Five County First In Families           

946-X West Andrews Avenue

Henderson, NC 27536

252-438-7627

                           252-438-7689 (fax)

2009 Colorfall Festival

Vendor Application

Saturday. September 12, 2009 10:00 am-3:00 pm

Rain Date September 19, 2009

The Embassy Square Breckenridge Street-Downtown Henderson

Support Five County First In Families and The Arc of Vance County!

(Clicking on the Colorfall Festival link above will open a pdf document: to get a free pdf reader visit www.adobe.com)

What is First In Families?         

First In Families is a statewide grassroots family support initiative founded in 1994, by families looking for a new and creative way to provide and receive support. The goal of First In Families of North Carolina is to help people with disabilities and their families achieve their goals and realize their dreams.  FIF operates on the following guiding principles:

Customer Leadership

People with disabilities and/or their families are the experts regarding their own goals and dreams, and should be respected as such by everyone.

 

Equality and Interdependence

People with disabilities and/or their families should have the same rights, responsibilities, and opportunities to contribute and participate as all other residents of the community. Communities have a responsibility to help make this a reality.

 

Partnerships

All community members should work together to provide an effective support base for people with disabilities and/or their families.

 

System Response

Providers should be responsive to the direction given them by the people they serve.

First In Families does “whatever it takes” to support individuals to achieve independence and become more connected to their community.  First In Families chapter teams are committed to providing flexible resources for people with developmental disabilities and their families, typically meeting needs not filled by traditional funding and support services. 

Each chapter has a team of individuals who pool their knowledge and experience to provide a range of choices to applicants that may include in-kind support, cash assistance, referrals, and advocacy.  The creative process of meeting needs is fulfilled by a collective effort of each FIF community, and consists of partnerships with local businesses, bartering for services, recycling gently used items, fundraising, and leveraging donated funds.

 First In Families is also unique in that it provides opportunities for recipients of FIF services to later assist other families through their own unique talents and resources.  This further supports community connectedness for all those that receive services through FIF.

Currently, FIF serves 38 counties through 12 chapters across the state.  Five County First In Families received funding in 2008, making it the newest chapter to serve individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.  Five County FIF serves: Granville, Vance, Warren, Franklin, and Halifax Counties. 

If you would like to become part of this unique community initiative, we have a variety of opportunities for individuals and community businesses.  We are also currently accepting applications from individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. 

For more information on volunteer and donor opportunities, or to receive an application for services, please contact Wendy Parker at wparker@arcnc.org or 252-438-7627 ext. 108.

To be eligible for FC FIF:

1. You live in Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren or Halifax County

2. Your household income does not exceed $65,000 after taxes, and:

3. You are a person with, or have a family member with a developmental disability or traumatic brain injury. FC FIF uses the NC statue 122-C-3-12(a) to define developmental disability. A copy of this statue can be supplied for you if you wish. Here are some examples of developmental disability: Intellectual Disability, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and Traumatic Brain Injury. If you are unsure if your disability falls under this definition, please contact FC FIF.

Read the Cover Letter

How FC FIF Works:

• All persons requesting an application can either pick one up at the First In Families office, call 252-438-7627  to have an application mailed, fax their request to 252-438-7689, or email their request to wparker@arcnc.org.
• Any person can receive assistance with the completion of the application, if desired.
• Applicants are encouraged to complete the application thoroughly and include any documentation regarding their or their child's disability that they may have on hand.
• The Resource Coordinator (RC) contacts the applicant to clarify any information, discuss the family's needs and dreams, and explain the way FC FIF works. If an applicant is ineligible based on criteria from FCMHA, the RC makes appropriate referrals to other sources of help.
• For eligible applicants, resource matching begins immediately. The RC makes referrals, community connections and/or attempts to locate free or discounted items or services. Based on the applicant's needs and the success of finding resources, FC FIF may approve cash assistance.
• Emergency funds are available to eligible applicants. There is a  limit on emergency funding requests.
• Applicants may be referred to a wide variety of other agencies for other services, supports and resources. The RC may do resource matching and coordination for any family at any time.
• The normal application process typically takes from 30-60 days, however, FC FIF will try to complete the process as quickly as possible.

Get the Application

(You will need to print this out and mail or fax to FC First In Families)

For more information on volunteer and donor opportunities, or to receive an application for services, please contact Wendy Parker at wparker@arcnc.org or 252-438-7627 ext. 108.