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

Many choices of supports
· A wide menu of goods, services, and other supports from which to choose
· Support plans individually tailored to family needs and preferences
· Flexible services-- easy to change and adapt
· Support broadly defined in terms of the needs of the entire family


To see their presence and perspectives paramount in the design and control of services
· Families design and direct the assistance; families make decisions about goals, services, location, duration, providers, method of payment
· Families have opportunities for input into policy-making


Affordable Assistance
· Obtaining needed supports doesn’t impoverish the family


Families’ informal support systems preserved and strengthened
· Families stay connected to existing supports
· Services are designed to invite, organize, and support more people to become involved and helpful in supporting children and families
· Parents are connected with other parents


Increased inclusion of children with disabilities in the life of the community
· Gifts and talents of persons with disabilities are recognized and nurtured
· Participation in schools, neighborhoods, faith communities, social and recreational activities is encouraged
· Positive relationships and interactions between children with and without disabilities are supported


Convenient access to assistance
· Accurate, complete information is available
· Services are delivered in places and times convenient for families
· Responses are timely
· Eligibility criteria are understandable and consistently applied
· Families served reflect the diversity of Dane County’s community
· Families receive support early and for as long as needed


A positive outlook and plan for the future
· Services provide tools and support for families to plan for the future


Services of high quality
· Children are safe
· Help is reliable
· Creativity is rewarded
· State-of-the-art technology is used to enhance learning and development
· Appropriate training for professionals and non-professionals is provided
· Differences and preferences of cultural and ethnic groups are respected
· Respectful, trusting, long-term relationships between parents and professionals are supported
· There are collaborative relationships and good communication among professionals