Support Groups & Links
The following is a listing of support groups or agencies that sponsor groups for families and individuals with disabilities and special health needs. If your group is not listed, please let us know.
Contact Community Information & Referral Services at 602-263-8856 or 1-800-352-3792, or cirs@cirs.org for additional listings.
We highly recommend calling a group you are interested in prior to attending a meeting to be sure it is still active, and to confirm the dates, times and locations of the groups.
Albinism
NOAH - National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation
In Arizona Contact: Cyndy Bensema, 602-995-1036
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ADD/ADHD
(Maricopa County)
North West Valley CHADD
Acacia Elementary School (Media Center)
3021 W Evans Dr
Phoenix
Date: Fourth Tuesday of the Month
7:00pm
ADD/ADHD
(Yavapai County)
Chino Valley ADD/ADHD Parent Support Group
Chino Valley: 1704 Palo Verde Dr
Date: 2nd Monday of each month
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Contact: Marcia T. Brehmer, 928-636-5160
Prescott ADD/ADHD Parent Support Group
212 S. Marina ( 4CCDD office gray house across from Public Library)
Date: 3rd Monday of each month
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Contact: Marcia T. Brehmer, 928-636-5160
Child Care: Free, but must pre-register prior to meeting
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Adoption of Children with Special Needs
Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK)
2320 N. 20th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 254-2275 / 1-800-568-2614
For Foster Care Licensure/Adoption Certificate
602.930.4900 (www.aask-az.org)
For Home & Community Based Services (HCBS)
602.254.2275 ext 4407 (www.aaskforhcbs.org) or 1.800.370.2275
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AIDS/HIV
Phoenix Body Positive
1144 E McDowell Rd #200
Phoenix AZ 85006
602-307-5330
View website's calendar for meetings
or contact info@phoenixbodypositive.org
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Adults with disabilities
VOICE
An adult-oriented (18+), cross disability support group engaged in support, information, and social and activity group functions for individuals with disabilities.
Where: Northwest Valley
Foothills Branch Public Library
19055 N. 57th Avenue (57th Avenue North of Union Hills)
When: 2nd Thursday of each month, 1pm - 4pm
For more information contact:
Clayton Guffey
(602) 789-9129 x207
www.VOICE-az.com
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Allergies
Phoenix Allergy Network - an educational food allergy support group for families.
Come meet other families living with severe food allergies.
Support. Educate. Advocate for Change.
Visit www.phoenixallergynetwork.org for meeting dates and location.
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Angelman Syndrome
Angelman Syndrome Foundation Inc. website lists regional contacts.
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Asperger Syndrome
Asperger Parent Network
For parents in the Greater Phoenix area who have a child or teen with Asperger Syndrome or related disorder.
Date: Meets monthly in various locations
Contact: Carolyn Warden at 480-759-6329 or Annette Wilkes at 480-855-3402
HelpASAP online listserve - Parent Support Group for parents of children with autism
To join email marlene@kenyonzoo.com or call 623-879-7577.
Phoenix HF Autism/Asperger Family Network
Support group for both kids and parents-we share challenges, successes and info!
Last Wed of month 6:30-8pm (except for summer and holidays) www.phoenixautism.com
Email: hfautism@cox.net
Phone: (602) 225-0052
Yahoo Chat site (most informative area): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/npapn
Autism
East Valley Autism Parents Support Group
First Tuesday of every month.
Contact: Janet Kirwin, 480-632-5719
East Valley Autism Support Group for Spanish-Speakers (Espanól)
2nd Tuesday of every month.
Contact: Alberto Serpias 480-831-1009
North Phoenix Autism Parents Support Group
Coco's on Cactus Road, near PV mall
Date: Fourth Tuesday of the month
Time: 6:45 pm
West Valley Autism Support Meetings
Every 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7-9pm
Prayer Center - New Life Community Church
8155 W Thunderbird Rd., Peoria AZ 85381
Contact info: Shelly Vinsant, shellyvin@cox.net, 623-572-5289, 623-261-9385
Greater Phoenix Chapter Autism Society of America
http://www.phxautism.org
email marlene@kenyonzoo.com or call 623-879-7577
Arizona Autism Support
www.arizonaautismsupport.org
Includes a Men's Group that meets once a month.
