Families Helping Families
Our Special Children is a program of The Arc of Greater Tarrant County that provides parent-to-parent support. Parent-to-Parent's support is defined as parents of children with disabilities helping other parents of children with disabilities. An integral part of Our Special Children is putting parents in contact with other parents. When parents communicate with one another it is powerful and effective. Our Special Children offers a continuum of support and information that spans different ages, cultures, disabilities, and stages of emotional needs that each family may experience. A family's need for information will be based on the individual needs of their child and when they are ready to see new information.
Our Special Children also integrates other support services offered through The Arc. The services include but are not limited to: seminars, information, referral, and advocacy.
Support Services
*Our Special Children Newsletter*
A monthly newsletter filled with resources, upcoming events, and information to help inform and educate families.
*Parent-to-Parent matches*
Matching parents with other parents who want to talk with a family that has a similar diagnosis, medical, or educational needs and is sensitive to cultural differences.
*Connections Workshops*
Ongoing workshops presented from the cirriculum model: Connections... Creating A Positive School Culture by Uniting Families and Schools, presented in independent sessions.
*Special Education Assistance*
Workshops, mentoring, and volunteers to assist families through the ARD/IEP process
*Speakers Bureau*
Training and opportunities for families to provide public education to the community on disability-related issues, parenting a child with disabilities, and more.
*Monthly Meetings*
Designed to offer families the opportunity to network with other families and provide meaningful information when caring for or parenting a child with a disability.
