THE UNIQUE ROLE OF FAMILY:
Families represent the very heart of life throughout the lifespan.
SUPPORTING FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE LIFESPAN:
Our families must be encouraged and supported early on in their children’s lives to hope, dream, and reach for the future.
KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES:
Families want to feel strong so they can provide for and support their loved ones.
MENTORING:
Families value mentoring as a strong component to informing and supporting families.
COMMUNICATION:
Good communication involves everyone working toward common goals, respecting one another in partnership.
RESPECT AND TRUST:
Respect must be granted to families, their values and beliefs, homes, and privacy.
CHOICE AND CONTROL:
Families seek freedom, on behalf of their family members, to make responsible and personal choices in all aspects of life.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: People should be safe at home, work, school, and in the community.
SIMPLICITY AND FLEXIBILITY: Families value a simplified and transparent system that is easy to access, understand, and navigate.
QUALITY AND STABILITY:
Families value quality supports and services that enable people to live everyday lives.
COLLABORATION:
Along with self advocates, family members must be part of the discussion, planning, and creation of every element of the service system.
OPPORTUNITY FOR INNOVATION:
Families support innovative, creative approaches that can be the key to truly person-centered solutions and often offer the most cost-efficient solutions.
