Description
The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announces the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 funds to award grants to plan and implement up to five Family Support 360 Centers for persons with developmental disabilities. The special initiatives will be outlined in the program announcement. The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, Public Law (P.L.) 106-402, 42 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 15081(2) authorizes ADD to "support the development of national and State policies that reinforce and promote, with the support of families, guardians, advocates, and communities, of individuals with developmental disabilities, the self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life of such individuals through- (A) family support activities" (DD Act of 2000, %901 161(2)). While many service programs are available in this country, human service systems often fail to meet the diverse needs of an individual with developmental disabilities and his or her family. A family may need several services, and many human service systems address primarily one need, such as health, education, or employment. These systems usually focus on one individual, not the person and his or her family. Military families usually navigate two systems - civilian and military. Family Support 360 Centers empower and strengthen families. They increase responsiveness to the needs of children with developmental disabilities and families, promote more public-private partnerships to assist people, encourage wiser spending of money, and reduce duplication of effort.