Region 4
Apraxia Resource Center of Connecticut (ARCC) (All Regions)
The Apraxia Resource Center of Connecticut is non-profit organization and support network open to all parents and caregivers of children with apraxia of speech. They support families from all regions in Connecticut and have several support group meeting location options including, Northeast CT, Hartford Area, and Fairfield/New Haven County. For a complete schedule of meetings and more information about the organization please visit their website at or contact Michele Wasikowski at 203-521-6112 or by email at michelewaz@gmail.com.
Brain Injury Support Group (New London – Region 4)
The Brain Injury Support Group is a support group for people who have experienced brain injury, their family and friends. The purpose of this group is to provide support and enlightenment for people whose lives have been affected by the hidden disability of brain injury. The group meets 6:00-7:30 P.M. the 4th Monday of every month in conference room #1 at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital 365 Montauk Ave. New London, CT. The first meeting of the year will take place on September 28th from 4:30-6:00. For more information please contact Tammy Rowan at: 860-271-4204.
Caregivers’ Corner (Old Lyme – Region 4)
Caregivers’ Corner meets on the first Monday of every month at Therapy Works, 19 Halls Road, Old Lyme, CT to share information and support. Every other month there is a speaker addressing topics such as sensory processing, the impact of diet and educational advocacy. For more information, you may contact Therapy Works at 860-434-5524.
Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress (Statewide)
CDSC is a special interest group that advocates for persons with Down syndrome and their families. We are a welcoming and supportive group of over 350 parents, numerous professionals and over 20 advocacy groups statewide. We provide support to our members through our annual convention, by co-sponsoring parent/professional conferences and hosting numerous local and state-wide activities (e.g. picnics, playgroups, mom’s night outs, holiday parties, etc.) For contact info and to see our calendar of events, visit our website at http://www.ctdownsyndrome.org.
Connecticut Family Support Network (Statewide)
The Connecticut Family Support Network holds monthly meetings in various areas. For more information, please contact the following:
State Coordinator Jennifer Carroll 877-376-2329 email: jtcarroll@cox.net
Northwest Region Alice Buttwell 860-350-6025 or 203-709-3850 email: AliceMMBB@aol.com
Southwest Region Lisa Sheppard 203-556-7317 email: lnshep@aol.com
Northeast Region Mona Tremblay 860-928-6514 email: advocatefor2@yahoo.com
North Central Region Sheila Harris 860-297-4358 email: afcamp@sbcglobal.net
Southeast Region April Dipollina 860-271-4371 email: adipollina@lmhosp.org
South Central Region Tesha Imperati 203-710-3041 email: scctfamilysupport@gmail.com
Family Support Network – Southeastern, CT (New London – Region 4)
The Family Support Network of Southeastern, CT. meets on the first Wednesday of the month at L&M Hospital in New London, CT beginning at 6:00 pm in conference room 3 (e-mail or call to confirm). They are a group of parents and professionals, who are concerned about children and adults with disabilities. They have refreshments, share frustrations, solutions and leave feeling just a little stronger. They offer Workshops and Trainings and provide a constant up date of information for people with disabilities in Connecticut. There is no fee to attend and some stipends available for child care. New people are always welcome. For more information please contact April Dipollina at: 860-271-4371 or email her at: adipollina@lmhosp.org.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Support Group (Norwich – Region 4)
NOFAS CT is going to be facilitating a FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorders) support group meeting from 6:30 until 8:30 pm at the New London Country ARC in Norwich, on the third Wednesday of each month beginning in March. For more information please contact Cindy Farrow at: 860-942-4507 or by email at: nofasct@yahoo.com.
The Food Allergy Association of Connecticut (Statewide)
The Food Allergy Association of Connecticut (FAACT) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing education and support to parents of children with food allergies and increasing public awareness and understanding about food allergies. They promote education and awareness with monthly meetings, guest speakers, special events and a parent support network. For more information about FAACT, please visit their website at www.faact.org.
Groton Autism Support Group (Groton – Region 4)
The Groton Autism Support Group first formed in February 2000 and is still going strong. The group is made up of parents, friends and caregivers of children on the spectrum. Meetings are very informal so that people are given a chance to network, gain support from others and receive information regarding services in the area which have been found to be beneficial. The group meets on the third Tuesday of the month at the Groton Public Library. For more information or directions, please contact Danielle at 860-739-2410.
