At the Center for Family Support, we want to ensure everyone we support has the tools they need to be strong self-advocates. Self-advocacy essentially means speaking up for yourself and making sure your life is lived how you want.
You can use the links and documents in this Advocacy Center as a starting point in your journey towards self-advocacy. If you have questions or want to learn more, reach out to our Innovative Planning and Advocacy Department at InnovativeTeam@cfsny.org.
Useful Links and Websites
Advocacy News and Information
Meet Elisanta: CFS Advocate of the Year
Elisanta is a fiercely independent individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who has accomplished so much in her life, and who is determined to keep on achieving! Nothing feels…
CFS Advocates Lobby in Albany
Advocacy as a practice has evolved and moved beyond virtuous acts of kindness to become a structured effort to provide a voice and support to those in need. While organizations…
CFS Participants Dance at Keoni Movement Arts
Individuals participating in CFS programs recently had the opportunity to work with the Keoni Movement Arts’ Creative Learning Grant to learn new ways to express themselves artistically through dance over…
Upcoming Advocacy Opportunities
With both the New York and New Jersey budgets to be finalized in the coming weeks, we’re counting on our CFS community to step up and show their support for…
CFS Celebrates Black History Month in 2023
The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” Black History Month provides a unique opportunity for all of us…
Capital Rally and Lobby Day
New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) is hosting a rally aimed at encouraging investment into the future of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), and we’re excited to join them!…
Oscar Advocates For Supported Decision Making
Sometimes, all it takes is a single individual to inspire an entire community. This is the kind of person that brings people together to achieve a positive, enduring outcome. In…
Benjy’s Curious Mind on Film
The Center for Family Support has been working with Benjamin and his family in our Self-Directed Services program since 2014. “The skills and compassion of the CFS staff are unparalleled,”…
The Healing Magic of Music
Who doesn’t love music? But what about the power of making music…together? CFS’ The Magic of Music program is convening in person for six special weeks to jam together and…
The Center for Family Support Obtains CQL Accreditation!
For the third time, the Center for Family Support has been accredited as an organization with Person-Centered Excellence by the Council on Quality and Leadership, a leader in working with…
Jack Turns 40! The Best Birthday… Yet!
Jack recently turned 40 – a big event for all of us. He’s one of our advocates living at Cary Avenue, one of CFS’ Residences in Staten Island. Tamara is…
Congratulations to Filmmaker Oscar Segal!
Throughout the year, Oscar was able to apply to many film festivals with his short film, The Oscar Show. The Oscar Show is based on a YouTube show that Oscar…
CFSNJ Open House – On the Spot Interviews
Come Join Us for Our Open HouseHolding On the Spot Interviews Full Time, Part Time and Per Diem Positions Available DATE & TIME: Saturday, October 26th, 10:00am – 2:00 pmLOCATION:…
Thank You for Your Creativity and Advocacy!
The Innovative Planning Department would like to Thank all our Direct Support Staff for your creativity and advocacy. For being able to balance rights while keeping people safe, for managing…
Who is Stella Young? And How Does She #choosetochallenge?
For #Women’s History + Development Disabilities Awareness Month #DDA month, we’re highlighting women who #choosetochallenge. This week, we’re sharing Stella Young’s amazing @TED Talk. CLICK HERE to watch the talk….
