Parent-to-Parent Program One of the greatest gifts that parents gain in raising children is experience in offering wisdom that comes from managing life’s challenges. We lighten the load for other families while validating all we have learned. Our Parent-to-Parent Program brings together families who want to talk with someone who understands their situation. We arrange for phone contact with a trained volunteer whose child or family faces similar challenges. Contact your Regional Parent Coordinator to learn more about P2P. The process begins with a completed Match Request Form, available on our website: www.massfamilyties.org Mail your completed form to: Family TIES of Massachusetts Parent-to-Parent Program Match Request MDPH-CRHO 180 Beaman Street West Boylston, MA 01583 Become a Volunteer and Support Other Families The success of our Parent-to-Parent Program comes from our volunteer Support Parents. Share your experience. Attend a Listening & Learning training to build your skills for supporting other parents, and become a Support Parent. To learn more about the volunteer Support Parent Program, contact our Parent-to-Parent Coordinator by calling our toll-free line: 800-905-TIES (8437) or email to: p2p@fcsn.org. Regional Coordinators Western Region Parent Coordinator MDPH-Western Regional Health Office 23 Service Center, Northampton, MA 01060 413-586-7525 or 800-445-1255, Ext. 586-3178 Central Region Parent Coordinator MDPH-Central Regional Health Office 180 Beaman Street, West Boylston, MA 01583 508-792-7880, Ext. 2337 Northeast Region Parent Coordinator MDPH-Northeast Regional Health Office Tewksbury Hospital 365 East Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876 978-851-7261, Ext. 4018 Metrowest Region Parent Coordinator MDPH-Donovan Health Building, 3rd Floor 5 Randolph Street, Canton, MA 02021 781-774-6602 Southeast Region Parent Coordinator MDPH-Donovan Health Building, 3rd Floor 5 Randolph Street, Canton, MA 02021 781-774-6749 Greater Boston Region Parent Coordinator Mass. Department of Public Health, 5th Floor 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108 617-624-6089 Additional Program Staff Parent-to-Parent Coordinator MDPH-Central Regional Health Office 180 Beaman Street, West Boylston, MA 01583 508-792-7880, Ext. 2335 Program Director MDPH-Donovan Health Building, 3rd Floor 5 Randolph Street, Canton, MA 02021 781-774-6736 Spanish/Portuguese Interpreters 800-905-8437 (en español) 800-331-0688, Ext. 329 (português) Federation for Children with Special Needs 529 Main Street, Suite 1102, Boston, MA 02129 FAMILY TIES of Massachusetts Together in Enhancing Support A statewide parent-to-parent network providing information and emotional support to families and professionals supporting children with special needs. A project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs Funded by and in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition. Making The Parent Connection How We Help Families Family TIES of Massachusetts is a parent-led program that strives to meet the information and emotional needs of families of children and youth with special needs, and professionals who work with them. Our experiences as parents of children with special needs are our guide. Peer Support: As parents, too, our staff is honored to share in your experiences as you care for your child with special needs. Regional Coordinators based in DPH Regional Offices across the state help parents of children & youth with special health care needs, a disability or chronic illness and their providers to find information about communitybased resources, local support groups, and on-line communities. Our Parent-to-Parent Program offers oneto-one connections for parents looking for an opportunity to talk about their child and family. Trained volunteer Support Parents are the core of this program, as they help us to affirm that you are not alone. CONTACT OUR STAFF: • Call our toll-free line • Call a Regional Coordinator directly • Email a Regional Coordinator via our website Early Intervention: Family TIES serves as the Central Directory for Early Intervention Programs in Massachusetts. We provide information about evaluation and services for children from birth to age 3. Public and Community Programs: Regional Parent Coordinators share information on public and community programs. Resource Guide: Our Directory of Resources for Families of Children and Youth with Special Needs contains hundreds of resources on a variety of topics. Workshops and Skill Development: Staff offer skill-building workshops and information about relevant conferences to families and professionals. Family Advisor Program: Share Your Voice! is our parent engagement advisory program. Partner with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and join in the leadership activities across the state. Recursos en español Somos padres de niños con necesidades especiales y creemos que la fuente de apoyo más poderosa son otros padres. Compartiendo De Padre a Padre incrementa nuestra sabiduría, habilidades y oportunidades para nuestros hijos. Comunícate llamando a nuestra línea gratuita u oficinas regionales, o por correo electrónico. ¿Qué servicios ofrece Family TIES? • Apoyo de Padre a Padre: Comunícate con nuestro personal y Padres de Apoyo, para compartir tus experiencias criando a un niño necesidades especiales. • Intervención Temprana: Proveemos derivaciones para evaluaciones y servicios para niños desde el nacimiento hasta los 3 años. • Programas Públicos y Communitarios: Proveemos información sobre programas públicos y communitarios, actividades recreativas, grupos de apoyo regionales, y mucho más. • Guía de Recursos: La Guía de Recursos de Family TIES para Familias de Niños con Necesidades Especiales se imprime anualmente—encuéntrala también en nuestro sitio de Internet. • Apoyo Interactivo en Internet: Mantenemos listas de recursos, materiales de nuestro programa, información para contacto electrónico, y más. •Talleres de Aprendizaje: Presentamos talleres de desarrollo de habilidades y promovemos la participación en conferencias. 1-800-905-TIES (8437) • www.massfamilyties.org • Programa de Asesores Familiares: Promovemos la participación de los padres. Por favor, únete al programa ¡COMPARTE TU VOZ!, para asesorar al Departamento de Salud Pública – y únete también a las oportunidades de liderazgo en el estado.