Remember, the District does not have a family support program! Such a program avoids the institutionalization of individuals with disabilities, enhances their quality of life, advances their dignity and self-worth, and saves the taxpayers significant dollars in the long run.

Where there has been success nationwide in developing systems of family supports, it was primarily due to an emphasis on building family leadership and advocacy; systems planning and direction; and providing services and supports. In addition, effective interagency collaboration, a critical factor to successful implementation of family support systems was found to be related to voices of families and self-advocates growing stronger and being heard; leadership among state agency administrators; willingness among stakeholders to work together for collaboration; various mandates for more efficient and effective government; continued instruction for self-advocates, family members and others to illustrate the need for collaboration and ways for agencies to work better together. (National Center for Family Support)

To achieve similar success here in the District, we propose:

• enactment of legislation establishing in the Department of Human Services a funded program providing family supports for families of persons with disabilities; and
• establishment of an Information Center for family support and disability resources for families of individuals with disabilities that will advise the Department on the use of appropriated funds for family support services.

The collaboration across the Department of Human Services and the State Policy Council will provide the infrastructure for generating increased interagency collaboration across relevant public agencies as well as strengthening and expanding the involvement of various other stakeholders.

It is intended that the Department of Human Services will:

• develop a comprehensive system of family support services for families with individuals with disabilities;
• promote and support leadership by families from planning through implementation and evaluation of these family support services;
• promote and develop interagency coordination and collaboration; and
• increase availability of, funding for, access to, and provision of these family support services.