Supportive Communities: Strengthening Familes

Supportive Communities: Strengthening Families assists families with children or youth (0-17 years) to develop a vision for an inclusive life in community and plan for recreation opportunities that align with their interests, passions, and talents.

All parents need support from family or community, such as grandparents, babysitters, or community organizations. For parents of children with intellectual disabilities, this support is often called “respite.” While we don’t usually use this term, the need for support is a natural part of raising children. Parents get a break, and children grow through new experiences. Extended family and the community share this responsibility, benefiting all families and children’s development. However, many families with children with disabilities lack access to these supports. 

The SCSF initiative is designed to support families in developing a vision for an inclusive life. This includes creating actionable plans towards achieving this vision and exploring recreation and leisure opportunities in the community. Being immersed in natural opportunities and on a normative life pathway in childhood and youth supports successful community participation in life after high school. The SCSF initiative supports families in taking steps to facilitate their child’s participation in community recreation and leisure, part-time employment, community membership and faith communities. When individuals experience barriers in accessing generic opportunities in community, the SCSF coordinator will support the family with staff recruitment and staff training to facilitate their child’s participation. The initiative will also work with community organizations and businesses to enhance their capacity to enable and facilitate the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.  

The benefits of community inclusion are substantial and well documented. Community participation provides opportunities for individuals to explore and develop skills in activities that align with their interests and talents. Membership in inclusive spaces fosters the development of friendships and natural support networks that extend beyond a child’s youth and into adulthood. Community inclusion not only positively impacts individuals with intellectual disabilities, but their families, peers, and community at large. 

For more information on the Support Communities Strengthening Families initiative, please contact mail@inclusionalberta.org  or toll free at 1-800-252-7556.