Getting Involved

Often, when parents have been parenting for many years, they find that helping others through similar stresses is beneficial to both parties. The experienced parent gains the satisfaction of helping others and the less experienced parent gains knowledge from the experience and guidance of the other. But it may be difficult to find your "place" in the work of special needs children. Many parents find it such a passion that they go on to do advocacy work or change occupations that will enable them to work with special children in the future. Other parents cannot devote that much time, but still would welcome an opportunity to make a difference in the life of another family. There are many ways that an experienced parent can help.

Parents can become involved in their local advisory committee in Children's Mental Health or local school committees. They can serve as board members on organizations that relate to their parenting experience. Some parents lobby for special organizations or take on roles like find raising or providing testimonials for worthy organizations. Working special events or campaigns makes a significant impact on a struggling non-profit.

Attending a local support group can be beneficial for everyone. The experienced parent can offer much needed support, as well as connecting parents together with known resources in the community. Support groups need individuals that are not experiencing crisis in order to provide support for those who are struggling. Experienced parents are needed to show others that they, too, can make it through the current crisis. Online forums are also beneficial. Online groups have the benefit of confidentiality; some parents find it easier to share their struggles in a virtual setting. The MN Technical Assistance for Family Support organization created a large variety of workbooks and articles that explored using parents as partners with service providers to improve outcomes for families. The organization no longer exists, but the information MNTAFS compiled is beneficial and applicable to parents who have an interest in helping other families. The .pdf's listed below are available for download.

The partnership resource manual includes sheets on Understanding parent and professional perspectives; Barriers, approaches and strategies; and Healing damaged relationships as well as others. Documents/Partnership_Resource_Manual.pdf

This document outlines how to become a better communicator. Documents/parent_03_communication_skills.pdf

This manual effectively gives parents pointers on becoming better parent to parent mentors. Documents/Parent_to_Parent_Training.pdf

If you have an interest in facilitating a support group, the following documents may be helpful to you. They discuss basic facilitating skills, how to handle a disruptive member, and expectations you may have for a support group.

Documents/MNTAFSFacilitating.pdf
Documents/MNTAFSFacilitatingbegin.pdf
Documents/MNTAFSFacilitatingDisruptors.pdf
Documents/MNTAFSFacilitatingSkills.pdf
Documents/MNTAFSgroupresponsibilities.pdf