Have you heard about the Family Support Center on Disabilities: Knowledge & Involvement Network -- the new clearinghouse funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities? Our focus is families and we are developing a web site and establishing state action teams in every state and territory to promote the needs and resources available to individuals with disabilities and their families. We will provide information on what is available and work to address what is still needed.

While there are many supports and services available, not all services are available everywhere and there are gaps and unmet needs. There are needs for reforms, policy changes, better funding and changes in systems that are cumbersome and in need of improvement.

Facilitating Change
There are needs in every state. Individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families and service providers know what these needs are. One of the activities of the Family Support Center is to facilitate development of teams in each state to address some of their needs. We call these State Action Teams (SAT).

The SAT will work together to close a gap, expand services, inform policy and other activities of their choosing to result in systems change for their locality. The Family Support Center on Disabilities will facilitate this work, provide technical assistance to teams and offer a small stipend to cover some expenses.

Forming a State Action Team: We Need People Like You
The SAT is a representative, diverse group of people who share a mission to improve the lives and extend opportunities for individuals with developmental and other disabilities, who are available to work on a cause and who can take a leadership role on a team for the next year or two. Individuals with disabilities, families, disability organizations, family groups, and service providers are our target --- people who are interested, committed, and experienced. We need people who are skilled in the identification and solution of problems along with those who’d like to develop these skills.

We anticipate a core team of about ten, with other members joining in to help move the initiatives forward. Membership should be diverse to bring together all perspectives and needs. Teams can be state wide or represent a region of the state. This is a two year initiative with plans to build on successes and continue the work begun. Members of other teams and members of organizations working in the state are encouraged to join in to leverage resources, energy and to build sustainability.

You Are Committing to Work for Change
A sign-up form is included. Completed forms should be sent to the Family Support Center on Disabilities by fax, email or on paper. These applications will be used to select members for each state team; you will hear back from us within a few weeks to let you know your role and connect you to the SAT section of our web site.

Sign-up Form