U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) 

Family Support Center on Disabilities’
Knowledge & Involvement Network (KIN) 

 

The Family Support Center on Disabilities’ Knowledge & Involvement Network is a new clearinghouse established by HHS to provide family centered information and promote the work of the many organizations and agencies working in every state and territory to improve the lives of individuals with developmental and other disabilities and their families.  The new Family Support Center on Disabilities is establishing a centralized resource, to provide specialized information and assistance that meets families’ needs.  Check it out at www.familysupportclearinghouse.org.

 

Of course, not everything families and individuals with disabilities need is readily available.  There is always a need for additional resources, changes and reforms, increases and expansions of services, and introduction of new services. 

 

That’s the role of the State Action Teams (SAT).  These are teams that the Family Support Center on Disabilities is establishing in every state.  They will provide technical assistance, a small stipend, help to get teams started and a web-based “office” where they can do their work.

 

We know that there already are teams working in each state to make improvements. They could use assistance; they could increase or expand their efforts, reach other parts of the state and more families, or they could address needs that are currently on the to-do list. 

 

There are many reasons to establish or expand a state team.  There are people who would like to be actively involved who are not yet connected.  And you may have an interest in establishing a new team, to address issues not being discussed or not addressed in your part of the state.  You may want to involve people who have not been actively involved before. You may want to develop new leaders in the field.

 

For a State Action Team application, go to www.kinapplication.org. 

 

For more information, contact: 

Family Support Center on Disabilities
1825 Connecticut Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20009
877-535-7575 (Toll-free, Voice)
202-884-8441 (Fax)
familysupport@aed.org