Parent to Parent programs

There is nothing quite like talking with someone who has been there--someone who knows their way around, the language, and how to get things done.  It's true when you travel, but perhaps even more true when you have a child with a disability.  Parents who have had to learn about their child's disability, available services, their rights under the law while dealing with providers, paperwork, processes, and procedures become true experts in how to navigate the disabilty service system.

Parent to parent programs tap into this expertise by matching parents who are seeking assistance with an experienced and trained 'Support Parent' who can offer both information and emotional support.  For more information on Parent to Parent programs, I highly recommend:

Parent to Parent USA--a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting state parent to parent programs.  You can find out about parent to parent programs in your state at their website.

Parent to Parent Programs: A resource for parents and professionals is a good article (available as research highlights or full article) for learning more about the types of services and supports provided by parent to parent programs.

Guidelines for starting a Parent to Parent Program is a short tipsheet on starting a parent to parent program in your area.  If you want something more in-depth look at the next listing:

Developing and expanding a statewide Parent to Parent Program is a user-friendly and practical guide for developing state-wide parent to parent groups. It is based on the experience of directors of parent to parent programs throughout the country.

Finally, if you want to know what difference parent to parent programs make, you can read A multi-site evaluation of Parent to Parent programs for parents of children with disabilities.

If I missed a must-know-about resource on parent to parent programs, please, post it in the comments.  Or if you have a question about parent to parent programs, let me know and I'll see if I can answer it or find someone who can.