Introduction

Family Support Facilitators assist families who have a family member with an intellectual disability (child or adult with any issue) throughout the entire Halifax Regional Municipality. They can answer questions and assist families with concerns about education, funding sources, future planning and community supports. Unfortunately we cannot provide one-on-one assistance to individuals with an intellectual disability. We work instead with the entire family that supports the individual.

We welcome referrals to contact us directly. Referrals do come from community agencies or self referral, however we request direct contact from the family to ensure that they are in agreement with and wish to have the facilitator’s assistance.

We put families first in assisting them with their lifelong needs.

All families are unique and need to be supported in ways that respect their uniqueness and diversity.

Family Support Facilitators offer:

• Information and referral to local services.
• Access to services or navigation through systems such as education, community services and health.
• One-on-one support.
• Emotional support.
• Public education sessions.
• Information workshops.
• Disability awareness presentations.
• Resource library specializing in disabilities.
• Connect families through a quarterly newsletter, monthly group meetings and social gatherings.

Some issues families seek assistance with include:

• education
• employment
• respite
• dealing with the initial diagnosis
• residential placement
• care proposals for adults
• recreation and leisure opportunities
• government programs and funding
• future planning
• discrimination