Who are we?

The Family Network is a voluntary group of:

• Parents and families of children, young people or adults with special needs.
• Professionals interested in the health, education and welfare of people with special needs, and their families.

Governance

The Family Network Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation in our local community, administered by a Committee of parents and professionals. The Family Network employs a part-time coordinator.

Management Committee

• President: Sue Gates
• Marg Crosswell
• Tania Robinson
• Adrian Higgins
• Donna Roxburgh
• Barb Gee
• Emily Gardner
• Dof Glynn
• Judith Adams
• Caroline Day

Coordinator: Claire Doig

What can we offer?

• Contact with other parents.
• Newsletters.
• Access to our library.
• Confidential support.
• Advocacy - support with important meetings.
• Seminars.
• Parent support groups.
• Advocacy for policies and services.
• Access to interested professionals and community groups.

Our Mission

The Family Network includes parents and professionals working in partnership to support families of children and with disabilities or special needs through advocacy, sharing information and networking.

Statement of Belief

All families with children with specials needs have the right to full participation in all aspects of community life.

Aims

• To provide families of children with special needs with all the information required to make informed decisions about their unique needs.
• To enable families of children with special needs to choose a satisfying lifestyle in accord with their cultural and social preferences.
• To educate the community to actively support the inclusion of all families of children with special needs in every aspect of community life.

We support families in learning:

• to celebrate children and their families
• to build connections with others through parent to parent networking
• to share one another's learning, experiences and expertise
• to advocate on behalf of their children to access necessary supports and services to enhance their children's lives
• to build positive partnerships between parents and professionals
• to share their knowledge with the wider community

Training of professionals

The Family Network assists in education and medical training so that the new professionals of tomorrow are aware of the needs of families and children. As parents, you can be involved in this preparation through talking with individual students or by allowing them to visit your family.

Please contact us if you would like to be involved.

Financial support

We sincerely thank the following for their generous financial support of our organisation.

• Dunedin City Council Community Grants Scheme
• New Zealand Lottery Grants Board
• COGS
• United Way
• JR McKenzie Trust
• Bendigo Valley Sports & Charity Foundation