FAMILIES PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR RESOURCES FOR CARING FOR CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES

Factors related to families' perceptions of internal resources when ra ising children with developmental disabilities were examined, Families enrolled in a Cash Subsidy Program were surveyed about their resource s, use of services, and helpfulness of social supports, Parents saw th eir basic resources for daily life as adequate. However, they reported that their time, discretionary money, and child-care resources were n ot adequate for caring for their children, Helpfulness of social suppo rts, the children's characteristics, and income were related to percep tion of resource adequacy. Findings suggest that support set vices mus t be flexible in the types and amounts of services provided.