support

Parent Outreach Committee Support Groups

Parent Support Group

F-SEPAC's Coffee, Comfort, Conversation and Chocolate Support Group also known as the 4C’s Support Group - This parent support group will hold meetings at 9:30am on a regular basis at the home of one of the group members. All parents and guardians of special needs children are welcome. PleasE by email info@f-sepac.org or call 508.558.7220 if you are interested in joining the group.

F-SEPAC Online Group

F-SEPAC - the news service of F-SEPAC - http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/F-SEPAC

The F-SEPAC yahoo group is open to anyone who wants to:

•receive announcements of PAC workshops, seminars, meetings, conferences, expos, etc.
•send announcements from other PACs & organizations in the area that are helpful to parents & guardians of special needs.
•share information you've come across on upcoming events (workshops, seminars, meetings, conferences, expos, etc) - that you think would benefit anyone who cares for or teaches children with special needs in Framingham - you may send those for posting on F-SEPAC to: pac@cat-co.com

On F-SEPAC, you can't see who else is a member, so your name & e-mail address is kept private that way. The Framingham School District personnel, mostly those who work with our special kids, are invited to subscribe to this news service. It is one way communication.

Join Our Facebook Group -

other local support groups

Family TIES of Massachusetts has a complete list of support groups throughout MA. Click on you region to find ones in your area.http://massfamilyties.org/info/groups.php

Apraxia Parent Group Contact: Beth e-mail: philipandmarysmom@yahoo.com www.ApraxiaKids.org Meetings at Saugus Public Library, Saugus, MA Meeting times/frequency: every other month during school year.

Asperger's Association of New England (AANE)/ Parent Support Group This group is for parents/guardians/caregivers who have a child with Asperger's Syndrome (AS), High Functioning Autism (HFA), PDD-NOS, Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD/NvLD), etc. Also for those who think their child might have one of these or something similar. Contact: Gina Beaney 508-259-5060 or GLSB1@aol.com

Autism Alliance of Metrowest – www.autismalliance.org – 508-652-9900

The Autism Resource Center of Massachusetts - www.ARCCM.org

Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Group Sudbury Special Education Advisory Council's (SSEAC) has a support group for parents of children on the Autism Spectrum, including parents of children with Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Autism, Aspergers Syndrome and other PDD's. The goal of this social group is to help parents share ideas, educate, and emotionally support each other. For more information, contact: Council (SSEAC) Co-Chairs: Rebecca Goniwich: RebeccaGo@comcast.net or (978. 443.4030) or Janet O'Brien: jltobrien@hotmail.com

The Autism Support Center (ASC) 800-7-AUTISM (MA only) - asc@nsarc.org

Child Development Partners - www.childdevelopmentpartners.com - Strategies and support for families living with ADHD, Autism and Learning Disabilities, articles, tele-seminars, book, etc.

Downs Syndrome Online Support Group - MDSConnections-subscribe@yahoogroups. com

Families.com has a wonderful blog on special needs. – www.special-needs.families.com/blog

Family TIES –www.massfamilyties.org/parenttoparent.html - Parent support groups to help access to useful information to assist with the issues parents of children with a disability face. Family Ties collects support group information and maintain a database of these groups throughout the state.

Foundation for Children with Behavioral Challenges - www.fcbcsupport.org - (978) 475-3759

The Help Group - www.thehelpgroup.org Autism, AHD and Learning Disabilities

Landmark School - www.landmarkschool.org - (978) 927-4440- Outreach programs offering courses to parents and teachers about language based learning disabilities.

The Learning Disabilities Parent Support Group - Meet at local cafe's and bakeries in Concord. Any parent who would like to connect with other parents who are navigating through the special education maze are invited to come. Contact: Ruth Bell: rebell9000@aol.com or Bonnie Polakoff: bonnieboop@comcast.ne

Metro Suburban RLC Mental Health Parent Peer Support Group - Starting November 6, 2008 at 10 AM at the Saint Chrysostom Church, corner of Linden Street and Hancock Street in Quincy. Metro Suburban is offering this peer support group in collaboration with Family Options/Employment Options in Marlborough. They are offering a similar group in Marlborough Contact: 617-472-3237 or info@metrosubrlc.org for more information.

Metro-West Allergy & Asthma Support Group (Framingham) – www.asthmaandallergies.org/Support.html

Metrowest CHADD Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). Meetings are held every second Tuesday of the month from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Morse Institute Library in Natick 508-655-2590 - Wendy Peverill-Conti, Coordinator metrowestchadd@verizon.net

MyKidSupport - www.mykidsupport.com - provides parents and professionals with detailed listings of qualified, member-referred tutors and specialist educators in Greater Boston, but it also offers discussion forums, news, special interest groups, local event updates, and member-generated opinion pieces and blogs on educational support.

National Autism Association - www.nationalautismassociation.org

Parents Helping Parents - www.parentshelpingparents.org/ - organization in Massachusetts to support parents, they have a parent stress line and parent to parent support. They have support groups all around Massachusetts. For a list of the groups closest to you please see their web site (800) 882-1250, (617) 267-8077

Parent Support Group for Children with Challenges Meetings are held monthly in Acton, at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School or in the school library at the Parker Damon Building off Rte. 111. Contact Lynn Armstrong at 978-266-0458 or lynn.armstrong2@verizon.net or Francesca Ricciardi at 978-266-9708 or fricciardi08@aol.com

Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) - A free group for parents of youth affected by mental health challenges. Cintact Anne Sullivan,Wayside Youth & Family Support Network, annesullivan@waysideyouth.org - 781-643-2580

Parents and Teachers of Explosive Kids – www.explosivekids.org

Special Needs Parent Coach - www.specialneedsparentcoach.com - Book, teleclasses, articles, etc.

