This has been an incredibly challenging but successful year for the Family Support Network (FSN).

In this very difficult financial year, the FSN has reason to be proud of its accomplishments. We managed to “save” the Home-Based Support Services Program (HBSSP) from elimination. Services for participants in the Supported Living Services Program (SLS) were greatly improved as SLS was consolidated into the Home-Based Program. Funding remained intact for children and adults with mental illness in the Family Assistance and Home-Based Support Services Programs after an initial announcement that their funding was to be eliminated.

Much work remains to be done. Services for people with disabilities in Illinois need to grow and improve. Your support and membership is critical if we are to persist in our advocacy efforts and maintain our organization. We are also working aggressively to raise funds through grant-writing and other initiatives.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication and support of the Family Support Network. We remain committed to providing information and resources to help you advocate confidently for the supports you need to live, work, and play in the home and community that you choose!

Sincerely,

Charlotte Cronin

FSN Executive Director

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• Educated policymakers about the importance of the Family Assistance and Home-Based Support Services Programs to people with disabilities and their families.

• Mobilized advocates to save the Home-Based Support Services Program for people with developmental disabilities and mental illness,

• Utilized the FSN Task Force to advise DHS in the redesign of the Home-Based Support Services Program for people with developmental disabilities, allowing the state to capture critical federal funding,

• Distributed three issues of our newsletter to a mailing list of more than 4,500,

• Participated in the “Do The Right Thing” Campaign along with other Illinois organizations, agencies, and advocates to educate policymakers on issues important to the disability community in Illinois,

• Presented information on family support at numerous conferences, workshops, and group meetings across Illinois,

• Provided important information to hundreds of people with disabilities and their families via telephone, e-mail and our website at www.familysupportnetwork.org,

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