"Family support" describes the philosophy of the Michigan Public Mental Health System. Family Support is also the name of a Michigan program that provides the supports that parents of children with developmental disabilities need to keep their families together. Services include respite care, client services management, parent and caregiver training, parent support groups, accommodative home improvements, sibling programs, adaptive equipment, and a family support subsidy. The Family Support Subsidy, which is 100% State funded, is a cash entitlement of approximately $3,000 annually provided to families with a taxable income below $60,000 per year who care for their children with severe impairments. Parents have flexibility to spend the subsidy in whatever way they wish to meet the special needs of their family. In evaluation activities, the majority of families reported spending the subsidy on clothing, education aides, general household expenses, sitters, medical expenses, and diapers. The subsidy is viewed by parents as a symbol of recognition by the State of the value of caregivers and the care they give. A copy of the program's Fiscal Year 1989 annual report to the Governor and Legislature is appended. This report describes the purpose of the subsidy, its effectiveness, its impact on families, outreach activities to identify new subsidy applicants, annual evaluation, and recommendations for improvements. (JDD)