Families of Children Under Stress

At FOCUS, our mission is to embrace and equip families of children with disabilities to make everyday life better.

Children participating in FOCUS activities range in age from birth through 29 years old and have lifelong developmental and/or physical disabilities, including rare genetic syndromes, cerebral palsy, autism, and Down syndrome. FOCUS families are racially and ethnically diverse and share the common bond of having children with significant health challenges in their lives.

FOCUS offers wraparound programs of support to families of children, teens, and young adults who are medically fragile or have developmental/physical disabilities. Programs include hospital support, workshops, adapted day and overnight camps, adapted swim teams, parent share groups, family camps and activities, grants for critical medical equipment, and more. FOCUS seeks to create a community for families of children with disabilities.

FOCUS was founded in August 1983 by parents seeking support for themselves and for their children with rare genetic illnesses. It quickly grew from a small living-room support group into an organization with innovative programs for both parents and children with developmental and physical disabilities. After 4 decades of growth and two mergers, FOCUS now provides services for more than 5,000 Georgia families.

Founders Susan & Jim Calhoun and Lynne & Jim Conboy start FOCUS

FOCUS merges with Kool Kidz and starts Camp TEAM and FAST Fins