What We Do
Connect families to people, information, and next steps
EMPOWERING FAMILIES
Our Vision
Strong connected families who are empowered advocates ensure the best health care for children and youth with special healthcare needs.
Our Mission
To cultivate strong families across Minnesota by connecting them with one another for support and information so they become empowered advocates improving health and quality of life for their children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities.
2024 Individual Family Support:
400+ families reached statewide
2,879 interactions providing:
- Personalized support
- Targeted information
- Training tailored to each family
Parent-to-Parent Support
We connect you with a trained parent who has gone through similar situations and can offer helpful guidance.
Speak with a Parent Support Navigator
Not sure where to start? A Navigator will listen, clarify next steps, and connect you to one-to-one support, groups, and resources.
Parent Support & Networking Groups
Welcoming Zoom groups for peer connection, problem-solving, and encouragement, facilitated by trained parents.
Charting the LifeCourse
Tools to help plan, problem-solve, and support day-to-day life for your child and family.
Explore Resources
Explore curated guides, links, and tools - organized so you can find what you need for your family.
Become a Volunteer
Become a Volunteer Support Parent and make a real difference. Training provided.
What You Can Expect from Parent-to-Parent Support:
- A caring connection with another parent who understands
- Guidance to find services and supports (healthcare, school, community, financial)
- Emotional support so you don’t feel alone
- Encouragement and confidence to speak up for your child
- Clear, reliable information to help your family get what you need
Family Voices of Minnesota’s Parent to Parent program is the Minnesota member of the Parent to Parent USA Alliance. We are committed to using the Parent to Parent USA endorsed practices for providing parent to parent support and information, based on over 30 years of parent to parent research.
HOW IT STARTED
The History and Background of Parent to Parent Support
Families raising children with special health care needs and disabilities told us that two things mattered most: clear information about services and the chance to connect with another parent who understands.
In response, Family Voices of Minnesota launched a statewide Parent-to-Parent program in 2011. Built on more than 30 years of research and national best practices, the program prepares experienced parents to provide trained, reliable support to other families.
Parent-to-Parent is more than emotional support – it builds confidence, helps families navigate services, and strengthens partnerships with providers. Many parents also discover their advocacy voice, becoming leaders who help improve systems of care for all families.
Interested in Joining Our Team?
Explore opportunities to share your voice, support families, and help strengthen our mission.
