On March 25th, Family Support met with the DDS Area Office for a Quality Review. During this meeting, we reflected on the work that was done in the past year, and identify areas of focus for the future.

Judy SantaMaria and Paula Thompson met with the Metro North Area Director, Assistant Director and Program Manager and the new Regional Director of Family Support for the first Quality Review since the start of the pandemic.  Much of conversation centered upon areas of focus for the upcoming year. 

Four focus areas identified:
Intensive Transition Supports

This is a new program which offers intensive case management for families of youth and young adults as they navigate the transition from school to adult services.  Moreover, this program will also offer a Sharing Group for parents and Open Family Support hours at Malden and Everett High Schools.

Intensive Older Caregiver Supports

Family Support services are traditionally directed toward to meeting the needs of the person with a disability.  Caregivers often have extensive needs as well . Therefore this program will provide the vehicle to focus our work on the caregiver’s needs. In addition, this program will include training and time together with other caregivers.

Recreation

Recreation is back! We are pleased to announce our new Recreation Director, Lauren Buttiglieri.  This spring we will offer bowling, dance, and circuit training.  Furthermore, as we continue to safely move forward, we will offer more programs for participants of all ages and abilities.

Expansion info Underserved Communities

The  Family Support Center is focusing on increasing our visibility in the City of Everett.  We will begin by offering Transition Open Hours in Everett High School. We hope to partner with the community to better meet of needs of people with disabilities in the Everett community.

Relationships, guidance, growth.

With over six decades of experience providing assistance and strengthening families’ capacities to support their family members, we are experts that provide pertinent information and advocacy, help with the procurement and coordination of in-home support and coordinate networking opportunities.

Committed to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities – and their families – in the community.

We offer Family Support, Residential Services, Day Services, and Recreational Programs  – as well as employment and volunteering opportunities – for more than 1,000 families from Everett, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham, Wakefield and surrounding communities.

We empower our people to lead full and meaningful lives; eliminating barriers, expanding opportunities and supporting independence. Whether you have a child, a transitioning adult, or older adult. We provide a safe environment with services that meet individual needs, whatever they are and however they change, while inspiring dreams.