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Parent to Parent Support A Guide to Making Connections

This guide provides information on how parent support groups can offer emotional and moral support, facilitate personal growth, and create lasting change. Learn about the benefits of support groups and how to start your own. Contact us for more information.

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Parent to Parent Support A Guide to Making Connections

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  1. Parent to Parent SupportA Guide to Making Connections Cheri Dowling Patricia Timm 2007 National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Conference

  2. What is a support group? A group of people with common experiences and concerns who provide emotional and moral support for one another Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary

  3. A characteristic unique to support groups is the mutual support members are able to provide one another. This support and validation from other group members help facilitate personal growth and change in a way that individual therapy cannot. Although experts and professionals can provide support and positive direction, the mutual exchange of information between group members is a powerful experience that often induces lasting change. Deanna Pledge Ph.D., The Gale Group Inc., Gale, Detroit, Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, 2003

  4. What do support groups do? Most often, members discuss problems in the group and provide support and advice to each other. Members of support groups are never forced to speak or share their personal concerns unless they feel comfortable doing so. In addition to sharing, some groups choose to have educational activities by inviting guest speakers who talk about specific issues. Jenny Nickol, Ohio State University Extension Agent, Hamilton County Ohio State University Extension; Senior Series

  5. Why Should it be Parent Led? • Common Experiences • Comfort Level • Unbiased

  6. FORMAL Parent to Parent Training Funding Collaboration Types of Parent Groups INFORMAL • Casual • No formal training • Funding • Internet

  7. Getting Started • Find other interested parents • Homework • First meeting • Rules • Expectations

  8. Find Other Parents • School • Places of Worship • Neighbors • Word of mouth

  9. Homework • Don’t reinvent the wheel • Collaborate • Research • Use what’s free

  10. Planning the First Meeting • When • Where • Length • Specific Topic • Child Care • Refreshments • Who is invited

  11. Qualities of a Good Leader • Emotional maturity • Well organized • Superior listening skills • Willingness to reach out • Enthusiasm • Sense of Humor The Parents’ Place of Maryland Making Connections, A Guide for Building Family to Family Support

  12. Four Stages of Adaptation • Surviving • Searching • Settling In • Separating

  13. The First Meeting • Introductions • Volunteers • Location • Group needs • Topics/Activities • Meeting Frequency • Ground Rules

  14. Meeting Rules • Confidentiality • Respect • Be non-judgmental • Unbiased

  15. Expectations • Purpose • Networking • Include everyone • Evaluate • Mission statement

  16. Evaluate Your Support Group • Leadership organized, skillful, and affirming of those who attend? • Strong consistent core of members attending? • Is the group growing and expanding? • Do newcomers keep coming back? • Does the group reflect the community? • Do the members willingly involve themselves in the groups activities? • Do the members report a sense of belonging, friendship, and increased knowledge about the service systems? Adapted from: Circles of Care and Understanding: Support Programs for Fathers of Children with Special Needs by James May, June 1992

  17. Are you ready? Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Meade

  18. CONTACT US Cheri Dowling Pat Timm CAD800@aol.com timmpa@msd.edu 443-277-8899 Partners for Success Family Support and Resource Center PO Box 894 Columbia, MD 21044 partners@msd.edu (410) 480-4597 (v/tty) or (410) 480-4598 (fax)

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