Parent to Parent Support

The primary function of the Family Support Network™ is to provide families faced with special health care, behavioral or physical needs with emotional support and information from other families with similar life experiences.  A parent may refer themselves, or a family member, friend, or professional can refer the parent with their permission. Some families want to know of available resources or need medical information. Some want to talk with other parents of children with special needs; support parents can provide emotional and practical support based on their own experiences.

Request a Parent to Parent Match by sending an email to the link provided with your contact information and title the email Parent to Parent Match someone will contact you to complete your request.

Support Parents:

Volunteer Support Parents receive personalized experiential training that covers listening skills, dealing with grief and loss, taking care of ones' self while serving others, and setting boundaries in helping relationships. Support Parents have processed their own personal experiences and are able to compassionately listen to another parent and offer encouragement and available information. Support Parents fill the gap between service providers and families who face the daily realities of parenting children with special needs. We know that parents can give each other the support and practical knowledge that even the most compassionate service providers cannot give. Support parents are called whenever a child with a similar history or diagnosis comes into our program; if the timing is good for the support parent the match process is started if not FSN will call on this support parent at another time.  

Resource Parents

Volunteer Resource Parents are used to provide information and assist the FSN staff and other families in a variety of ways.

Let us know of your interest to get involved or learn more about various agencies and providers.
We will connect you with opportunities to serve as a parent representative to local boards, committees or councils.

For more information about the Family Support Network™ of Western North Carolina call 828-213-0033 or toll free 888-810-2800 extension 2.