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FAMILY SUPPORT

Families supporting a person with a developmental disability face unique and significant challenges. When one child has intensive care needs, families sometimes struggle to maintain a healthy home environment. With time and money often stretched to the limit, relationships can become strained, creating feelings of loneliness and isolation. The Arc's Family Support progrm helps families supporting a person with a developmental disability through:

         

Advocacy and Family Support Newsletter - This montly newsletter offers information about Arc programs and initiatives, social and educational events in the community, and legislative issues that affect people with developmental disabilities and their families (circulation 1,500). Contact Deanna Noland at (509) 328-6326 or dnoland@arc-spokane.org to subscribe.

Family Support Conference - This annual conference features keynote speakers, breakout sessions and informational panels about issues affecting parents, guardians and family members supporting a person with a developmental disability. Watch for an announcement in February.  

Lending Library - When parents learn that their child has a developmental disability, they have many questions. Our lending library offers hundreds of books that can help parents answer some of the questions they'll face throughout their lives. Visit us at 127 W. Boone Ave. and check out a book!

Parent to Parent - This program helps parents, guardians and other family members through a variety of educational workshops, support groups, and recreational events. In addition, our Helping Parents program matches new parents of a child with a disability to experienced parents who can provide seasoned advice or just a listening ear. Contact Helen Black at (509) 328-6326 or hblack@arc-spokane.org to participate.

Parent Empowerment - Although there are many support systems for people with developmental disabilities, parents often find navigating them a challenge.  These workshops help parents effectively advocate for their their son or daughter with a developmental disability at school, work or anywhere else in the community. Contact Helen Black at (509) 328-6326 or hblack@arc-spokane.org to participate.    

Sibling Workshops - Siblings often exprience mixed feelings about sharing a home with brother or sister with a developmental disability. These workshops give siblings an opportunity to explore their feelings in an atmosphere of understanding and respect. Contact Helen Black at (509) 328-6326 or hblack@arc-spokane.org to participate.  

Parents for Life - As people with developmental disabilities live longer, their parents face unique challenges ensuring the long-term well-being of their son or daughter with a developmental disability. This group supports parents of children with a developmental disability who are older than 21. Contact Deanna Noland at (509) 328-6326 or dnoland@arc-spokane to participate.   

Spokane County Parent Coalition - The Spokane County Parent Coalition, a program of The Arc of Spokane funded by Spokane County Community Services, offers parents crucial information about the many services available from civic, non-profit and for-profit organizations in our community. Contact Micheal Chappell at (509) 328-6326 or mchappell@arc-spokane.org to participate.

Spokane Father's Network - This support group allows fathers to share their concerns and experiences supporting a son or daughter with a developmental disability. Contact Gregg Osborne at (509) 768-1383 or darciandgregg@comcast.net to participate. 

 
© 2007