The strategies for supporting individuals and their families can be organized into three categories (or buckets): Discovery and Navigation • Connecting and Networking • Goods and Services
These are the three buckets of supporting families.
A lot of times as professionals in fields that work directly with families, when we are talking about providing supports to families, we focus on actual goods and services. We know that families need more. Sometimes they need information about a disability diagnosis or about a particular therapy or program. Sometimes, they need opportunities to connect with others who have been in their shoes.
Discovery and Navigation
Having the information and tools you need to navigate life. Sometimes, we don’t need anything but information about a topic so we can make a decision or simply know what’s going on.
Connecting and Networking
Making connections with peers and resources to help you navigate. Who has been in your shoes?
Goods and Services
The day-to-day tangible items you buy or use from public and private organizations in your community. These are the things that we connect with to make our daily lives possible and successful.
We want to make sure that we are filling all of our buckets. What are the supports needed for our good lives?