Strengths and Assets
We believe that every individual and family has personal strengths and assets. Professionals who are supporting individuals and families should recognize and help develop these strengths.
Choice and Control
Individuals and families will have opportunities to make major decisions about their family member’s services.
Timely Supports
We aim to provide services and supports to families in a timely and easy manner.
Equity of Access
We want to give individuals and families fair and equal access to services and supports across the state. This family guide will help you to learn which family support services are available, and then how to get the services you need.
Respect
We believe that families should be treated with respect and that their opinions and decisions are valued. Family supports should help individuals with a disability, and their families, to find their vision of “a good life.”
Throughout Life
Individuals and families need to be supported throughout their lives by Family-support programs can respond to the needs of families as they change over time.
Flexible Supports
Families know the needs of their family member with a disability and of the family as a whole. Family-support services work best when they’re flexible and can meet the unique needs of individuals and their families.
Information and Referral
DDS service coordinators and family-support staff are very knowledgeable about how families can use a variety of services.
Quality Supports
Our goal is to provide high-quality supports and services for individual and family needs. If you’re not satisfied with your supports and help, please tell us how we can better support you.
Community Membership
DDS and its family-support providers are committed to creating connections that help people with disabilities to become full members of their communities.
Cultural Values
Family-support services understand that individuals and their families may have diverse cultural beliefs and may prefer to communicate in the language that they regularly speak. This means that we’ll try to find out what language is best for them, and then provide timely interpretation and translation.
Focus on the Whole Family
Family-support services are for the whole family, not just the person with a disability.