LINK: Programs Supporting Children with Developmental Disabilities & Their Families in Dane County's Communities

Services to Teens: The teen years continue to be a time of high stress for families, when more resources are needed and less are available. LINK continues to work for:
· additional support resources for teens after school and during summers,
· stronger connections to community youth organizations, creating more options for integrated recreation and fun,
· opportunities for teens to learn self-advocacy skills to prepare them for post-high school programs,
· effective responses to teens and families in crisis.


Community Relations/Recruitment: Community attitudes towards children with disabilities are strongly influenced by mass media coverage. LINK will:
· study how organizations and communities create a welcoming climate,
· create media opportunities that present a positive view of inclusion of children with disabilities,
· recognize and strengthen partnerships with community environments that are welcoming and inclusive,
· encourage talented young people to choose to work in the disability field.


Connecting Families and Child Care Events: LINK programs and committees will cooperate to sponsor family-centered gatherings that:
· build and strengthen relationships among families,
· provide information and resources to families, especially about community resources that foster inclusion.


System Coordination: LINK programs continue to work together to:
· advocate and plan for increasing public and private funds to reduce or eliminate waiting lists for basic supports to families,
· understand the situation of families who are on waiting lists and plan additional ways to address the needs of families who are waiting,
· combine program data about children served in order to monitor progress and identify significant trends in target populations and services,
· improve responses to the growing diversity in Dane County, including families who are Spanish-speaking or have children diagnosed with autism.