|

Join Our Group
The Family Support
Work Group is always looking for interested families to join
its activities. Generally, we meet the third Wednesday of each
month at 10 a.m. We encourage you to call the Council office
to learn how you can help make family supports more available
in Michigan. We look forward to hearing from you!
For more information, contact us at:
1033 S. Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48910
517/334-6123 (voice); 517/334-7354 (TDD); 517/334-7353 (fax)
www.michigan.gov/ddcouncil
VincentTr@michigan.gov
Upcoming Events
The Arc Michigan's 57th
Annual Conference will be held June 12-14, 2008. "Making
Stepping Stones out of Stumbling Blocks".
|

WORK GROUP
SUPPORTS FAMILIES
The work group is a key ingredient in the Council’s advocacy
programs. To both the Council and work group, “family support”
means services, supports, and other assistance provided to
families. To keep families together, the FSWG, as a
representative of the Council, advocates and advises on behalf
of, and with, families throughout Michigan.
STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY
FSWG believes assistance to a family is designed to strengthen
the family’s role as primary caregiver and prevent unnecessary
out-of-home placement. This, the work group’s members believe,
maintains family unity. Also of major importance to the FSWG
is outreach to families across the state who are members of
Michigan’s many minority populations.
USEFUL GUIDE AVAILABLE
Work group projects include development of a resource guide.
The guide is a listing of agencies and their toll-free numbers
for families and supporters to locate resources. For new
families, the guide can also serve as an introduction to those
resources. The guide is available by calling the DD Council
office at (517) 334-6123.
INFORMATION AND FUN DAYS
The Family Support Work Group also created a brochure to
educate families about recent changes in the Medicaid waiver
relating to respite care. This valuable resource is also
available from the Council office.
Family Fun Day in July is another Family Support Work Group
project. The day brings together families and advocates alike
for food, learning about resources, games, and friendship. Fun
and educating families can go hand-in-hand. Families and
advocates are welcome. Please contact the Council office prior
to July for more information.
TALK TO YOUR
LEGISLATORS
The Arc
Michigan's website contains a lot of information on legislation
and includes links to your state legislators. |