Groton Support Group (Groton – Region 4)
On the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, Building Blocks and Families United for Children’s Mental Health will sponsor a support group for family members of young children with behavioral challenges. The group meets from 5 to 5:45 p.m. for a family dinner and from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. for a support group at 476 Thames Street in Groton, Connecticut. Children’s activities are available during group time. Registration is required. Please contact Rachel Smolenski at 434-4890 ext 311 or rsmolenski@learn.k12.ct.us.
Madison NAMI-CAN Child and Adolescent Network (Madison – Region 4)
“One of the best things a parent can do for a child with mental illness is to become proactive in seeking the best treatment. The earlier you get in there and treat these illnesses, the sooner they have support through psychotherapy and medication, if needed.”
So says Ann Nelson, founder of a new support group in Guilford. Several years ago, she sought help for herself by attending NAMI-CAN (National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, Children and Adolescent Network) support groups. Since then Ann, who is a nurse educator, has become a NAMI-trained group leader. She is working hard to support and educate others, hoping to lessen the stigma connected to mental illness. “If your child has diabetes, you wouldn’t hesitate to get insulin…If your child is taking ‘anti-psychotic; medication, then you’re saying they’re psychotic. These are scary words, but to help our kids, we somehow have to enter in.” The Shoreline Group meets the second Wednesday of every month from 7:30-8:30 at the Depot in Madison on the corner of Rt. 79 and Old Rd. 79. Please contact Wendy at 203-710-4389.
NAMI-CAN Child and Adolescent Network Support Group (Uncasville – Region 4)
NAMI-CAN Uncasville Support Group is for parents, friends and family of children, youth and young adults with behavioral, emotional or mental health disorders. They meet the second Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Joshua Center Clinical Day School located at 20 Maple Avenue in Uncasville to support and encourage each other. For more information please contact Judy at 860-41-7479 or judycarlough@yahoo.com.
NAMI Valley Shore Affiliate Support Group (Old Lyme – Region 4)
The NAMI Valley Shore Affiliate support group for families of persons with psychiatric disabilities meets the second Thursday of every month (September – June) at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. For more information please contact Mary at: (860) 434-0737.
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (Statewide)
NOFAS Connecticut is a statewide support and advocacy group for parents and caregivers of individuals affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). We offer support and information to families and professionals by phone and through support groups. We also offer an email list-serve which is open to parents and professionals, to enhance our efforts in sharing support and information. Our goal is to raise community awareness regarding prevention of FASD and improving the quality of life for those affected. For more information please contact, NOFAS Connecticut at 860-942-4507, or email them at nofasct@yahoo.com.
National Spinal Cord Injury Association, CT Chapter (Statewide)
The National Spinal Cord Injury Association provides a variety of support groups to people suffering from spinal cord injuries throughout the state of Connecticut. Our support groups allow individuals the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics with other’s that have a spinal cord injury. Support group meetings are held at many area hospitals and independent living centers throughout the state of Connecticut. Support groups are organized and run by NSCIA CT Chapter member volunteers.
For support group locations, dates and times please visit: http://www.sciact.org/services.asp#support.
New London Support Group (New London – Region 4)
This support group is for parents and caregivers of children with developmental disabilities, autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, PDD-NOS and other spectrum disorders. Meetings are held at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School in the library from 6:30-8:00PM on the last Wednesday of every month. Refreshments are provided and all are welcome. Please contact Regina at: 860-271-3649 or Kathleen at: 860-444-3199 for more information.
New London Support Group (New London – Region 4)
On the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month, a support group will be held at 48 Crystal Avenue in New London, CT for family members of young children with behavioral challenges. A family dinner is served from 5:30 to 6 p.m. and the support group meeting will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.. Children’s activities are available during group time and participants must register. Family dinner is provided. The group is sponsored by Building Blocks and Families United for Children’s Mental Health. For more information or to register, please contact Rachel Smolenski at 434-4890 ext. 311 or rsmolenski@learn.k12.ct.us.
Old Saybrook Parent’s (of children with special needs) Group (Old Saybrook – Region 4)
Old Saybrook Parent’s Group meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7pm in Old Saybrook at the L&M Hospital Rehab Building, 633 Middlesex Turnpike. There are no meetings in July or August. Please call or e-mail to confirm, April Dipollinaadipollina@lmhosp.org or call 860-388-5881 or 860-271-4371 for more information.