For details contact: Jason Geroux (480) 748-8620 or Email: mensgroup@arizonaautismsupport.com
AZ ASSIST: Autism Spectrum Support, Information & Strategies for Transition
Focus is on the transition issues students with HFA & Asperger’s face as they enter the adult world: Career, Independent Living, Social & Recreation, and Housing
www.azassist.wetpaint.com
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Brain Injury
Brain Injury Association of Arizona
http://www.biaaz.org/bia/supportGroups.aspx.
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Cystic Fibrosis
CF Parent's Group
Phoenix Children's Hospital
6-8:00pm
Third Wednesday of every month.
Contact Barbara Bush, CF 602-546-0288.
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Hands and Voices
http://handsandvoices.org
http://azhv.org
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Down Syndrome
DSNetwork
Information and networking opportunities for families of children with Down Syndrome
http://www.dsnetworkaz.org/ or call 480.759.9150.
Sharing Down Syndrome
Family support for parents and families of people with Down Syndrome
Affiliated with the National Down Syndrome Congress and National Down Syndrome Society.
Contact information:
Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona Inc., 745 N. Gilbert Rd. #124, PMB 273, Gilbert, AZ
Phone: 480) 926-6500
Website: www.sharingds.org
E-mail: gina@sharingds.org
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Dwarfism
VALLEY OF THE SUN
Chapter 1
State: Arizona
President: Mark Trombino
E-mail: president@azlpa.org
Website: http://azlpa.org
Our publication "It's A Whole New View; A Guide for Raising a Child With Dwarfism" is available as a pdf online, or by contacting our National Office at info@lpaonline.org or 1-888-LPA-2001.
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Epilepsy
Flagstaff Parent Support Group
Contact: Lisa Kemp, 520-774-4617
Phoenix Parent Support Group
Phoenix Children's Hospital, 909 E Brill
Date: Last Wednesday of the month
Time: 7:00 pm
Phone: 602-406-3581 (Call to verify meeting time and place)
East Valley Epileptic
3rd Thursday each month
Desert Samaritan Hospital
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Contact Epilepsy Foundation for more information (602) 406-3581
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Grief/Loss Support
Arizona SIDS Alliance
Support Meetings & Newsletters
Phoenix Chapter: 602-433-SIDS
Tucson Chapter: 520-297-6013
The Compassionate Friends (TCF) Inc.
National: 630-990-0010, www.compassionatefriends.org
Phoenix Metro area chapter: http://www.tcfphoenix.org/
Offers a Phone Friends program, personal letter responses, monthly support groups, newsletter.
Desert Samaritan Medical Center
Marilyn Dunn or Suzanne Helzer
480-835-3460
MISS Foundation Support Group
Loss of Child with Special Needs
7634 W. Camelback Road at
Camelback Community Church
Room 208
Second Thursday of each month
6:30 pm
www.missfoundation.org
contact kyliesmom@missfoundation.org
602-472-2057
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Heart Conditions
Children's Heart Foundation
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Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus Association
http://www.hydroassoc.org/
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Hospices/General Bereavement Support
In Arizona
COTTONWOOD
Northern AZ Homecare & Hospice
928-639-6674
FLAGSTAFF
Northland Hospice
928-779-1227
PRESCOTT VALLEY
Yavapai Regional Medical Center Hospice
928-759-5910
PHOENIX
Desert Hospice
Barbara Schunke (barbara.schunke@fnp.com)
602-681-7141
Hospice of the Valley
V. June Lundy 602-530-6900
TEMPE
In Home Health Hospice
928-839-5686
Franciscan Renewal Center
5802 E Lincoln
Scottsdale, 85253
480-948-7460
On-going grief support groups.
