Family Education and Support

We offer a variety of opportunities for families to obtain the social, emotional, and informational support needed when caring for a child with a physical, developmental, or communicative disability.

All of our Family-Family Supports were co-designed by Centre families. By taking part in family-family mentorship and support groups/networking events, parents and caregivers can connect with others with shared life experiences, and discuss topics of mutual interest, share successes and challenges, and seek and provide support and practical information.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to get involved in the Centre’s Family-to-Family Support options that are most suited to their interests and needs. Family-to-Family Support programs include:

• Family Mentor Program
• Online Parent/Primary Caregiver Support Group
• Parent Talk Support Group
• Family Social Networking Events

The Family Mentor Program matches trained volunteer family mentors with Centre parents and caregivers who would benefit from additional guidance and peer support. We make every effort to match parents and caregivers with a mentor who will best meet their individual needs.

The goal of the program is to empower and strengthen parent and caregiver capacity to care for their child by providing them with additional resources and information on Centre services, events, and education/support opportunities. Evidence-based research shows that peer support reduces feelings of isolation and anxiety, and builds skills and confidence in parents with children who have multiple special needs.

Parents and primary caregivers interested in obtaining a Family Mentor can ask their therapist(s) or social work for a referral or self-refer by emailing familyengagement@niagarachildrenscentre.com.

In some cases, families may require supports that go beyond what our Volunteer Family Mentors are able to offer. These parents and caregivers will be referred to other programs for more support

Parents and primary caregivers interested in becoming a Volunteer Family Mentor or taking on different Family Partnership role are encouraged to review current opportunities and email familyengagement@niagarachildrenscentre.com to express interest.

The Online Parent/Primary Caregiver Support Group is a Facebook group open to any parent or primary caregiver of a child with a physical, developmental, and/or communicative delay or disability (diagnosed or suspected) in the Niagara Region. Parents of children who have transitioned to adulthood and parents of children who previously experienced delays in the past are welcome to provide support to other members, however, topics will relate to children and youth aged 21 and under.

All groups and events are co-designed by Centre parents. The groups are co-led by Centre professional(s) and a support parent – a parent of a child with a physical, developmental, and/or communicative delay or disability. Group co-leaders encourage parents and primary caregivers to support one another, and also provide attendees with direct peer support.

The moderator of this group is an Online Support Parent- a parent of a child with a physical, developmental, and/or communicative delay or disability who is employed by Niagara Children’s Centre to moderate the group.

The group is a closed Facebook Group and you have to be permitted to join the group by the Online Support Parent. When you request permission to join the group, a message is automatically sent to a moderator and approval is usually provided within a few business days. Anyone can find the group and see who is a member. Only members can view the posts.

The Online Support Parent stimulates conversation and support between members, posts links and content that may be of interest to members, and may be able to help with member questions that cannot be resolved by members (it is not their official role to do so). The Online Support Parent also monitors posts and enforces group rules. Confidentiality rules must be followed by all members at all times.

Click here to visit and join the Niagara Children's Centre Parent/Primary Caregiver Online Support Group.

Our Parent Talk Support group is an informal group co-led by a Centre Social Worker and a Support Parent- a parent of a child with a physical, developmental, and/or communicative delay or disability. The group co-leaders encourage parents and primary caregivers to support one another and also provide attendees with direct support.

The group meets 1-2 times per month. Meetings may be in-person, virtual, or a combination of virtual and in-person. Parents/caregivers are welcome to attend as often or as infrequently as they would like. There is no commitment for regular attendance.

Each group meeting is based around specific topics that have been suggested by Centre Families. There is always time for informal discussion to talk about anything on your mind with other parents with similar experiences.

Please see our Events Calendar for specific opportunities and registration processes.

Each year, we plan informal, fun, free, and accessible events that provide opportunities for Centre families to make connections with other families with shared experiences. These events are typically designed by members of our Family Advisors in collaboration with staff.

Please see our Events Calendar for specific opportunities and registration processes.