Supporting Families to Be Families First
NBACL’s Family Support Program offers support and assistance to New Brunswick families who are caring for a child, youth or adult with an intellectual disability.
How we Support Families
NBACL supports families in a variety of ways including:
- Hosting family workshops that focus on issues specific to families who have a loved one with an intellectual disability;
- Work with families based on their individual need and help ensure that their voices are being heard;
- Supporting families to navigate through complex social systems;
- Provide opportunities for families to connect as a group for information and laughter and support;
- Developing and making available resources and information that is relevant to families during each step of their journey; and
- We listen to families’ voices and develop resources and training based on common needs.
We provide supports in the following areas:
- Financial and estate planning
- The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
- Navigating service systems (government systems, community-based supports and more)
- Planning for the future of your family
- PATH and person-centred planning
- Accessing disability and community supports
- Planning for life transitions
- Developing personal networks of support
- Recreation and leisure
NBACL Family Networks
Families United Network, New Brunswick (FUN NB)
UN NB is a network of families who have family members with an intellectual disability. We support each other and offer strength, stability, confidence and knowledge.
Fun NB members are connected to information and to other families who may share similar experiences. They are also invited to participate in events such as parent retreats, family weekends and workshops.
When you join FUN NB, you will have many opportunities to connect with people who share similar experiences, gain information, share and grow in a fun, casual atmosphere.
Senior United Network (SUN NB)
NBACL realizes that issues faced by families of adult sons and daughters with an intellectual disability are not the same as those faced by younger families. They told us, “We’ve been there and done that, bought the t-shirt.” And we heard them loud and clear. SUN NB family members discuss such topics as: futures and estate planning; respite for the family; emergency planning and more. SUN meetings are very welcoming and we invite families to drop in and join us for our upcoming meetings in your area.
Family Leadership and Volunteer Engagement Advisory Committee
This committee consists of families from Provincial and Territorial Associations for Community Living. The mandate for this committee is to:
- Promote and help facilitate delivery of the Values, Vision and Action Family Leadership Workshop
- Create content and coordinate production of Coming Together Newsletter; and
- Identify opportunities for volunteer contribution to CACL programs and online presence, and ways to support volunteer engagement.
The Family Support Program is made possible, in part, thanks to our funding partners, the Fredericton Association for Community Living (FACL), the Saint John Association for Community Living (SACL) through the United Way, Saint John.
Welcome Kit
New To NBACL? Request a Welcome Kit!
NBACL has Family Welcome Kits available at no cost for families. The Kits are available in four categories:
- Newborn / Early Childhood
- School-Aged
- Graduating / Recently Graduated / Young Adult
- Adult
Family Welcome Kits include information on the Association, staff and their areas of support, NBACL programs, as well as several of our resource guides.
Family Support Facebook Group
We have created a Facebook Group for families in which everyone is welcome to share their thoughts about a particular issue, ask questions, provide updates about news or upcoming events, or reply to the questions and discussions posted by others. It’s an added way for families to stay in touch from any place at any time. Comments will be monitored on a regular basis.
