Durand’s Family Support Services provides assistance to families caring for a loved one with a developmental disability.  All referrals for assistance come from the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities.  Family support programs include:

Respite Services
Respite Services give family members time off from care giving.  Durand provides a trained worker or pays for hiring a friend, neighbor or family member to provide care.

Subsidy Programs
Subsidies or stipends enable families to purchase items and services like medical equipment and therapy for youngsters with disabilities.

Information and Referrals
Information and Referrals link parents to groups and individuals that can provide all kinds of assistance to children with disabilities.  Durand staff will also help families identify and navigate relevant government programs.

Advocacy
Advocacy links families and agency staff to workshops, seminars, and forums on specialized topics. Durand also sponsors and organizes these events. Staff participates in advocacy organizations serving people with learning disabilities.

Useful Links for Families Affected by a Developmental Disability

The Division of Developmental Disabilities
As part of its services provision, DDD offers case management , residential services , and various family support services that help both people with developmental disabilities and their families. DDD services also include the provision of day programs, which help the consumer develop vocational skills and learn how to use community resources; supported employment services.
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/dddservices.html

New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
The mission of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is to enable individuals with disabilities to achieve employment outcomes consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities and capabilities.
http://www.state.nj.us/labor/dvrs/vrsindex.html

Wrightslaw
Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities. Wrightslaw includes thousands of articles, cases, and free resources on dozens of special education topics.
http://wrightslaw.com/

New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc.
New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (NJP&A) is the consumer-directed, non-profit organization that serves as New Jersey's designated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities in the state.  NJP&A provides information and referral and a broad range of advocacy services, including legal representation in numerous cases in state and federal courts.
http://www.njpanda.org/index.htm

Family Support Center of New Jersey
The Family Support Center is a "One-Stop Shop" clearinghouse, offering you the most up-to-date information on all types of disabilities as well as national, state and local support programs and services for individuals and families seeking such information.

COSAC
The New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC) is a nonprofit agency providing information and advocacy, services, family and professional education, and consultation to New Jersey's autism community.
http://www.njcosac.org/cosacindex

The Boggs Center
The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center, as a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, values uniqueness and individuality and promotes the self-determination and full participation of people with disabilities and their families in all aspects of community life.
As a catalyst and resource, The Boggs Center, through partnerships and collaborations, builds capacity in organizations, systems, and communities in a culturally competent manner. The Boggs Center prepares students through interdisciplinary programs, provides community training and technical assistance, conducts research, and disseminates information and educational materials.
http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/boggscenter/index.htm

Parents of Autistic Children Together   (PACT)
Parents of Autistic Children Together is a support group for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders including Autism, Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PPD/NOS), Asperger's Syndrome, Rett's Syndrome, Laundau Kleffner Syndrome, and Fragile X Syndrome.   PACT is the Southwest New Jersey Chapter of the Autism Society of America (ASA  Chapter #532 ). 
http://www.solvingthepuzzle.com/