Family Support Center

The Family Support Center offers a wide range of services and activities to families of children and adults who are eligible for support through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and living at home with their families. Family support may include intensive family intervention, in-home respite care supports, case management services, emergency supports, clinical services, information and resource referrals, support groups, family training services, and overall assistance with navigating the human services systems.

Last year, 469 individuals were served, an increase of 43 over the previous year. In September 2021, the Family Support Center added the much-needed position of Family Support Financial Coordinator, whose primary responsibility is processing the documentation required for reimbursement of appropriate expenses for families who have DDS funding. The Financial Coordinator assists with processing the documentation for both the Family Support Center and the Autism Support Center.

Family Support received funding from DDS specifically designated for programming, and it was spent on a combination of drop-off activities and family activities. It also went toward take-home kits – activities implemented during the pandemic that are designed to be enjoyed at home – which continue to be offered. We also offered new training seminars for parents and caregivers that were hosted on Zoom. Popular topics included Special Needs Trusts, Causes and Approaches to Picky Eating, and Behavioral Strategies to Use in the Home.