A constellation of formal and informal services and tangible goods that encompasses “whatever it takes” for a family to care for and live with a child or adolescent who has an emotional, behavioral, or mental disorder (or other disability).
Family support is enlisted by parents: a constellation of formal and informal services and tangible goods that are defined and determined by families. It is “whatever it takes” for a family to care for and live with a child or adolescent who has an emotional, behavioral, or mental disorder. (Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, 1992, p. 1), or more broadly a physical, sensory or developmental disability. For employed parents, Friesen has identified another goal of family support: to provide “comprehensive care for a child with a disability and assistance to the entire family, while helping parents and other caregivers function as productive and responsible employees” (Friesen, Brennan, & Penn, in press). (Brennan & Rosenzweig, 2008)