HONESDALE, PA — Wayne officials employed the county commissioners’ March 9 proclamation of March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to introduce a new program to aid families of children with intellectual disabilities and autism, called “Community of Practice: Supporting Families throughout the Lifespan.”

Nancy Richey, seated left, is a member of the state’s Office of Developmental Policy, who has been tasked with coordinating 19 regional collaborators including 46 counties instituting the program, which has been successful in six other states. Appearing with regional officials and staff of the county office of Behavioral Development and Early Intervention, Richey said the program helps parents create “a vision of what would be a good life course for a son or daughter; where they’re headed now, and a chance to redirect… These people are not broken. Disability is another piece of diversity.” 

Wayne received a $5,000 state grant upon joining the program. For details view the state’s press release at tinyurl.com/h7vqrnc.