Family Support Approach | Resources and Eligibility | Application Process | Volunteer Opportunities
Triad First in Families is one of twelve chapters of First in Families of North Carolina, a family support program whose mission is the help people with disabilities and their families achieve their goals and realize their dreams. Triad First in Families serves Forsyth, Davie and Stokes counties, and is funded primarily by state tax dollars. We work to leverage those state dollars by partnering with businesses, churches, civic organizations and individuals in order to provide for the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Triad First in Families is not a cash assistance program – much of the support is in the form of referrals to other community resources and gathering donated items – but money may be available for needs where no other funding can be found.
The guiding principles of First In families are:
Customer Leadership
People with disabilities and/or their families are the experts regarding their own goals and dreams, and should be respected as such by everyone.
Equality and Interdependence
People with disabilities and/or their families should have the same rights, responsibilities, and opportunities to contribute and participate as all other residents of the community. Communities have a responsibility to help make this a reality.
Partnerships
All community members should work together to provide an effective support base for people with disabilities and/or their families.
System Response
Providers should be responsive to the direction given them by the people they serve.
Triad First in Families offers support for people with disabilities that gives families and individuals:
- Choices about the services/supports they need
- Access to comprehensive, coordinated information about community resources
- Access to referrals to appropriate resources
- Access to funds to purchase services, supports and material resources such as respite and childcare, health insurance, assistive devices, home adaptations, transportation, therapies, etc.
The most telling, and certainly the most rewarding, feedback comes from people who have benefited from Triad First in Families:
- Thank you for helping me get my cochlear implant.
- Age 5
- Your organization's help was a great blessing to our family. We will never forget your kindness and support.
- Mother of a young son with Cerebral Palsy
- Thank you. I appreciate that you looked out for me with the money for the clothing. They look good on me. I have never shopped or had new clothes before. I went to church Sunday and everyone said, "Boy, you look good!" Now I can go look for a job.
- Age 54
- I would like to take this time to thank you and your organization and staff for all the help and support you have provided my clients this past year. We are especially grateful for the speed with which you replied to our requests for help. You have helped at least 5 families on my caseload alone to get through what otherwise would become a serious crisis and have made lives easier for some others. Forsyth County residents are very fortunate to have such a caring organization in their midst. I am not sure what would have happened without your support! Again, thank you for providing such a needed service in our community.
- Case Manager