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REGION 2
Autism Parent's Group (Wilton - Region 2)
The Autism Parent's Group meets the last Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm at Francesco's Restaurant in Wilton. This group gives parents of children on the autism spectrum a chance to support each other and share stories over dinner. For more info, contact Patti Sylvia at 203-761-0248, or by email at pattisylvia@aol.com. Francesco's Restaurant is on Route 7 in Wilton (on the Wilton/Norwalk Border).
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Bridgeport Parents for Empowerment, Support & Training (Bridgeport - Region 2)
The Bridgeport Parents for Empowerment, Support and Training (BPEST) meetings are held on the 3rd Friday of the month at 9:30 am and the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm. Meetings in Spanish are held on the first Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm. Please contact AnnaMarie Saez at (203) 337-4403, x336 or ASaez@theparkproject.org for locations and details.
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CT 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.
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CT Mom's Apraxia Support Group (Stratford - Region 1 & 2)
The CT Mom's Apraxia Support Group meets the third Sunday of every month, beginning at 4:00, in Stratford, CT. For more information about this support group or if you would like to join please contact Michele Wasikowski at 203-521-6112 or 203-298-9722 or by email at: michelewasikowski@yahoo.com.
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Do You Love Someone with PDD, Aspergers or Autism? (Trumbull - Region 2)
A new energetic support group is forming in Lower Fairfield County. It's designed for parents, family members, friends and caregivers of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. They offer a safe place to talk, brainstorm, vent, laugh and share productive ways to navigate the often-murky waters of those whose lives are inextricably linked to the world of autism. The group meets at Frenchtown Elementary School in Trumbull, CT on the first Monday of each month, from 7:00 until 9:00 pm. If you have any questions please contact Tina at: (203) 368-6878.
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Epilepsy Foundation Parent Support Group (Weston- Region 2)
The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut is pleased to announce a new parent support group. Maria Dominici, your gracious host is kind enough to lead this new group at her home in Weston. The support group is held on the third Sunday of every month at 4:00 pm. For directions or to R.S.V.P. please call Maria at 203-454-2227. Please R.S.V.P. if you plan on attending. For more information on the Epilepsy Foundation please visit their website http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org.
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Family Support and Network Group for Parents Raising Children Who Have Disabilities (Trumbull - Region 2)
The Family Support and Network Group for Parents Raising Children Who Have Disabilities meets the first Thursday of every month from 7:00 until 8:30 pm at the St. Vincent's Special Needs Services Family Center, 95 Merritt Blvd, Trumbull, CT. Come connect with other parents for: Information and resource sharing, Presentations and discussions with community resources and service providers, and Support. For additional information please contact Lisa Sheppard at: 203-556-7317 or by email at: lnshep@aol.com or Donna Kennedy at: 203-386-2790 or by email at: dkennedy@stvincents.org.
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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 860-657-8180 email: jtcarroll@cox.net
Northwest Region Alice Buttwell 860-350-6025 email: AliceMMBB@aol.com
Southwest Region Lisa Sheppard 203-556-7317 email: lnshep@aol.com
Northeast Region Mona Tremblay 860-928-6514 email: monamotheroftwins@msn.com
North Central Region Shelia Harris 860-297-4358 email: afcamp@sbcglobal.net
Southeast Region April Dipollina 860-444-6607 email: dipollina@sbcglobal.net
South Central Region Tesha Imperati 203-234-3983 email: teshaimp@aol.com
Families United for Children's Mental Health Support Groups (Statewide)
Families United for Children's Mental Health conducts support groups throughout the state in the following towns: Bridgeport, Enfield, Groton, Norwich, Plainville, Plainfield, Portland and Wauregan. For information on dates and times in your area, please visit http://ctfamiliesunited.homestead.com/SupportGroups.html, call Lorna Grivois at: 860-537-6125 x101 or email them at: lornagrivois@sbcglobal.net.
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Ferguson Library (Stamford - Region 2)
The Ferguson Library in Stamford has a Special Needs Center with a collection of books, videos and magazines for parents of children with special needs. This public library has also been awarded an LSTA grant to expand services to children with disabilities. Please visit their web page to see what resources they offer at: www.fergusonlibrary.org, Click on the youth link, then on parents place.
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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.
