Parent leadership
Parents mentoring parents and families of children with disabilities
Parent to Parent support is the heart of our mission. As stated in our Credo of Family Support, we believe that experienced families are a key source of knowledge and support to help new parents in becoming effective advocates for their children.
Each year Raising Special Kids matches hundreds of families with experienced, trained parent volunteers who provide support and information to new parents, facing crises, or strugglling with everyday challenges.
Staff follow-up is conducted on 100% of Parent to Parent matches to ensure each family's needs are met and any additional desired support is made available.
What is a Parent Leader?
Parent Leaders want to improve systems of care for all families by sharing their story and perspective on raising a child with a disability or special health needs. Parent Leaders have reached a place of acceptance and are ready to participate with support from Raising Special Kids to share their wisdom and knowledge. Here are some ways Parent Leaders contribute their unique talents:
- Parent Mentor - Provide one–to-one mentoring and support to another parent of a child with the same diagnosis over a period of 8 weeks.
- Family Faculty - Participate in the training of physicians in pediatrics or family practice residency, includes hosting a home visit.
- Community Outreach - Assist in planning and staffing community events to reach other parents and the larger community. Host a Raising Special Kids information table, provide information about family support services, parent leadership, and other programs.
- Advisory Groups, Councils, Committees - Share the parent perspective by serving on a board, council, or committee to affect change at a systems level.
- Legislative Advocacy - Represent the parent perspective on key issues affecting children and families with local, state, and other government officials.
- Panelist, Training Presenter, Media Interview - Participate in training professionals in health, education, and social services. Speak at public events, or be interviewed by media to raise awareness about children with special health care needs.
- Program and Policy Development - Assist in reviewing state agency information, policy revisions, manuals, web sites and other resources.
- Project Planning and Coordination - Help plan and coordinate activities for events or special projects.
If you would like to speak to another parent or explore the possibility of becoming a volunteer parent, please contact us today at 602-242-4366 or 800-237-3007 or email info@raisingspecialkids.org.
Raising Special Kids is a 501 © (3) nonprofit organization. All programs and services are offered at no charge to families. For more information, call (602) 242-4366, or (800) 237-3007 toll free.