The mission of the Family to Family Network is: to educate, strengthen, and support families of persons with disabilities.The Family to Family Network is a grassroots volunteer group composed of family members across Utah who have a relative with a disability.

There are local Networks all across the state of Utah that regularly host meetings and activities. Get connected with your local Network today!

You can learn what services and resources are available, including: local monthly meetings, information and referrals, parent-to-parent support, family-to-family support, and advocacy.

For more information, call: (800)468-1160 or (801)272-1051.This program is a network supported by the Utah Parent Center. You can also visit www.utahparentcenter.org for more information on this project as well as other projects of the Utah Parent Center.

NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...

Action Alert

The House will vote on the Budget Resolution Thursday or Friday -Please call!

• Dial the Capitol Switchboard 1-888-245-0215 [toll-free] or 202-224-3121 and ask for the office of your Representative
• Rep. Jim Matheson - toll free 1-877-677-9743
• Rep. Jason Chaffetz - 202-225-7751
• Rep. Rob Bishop - 202-225-0453
• Ask to speak to the staff person working on budget issues
• Identify yourself as a constituent and the organization that you represent

Message to Representatives:

• Please vote NO on the House Budget Committee's Budget Resolution.
• It would slash Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, education... in fact, all the investments that help Americans to be economically secure.
• It denies vital help for low-income and middle class people while giving trillions of dollars in tax cuts to millionaires and big corporations.
• People with disabilities disproportionately rely on government services to live, learn and work in their communities. These services assist many people with disabilities to live independently in the community avoiding costly institutional care and increasing the opportunities to work and pay taxes.
• Please reject these extreme proposals; they would weaken federal protections in a recession and stall economic growth for us all.

The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities is a coalition of approximately 100 national disability organizations working together to advocate for national public policy that ensures the self-determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society. For more information, visit www.c-c-d.org or contact the CCD Fiscal Policy Co-chairs: Donna Meltzer (Epilepsy Foundation, Jennifer Dexter (Easter Seals), or Kim Musheno (AUCD)

GREAT NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE ONLINE!
ACCESS UTAH NOW!
http://accessut.org/multimedia/index.html
Access Utah Network has created more than 30 short online interviews and videos with disability organizations and agencies across the state! Check them out today!

FIND THE FAMILY TO FAMILY NETWORK ON FACEBOOK: The Family to Family Network has a brand new Facebook page! Find us online today and learn more about how you can get involved, support groups in your area and post a question to the discussion board!

TIME TO CHOOSE A SUPPORT COORDINATOR?: The Family to Family Network and the Utah Parent Center are pleased to make this guide available to families! Time to Choose a Support Coordinator? A Guide for Individuals and Families Using DSPD Services is a guide that will help you and your family. It's an important decision...don't be afraid to take the time to ask questions! Click here to view the guide.
Staff and volunteers of the Family to Family Network have created a short 13-minute video to help you navigate this new tool. Find us on YouTube.
The Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) has just released a set of standards to define the way in which support coordination is to be offered. It is important that all families and support coordinators know what these standards are. You can find out more about these standards as well as two different lists of Private Support Coordinators in Utah by visiting the DSPD website.

GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY PARTNERSHIP (GAP): The Utah Developmental Disabilities Council (UDDC) is devoting resources to serve as a catalyst in the disability community to help revitalize grassroots advocacy throughout the State of Utah. This grassroots effort will engage families, individuals with disabilities, and allies to help them express their needs. Visit: http://www.gcpd.org/legislation/index.html for more information and to find out how to get involved!