Family Mentor Services
The Children's Center Family Mentors serve families of children
with special needs of all ages and disabilities.
with special needs of all ages and disabilities.
We- Mary, Renee, and Monica- are all parents of children with special needs. We understand the concerns of having a child with special needs and want to help in any way that we might be able to. We offer a calm, patient approach to listen to your questions and a willingness to help provide you the answers you need. We use the different, unique experiences that we have had to help families. We also share our experiences and information with each other to work well as a team.
As parents, we understand a need for flexibility with meetings. We are happy to try to meet you when and where you need to meet. We could easily arrange a time to meet with you in person or can easily communicate through email or over the phone.
As parents, we understand a need for flexibility with meetings. We are happy to try to meet you when and where you need to meet. We could easily arrange a time to meet with you in person or can easily communicate through email or over the phone.
Our services for you can include-
Each family is different and has their own unique situation. We tailor our help to each family and specifically what they might be needing assistance and/or support with.
- Helping you navigate through all of the information that you have received not only about your child's diagnosis, but also all of the other forms, packets of info, and random info that you might have gotten along the journey
- Helping you gain a better understanding of your child's diagnosis and possible treatments. This could include looking up information for you, connecting you with possible provider or therapy choices, or listening to you as you talk out the pros and cons of treatment choices and more.
- Giving you help finding the resources you need and, sometimes, resources you didn't even realize were available.
- Assisting you in preparing documents on behalf of your child, like waivers, SSI, and other financial assistance program paperwork.
- Helping get you ready for IEPs and other meetings that you might attend on behalf of your child.
- Helping create or locate schedules, PECs, and other home supports to help your family.
Each family is different and has their own unique situation. We tailor our help to each family and specifically what they might be needing assistance and/or support with.
Our community services as advocates can include-
- Participating in support groups to help provide resources and assistance to families.
- Serving on many community groups to advocate for families and accommodations to ensure all of our children can participate in both day-to-day and special activities.
- Connecting with service providers, educators, healthcare providers, and other professionals in the community.
- Locating and sharing resources with families and community members.
Have a question for a Family Mentor? Just send us a message through the Contact Us section on the home page or contact Children's Center at 319-351-5437.