United Families and Partners for Choice:
A Collective Voice for Choice and Rights Protections 

Family membership dues are structured simply and transparently to ensure accessibility for every household in Welcoming. Dues directly fund our peer support circles, advocacy training sessions, member-led committee projects, and accessible community gathering spaces. We believe financial limitations should never prevent a family from having a collective voice, so dues assistance and flexible contribution paths are readily available upon request. All members receive: *All member groups (including families who were never represented in the past) get a seat at the table * First collaborative membership in the State to include all parties * Full force of the group for effective, needed changes to save our service delivery system in PA.  *Opportunities to support efforts and to partake in committees * Potential legal support for group-selected priorities and issues (TBA as we work these details out)  *Potential initiatives for creative ideas to support community living, such as shared staffing initiatives, registries, “farming”, intentional community living, and anything that makes sense for individuals and families * Legislative and policy updates * Advocacy action alerts Invitations to member-only webinars, trainings, and educational workshops, and action plans for activism * Access to advocacy toolkits, policy briefs, and resource guides Opportunities to participate in statewide advocacy campaigns and public comment initiatives to make the needed changes Quarterly member newsletter Annual meetings and gatherings Networking opportunities with individuals, families, providers, advocates, and community partners Access to exclusive member resources and educational content Holding the state organizations and individuals accountable to state and federal laws and regulations that govern service delivery Monitoring every “policy” that is initiated to ensure it is compliant with disability rights (and family)protections under these laws, including constitutional law Ensuring people with disabilities and families are not pressured or coerced to relinquish those rights to receive services Going back to the law to protect the ISP process where people are to receive services based on needs and choices rather than where they reside or with whom Protecting choices for all individuals and families Ensuring the state has fulfilled its legal obligation to locate, provide, and pay for services for those in their true home and community  Partake in meaningful action plans to develop creative ideas to solve the staffing crisis in the home and community, since Pa has done nothing except coerce families to quit their jobs to provide services in self-direct, where they are further discriminated against Participating in policy change regarding quality of care and prevention of abuse, including demanding changes in the self-investigation system/Incident management system, and arrest of those who abuse individuals with disabilities in any setting, and a registry to avoid job jumping to other providers Changing the state focus from “compliance with paperwork” monitoring to the actual monitoring of quality services 

Member Commitment By becoming a member of xxxx, you demonstrate your commitment to: Protecting and advancing the civil rights of individuals with disabilities and their families. Promoting independent living, full community inclusion, and equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities. Supporting self-determination, informed choice, dignity of risk, and participant-directed decision-making. Upholding person-centered practices throughout every phase of service delivery and across the lifespan. Supporting services that are based on an individual's assessed needs, personal goals, and informed choices, not where they live, with whom they live, or what is most convenient for the service system. Working collaboratively with individuals, families, Direct Support Professionals, providers, advocates, attorneys, and community partners to strengthen Pennsylvania's disability service system while preserving individual choice and autonomy. Promoting respectful, inclusive, ethical, and constructive advocacy that reflects the principles of the Independent Living Movement. Holding public agencies and organizations accountable for complying with federal and Pennsylvania laws, regulations, constitutional protections, and disability rights governing Home and Community-Based Services. Reviewing and challenging policies, bulletins, and administrative practices that conflict with disability rights, family rights, informed choice, or applicable law. Ensuring that individuals with disabilities and their families are never pressured, intimidated, or coerced into relinquishing their rights to receive necessary services and support. Protecting the integrity of the Individual Support Plan (ISP) process so that services are determined by individual needs, preferences, goals, and informed choices. Supporting every individual's right to live in their own home, family home, or other community-based setting of their choosing with the services necessary to succeed. Advocating for the Commonwealth to fulfill its legal obligation to locate, authorize, provide, and adequately fund Home and Community-Based Services that prevent unnecessary institutionalization and support meaningful community living.

Yes, fully accessible participation is fundamental to everything we do. All general membership meetings, committee check-ins, and family advocacy discussions provide hybrid options with live virtual streaming, captioning, and accessible materials. Families can comfortably join from home or attend in person at our Welcoming center.

Absolutely. Our Family Support Specialists and peer network help families navigate independent living resources, educational accommodations, community access barriers, and self-advocacy pathways. We listen closely to your specific family goals and connect you with experienced peer advocates who understand your journey.

Our online membership process takes just a few minutes. Visit our Membership page, choose your enrollment option, and complete the secure registration and dues payment form. You will receive an immediate welcome packet with upcoming meeting links, peer circle introductions, and direct contact details for our coordination team.