Parent-to-Parent Programs: A Resource for Parents and Professionals

Abstract

Parent to Parent programs offer parents of children who have special needs the opportunity to receive emotional and informational support from another parent who is experiencing a similar set of circumstances. By matching a trained veteran parent of a child with a disability in a 1-to-1 relationship with a parent who is newly referred to the program, Parent to Parent programs facilitate connections filled with information and perspectives that are unique to parents. This article introduces Parent to Parent support by (a) featuring the matched experience of two parents, (b) describing the results of a national survey of local Parent to Parent programs, (c) presenting guidelines for starting a Parent to Parent program, and (d) suggesting resources that are available nationally to those interested in Parent to Parent support.

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