Family Support

Family Support 360 Fact Sheet

Family Support 360 Overview

Family Support 360 (FS 360) is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD), part of the Administration for Children and Families. Through this effort, ADD has provided planning and implementation grant opportunities to create one-stop centers to assist the families of individuals with developmental disabilities (DD).

Applicants were required to be designated as the lead entity for their State/Territory by their Governor and work in partnership with the DD Network (DD Council, Protection and Advocacy System, and University Center on Developmental Disabilities), family members, policymakers, and others in their State/Territory. In addition, applicants identified an unserved or underserved population, referred to as targeted families, in their State/Territory on which to focus their efforts.

Currently, there are 21 implementation grantees in 21 States and in U.S. Territories. These grantees are working with targeted families in a variety of community settings to assist them in locating and navigating public human service agencies, as well as connecting to private community organizations. ADD envisions the efforts of these grantees will demonstrate the economic feasibility of a one-stop center where families can go for all of their needs, as well as the positive impact of the center on the ability of families to care for their family member with DD in their local community.

Family Support 360 Goals

Families need access to comprehensive systems of family support services that are family-centered and family-directed, and that provide families with the greatest possible decisionmaking authority and control regarding the nature and use of services and supports for them and their members with disabilities. Families need to have the opportunity to participate in the design of family support services. Initiatives that involve and center on families, and promote and develop coordination and collaboration among agencies responsible for providing the services will contribute to family preservation and strengthening.

The FS 360 initiative differs from other family support efforts in that it views the family as a unit and provides services for the entire family, not just the individual with a developmental disability. Existing service agencies often focus on the individual with DD and provide only one type of service, such as childcare or an educational evaluation, for that individual. The FS 360 initiative seeks to assist the entire family. This means not only the member with the DD, but also the mother, father, siblings, and even the grandparents and children of individuals with DD.

Each of the 21 implementation projects is required to work with at least 50 targeted families a year. Targeted families participate in one family-friendly information collection process. From the information collected, center staff and, where appropriate, other agency personnel, work with the individual family to determine the services needed and the best way to qualify for those services. Families participate in writing a family service plan (FSP), which describes the services they may receive, as well as the steps to be taken to secure the services. Through the FSP, families may be assisted with a broad range of needs, for example, accessing health care, childcare, early intervention, education, employment, marriage education, transportation, housing, respite care, and assistance in maintaining parental rights. If a family encounters a problem once the plan is implemented, staff at the one-stop will help get things back on track.

Models for Providing Services

Each Center sets its own process for selecting targeted families and determines the best way for providing services. Centers are expected to capture how they help their families so that they and others may learn how to make human services more consumer-friendly and achieve results. Below are just four examples of how Centers are providing assistance to unserved and underserved families. The models being tested by the grantees have the potential to be replicated across the grantee’s own State/Territory, as well as throughout the Nation.

Local Peer Navigators Model

In Vermont, local parents who have encountered the service system firsthand were hired part-time to assist other parents in navigating it. Peer navigators also provide guidance, comfort, and encouragement to families in crisis. A statewide management team, which includes family members, assists the peer navigators with identifying resources and locating services. The State Agency of Human Services oversees the project. The peer navigators are hired, trained, and supervised through a subcontract with the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).

Faith-Based Model

In Minnesota, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities has teamed up with a local church to address the needs of unserved and underserved families in one of Minneapolis’ poorest neighborhoods. A subcontract was awarded to the Jordan New Life Community Church, whose officials designated one office and a large open area as the main spaces for the family center and formed a subcommittee to monitor the quality of services. A Project Director manages the services and day-to-day operation of the Center. Through an open house, the church promoted the availability of the services and resources of the Center to both families and providers. Interpreter services are provided to Somali and Spanish-speaking families.

Family Navigators Located With Local Programs Model

In Colorado, family navigators are located in the same office as the staff of Denver Options, who work with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients. As a result of this model, navigators provide support to families, as well as ongoing comprehensive training and mentoring to TANF case mangers to improve overall service to families of individuals with disabilities. Resources available to families and TANF workers through the Center include assistance with difficult case reviews, parent support networks, advocacy with the public school system, advocacy for inclusive childcare, and on-going follow-along services to help families meet their desired outcomes.

Culturally Sensitive Mobile Services Model

In New Mexico, the UCEDD has partnered with a Native-American nonprofit organization, the Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc., to provide a comprehensive array of culturally appropriate services and supports for families who have a child with a developmental disability. Project staff members travel to the five Pueblos, working with Tribal leaders and visiting families in need in their own homes. Project staff members take a laptop with wireless capabilities with them on their visits to the five Pueblos. A steering committee comprised of families, Tribal members, and key agencies oversees the implementation of the five Centers. This project also recognizes the sensitive need to balance Tribal sovereignty with State and Federal laws, as services are being provided to Native-Americans with developmental disabilities and their families.

To view Family Support 360 Programs by state/territory, please click here.