Family Support Conference

PRESS RELEASE (eMediaWire)

This page is the backgrounder for the 2006 New Hampshire Family Support Conference.

• Conference Schedule at a Glance (PDF)
• History of Family Support in New Hampshire (PDF)
• Detailed schedule for the weekend (PDF) of May 5, 6, 7th 2006
• 2003 Braddock Report (PDF) "Regional and National Perspectives on Developmental Disabilities Services in New Hampshire" as presented to the NH State Legislature. Includes history of Laconia institution closing, family support, and data on financial issues.
• An excerpt from Freda Smith's remarks at the official ceremony commemorating the Closing of Laconia State School, June 20, 1991 (from New Hampshire Challenge)
• Issues surrounding special needs trusts in New Hampshire (from New Hampshire Challenge)
• More issues surrounding special needs trusts in New Hampshire (from New Hampshire Challenge)
• Historical themes of past Family Support Conferences (PDF)
• NH Department of Health and Human Services
• PowerPoint presentation from the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. Public spending for ID/DD services and Supported living, family support and supported employment trends
• 2005 Preliminary Braddock Report State of the State in Developmental Disabilities (PDF)
• United Cerebal Palsy - National Analysis of Medicaid
• Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire
• More to come! Please e-mail Gary suggestions (see the Contact Us page).

Short background of the Family Support Conference

Family support, as a recognized and funded service, became available in 1989 through the legislative advocacy of over 200 families. The Family Support Act laid out a number of principles for family support, recognized families as “the greatest resource available to individuals who are disabled”, and created “a comprehensive statewide family support network” to support families, expecially those living with family members with disabilities.

Family Support is the practice of doing “whatever it takes” to provide information, services and supports to all members of any family that has a member with a developmental disability. Family support means that the family maintains full choice, control and comfort with the services and supports they need.

3,739 families across New Hampshire received Family Support services during Fiscal Year 2005.

The 19th annual 2006 New Hampshire Family Support Conference was planned and coordinated by families in order to provide information, education and networking opportunities for families across the state.

Each local region has established Regional Family Support Council consisting of members who have a family member with a disability. The Family Support Council provides advice to the area agency in the development of family support plans and monitors the services provided pursuant to the plan. Each local agency also has a family support coordinator to assist families to acquire supports and services.

Supports include:

• Respite services
• Environmental Modifications (such as handicap accessible ramps for the home and vehicle modifications)
• Information and referral
• Advocacy and assistive technology services

Family Support has proven to be a cost effective program that is designed to keep families intact and prevent or delay the need for more intensive and costly services and supports.