Visions of Family Support

Visions of Family Support: A Guide to Empowering Families in Georgia ​

This insightful document captures the voices of 50 parents who shared their experiences and ideas at the 2001 Statewide Conference on Family Support in Jekyll Island, Georgia. ​ It explores the challenges families face when navigating support systems for loved ones with disabilities and offers actionable solutions to improve policies and practices. ​

Key themes include the need for family-driven, flexible, and easy-to-use support systems that prioritize individual family needs over rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches. ​ Parents highlight issues with schools, professionals, and services that often fail to listen, respect, or collaborate effectively. ​ The document also addresses critical gaps in support, such as the “cliff” families face when services end at age 21, and the difficulty of accessing respite care, transportation, and home modifications. ​

Practical recommendations include empowering families to direct how resources are spent, offering vouchers, and enabling families to recruit and train their own support workers. ​ It emphasizes the importance of community development, such as increasing accessibility in childcare, recreation, and medical services, while fostering networks of understanding and shared experiences among families. ​