Family Support Network

Be a part of this monthly group that’s open to any parent who has a child with a special need. These meetings are currently being held virtually from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month. Check Events for details.

Sign up for our Parent-to-Parent Matching program, which provides assistance and encouragement to families of children with special needs. Experienced parents are matched with families to share knowledge and provide one-on-one emotional support, advice and resources.

Attend our annual Mentor Parent Training to assist families who have children with special needs. Training is available on an individual or group basis, and covers topics such as communication skills, the adjustment process, confidentiality and community resources.

Join our bilingual coordinator for a discussion and activity group for Spanish-speaking families. (Nuestro coordinador bilingue ayuda a nuestras familias que hablan español. El grupo se reúne el segundo lunes de cada mes.

Bring the siblings of children with special needs to our Sibshops for dinner, games, crafts and discussions. Our events are open to children in K-8th Grade to help them connect with other kids who understand the joys and challenges of having a brother or sister with a special need.

Meet up all year long with other parents and family members who may be experiencing similar experiences as you and your own family. Our Special Family Groups provide social and emotional support, information and skills training, and leadership opportunities for families. To date, we have the following established groups: Cerebral Palsy (CP) Family Group, Trach Ties, Mom2Mom, Fella-ship Dad’s group, and The Black Parent Support Group. Check out our monthly calendar for detailed information about upcoming group gatherings.

Connect with other NICU parents at Brenner Children’s Hospital at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center. NICU Groups are facilitated by one of our family support coordinators who is also a former NICU parent. Craft activities and a light snack are offered. Our Chat & Snacks are monthly meet ups with parents whose children are patients at Brenner Children’s Hospital at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center or Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center. Parents can connect with other families and enjoy a light dinner. Volunteers are always needed to help.

Gain confidence in parenting through the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) curriculum. Single-session seminars and multi-session institutes offer tailored strategies. Our program is for Forsyth County residents with children up to 5 years of age with a disability. Limited slots are also available to families who have children up to 12 years old and reside in counties surrounding Forsyth County.

Click Here for more information.

Led by experienced leaders, our Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class is offered annually, in 6 consecutive sessions, once per week. Specifically designed for parents raising children with disabilities, this class gives you the skills to take care of yourself while providing care for your loved one. You become a better caregiver by caring for your health and well-being. Participants will receive the Caregiver Helpbook to accompany the class and additional caregiver resources. Participants who complete the entire program will receive a gift card incentive. The class is limited to 10 participants.

This class will provide tools to help:

-Reduce Stress
-Improve Self-Confidence
-Manage Time, Set Goals, and Solve Problems
-Better Communicate Your Feelings
-Make Tough Decisions
-Locate Helpful Resources

To register or for more info, please contact Chris Gentry at 336-703-4289 or ChrisFSN@theCFEC.org.