Support Network and Welcome for Families

Families with members who have intellectual disabilities are like other families; however, having a family member with special needs can sometimes introduce new and different challenges for families in their everyday lives.

Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver (center) with Special Olympics Family Leaders

About Family Support Network

The Family Support Network connects Special Olympics families with new families of an individual with intellectual disabilities and provides support and information in a critical time of need.

The Family Support Network creates opportunities for family members to:
• Become advocates for the Special Olympics movement;
• Match families to share ideas, issues and common interests;
• Volunteer in their loved one's athletic training; and
• Encourage new families to join Special Olympics.

Thanks to the support of Kim Samuel Johnson and the Samuel Family Foundation, Special Olympics is able to offer grants to support the development of Family Support Networks and Family Support Network events.

Family Support Network Resources

Family Support Network Brochure (PDF)
This general information brochure is for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Special Olympics Family Support Network.

Family Support Network Workbook (PDF)
This Workbook is designed to include the resources, templates and worksheets for trained Family Leaders and Special Olympics staff to use in trainings with the Family Support Network Project Management Guide.

Family Support Network Guide (PDF)
A Project Management Guide designed to be used for trainings in conjunction with the Family Support Network Workbook by trained family members and Special Olympics staff. Refer to the Workbook as you review this Guide. The worksheets in the Workbook can be used to help you as you plan for implementation of your Family Support Network.

NOTE: If you are interested in starting a Family Support Network, contact your local Special Olympics Program for information on available grants. The Program will then work with you and Special Olympics regional staff to complete and submit a Family Support Network Grant Application to Special Olympics headquarters in Washington, DC (USA).

Global Family Leaders

Global Family Leaders promote, educate and inform families, Special Olympics Programs and the community about the mission, philosophy and benefits of the movement. Click for more on Global Family Leaders