Purpose of the Parent to Parent Program:
To utilize the experience and knowledge of parents of a child with a visual impairment to mentor/be helpful to other parents with a child with a visual impairment. Parents will be paired through a coordinator considering similarities of culture, diagnosis and school districts when appropriate. Mentors will provide listening access to community resources and advocacy to parent mentees.
The following is a quote articulating the essence of the Parent to Parent Program.
"The parental need that professionals are probably least able to fill is the need for social supportÂ…Meeting other parents of disabled children thus becomes very important to many parents after they learn about their child's disability." Support provided specifically from parents of children having disabilities helps to alleviate loneliness and isolation, provides "hands on" expertise, as well as, offering capable role models:
(Seligman & Darling, Ordinary Families, Special Children, 1989)
If you have any questions or would like to talk to our volunteer Parent to Parent coordinator, please call 714-573-8888 ext. 456. Please leave your name and phone number on the voicemail so that Jaimie Haver will be able to return your call.