Description:Family support programs provide an array of formal and informal services to support and empower families with children and adolescents having serious emotional challenges. The goal of family support is to reduce family stress and enhance each family’s ability to care for their child. To do this, family support programs operate on the principles of individualized care and recognizing every child and family is unique in their strengths and needs. Connecting family members to other families with children with serious emotional problems helps families to feel less isolated and identify their own strengths. Family support programs ideally provide the following four core services: family/peer support, respite, advocacy, and skill building/educational opportunities.
All Family Support Programs must reflect the following principles:
Decisions are based on family preference, choice and values
Families are the primary resource and decision makers
Families have access to a flexible, affordable, individualized array of supports
The family’s strengths are the foundation upon which all supports are provided
Support services are culturally, linguistically and geographically sensitive
Family supports are affordable, well-coordinated, accessible and available to all families