Parent Groups

Second Wednesday Evening Groups

7:30 – 9:00 PM

Aug 19 (Third Weds) | Sep 9 | Oct 14 | Nov 11 | Dec 9

Parent Support Navigators, Jess Randall and Kelly Korpela are offering virtual parent groups on the second Wednesday of each month. These networking groups are for parents of children (or youth, or young adults) with complex health care needs or disabilities. Jess is the mother of two children with complex medical needs and lives in Northern Minnesota. She has experience with navigating healthcare systems, use of communication devices, mobility needs, and IEP’s. Kelly is the mother of four wonderful children and has experience with a range of diagnoses including autism, sensory processing challenges, oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD, and anxiety. Click the link below to register for one or more groups.

Special Extended “Back to School” Virtual Community Coffee Break

10:30 – 11:30 AM

Friday, Aug 14

Virtual Community Coffee Break

10:30 – 11:00 AM

Fridays 

Aug 14 | Aug 28 | Sep 11 | Sep 25 | Oct 9 | Oct 23 | Nov 6 | Nov 20 | Dec 4 | Dec 18

Anyone else missing the quick chats where you run into a parent, friend or teacher at appointments, in the community or at school? I don’t think I realized how much we got from those waiting room check-ins with other parents, hallway conversations with teachers and the comforts of an in-person doctor’s visit.

We wanted to recreate these conversations virtually.

We urge you to grab a cup of coffee and connect with others in the community. This group is open to parents, educators, providers, advocates and others involved in the care of children and youth with special health needs and disabilities. Join us for some casual conversation and to be connected.

We will try to keep it short and sweet to 30 minutes but will also go with the flow of the group.

Third Thursday Support Group

7:30 – 9:00 PM

Aug 20 | Sep 17 | Oct 15 | Nov 19 | Dec 17

This is a metro area in-person group that is temporarily meeting virtually in order to practice social distancing and keep our vulnerable populations as safe as possible. Virtual meetings are open to any parent of a child with special health needs / disabilities anywhere in MN. Register for login information.

These ongoing support groups are being hosted by Jamie O’Conner, Outreach Coordinator for Family Voices of MN. Jamie is mom to two kids (8 yo & 7 yo), including one child with a rare genetic condition.

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.

Register in advance for login information.

First Wednesday Late Evening Groups

9:00 – 10:30 PM

Wednesdays,  Sep 2 | Oct 7 | Nov 4 | Dec 2

Parent Support Navigator, Terri Boettcher, is offering this virtual parent group for parents of children (youth, or young adults) with complex health care needs or disabilities.
Terri is a parent to two children with complex needs and lives in Southern MN.

Register in advance for login information.

Journaling for Self-Care Virtual Group

Check back soon for more dates

This facilitated private group session is for parents of children with special health care needs. Bring pen and paper and learn how writing can help you grow and cope. In this safe space, sharing will be encouraged but not required.

This session will be led by Brenda Hudson, a certified journal facilitator and writing teacher. Brenda has been teaching expressive writing for six years and uses journaling as a way of holding sacred space for her own experience as a special needs mom.

Want to learn more before you sign up? View the Introduction to Journaling for Self-Care Webinar on-demand.

Register in advance for login information.