Parent Chat (Madison – Region 4)
Parent Chat is a shoreline support group for families of special needs children birth through age eight. They meet every Tuesday from 9:30 until 10:30 am at KIDSTEPS – SARAH Inc, 51 Boston Post Road, Unit 9, Madison, CT. Area moms and children meet weekly to discuss parenting a child with special needs. Parents share ideas, concerns and information related to providing the best support and environment for their children. Educational materials and resources are available. This group provides a great opportunity to meet and talk with other moms and have fun. Enrollment is limited to ten families. For more information, or to register please contact Marian Roy at: 203-318-3692.
PEAKS: Parents of East Hampton Area with Kids with Special Needs (East Hampton – Region 4)
PEAKS: Parents of East Hampton Area with Kids with Special Needs is a group that provides parents with an opportunity to share information and make connections. Meetings are the second Tuesday of every month in the community room of the East Hampton Public library at 6:30pm. For more information or to RSVP please email ehPEAKS@gmail.com.
The Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Connections Support Group (Clinton – Region 4)
The Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Connections Support Group is a network that provides support, information, and understanding to anyone who lives with a child who has SPD or wants to learn more about these developmental disorders. The group meets the 4th Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Clinton Police Station Community Room (101) located at 170 East Main Street in Clinton, Connecticut. For more information, please contact Kristin Cafferty at KLCafferty@sbcglobal.net or 860-227-6378.
Shoreline CT Down Syndrome Support Group (Madison- Region 4)
The Shoreline CT Down Syndrome Support Group is a casual and relaxed support group that share a common bond as parents, siblings and friends of children with Down Syndrome. They gather informally and periodically to discuss current issues and support each other. For more information, please contact Ellen Nixon at: 203-421-3591 or by email at: rmancuso02@snet.net.
Southeastern CT Autism Spectrum Association (SECASA) (Preston – Region 4)
Southeastern CT Autism Spectrum Association, Inc (SECASA) is a nonprofit organization created by families and professionals who are dedicated to working together with the Preston Family Support Group to meet the needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Together they are committed to gaining knowledge, providing information and networking within the community. By forming a partnership between families, professionals, disciplines and agencies we will be better able to serve and support individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Meetings are on the last Thursday of each month at the Preston Public Library from 6:30 – 8:00. For further information please contact Joan Bachelder at aabddbjmb@aol.com, Natalie Rudyk at natalierudyk@hotmail.com or Lisa Allyn at allynls@aol.com or call 860-886-2991.
Support Group for Adoptive Families Parenting Children with Reactive Attachment Disorder (Norwich – Region 4)
This support group for adoptive families parenting children with RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) meets the 4th Monday of every month from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at Waterford Country School Foster Care and Community Services located at 2 Clinic Drive in Norwich, Connecticut. For more information, contact Lisa Crowley at 860-886-7500 x310.
Support Group for Parents of Children with Autism (Colchester – Region 4)
The group meets at Alternative Services Incorporated (ASI) office building located at 84 Linwood Avenue on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 4:30 to 6 p.m.. Contact John A. Pagnani, Psy.D. at 860-537-4697 ext. 31 for more information.
Support Group for Parents of Children who Struggle with Behavioral Challenges (Killingworth – Region 4)
This support group is for parents of children who struggle with behavioral challenges, frustration, and inflexibility. The group meets once a month on Wednesday evenings at the Killingworth Library, 301 Route 81. The group is led by a former teacher skilled in the Collaborative Problem Solving Model articulated in the book The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Greene. All who could benefit from the support and encouragement of others experiencing similar challenges are welcome. For more information, call Divinna at 860-663-3394.
Support Group for Parents of Children with Special Needs (Groton – Region 4)
The Support Group for Parents with Special Needs Children is a group that offers educational, informational and emotional support for active duty or retired Naval personnel who have children with mental or physical disabilities. They offer open discussion, guest speakers and resources. The group meets twice a month on Thursdays from 9:30-11:00 AM at the Naval Branch Health Clinic at the Sub Base in Groton. The Group does not meet during July and August. It will resume in September. For meeting dates or more information, please contact Karen Kemp at 860-694-1469 or via email atkaren.kemp@med.navy.mil. If a parent needs assistance regarding services in the area or just needs to talk, please contact Karen Kemp. LCSW, C-ASWCM by telephone or email.
Young Adults United (YAU) – (Waterford – Region 4)
Young Adults United (YAU) is a group for teens and young adults (ages 15-25) who have any mental health challenges. The group meets twice per month in Waterford at the Youth and Family facility. For an application and interview contact YAU leader Kristin Philpot at kphilpot@learn.k12.ct.us or call 860-861-3217.
