE) assists youth with disabilities to set and achieve educational and vocational goals and promotes opportunities for youth to be on local, regional, and state boards and committees.

Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC) provides information and training for parents and families of children with disabilities so that they feel empowered, encouraged and confident to become active, informed decision makers on behalf of their family and child/children with disabilities.

For more information about this Program  Click Here

From the PTIC Training Coordinator’s Corner

Tri-County Foster and Adoptive Network

Families Together New York State Newsletter