EveryChild, Inc. is currently part of an effort to create new opportunities for children with disabilities who live in residential facilities.

EveryChild was awarded a contract by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to assist in developing a system of family-based alternatives. The Family-Based Alternatives Project gives us the opportunity to create new alternatives for children and families that can make it possible for children with disabilities who live in facilities in central Texas to resume life with a family.

What are family-based alternatives?

•  Support to return home
•  Another family to share in a child's care
•  Another family to provide full time care

For more information see Family-Based Alternatives Project

EveryChild, Inc. has developed a "matching" database application to support the Family-Based Alternatives Project. This application is used by EveryChild staff and established Partner Agencies to collect pertinent information on both children and potential support families. This information is then used to facilitate the process of finding the right family for a given child. The database is password protected and includes measures to protect confidentiality. The Family-Based Alternatives Database is a powerful tool in EveryChild's ongoing efforts to create new opportunities for children with disabilities in Texas to find care within a family setting.

• To log-in to the database.
  This application is for established Partner Agency staff.
   
• To register and establish a password.
  You must register before you will be able to access the database.
   
• Interested in becoming an established Partner Agency with EveryChild?

The Family-Based Alternatives Model Project

The Family-Based Alternatives Model Project was a grant funded by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) to develop a workable model for a system of family-based alternatives for children with disabilities currently living in institutions or at risk of being placed in institutions.

The model was developed from research about leading edge practices nationally. The model involves five kinds of interconnected activities:

1. Recruiting -- finding families in the community to care for children
2. Assessing -- carefully screening potential alternate families
3. Developing -- preparing an interested family to care for children with special needs
4. Matching -- finding the best fit between a child, an alternate family, and a birth family
5. Supporting -- arranging the kinds of support that will enable the child and family to thrive

Supporting a Family-Based Alternatives Model

The Texas Department of Health (TDH) provided a grant for EveryChild, Inc. to conduct research on systems issues that needed to be addressed to develop a successful model of family-based alternatives for children with disabilities. The project developed a needs assessment, provided training and training materials about family-based alternatives, and supported organization of a coalition to advise and support local efforts. For more information about the coalition see EveryChild Coalition.