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Parent Groups

Virtual Parent Support Groups

We are a family-run nonprofit and Minnesota’s parent-to-parent network, dedicated to supporting parents and family members in a parenting role who are raising children with disabilities or special healthcare needs. Parenting a child with a disability can feel isolating, and our peer-led virtual support groups provide a welcoming space for connection and understanding.

What We Offer:

  • Emotional and informational support from others with lived experience
  • Parenting and advocacy tips
  • A safe space to discuss the emotional load of parenting
  • Resource sharing and personal stories
  • Flexible discussions based on members’ needs
  • One-to-one support outside of group times when needed

Peer support fosters a sense of belonging and helps parents feel more confident in caring for their child and family. Peer support groups are not a substitute for professional services.

What We Do Not Provide:

  • Legal, medical, or financial advice
  • Crisis intervention or therapy

Our groups have no set agenda—discussions are shaped by what matters most to members. While regular attendance is encouraged to build connections, members are welcome to join as their schedules allow. We kindly ask participants to arrive on time to respect the group.

Join us to connect, share, and support one another.

For general information about our parent groups and other events email connected@familyvoicesmn.org

Parent & Community Group Calendars

January 2025

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
3
4
5
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7
8
  • Second Weds Virtual Parent Group
9
  • Empowering Parents Support Group
10
11
12
13
  • Dad's Group - Virtual
14
15
16
  • Third Thursday Parent Group
17
18
19
20
21
  • Soporte de Grupo para Padres en ESPAÑOL! (Support Group for Parents in Spanish)
22
23
  • Growing Years Parent Group
24
  • Somali Parent What's App Group (ongoing)
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

March 2025

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
  • Dad's Group - Virtual
11
12
  • Second Weds Virtual Parent Group
13
  • Empowering Parents Support Group
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
  • Third Thursday Parent Group
21
22
23
24
  • Somali Parent What's App Group (ongoing)
25
  • Soporte de Grupo para Padres en ESPAÑOL! (Support Group for Parents in Spanish)
26
27
  • Growing Years Parent Group
28
29
30
31

Second Wednesday Group

These networking groups are for parents of children (or youth, or young adults) with complex health care needs or disabilities.

Hosts: Kelly Korpela, Parent Group Facilitator, Annandale Area

Elizabeth Marsh, Parent Support Navigator, elizabeth@familyvoicesmn.org

Soporte de Grupo para Padres en ESPAÑOL! (Support Group for Parents in Spanish)

Este formulario de registro es quienes quieran acceder a el grupo ADELANTE!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1LnvwV5nDkEe9sxKn5E6mYJKfBSJgadxpHqzbEpAYWOg/prefill

Si ya se registró y/o asistió en el pasado, usted debería recibir correos electrónicos con el enlace para unirse cada mes. ¿Tiene Preguntas? Envíe un correo electrónico a luz@familyvoicesmn.org.
La visión de este grupo es ofrecer un espacio seguro entre padres y madres para compartir el viaje emocional de criar a un niño que tiene necesidades especiales de atención médica o una discapacidad.
¡Únase a nosotros en nuestro grupo ADELANTE de apoyo virtual UNA VEZ al Mes desde la comodidad de su hogar!
Como padres y madres de niños con necesidades especiales de atención médica, entendemos lo ocupada y caótica que puede llegar a ser la vida. También entendemos lo fácil que es sentirse aislado, solo e inseguro. Nuestro grupo de apoyo virtual permite a los padres y cuidadores de todo el estado de Minnesota a conectarse en una atmósfera segura y de apoyo para discutir las alegrías y los desafíos de criar a un niño con necesidades especiales de atención médica. ¡Compartimos información, recursos y risas!

Si tiene un tema en particular que le gustaría discutir, envíe un correo electrónico a Luz y nos aseguraremos de agregarlos a la agenda.
Nota: las horas and días pueden variar de acuerdo al grupo, conéctese con nosotros para mas información.

Third Thursday Group

The vision of this group is to offer a safe and sacred space of sharing the emotional journey of parenting a child who has special health care needs or a disability.

Host: Jamie O’Conner, Outreach Coordinator for Family Voices of MN and mom to two kids (13 yo & 11 yo), including one child with a rare genetic condition. jamie@familyvoicesmn.org

Somali-Speaking Parents Group

Meeting monthly over zoom on varying dates. This group is for parents who speak Somali.

Parent Host: Amina Abdalla amina@familyvoicesmn.org

Dads Group

This group of supportive dads meets monthly on the second Monday of each month over Zoom. Learn more about the history of the Dads Group here https://familyvoicesofminnesota.org/dads-group/

Email with questions dads@familyvoicesmn.org

The Growing Years Group

This virtual support group is for parents who have a child aged birth to 10 years with special health care needs. We welcome parents raising NICU graduates, kiddos with developmental or speech delays, genetic conditions, extra medical needs and more.
Parent Host: Terri Boettcher terri@familyvoicesmn.org

Empower Parents Support Group

We are excited to offer our Empowering Parents Support Group.  This group offers an opportunity for parents or caregivers in a parent like role to connect and network. If you are raising a child with a disability or extra needs, join us on the first Thursday of every month from 12-1pm via zoom. 

Parent Hosts: Terri Boettcher terri@familyvoicesmn.org and Elizabeth Marsh elizabeth@familyvoicesmn.org

Second Wednesday Group

Please join us for our monthly Virtual Support Group from the comfort of your own home! As parents of children with special healthcare needs, we understand how busy and chaotic life can get. We also understand how easy it is to feel isolated, alone, and unsure.
Our virtual support group allows parents and caregivers across Minnesota to connect in a safe and supportive atmosphere to discuss the joys and challenges of raising a child with special healthcare needs. We share information, resources, and laughter!
This registration form is for anyone NEW to our group. https://forms.gle/himbFuJNkD79sseJ9
If you have already registered and/or attended in the past you should be getting emails with the link to join each month.
Facilitators:
Email with questions elizabeth@familyvoicesmn.org

 

The vision of this group is to offer a safe and sacred space of sharing the emotional journey of parenting a child who has special health care needs or a disability.

Host: Jamie O’Conner, Outreach Coordinator for Family Voices of MN and mom to two kids (13 yo & 11 yo), including one child with a rare genetic condition. jamie@familyvoicesmn.org

Early Childhood Group

This virtual support group is for parents who have a child aged birth to 3 years with special health care needs. We welcome parents raising NICU graduates, kiddos with developmental or speech delays, genetic conditions, extra medical needs and more.
Host: Kaylie Schmidt, Parent Group Facilitator kaylie@familyvoicesmn.org

Parents to Elementary Age Children

We are a supportive group of parents and caregivers of children in the early elementary age with extra needs who will be connecting virtually to share ideas, resources and a listening ear. Join others with young children in a safe and welcoming atmosphere where you will be amongst friends. The vision of this group is to connect with other caregivers and offer a safe space of sharing the emotional journey of parenting a child who has special health care needs or a disability.

Parent Host: Kaylie Schmidt– Parent Group Facilitator kaylie@familyvoicesmn.org