Suicide Survivor Support Group Contact Barbara 978-486-4928 or Nancy 978-425-6654

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network/ Metrowest PAL Parent Support Group Open to any Parent/guardian/caregiver of a child or adolescent with behavioral, emotional, or mental health issues. Contact Lois DeRusha, Lois_DeRusha@Waysideyouth.org or call (508) 620-0010 x308

If you know of any other groups that should be listed here, please email the information to info@f-sepac.org or contact the one of the F-SEPAC Co-Secretaries.

volunteering

If you are interested in volunteering please fill out our volunteer form or contact one of the Co-Chairpersons. The survey will ask you what you are interested in doing and how much time you can dedicate to the F-SEPAC. Some of the things we need help with are the following:

•Framingham Public School Liaisons (one for each school) - Role is to make sure F-SEPAC events are posted and brochures are readily available in the school building in all three languages, in school newsletters, and to have a link on school’s web site to our site. Update the F-SEPAC Committee of any special educations issues regarding the school.
•School Committee Liaison - Attend meetings and update FSEPAC of any special education issues.
•Liaison for Spanish speaking community - Help F-SEPAC reach out to the Spanish and Latino population in Framingham.
•Liaison for Portuguese speaking community - Help F-SEPAC reach out to the Portuguese and Brazilian population in Framingham.
•Liaison to Townwide PTO & other groups - Attend their group meetings and keep F-SEPAC informed as needed.
•Liaison to Non-Public Schools in Framingham - Role is to make sure F-SEPAC events are posted and brochures are available in the school building. If it applies to that school the liaison should make sure all F-SEPAC information be included in school newsletters and there should be a link on the school’s web site to our site.
•Outreach to Framingham Town Government - Update F-SEPAC on the status of the Framingham Town Government in regards to special education issues.

ten reasons to get involved

1. Your Child Benefits - When parents get connected to the school, children do better. Research shows children whose parents are involved get better grades, do better on tests, and have fewer discipline problems at school.

2. We make a Difference - Our mission is to create the kind of school community where teachers and administrators can do their best work-and so can our children. We provide support and feedback for teachers in and out of the classroom. We provide resources and ideas they need. We help create learning opportunities for parents, children and staff. And we try to build the kind of supportive, caring atmosphere that makes school a safe and fun place to be for our children.

3. We pledge to honor time constraints - People are often reluctant to participate and get involved with the PAC because they’re afraid they will get pulled into a black hole of never-ending time commitment. That will not happen with the PAC. An hour or two per month or term really makes a difference. And we won’t push you to commit more than you want to or are able to.

4. We have fun - Volunteer work should not be drudgery. We accomplish a lot, and not everything we do is easy. But we know we are not balancing the national debt, either. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, and we try to enjoy ourselves along the way whenever possible.

5. Meet nice people who share your concerns - We all have a common bond. We care about creating the best possible educational experiences for our children. We are neighbors and peers who share many of the same experiences. And many friendships have developed as a result of those connections.

6. There’s a lot to be done - These days, schools are asked to do more with less. Our help and support is needed more than ever.

7. We can match jobs to your interests and abilities. - The work we do covers a broad spectrum: filing and photocopying, planning and executing events, writing and editing, working directly with children, managing a budget and cash flow, and lots more. We encourage creative ideas, and we are thrilled to have people take on tasks that meet their skills and interests.

8. We’re welcoming - To us, there are no “outsiders.” We are people who have come together to work toward common goals. We couldn’t be happier to have you join us in working toward these goals.

9.We’re about parent involvement, not fundraising - Our number one goals is to get more parents connected to the schools. That’s because more than 300 independent research studies show that building parent involvement in education is the one thing we can do to create great schools and improve student performance.

10.This work is very rewarding - It’s seeing the bright light of learning sparkle in a child’s eye. It’s seeing the smile that shows we’re making school a little more fun-and a child feel a little more comfortable and welcomed in a learning environment. It’s learning that test scores have risen and knowing we played a role. There are lots of rewards, both big and small, for those who get involved.

fundraising

$13.00

with all profits going

to support F-SEPAC events

Retail Price is $14.95 + tax

Order the perfect gift for family, friends, teachers, therapists and caregivers of your very special child and support the Framingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council at the same time!

Please order books by contacting Susan at 508-558-7220 or emailing info@f-sepac.org

COMMENTS AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK

'These powerful heart-rending stories are filled with honesty, humor, hope and offer inspiration to parents, teachers, and anyone else who cares for children with special needs. By embracing the magnificence, inner peace, and beauty each child possess, our own attitudes are shifted from despair to promise.'

—Gerold G Jampolsky, M.D., Founder of International Center of Attitudinal Healing, Sausalito , California

Raising a child with special needs is a lifelong commitment that is as unique as each person who embarks on it. Written by a variety of authors who share in this distinctive relationship, Chicken Soup for the Soul Children with Special Needs offers a glimpse into the lives of others who are on a similar path.

These stories provide insight, comfort, and connection with others who have walked this powerful and transformational journey. The authors of these candid stories relate their own experiences of adjusting, reaching out, and flourishing and share their universal worries, their tears, and the laughter that come with this extraordinary relationship. Most important, through these stories, you will be guided with the wisdom of fellow parents, caregivers, and those with special needs to help you be the very best parent or caregiver you can be.