Family Options is a regional service that is responsible for the coordination of supports for medically fragile children and their families within Auckland, Counties Manukau, Lakes, Northland and Waitemata District Health Boards.

Family Options aims to enhance and optimise the care of medically fragile children and their families in their community by participating in and supporting an integrated model of community paediatric care.

Family Options coordinates the provision of respite and relief funding and services to families accepted onto its core programme. The support offered is to be used as an additional top up to any supports already in place i.e. carer support. It is intended for when families cannot cope with their current situation and need extra support. Family Options funding is based on the assessment of need and the cost of the care required.

 As of 1st of July 2011 Family Options is also responsible for the Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination (NASC) for children with Long Term Supports and Chronic Health Conditions (LTS-CHC) within Auckland, Northland, Waitemata and Counties Manukau District Health Boards.

If the child's needs are as a result of a disability they should be referred to their local DSS NASC (needs assessment & service coordination) agency.

Applications can be made to the Family Options core programme through the local delegated funding coordinators by your medical practitioner, social worker, community nurse or any health professional.

Decisions made about funding are made either by the local delegated funding group or by the Regional Reference Group. These decisions are made based on priority of need at the time of referral or review. Representatives from Auckland, Northland, Waitemata, Counties Manukau and Lakes District Health Boards including Social Work, Nursing, Needs Assessment, Paediatrician, Maori, Pacific Island and consumers make up the Regional Reference Group. The consumer representative on the Regional Reference Group is a parent of a medically fragile child.

Applications to the LTS-CHC funding stream will be assessed for eligibility by the Family Options Team. If eligible then a needs assessment will be carried out depending on the urgency of the application. Once the needs assessment is completed a care provider will be found that best suits the family's needs and carers allocated.