National Mothers In Sympathy & Support (MISS) Foundation
PO Box 5333
Peoria, AZ 85381-5333
623-979-1000
NewSong Center
6947 E McDonald Dr
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
480-951-8794
AND
3104 W. Glendale Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85051
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Limb Deficiency
Special Blessings, parent support group.
Informal meeting held once a month in various family homes.
Contact: Adriane Grimaldi 480-423-3590 or sbaz@cox.net
http://members.cox.net/sbaz/
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Liver
Marfan Foundation
American Liver Foundation, Arizona Chapter
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Mental Health
Arizona Alliance for the Mentally Ill (AAMI)
Mentally Ill Kids in Distress (MIKID)
Arizona Supports Kids with Mental Illness (ASKMI)
Child & Family Teams (NARBHA)
Depressive & Bi-Polar (Manic Depressive) Support Groups:
Bi-Polar Bears - Wednesdays 7-9pm
St Luke's Behavioral Health Services
1800 E Van Buren St
New Horizons - 2nd & 4th Tuesdays
7-9pm
Gilbert Health Center
1501 N Gilbert Rd
New Dawn - Tuesdays 7-9pm
Presbyterian Service Agency
2255 W. Northern Avenue B-100
Phoenix
The Mood Disorders
Awareness Institute
1st & 3rd Thursday of month
3-4:30pm
Survivor's United
5225 N 19th Avenue
Phoenix
Anxiety Disorders Support Groups:
Anxiety Support Group
1st & 3rd Wednesday 7-8:30pm
Life Care of Paradise Valley
4065 E Bell Rd, Phoenix
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD)
2nd & 4th Thursday 7-9pm
Samaritan Behavioral Health Center
7575 E. Earll Dr. Scottsdale
OCD For Adolescents
4th Monday
7pm
Day Spring United Methodist Church
1365 E Elliot
Tempe
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Neurofibromatosis
Neurofibromatosis, Inc - Arizona or Southwest has a chat room, list of events and links to groups for various age groups
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OI (Osteogenesis Imperfecta) Support Group Meetings
When: The last Saturday of each month
Contact for details: Jen Adler 480-668-4754 missbutterfly40@aol.com
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Prematurity
NICU Parent Network
Regular meetings at local hospitals
contact Raising Special Kids
602-242-4366 or 1-800-237-3007 ext. 217
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Scoliosis Association
Support Group
Wednesday, May 5th
7:00 pm (Doors open at 6:30)
Arizona Public Service Building (APS)
400 N. Fifth St. Conference Room 2 South
Phoenix (North of Van Buren, South of Filmore and East of the Arizona Center
Contact Carol Lytle at cjlytle@hotmail.com or Debra Flores at ohemerson@aol.com. Refreshments will be served. Free parking on 5th St. and Filmore.
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Sibshops
Workshops for brothers and
sisters of children with
disabilities or special needs.
9/12/2009, 11/21/2009, 2/13/2010, 4/17/2010
Location: Hospice of the Valley:
1510 East Flower Street, PHX
Time: 10-2,
Cost: $15.00, lunch included
Scholarships are available:
e-mail holly@RyanHouse.org or call 602-200-0767
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Special Needs
Banner Thunderbird Medical Center
Facilitates a support group for families of children with special needs.
Meets every other month on the 3rd Saturday from 10-12 at the hospital.
Contact Judy Gates at 602-865-4731
SPECIAL NEEDS SUPPORT GROUP OF THE NORTH VALLEY
information, opportunities for sharing experiences, resources, and advocacy for parents of children with special needs
Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the North Valley Regional Library located at 40410 N Gavilan Peak Parkway Anthem, AZ 85086
contact Kristina Blackledge, Group Facilitator, at 602-402-9510 or via email at kris@azparentadvocate.com. Gavilan Peak Pkwy in Anthem, AZ
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Vision
Arizona Association for Parents of the Visually Impaired
Phone: 602-331-1470
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