The Family EMPOWERment Center provides the necessary organization and support to achive three important objectives:

Develop Family Leadership and Governance: The Center staff and Advisory Group will train and support family representatives to assume leadership for a family-led Governing Board.

Individual Support and Guidance: The Center staff, government and community partners support families with children or other family members with developmental disabiliteis to develop and implement Individualized Family Action Plans (IFAP).

Policy Development: The Center's community of families and its leadership will promote and strengthen a comprehensive system of family-centered and family-directed support services.

The central feature for the EMPOWERment Center is "family governance". This means that families define the Center's values, set its direction and oversee its daily operation.

The Governing Board provides guidance for the Center staff. It also works to ensure that the Center's activities are designed and operated to help families become effective advocates.

You can contact the following for more information on this project:

Director DC Family EMPOWERment Center (202) 561-1991 Ext. 16 or dbrown@dcfamilysupports.org