A GLIMPSE OF OUR HISTORY

Submitted by Lesli Girard and Darla Nelson-Metzger

Many thoughts and emotions were evoked when we sat to write the history of Families Together, Inc.  As we thumbed through past pictures and articles, we laughed, we cried, ? we remembered.  The advancement of technology was evident as we peered over numerous ?cut and pasted? articles and newsletters that were obviously written with a manual typewriter.  What has remained constant, however, is the richness of the dedicated people who have individually and collectively contributed to the growth of Families Together.

1982

Families Together was founded by Chris Curry and the first Family Enrichment Weekend was held in Lawrence with a focus on bringing families together to share stories and gain support.

1983

Family Enrichment Weekends continued ? and the era of garage sales, bingo, and bake sales began.

1984

The first Family Enrichment Weekend was held in western Kansas.

1985

The University of Kansas received an Innovative Projects grant which provided the opportunity to develop parent assistance services through Families Together.

1986

Families Together received a three year grant from the Federal Department of Education to establish a Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center in Kansas.  The center was located in Topeka.

1987

Families Together was awarded a contract from the Department of SRS, Division of Mental Health and Retardation Services, to develop a respite care training curriculum with emphasis on families of children with emotional disturbance.  Five Family Enrichment Weekends were held across the state.

1988

A staff of four conducted EIGHT Family Enrichment Weekends across the state of Kansas!

1989

Families Together received renewal of PTI grant for three additional years.

1990

Initial steps were taken to establish what is now known as the Parent-to-Parent Program.  Parents were asked to volunteer their names to be on a list to be contacted by other parents of children with similar disabilities.   Other highlights of the year included a contract with KSDE to provide Education Advocate Workshops and the establishment of bi-lingual workshops.

1991

Families Together creates a volunteer network of parents who helped other parents understand and access Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.    The Parent Contact Network also began during this year through a grant from SRS.  The network focused on providing outreach about Families Together in various counties across the state.

1992

Families Together reaches the important milestone of its tenth year and a new five year PTI grant was awarded.  New programs included:  Transition Systems Change, Pioneers of Change, Parent-to-Parent, and Child Advocate Program.  Another highlight was the addition of a registered legislative lobbyist.

1993

Satellite centers were opened in Wichita and Garden City.  Videos were created to educate legislators on community services for children with developmental disabilities.  Families Together received funding from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Infant-Toddler Program, to develop an early childhood video.

1994

A legislative hotline was established.  The initial Sibshops were held, and the first Families Together Cookbook was created!

1995

Families Together coordinated the Assistive Technology Conference, ?From Awareness to Access,? through a contract with the Assistive Technology for Kansans Project.  Staff persons traveled to communities to provide Individual Planning Sessions for parents regarding their children?s IEPs.

1996

Mini-conferences were started.  Families Together made its first appearance on the internet.  Regional Coordinators were hired through the Parent Assistance Network by funds provided by SRS.  Coordinators worked from their homes to offer assistance and training to parents.  For the first time, Family Enrichment Weekends were not held.

1997

The year included:  the introduction of Parent Networking Conferences; the opening of a center in Kansas City; renewal of five year PTI; and, Connie Zienkewicz became the Executive Director.

1998

The return, by popular demand, of Family Enrichment Weekends!  The Family Story became a regular feature of the quarterly newsletter.

1999

Families were brought to the Capitol to provide testimony to oppose an elimination of parental consent to change in placement.  The 25% rule was the result of a compromise among various groups, including Families Together, Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Kansas Association of School Boards.  The Family-School-Community Partnerships Curriculum was developed with funds provided by the State Improvement Grant.

2000

Families Together contracted with KDHE, Special Health Services, to interview families that included children with special health care needs.  Created the Consortium of Family Organizations, through the Kansas State Department of Education?s State Improvement Grant (SIG) to discuss accountability systems and discuss the participation of students with disabilities.  Spanish articles first appeared in the newsletter.  

2001

The contract with Special Health Services (SHS) was expanded to include a Family Advisory Group to facilitate the review of SHS policies.

2002

Families Together provided presentations, in Spanish only, on Parents? Rights and Responsibilities under Special Education Law.  The Families Together website was created.  Renewal of five year PTI grant was awarded.  A Family Enrichment Weekend was held exclusively for families whose children were receiving early intervention services.

2003

Western Kansas Community Foundation began partnership with Families Together to bring additional services to the Southwest Kansas region.  The first Family-School-Partnerships Trainings were conducted in Fort Scott and Beloit Public Schools. With support from KSDE and Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KIPRC).

2004

Families and professionals were given the opportunity to receive the quarterly newsletter electronically.

2005

A list-serve was created for families and professionals to network via the internet.  Family Enrichment Weekend held in Garden City for Spanish speaking families.

2006

The Parent Empowerment Project began through a contract with KSDE to help understand the relationship between IEP goals, state standards, and the general education curriculum.  The iGrad Program is established to provide services to youth ages 15 and up in foster care across the state.  The project is a collaborative project between Families Together and Keys for Networking and is funded by a grant from SRS.  Families Together opened on-line specialty store.  Governor Sebelius, KSDE and Families Together proclaim December 4-8, 2006 as Inclusive Schools Week in Kansas.

2007

Renewal of five year PTI Grant was awarded, and Families Together celebrates its 25^th Anniversary.

Remember, we depart stronger for having come together.

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