Study: Family Support Service in the United States

New Data Reveals That While 61 Percent Of Persons With Intellectual Disabilities Receive Care From A Family Member, Only Five Percent Of Government Spending Is Directed Towards Family Care

While family spending increased 16% from 2002-2004, it still constitutes a small fraction of public spending on developmental disability services, reveals new data from the well-known State of the States study by David L. Braddock at the University of Colorado. In 2004, 395,978 families received family support services, an increase of only 2,249 families from the number supported in 2002. In 2004, the average spending per family across the states was $5,005, ranging from $235 per year per family in Alabama to over$10,000 in nine states. With more state budget cuts planned and a shortage of direct support workers, family support services remains more vulnerable than ever.

Excerpt from Policy Research Brief, Family Support Service in the United States

Published by the Research and Training Center on Community Living,
Institute on Community Integration (UCEDD)
College of Education and Human Development,
University of MinnesotaVolume 17• Number 1 • February 2006

Read the data from the study at: http://ici.umn.edu/products/prb/171/default.html

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