The Family to Family Network (FtoFN) is a statewide parent support network run by volunteers. It is designed to educate, strengthen, and support families of persons with disabilities, especially those who are on the waiting list or are in services with the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD). Network leaders are parents of individuals with special needs and link families to local resources, services, and disability-friendly events. The FtoFN is a project of the Utah Parent Center.
They can help you by providing:
- support through local meetings, either in-person or online
- information and referral
- family to family support
- tips on how to advocate for your family
- help to families who qualify or may be eligible for services from DSPD, and help to understand programs and services and how to work with service providers and support coordinators
- training on choosing or changing your support coordinator.
What you Need to Know about DSPD: DSPD 101
Creating a Vision of a Good Life
Individuals in DSPD services create a Person-Centered Support Plan (PCSP) to help them achieve a good life. Families can participate in Person-Centered Planning activities, with or without DSPD services, to create a vision of a good life using tools from Charting the LifeCourse. We have created a video series that demonstrates how families can use the Life Trajectory, the Life Domain Vision Tool, and the Integrated Supports Star tools to create a vision for a good life for their loved ones with disabilities.
For more information about the FtoFN, please email ftofn@utahparentcenter.org
The FtoFN is a statewide organization; however, we do have local support groups in the following areas:
Box Elder County
Leader:
Rachel Bybee, rachel@utahffn.org
Facebook: Box Elder County Family to Family Network
Box Elder County Resource List
Cache County
Leaders:
Lora Meerdo, lora@utahffn.org
River Kunz, River@utahffn.org
Facebook: Cache County Family to Family Network
Carbon/Emery County
Leaders:
Darrelyn Davis, darrelyn@utahffn.org
Stephanie Larrabee, stephanie@utahffn.org
Facebook: Carbon/Emery County Family to Family Network
Davis County
Leaders:
Karen Anderson, karen@utahffn.org
Amy Arnesen, amy@utahffn.org
Facebook: Davis County Family to Family Network
Davis County Mental Health Resource List
Duchesne County
Leaders:
Dana Ross, dana@utahffn.org
Christie Rhoades, christie@utahffn.org
Facebook: Duchesne County Family to Family Network
Iron County
Leaders:
Brittney Orton, Brittney@utahffn.org
Facebook: Iron County Family to Family Network
FtoFN Iron County Resource List (Coming soon)
Salt Lake County
Leaders:
Mandy Kent, mandy@utahffn.org
Elizabeth Gudiel, elizabeth@utahffn.org
Facebook: Salt Lake County Family to Family Network
Tooele County
Leader:
Christine Evans, christine@utahparentcenter.org
Facebook: Tooele County Family to Family Network
Uintah County
Leaders:
Cami Cook, cami@utahffn.org
Brandy Iverson, brandyi@utahffn.org
Facebook: Uintah County Family to Family Network/
Utah County
Leaders:
Jodi Hansen, jodi@utahffn.org
Tracy Brown, tracy@utahffn.org
Facebook: Utah County Family to Family Network
Washington County
Leader:
Sunni Brann, sunni@utahffn.org
Dolores Rodriguez, Dolores@utahffn.org
Facebook: Washington County Family to Family Network
Washington County Resource List
Weber County
Leader:
Brooke Barragan, Brooke@utahffn.org
Facebook: Weber County Family to Family Network
Weber County Resource List (coming soon)
Additional Local Area Resource Lists