Information and grant application available at: www.ifsonline.org.

The Individual and Family Support program was created by an act of the Alabama Legislature in 1993, in response to an overwhelming grassroots effort by people with developmental disabilities, their families and others. In 1997, the Legislature permanently reauthorized it. Remember, the program exists as a matter of state law.

The purpose of the Individual and Family Support program is to provide people with developmental disabilities and their families with several opportunities not often available to them in the past. First, it provides flexible supports to eligible people and their families - things like washing machines, diapers, wheelchair ramps, car batteries - that other existing programs can not or will not provide. Second, it allows people and their families to decide for themselves what supports they really need and want instead of having to choose from a limited list a program makes available. Third, it gives people and their families real decision making power about the ways supports are provided in their communities.