MFOFC History & Achievements

MFOFC: An 18.5 Year Retrospective
by Emily Murgo Nisenbaum

Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change is 18.5 years old and does have an important history in relation to family support in Massachusetts. As we reflect on the past 18.5 years, what we've done, and how slow and small the changes can seem, the film It's a Wonderful Life comes to mind. Remember the part where George attempts to end his life and is visited by the angel who reminds him of the impact he's had on those around him and his community - and of how different things would be if he hadn't been there?

What would have happened if MFOFC and all the hard work of its members had never been? Would we have less $ or no $ for family support? Would we even have family support or just respite - available to so few and in its "one size fits all" model? Would we have had the opportunity for leadership training and the opportunity to demonstrate leadership? Would we have been able to develop a voice to articulate what makes us feel supported? And the scariest and most heartbreaking thought of all - would we have had the opportunity to know each other and join together through this network whose goal is to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and families here in Massachusetts?

Let's take a brief look at the history of MFOFC - have we made a difference? What have we done over the past 18.5 years?

 

*	In 1990, the 1st FLS began in SE Mass. It was inspired when we learned that in New Hampshire, a small group of families had participated in something called the FLS. And especially inspirational was the fact that this small group of 30 family members was able to pass 2 important pieces of legislation in NH. One was to deal with the waiting list for services that existed at that time and the other created a system of family support in NH.
*	So why couldn't families have that kind of impact in Massachusetts? At the completion of that first FLS in March 1991, a similar group of ordinary family members drafted the first Family Support legislation. Recognizing that families were not being supported at that time, this group set out to change that!
*	In July of 1991, MFOFC was born in a small office in Boston with the technical assistance of the Human Services Research Institute. There were 3 or 4 family members present on that day but MFOFC was on its way and growing to include families from all over Massachusetts.
*	In October of that same year, the SE Mass FLS group introduced Family Support legislation at a breakfast for legislators from every district in Southeastern Massachusetts.
*	In November of 1991, the Western Massachusetts group of MFOFC hosted a legislative breakfast to introduce the Family Support bill to legislators from that part of the state.
*	And, from that time to now, families became legislative advocates with a VISION - to create a responsive, flexible and accessible system of family support in our communities in Massachusetts.
*	In 1995, when it became apparent that we were continuing to meet resistance for the passage of our Individual and Family Support bill, we worked with EOHHS to establish 3 PILOT PROJECTS in Massachusetts. The purpose of these pilots was to demonstrate to the legislature and others that family support was a meaningful and desired practice - that families want and need to be supported and that it is possible to do that.
*	Each of the 3 pilots was in a different part of the state. Southeast - Transition Pilot working with young people transitioning from school to adult life in their communities Northeast - Broker Pilot working with families on ways to coordinate and find resources for their children and families Central - Project for families whose children have complex medical needs Even though MFOFC was frustrated that our legislation hadn't passed, families were served within these pilots and since, these models of serving families, and the inherent principles, have been replicated and practiced around the state.
*	After 11 long years of filing the Individual and Family Support legislation 8 different times, it finally passed into law, signed by then Governor Jane Swift, in July 2002.
*	MFOFC has continued to sponsor the Family Leadership Series throughout the state over the past 17 years so that close to 2000 family members in Massachusetts have attended a Family Leadership Series. For the first year since 1990, there are no regional Family Leadership Series happening; however, we are planning a statewide Advanced Family Leadership Series for the spring.
*	Over the past 18.5 years MFOFC has sponsored several other Advanced Leadership Series and our regions hold conferences and workshops on housing and supports, transition and other topics. As often as possible, we publish a newsletter highlighting various topics so we can continue to share information with our members and others. MFOFC also has an active and up-to-date web site - another attempt to find ways to stay connected and share information.
*	Since 2002, we have worked toward the full implementation of the Individual and FS law, Chapter 171. Due to our efforts, each of the 7 state disability agencies write Annual Plans regarding their family support services. Families across all the agencies are finally developing a voice and being consulted as policy is set.
*	18.5 years later, MFOFC has grown from the 4 parents meeting in Boston in 1991 to form the organization to a statewide, grassroots, advocacy organization that is NOW 2500 members deep! AND we've created an organization that is kind of like the United Nations of Family Support. It is cross-cultural, cross-disability and cross-age - finally we are not divided in our ability to advocate by the labels attached to our children or geography or ethnicity.
*	Over 18.5 years, MFOFC has taken a stand on many issues affecting our families and family members. MFOFC adopted position statements prohibiting our board members from attending meetings at the state facilities and for the closure of institutions because we believe that all people should be able to live, work and play in our communities. We also recently adopted a position statement against the use of Aversive Therapy.
*	MFOFC is involved in collaborative activities with other advocacy organizations including Mass Arc and Mass Advocates Standing Strong. We work consistently on developing a common agenda that will strengthen our voices. One of these collaborative activities was the development of the Tools for Tomorrow instructional curriculum for individuals and families interested in innovative and personalized housing and supports. Our latest collaborative effort has been the publication of "Implementing a 21st Century Disability Policy." With the Arc and other groups, we introduced the concept and booklet at a conference on October 30. MFOFC is currently engaged in follow up activities in the various regions using "MA 21" to inform and educate as many people as possible about a vision of full community participation for individuals with disabilities.
*	MFOFC has collaborative relationships also with the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, the Department of Developmental Services and other state agencies.
*	WE ARE STILL HERE…18.5 YEARS LATER! This - in and of itself - is a phenomenal achievement. MFOFC has outlived the average life span for groups like ours and has stayed true to its values.