Family Support
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 individuals
with disabilities.
Information and Referrals
Information and Referrals link parents to resources
that can provide all kinds of assistance to individuals 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