Family Support in Allegheny County

Families of children and adults with disabilities and chronic medical issues face a life time of issues beginning with an initial diagnosis through early intervention, the school years to the need for services in adulthood and eventually long term planning. All families experience struggles; however, families of children and adults with disabilities face life-long ups and downs.  At first, families must deal with the news of having a child with a disability and any medical issues that accompany that diagnosis.  They must deal with telling family members and friends, arranging for early intervention services and starting on a journey they never envisioned. Within a few short years, the family will be thinking of pre-schools and soon afterwards elementary school.  Families then need to become knowledgeable about educational services which are often confusing and difficult to navigate.  With the high school years come the need to think about transition to adulthood, including employment and community living.

What is unique about ACHIEVA is that all of the staff who offers Family Support has a family member with a disability. They have experienced the shock of a diagnosis, the hospitalizations, the early intervention, school and adult “systems”, and the joys and fears of having a child with a disability.  Sometimes, a family member just needs a person to listen and to honestly say, “I understand”.  Sometimes, a family member needs current information in a way they can understand.  Sometimes, a family member needs someone to say “I don’t know, but I will find out for you and save you some time”. 

From personal experience and with current information at their finger tips, the ACHIEVA Family Support team is available to help families, whatever the issue and whatever the question.

Please call Kathy Lesko at 412-995-5000 x509 or email klesko@achieva.info for support and assistance.