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Friends of Autistic People (Greenwich – Region 2)
Friends of Autistic People (FAP) is a parents' support group dedicated to raising awareness of services and supported living arrangements needed for autistic adults and searching for help within public, private and state organizations. FAP sponsors support meetings, lectures by experts in the field and recently produced a Connecticut Access TV special on the needs of autistic adults. Participation is encouraged by families of children of all ages, professionals within the field and other supporters of the cause are invited to join as well. For more information, please call 203-661-8510, email Brita Darany at bridaranyi@aol.com or visit www.autisticadults.com.
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Healing Support Group for Individuals with Lupus, Their Friends and Family (Westport - Region 2)
The healing support group, is being offered to patients with lupus, their families and friends. The group is sponsored by the Connecticut Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder which affects nearly 2 million children and adults. The support group will be held on the 4th Tuesday of each month in Westport at the Christ and Holy Church. It will be held from 6:30 - 8:00 pm in the Brandon Room. The group is open to all who have an interest in Lupus and is aimed at aiding the healing process in a caring and supportive environment. For more information please contact facilitator, Nanette Green at (203) 615-3894.
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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.
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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.
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NorwalkSEEKS (Norwalk - Region 2)
NorwalkSEEKS is a non-profit organization based in Norwalk, Connecticut. They are a network of parents and professionals who are interested in providing parent advocacy and a support network. NorwalkSEEKS are dedicated to increasing awareness of issues of importance to children with Learning Disabilities (LD) that are of importance to families with children with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Section 504 Plans.
NorwalkSEEKS website lists lectures, seminars and other local events related to learning and special education for our children. This website lists important upcoming events, offers links to valuable sites, and helps you find the information you need to help your child succeed.
NorwalkSEEKS hosts a lecture series September through May. For more information visit their website at www.norwalkseeks.org or call 203 846-2501.
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Our Place. The Place to Be for Young Adults (Trumbull - Region 2)
Our Place. The Place To Be for Young Adults. The Kennedy Center offers this group for Young Adults ages 17-21 with special needs entering those transitional years into their 20s! Enjoy music, dancing, games, art, cooking, snacks and more! Our Place meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at The Kennedy Center, Senior Options Building, 30 Lindeman Drive, Trumbull, CT 06611. There is a fee of $10 per session, and registration is required. For More Information Call Opportunities Unlimited at 203-332-4535 ext. 223 or email them at oppunlimited@kennedyctr.org.
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Pizza Moms (Darien – Region 2)
Pizza Moms is a group of moms with special needs children in the Fairfield County Area. First Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm. The meetings are Informal and pizza, salad and beverages are served. For more info email Nanette at nanette618@yahoo.com or visit www.geocities.com/nanette618/pizzamoms.htm.
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Pizza Moms (Greenwich – Region 2)
Pizza Moms of Greenwich is a Group of moms with special needs children in the Greenwich/Stamford area every third Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm. The meetings are Informal and pizza, salad and beverages are served. The meetings are held at Bella Nonna in Cos Cob (371 East Putnam Avenue) Everyone is welcome. For more info email Philippa Orszulak at angelmanmom@aol.com or check www.geocities.com/nanette618/pizzamomsg.html.
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Special Dads Group (Greenwich – Region 2)
The Special Dads Group meets on the 2nd Monday of the month, at Bella Nonna, 371 East Putnam Ave Greenwich, CT. For more information contact Michael Beloff at mbeloff@optonline.net or visit the website, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Specialdads.
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SPED*NET (Fairfield County – Region 2)
SPED*NET is the host for several exciting organizations in lower Fairfield County. Included on the site are links to SPED*NET New Canaan, SPED*NET Wilton and STEP's of Darien. Each group represents a network of parents in their respective towns who are interested in special education issues. SPED*NET provides information and support, a forum for discussing issues and ideas, they offer an in-depth calendar of seminars and other regional events. Included in their calendar listings are meetings and workshops in Darien, Ridgefield (R.O.S.E.), Greenwich and Norwalk, to name a few. Be sure to visit the website www.spednet.org to learn about parent resources available in Southwestern Connecticut.
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We Belong Parent Support Group (Westport - Region 2)
This group of parents, teachers, administrators and therapists from Westport is committed to the inclusion of children with disabilities in education, social and recreation opportunities, life in the community and employment. The group meets monthly and hosts speakers on a variety of topics related to inclusion. For more information, please contact Eva Greenwald at evagreenwald@sbcglobal.net.
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