Family Support Services :: Support Groups

Monthly Meetings
Family and Community Support Services offer a variety of support groups for individuals with special needs, and parents and caregivers of children with special needs. Parent/caregiver support groups provide members with opportunities to meet with other parents both of younger children and adult children with special needs in an atmosphere of emotional support, education, and friendship. FSS also facilitates groups specially designed to meet the needs of children and young adults with developmental disabilities. Group participants have opportunities for support, friendship, and age-appropriate activities.

To read more about our service or to email our contact person click on the topic below.

• Grandparent Support Group
• The 21+CLUB
• Down Syndrome Support Group
• Northwestern Pennsylvania Autism Society of America
• FSS Parent Telephone Support Program

• Grandparent Support Group
  "Very enjoyable."
  "Informational"
  "Want to bond with other grandparents"
  
  

  These were some of the comments following the first meeting of the Grandparent Support Group sponsored by Family Support Services at the Barber National Institute. The group for grandparents of children with developmental disabilities will meet on the second Thursday of every month. Meetings will be held at the Barber National Institute; enter from East Bay Drive. (Free, handicap accessible parking available.)

  Reservations are requested by calling Family Support Services at 814-878-5961. For information or questions, contact Joyce Krahe McDonnell, M.A. at 814-878-5905 or email her at JoyceMcDonnell@BarberInstitute.org. Reservations may be made with the Family Support Service office, 814-878-5961.
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• The 21+CLUB

  The 21+Club is a group of parents, caregivers, and persons interested in the needs of adult children with developmental disabilities. Membership is open to anyone concerned about services for adults with special needs. Parents of younger children are invited to join to help ensure that services will be in place for their children as they mature.

  For more information on this group, please contact Joyce Krahe McDonnell, Family Support Services at JoyceMcDonnell@BarberInstitute.org or 814-878-5905. Family Support Services Office may be contacted @ 814-878-5961.
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• Down Syndrome Support Group

  The Down Syndrome Support Group of Erie County offers emotional and practical support to families and shares information about the potential and needs of children and adults with Down Syndrome. This group meets the 2nd Tuesday at 6:30 of each month at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 3108 Sterrettania Rd.

  For more information, please contact Jackie Lupo or call at 814-833-2143.
  Click here for upcoming groups. Top of Page

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• Northwestern Pennsylvania Autism Society of America

  The Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Autism Society of America www.nwpa-asa.org meets to provide support to people with autism, asperger's and other pervasive developmental disorders and their families in Erie, Crawford, Venango and Mercer Counties. The Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute hosts monthly meetings for this group.

  For more information and registration, please contact the FSS Office, DianeSanfilippo@BarberInstitute.org
  or call 814-878-5961.
  Click here for upcoming groups. Top of Page

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• FSS Parent Telephone Support Program

  FSS Parent Telephone Support Program is a support system which facilitates one-to-one matches between newly referred families and veteran parents/caregivers. Matches between veteran and referred parents/caregivers are established by the program. Careful consideration of each family’s situation is used to determine an appropriate match, including factors such as the nature of the disability, age of parents/caregiver and child/adult, family size, structure, and if possible, language spoken at home. Telephone support will be provided by those who have already weathered the same life experiences.

  For more information, please contact JoyceMcDonnell@BarberInstitute.org or call at 814-878-5905. Top of Page