Look for the Family NETWorks website www.family-networks.org that focuses on the interests, needs, and concerns of families that have a member with a developmental disability.  You can search for resources, information, and links on issues ranging from early intervention and education to empolyment and aging services -- and many things in between. We'll post your events so you can inform others in Maryland and beyond of the exciting things you have planned.  You can learn of conferences, activities, support group meetings, state resources, and advocacy meetings.  You can participate in informative on-line chats, share your insights, relate to others, and contribute your unique perspecitve. Check out the array of diverse new activities that will soon commence through grants from Family NET  Works, a project of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.  The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council was awarded a $200,000 Projects of National Significance Grant by the federal  Administration on Developmental Disabilities for its innovative grant project, Family NET Works.  The grant project was developed in  partnership with the Developmental Disabilities Administration, disability advocacy, parent, and service-provider groups, businesses, and non-profit organizations.  A comprehensive education program in family support services, Family NET Works seeks to make family support services available to unserved families, provide training in best practices, and raise awareness of family support services.  Family support services assist families caring for children with developmental disabilities with a range of items and services from respite care to wheelchair ramps.  Although the project provides no direct services, it is expected that families will have greater knowledge and ability to make better choices in accessing and  evaluating the quality of family supports they need and feel that they are true partners in the family support system. Family NET Works builds on the Maryland Developmental Disabilities study of family support services published in 1997, the resulting publication About Families, and the Governor's Waiting List Initiative which has  expanded family support services throughout the State.  The project will be directed by a Family Advisory Council made up of family members,  self-advocates, and organizations that provide family support services.  The Family Advisory Council will develop, implement, and evaluate the Family NET Works project.  A subgroup will focus on the development of policy and an action plan to implement the recommendations of the Family Advisory Council.  Reaching families of minor and adult children with developmental disabilities is a central goal of the project.  A key to outreach efforts will be a family-friendly website to include links to resources, an interactive discussion group, and tools to assist families in defining their needs and finding the support services they require.  "Most families of children with disabilities find out about services and products through other families who have had similar experiences," said Jackie Golden, former Chairperson of the Developmental Disabilities Council and  parent of a young man with Angelman's Syndrome. "The website is another way of connecting Maryland families together to share information, and will  augment additional outreach efforts to limited-income families and families of aging children through local and neighborhood newsletters." The project will offer several mini-grants to organizations with new ideas for providing high quality family support services to underserved groups and with creative approaches to increasing community respite services.  As part of the mini-grant awards, grantees will share their expertise with other human service agencies throughout the State. "Our goal is for every  organization in Maryland that works with families to be receptive to each family's unique circumstances, but to offer the same meaningful, high-quality level of support." The project will challenge families and providers to redefine family support services to include generic services (those used by typical families). "Only a small number of family supports are actually disability specific," said Golden.  "We want to find new ways to hook up families with existing resources in their own communities."  Research on best practices in family support shows that the most effective programs enhance a sense of community.  The goal of these programs is to integrate families into the mainstream of their communities, emphasizing the common needs of  people rather than the differences. States Golden, "This project is meant to assist families--those in traditional families or led by single parents, elderly parents, and extended family members--in determining their own needs and locating the supports they need.  By helping families to take control and direct their own supports, we empower individuals and strengthen communities."