Welfare Reform on the Web (Summer 2003): Mental Health Services - Overseas

INFLUENCE OF THE MACROSTRUCTURE OF SOCIETY ON THE LIFE SITUATION OF FAMILIES WITH A CHILD WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY: SWEDEN AS AN EXAMPLE

M.B. Olsson and P.C. Hwang

Journal of intellectual Disability Research, Vol. 47, 2003, p.328-341

In Sweden, all parents including those with children with intellectual disabilities (ID) receive extensive state and community support. Results of a postal survey of 226 families with children with ID and 234 control families showed that parents in Sweden experience the same stressors as parent sin the UK and USA who received less state support. However, they reported less financial strain.

MANAGEMENT OF RESPITE AND PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES IN A CONSUMER-DIRECTED FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMME

J. Caldwell and T. Heller

Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, Vol. 47, 2003, p.352-366

The study explored the management of respite and personal assistance services by families with relatives with developmental disability in the USA. It focuses on the control of families over recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling, directing and negotiating wages of the staff they hire to provide services. More control over services by families was associated with greater service satisfaction, increased community involvement of people with developmental disabilities and increased employment of mothers. Families tended to employ friends, neighbours and other relatives. Hiring of relatives to provide services was associated with increased community involvement of people with developmental disabilities.