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MISSION STATEMENT

Children with disabilities and their families will have supports and services which are individualized, efficient and cost-effective, and which promote the autonomy of the family and the individuality of the child.

It is one purpose of the Family Support Collaborative to identify barriers to delivery of those services and supports in the current system

Ohio will have a system of laws, policies, and practices which supports children with disabilities and their families in a manner which is coordinated, dependable, flexible and cost-effective

A second purpose of the Family Support Collaborative is to guide policymakers, through recommendations, in establishing such a system

The adequacy and availability of supports and services to children with disabilities and their families will be increased

A third purpose of the Family Support Collaborative is to generate a written plan of organized advocacy, with realistic time lines, that will increase the adequacy and availability of those supports and services in Ohio

It is the mission of the Family Support Collaborative to ensure that children with developmental disabilities and their families have individualized supports and services which enable safety and nurture, and which keep the family unit independent and intact. In Ohio, the systems of supports and services are not designed to functionally meet the needs of families. The Family Support Collaborative affirms the belief that all children can and will live in a family, preferably their birth family, which is safe, nurturing and permanent, if that family is adequately supported. The purpose of the Family Support Collaborative is to identify the need for, and guide the development of, an integrated system of support for the family. The integrated system of support proposed by the Family Support Collaborative recognizes that families are the pivotal decision makers for choosing services and supports for children and their families.

POSITION STATEMENTS

It is the position of the Family Support Collaborative that all children can and will live in a family, preferably their birth family, if adequately supported. This position guides the Family Support Collaborative’s plan of organized advocacy for a system which will yield children who grow into self-confident, productive individuals who realize their unique potential. It is the position of the Family Support Collaborative that children need a family.

Children need a Family

All children need the caring, nurturing, permanency, love and sense of belonging that a family provides.

All children need the advocacy that a family member(s) can give.

When a child must leave the birth family’s home because the family is unable, even with appropriate supports and services, or unwilling to provide a safe and nurturing home for its child with a disability, foster care, adoptions and other alternatives will be available to give the child the opportunity to live and grow up with a family.

All children and their families have the right to services, supports and other assistance which are provided in a manner that demonstrates respect for individual dignity, personal preferences, and cultural differences.

All children and their families will be assisted to be self-advocates, regardless of the limitations placed on the outward expression of their wishes because of disability.

Children and Their Families Have the Right to Make Decisions.

Advocacy services will be available to all children and families.

All children and their families will have opportunities and support to be included in their local, state, and national communities both as autonomous participants and interdependent contributors: opportunities require and support includes having information on all possible choices, benefits, and risks, and enjoying freedom from coercion, threats or punishment.

Children have the Right to Basic Needs

All children have the right to food, clothing, and shelter.

All children’s families will be able to access supports and funds to provide for a child’s basic needs when the family is unable to do so.

All children’s families will be able to access funds for residential services and supports, and will have access to qualified service providers who are chosen consistent with the child’s and family’s choices.

Children’s Families Need and Will Have Support to Reduce the Stress Which Accompanies Raising a Child with a Disability, so that All Family Members Can Lead Productive Lives in Society.

Families will be able to consistently access timely and dependable day care services, or other child supervision services necessary in order for the child to be able to remain with the family.

Families will be able to access respite services which can provide valuable relief from child care responsibilities.

Families, especially parents will have access to education, training and counseling to assist with child care responsibilities.

Families will be able to secure funds for home modifications and adaptive equipment according to the needs of the family’s child.

Children Have the Right to Early Intervention

All children have the right of access to early and regular prenatal care, health care, and to live in an environment which encourages optimal growth and development.

All families will be able to access service coordination which will help them identify needs and make informed choices concerning early intervention services for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

All children will receive, to the maximum extent possible, early intervention in the child’s natural environment.

Children Have a Right to an Appropriate, Individualized Education.

All children with disabilities have the right to a free, appropriate public education which is individualized to meet the child’s unique needs.

All children with disabilities have the right to receive this education in an environment that is the least restrictive possible, and to be educated to the maximum extent possible with children who do not have disabilities, in the same schools and classrooms attended by their brothers, sisters, and neighbors.

All children have the right to related services that are necessary for the child to benefit from an individualized education program.

All children will have access to transportation for educational and vocational purposes -freedom of movement is essential in enabling children to become independent, and to engage in productive activities.

Children Have a Right to Adequate Health Care

All children will have access to efficient and adequate health care.

All children will be able to access medically necessary care such as home care nursing, physical therapy, etc. in a timely manner.

All children will be able to access necessary medicines and medical equipment needed for good health.

All children will have cost-effective health insurance benefits to pay for health care, and all public and private health care providers or entities managing health care will not engage in discriminatory practices.

All children who are medically fragile or chronically ill have the right to appropriate health care, including mental health services, as there is evidence that children with chronic illnesses are likely to be at increased risk of emotional and behavioral problems.

All children who need assistive technology will be able to access funds to pay for that technology.

All children who have behavioral needs will have access to appropriate and individualized behavioral supports and services to assist them to function successfully in their community.

Children Have a Right to Access all Public Services and Benefits to Which They are Legally Entitled

All programs of public services and benefits will be structures to accurately and fairly identify all individuals who are eligible for the services and benefits those programs provide.

All children will be identified according to their individual needs so that eligibility determinations can be accurate and fair.

Special efforts will be made to establish effective communication and cooperation among local, state and national service providers and service agencies.

Families and service providers will be encouraged to develop cooperative partnerships in order to use public benefits accountably.

All Children Have the Right to Safety

All children have the fith to be free from abuse or neglect.

All children who are victims of abuse or neglect will be identified for intervention and protective services, as appropriate.