Family Support Services

KDC's Family support is an important resource for families of people with disabilities.

The goal of Family Support is two-fold:

• To enable families of people with disabilities to stay together
• To ensure that people with disabilities are welcomed, contributing members of their communities

The KDC Family Support Program recognizes that families are in the best position to know what assistance they need for their family member with a disability and how best to achieve these goals.

Addressing needs identified by both the family and the individual with disabilities, family support offers a wide array of options that:

• develop the family's natural abilities and independence
• utilize local community resources through linkage and referral
• provide a stipend that can be spent on services such as respite care, recreational and social activities, specialized equipment, uncovered medical care, therapeutic services and supports and short-term emergency needs

Family Support has impact because the program focuses on the whole family and responds in a pro-active, flexible and timely manner.

Funded by a contract with the Department of Mental Retardation, Family Support Services are offered at no direct cost to families. Families are encouraged to be creative in deciding what assistance would have the most positive impact on their family. KDC is committed to working with families identify areas of need and work within Family Support Guidelines to meet them.

Once an individual is determined eligible for services by the Department of Mental Retardation, the family is referred to KDC. A home visit is scheduled in order to meet the family, complete essential paperwork, share information about the Family Support Program, assess needs and determine what allocation level is appropriate.

For More Information, please contact:

Cape Cod and Islands:

Kennedy-Donovan Center
Family Support Services
32 Commercial Street
So. Yarmouth, MA 02664
508-385-6019

Metro West, Blackstone Valley Region:

Kennedy-Donovan Center
Family Support Services
258 Main Street, Ste. 106
Milford, MA 01757
508-473-5700

Greater New Bedford Area:

Kennedy-Donovan Center
Family Support Services
376 Nash Road
New Bedford, MA 02746
508-997-5875