ensuring families have needed supports

Families provide the bedrock of caring relationships, mutuality and reciprocity for each family member over their lifespan. This foundation of support advances the self-determination and unique life path of each family member. Families value their support role but cannot be expected to provide this support on their own. Families need supports that supplement not replace the support provided to their family member.

We know that:

2.8 million family members and friends provide help to individuals who have a long-term health condition or a disability
80-90% of the care provided in the community is provided by family and friends
Without adequate support, families are more likely to live in poverty, face exclusion from the labour market, and experience increased out-of pocket expenses for their family members.

In order to address this issue CACL is working to achieve the following objective:

Families access the supports and opportunities they need to assure inclusion for family members with intellectual disabilities through their lifetimes, and to secure family social and economic well-being.

This objective will be achieved when:

Families have access to needed supports and services (i.e. respite, in-home support, and home modifications).
Policies are established, and implemented, that ensure families can play their caring role and at the same time participate in the paid labour market, advance in their careers.
Families have the option to withdraw from their primary caregiving role as their family member enters adulthood.
Strong incentives are in place for families to: plan for and invest in the future financial security of family members with disabilities; and to ensure that any financial benefits that result do not negatively impact on their family member's access to government-funded income support programs.
Governments and communities are investing in a sustainable local-to-national capacity for family leadership, empowerment and networking that advances the citizenship and inclusion of Canadians with disabilities.

CACL has launched a public dialogue to engage Canadians in thinking through how we can work together on this issue. Join us in an on-line conversation on:

In 2008, what realities are families facing in obtaining the necessary supports and services they need to live typical lives in community?
Why is this the case? What factors are shaping this reality?
What needs to be done to ensure that families have access to a full range of supports and services?

» Contribute your thoughts on Supporting Families

Iqaluit: March 18, 2008

On March 18, 2008 a Public Dialogue titled ‘Are children with disabilities and their families getting the supports they need?’ was held in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Families provide a foundation of support that advances the self-determination and unique life path of each family member and are the cornerstone to inclusive community life. Children with disabilities, like all children, should grow-up, belonging and valued, within their families and communities.

We know that families provide the bulk of supports for their family member with a disability. Families value their support role but cannot, realistically, be expected to provide this support on their own. For too many families, the supports they need are not in place. Children with disabilities are disproportionately over-represented in provincial/territorial child welfare systems - demonstrating the impact of inadequately supporting families. What factors are shaping this reality? Why are families expected to provide so much of this support on their own? How can we better support families and ensure that children with disabilities are supported to live at home?

The meeting was hosted by CACL and facilitated by Anna MacQuarrie and Don Gallant. The meeting opened with words of welcome and a brief presentation.

» Download notes from the Iqaluit Family Supports Dialogue

Yellowknife: June 4, 2008

On Wednesday, June 4 2008 a Public Dialogue on Supports to Families and Children was held in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Sixty (60) community members were in attendance for the dialogue titled ‘Are children with disabilities and their families getting the supports they need?’

The meeting was co-hosted by the Yellowknife Association for Community Living and Canadian Association for Community and was moderated by Sue Heron-Herbert. Discussions opened with words of welcome by Donna Williston, President, on behalf of the YKACL, which was followed by a brief presentation by Anna MacQuarrie of CACL.

» Download notes from Yellowknife's Family Supports Dialogue