First Stop
Family Support Center

Project Director
Dr. Jane Siders
Jane.Siders@usm.edu

Project Coordinator
Jerry R. Alliston, LMSW, CCM
Jerry.Alliston@usm.edu

Project Family Liaison Coordinator
Theresa Pender, M.Ed
Theresa.Pender@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 planning 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 planning 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 or adult with a developmental disability by caring, sharing and coordinating resources to enhance quality of life.

Mission Statement

To provide a coordinated and seamless system of services and resources to military and veteran families with children or adults who have developmental disabilities.

For more information about the First Stop project, please contact Jerry R. Alliston at
601.266.5163 or 1.888.671.0051 (TTY).