First Stop
Family Support Center

Contact

Family Specialist
Maggie Landry
Mary.Landry@usm.edu

First Stop is a program of the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) at The University of Southern Mississippi. IDS was designated by the Governor of the State of Mississippi as the lead entity to apply for funds under the Projects of National Significance; Projects for Family Support 360. IDS has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities to plan for the implementation of a coordinated one-stop center. These centers are to assist underserved families with a member who has a developmental disability by preserving, strengthening and maintaining the family. A First Stop council has been established to plan for the implementation of a coordinated one-stop center to assist military and veteran families who have child or adult member with a developmental disability.

Vision Statement

To support military and veteran families who have a child (to age 25) with a developmental disability by caring, sharing and coordinating resources to enhance quality of life.

Mission Statement

The mission of First Stop is to improve quality of life and family unity by providing comprehensive services to link all military families who have children (up to age 25) with developmental disabilities to their communities and communties to the families. First Stop serves all military families.

Project Director
Dr. Jane Siders

For more information about the First Stop project, please contact Maggie Landry at
228.376.8703 or 1.888.671.0051 (TTY).