1.  Importance of family setting and home care.  Children, regardless of the type or severity of their disabilities, belong with and do best with families. Accordingly, families should receive whatever support is necessary to care for their family members with disabilities at home.  

2.  Focus on whole family.  Family support must focus on the needs of the entire family.  

3.  Flexibility.  Family needs change over time and family support must be flexible and responsive to the unique needs and strengths of individual families.  

4.  Integration.  Families should be supported to fully integrate their family members with disabilities into education, employment and social settings in their own communities. Support to families must build on social networks and other sources of support that exist in their communities.  

5.  Long-term support.  Family support is needed throughout the life spans of family members with disabilities.  

6.  Family expertise.  Families should be recognized as experts regarding the needs of their members with disabilities. The family should be the primary decision-making unit regarding the support, services and opportunities it needs. Accordingly, families must be included in the planning and implementation of family support systems.  

7.  Family contributions.  Families that have members with disabilities should be recognized for enriching the lives of all citizens through their contributions to the economic health and social fabric of the State.  

8.  Individual needs and aspirations.  People with disabilities have personal needs and preferences to live, work, learn, grow and to have relationships. People with disabilities have abilities, competencies and aspirations and should be supported to pursue their personal desires and reach their fullest potential.