Family Policy

I. Family 

A . Definition: The family is any emotionally/sexually expressive and/or parent-child relationship in which people are usually related by ancestry, marriage, or adoption live together with commitment, form an economic unit, and provide care to its members and find an identity as important by the attachment to the group.
B . The functions of a family may include responsible reproduction, economic support, education/socialization, care and protection, nurturance and emotional security.

II. Purpose: 

The purpose of public policy statements is the articulation of a series of specific guidelines by which public law and statues can be evaluated and developed. The following public policy statements express the guidelines of the ILCFR in terms of the needs of families.

III. Resolution 

A . Public policy shall recognize the growing complexity of family organization and allow for an inclusive definition of the family that reflects the current reality of family situations found in the United States.
B . Public policy shall address the needs of families from a diverse perspective. Public policy regarding the needs of families shall be comprehensive in nature, encompassing the many needs include, but are not limited to Health Care Legal Support, education, Child and Elder care, and Physical and Mental Health Programs.

To these ends be it resolved that the following family policy guidelines, which recognize all families, regardless of the composition of each unique family unit, will be enacted and shall:

IV. Guidelines 

A . Ensure that families have access to information and services regarding ethical, legal, and medical issues.
B . Ensure that right to safe, appropriate, and affordable places of residence throughout the life cycle.
C . Recognize that family members will have developmentally appropriate vocational planning and educational opportunities.
D . Ensure the right to a sufficient source of income which will promote and protect the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families.
E . Support developmentally appropriate family life and relationship skill education.
F . Recognize that care-givers and care-receivers have the right to affordable, appropriate, and effective resources and service delivery. (Both In-Home and Institutionalized.)
G . Recognize the right for opportunities of families members to develop and express socially responsible relationships.
H . Not impose legal restrictions to services based on family composition.

Web-Based Resources

• National Council on Family Relations
• Policy Institute for Family Impact Seminars
• Policy for Results

Books/Chapters

Anderson, E.A., Skinner, D., & Letiecq, B.L. (2004). Teaching family policy: A handbook of course syllabi, teaching strategies and resources (2nd Edition). Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations.

National Council on Family Relations (2000). Public policy through a family lens: Sustaining families in the 21st century. Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations.

Anderson, E.A., & Feldman, M. (1993). Family-centered health policy. In S. Price & B. Elliott (Eds.). Vision 2010: Families & Health Care, (pp. 38-40). Minneapolis: National Council on Family Relations.

Select Articles

Anderson, E. A., Braun, B., & Walker, S.K. (2005). Teaching family policy: Advocacy skills education. Journal of Marriage and Family Review, 38, 61-76.

Braun, B. & Williams, S. (2008). Sizing up America: Strategy for public policy engagement.  Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences. 100(2), 55-56.

Liechty, J.M., & Anderson, E. A. (2007). Flexible workplace policies: Lessons from the Federal Alternative Work Schedules Act. Family Relations, 56, 304-317