About the Wyoming Family Support Network

WFSN History

In 1989 the Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities (GPCDD) and the State Department of Education implemented a joint project to facilitate the organization of support groups for families of persons with disabilities. This project was a result of needs identified by parents at the parent conference sponsored by the Council in 1986. A parent of a child with developmental disabilities was hired to develop these support groups.

The GPCDD saw that this project could keep the Council in close touch with people with disabilities and their families throughout the state of Wyoming. This project was designed so that parents could work with the GPCDD to develop and adapt policies and practices, to be more responsive to family needs, and to develop a network of parent-to-parent support throughout the State. This network became the Wyoming Family Support Network.

In September 1999, the WFSN became a private non-profit organization. The WFSN received a grant from the GPCDD with funding through June 30, 2001.

In September 2000, the WFSN received a grant from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD). The grant is administered through the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND), thus giving the Network the name Wyoming Family Support Network. This grant has funding through February 2002.

Program Description

The Wyoming Family Support Network is a coordinated network of parents who have children with special needs. These parents represent a wide variety of disabilities or special health needs. The Network includes an Advisory Board and a Director.