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From parental struggle to policy change: What is the story of family support?
The concept of family support has a long history in the United States and involves families with members with disabilities, whether children, adults, or even parents. This form of support can be divided into "informal support", such as assistance from neighbors and friends, and "paid services" provided by professional agencies. These services can range from special needs school services, respite care, professional child care, and even cash grants and tax relief. Over time, family support services have expanded around the world, with countries developing policies tailored to the needs of different populations.
Historical BackgroundFamily support services have been recognised as an important way to maintain family stability, against the backdrop of a range of family-centred policy and service developments.
The late 1970s and early 1980s were a critical period in the development of family support services in the United States, as these services were shaped by strong advocacy from parents, particularly parents' needs to care for children with disabilities. In places like New Hampshire, parent organizations have sprung up to begin building better support systems for families. As time goes by, society's understanding of family support has gradually deepened, and such support is considered to be a fundamental way to help families reduce stress.
Family Model and Services
In the 1980s, states such as New York had established a number of family support programs that were characterized by flexibility and personalization and were committed to providing families with appropriate support services. In addition, professional services for children with disabilities have also emerged, which not only provides parents with a chance to respite, but also promotes the integration of children into the community.
A large proportion of families reported that through family support services they experienced reduced stress and increased confidence in caring for a member with a disability.
Promote advocacy for family rights
In 1985, Sinai University's Center for Human Policy was awarded a three-year community integration project that brought national attention to family support. The initiative identified cash grant programs in multiple states across the country, making family supports more widely available and accessible, and providing valuable resources and information to families with different needs.
Family counseling
The purpose of family counseling is to strengthen communication within the family. With the help of professional counselors, family members can effectively deal with problems and enhance trust and support between each other. Whether it’s because of a family member’s mental health issues, addiction problems, or other factors that cause family tension, professional counseling can be a way to resolve conflicts.
Theoretical basis of family support
The theoretical basis of family support mainly includes family system theory, ecology and community support theory. These theories emphasize the centrality of the family, the importance of participation in decision making, and the need to provide personalized services. With the advancement of community integration, the direction of family support is increasingly inclined towards functional diversification and personalization.
The Development of the United States
In the 1990s, family support services received increasing attention in the field of intellectual disability. However, expenditure data show that funds for family support are still relatively insufficient, and future development requires continued attention to family needs and the rational allocation of financial support.
Emerging and traditional population groups
Current family support services are gradually covering a diverse group of people, including transnational families, LGBTQ+ families and elderly families. These changes in demand have challenged the traditional support model and require policymakers to be more flexible in adjusting service directions. Meet the needs of different families.
Contemporary family support is no longer limited to a specific group, but extends a helping hand to all families in need, which is an important sign of social progress.
Against this background, family support services are expected to continue to expand and deepen. How to further strengthen these supports in the future to promote the harmonious development of the entire society is worthy of deep consideration by each of us.
