For Parents of Special Needs Children (not related to autism)
For Siblings
Support Groups for Parents of Special Needs Children (not related to autism)
Statewide
PARENT TO PARENT OF NEW JERSEY (Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey)
Manasquan, NJ
One-to-one matches of families who have similar needs and experiences.
Contact: 1-800-372-6510 or 732-528-8080 in New Jersey
973-366-5159 Michelle Puzio (Northwest Region)
201-612-0914 Maria Docherty (Northeast Region)
732-367-4654 Debbie Charette (Central Region)
856-589-3649 Nina Serebransky (Southern Region)
E-mail:parent2parent@spannj.com or www.familysupport.org
NJ Self-help Group Clearinghouse
357 East McFarlan Street
Dover, NJ 07801
Phone: 1-800-367-6274 (NJ only)
973-989-1122 (outside NJ)
Fax: 973-989-1159
Web site:www.njgroups.org
E-mail:njsh@cybernex.net
The clearinghouse maintains a database of contacts for over 4,500 support groups throughout New Jersey. They also provide contacts for over 1,000 national group headquarters, model groups, and on line groups.
Hours: Monday -- Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Areas served: All of New Jersey
Ages served: 18 and up (some children groups for bereavement, divorce, or separated parents are offered)
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Bergen County
Washington Schools Parent Support Group
Meeting Dates: Third Thursday of each month
Location/Time: Washington School, Rocco Montesano Campus, Paramus, from 1:15 to 2:15 PM
Contact: 201-265-1113 to reach Ann Cutillo (ext. 234) Linda Wieseneck (ext. 224).
Camden County
Jewish Family & Children's Services
1301 Springdale Road
Suite 150
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Ages Served: 7-11 of individuals with special needs.
Counties Served: Camden, Gloucester and Burlington County
For more information, contact Barbara Abrams at 856-424-1333
e-mail: babrams@jfedsnj.org
Website: www.jfedsnj.org
Fax: 856-424-7384
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Gloucester County
Gloucester County Special Services School District - Child Development Center
Mother's group meets second Thursday of the month at Bankbridge Regional School (registration is required).
Father's group meets first Thursday of the month at Bankbridge Regional School.
Grandparent's group meets the third Monday at The Child Development Center in Turnersville.
Sibling Group meets the last Monday of the month at The Child Development Center in Turnersville (space is limited).
Mother's Walk and Talk group meets monthly at the Deptford Mall - call for dates.
Contact: Linda Snook
Phone: 856-875-3600 X 116
e-mail: lindasnook@yahoo.com
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Hudson County
Parents Sharing
Contact: Bob Gill at 201-864-5483 or 201-200-7139 (pager)
E-mail: rbrtgll@aol.com
United Cerebral Palsy of Hudson County
English and Spanish speaking parent support groups.
Meets in North Bergen or Hoboken
Contact: 201-656-3779 or 201-662-0080 or e-mail: HudsonUCP@aol.com
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Morris County
Butler Parents of Exceptional Children (PEC)
Phone: 973-283-9188
Contact: Frank Rivera
Website: www.butlerpec.org
e-mail: butlerpec@optonline.net
The Center for Exceptional Families
107 Green Ave.
Madison, NJ 07940
Contact: Penny Vennard, MSW, LCSW at 973-408-9229
E-mail: CEFPV@aol.com or visit www.kairosinstitute.org/families
The Children's Center for Therapy & Learning
They have quarterly speakers and workshops (geared towards parents of special needs children aged 2-5) at the Children's Center.
15 Halko Road
Cedar Knolls, NJ
The program is geared towards parents of special needs children ages 2-5.
For more information, contact Sarah Ehinger at 973-829-8484
e-mail: info@childrenscenter.org OR Ehinger@childrenscenter.org
Website: www.childrenscenter.org
The Special Needs Parent Resource Group
They meet once a month at Madison High School and provide support and host speakers.
For more information, contact Polly Scott at 973-377-2899 OR Nancy DiPaola at973-822-3378
Website: school.nj.com/school/specialneeds
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Passaic County
Association for Special Children and Families
Support groups are held for parents of children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, and weekly and monthly support and/or information meetings are held.
One-on-one peer parent support is also offered.
For more information, call 973-728-0999
e-mail: ASCFamily@hotmail.com
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Somerset County
Bedminster Parents of Exceptional Children (BPEC)
Meet at the Bedminster Township School 5 times a year (3-4 speakers a year).
Contact: Claudia at 908-719-4347
e-mail: cloonis61@aol.com
ASAP - A Step Ahead Program
411 King George Blvd., Suite 207
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Phone: 908-542-0002
Fax: 908-542-0003
Website: www.ASAPprogram.org
e-mail: L.SlimTopdjian@asapprogram.org
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Support Groups for Siblings
In addition to the sibling groups listed below, Autism New Jersey offers a sibling pen pal program. Click here for more information.
Bergen County
Behavioral Resources for Children
401 Washington Ave.
Suite 2-3
Dumont, NJ 07628
Phone: 201-244-9449
Fax: 201-244-9449
e-mail: info@brenj.com
Website: www.brenj.com
Ages vary
Sibling support groups are scheduled several times a year.
Washington School Sibling Support Group
Meeting Dates: Wednesdays
Location/Time: Washington School, Rocco Montesano Campus, Paramus, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm.
Contact: Linda Wieseneck at 201-265-1113 ext. 224.
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Hudson County
Hudson Milestones
365-381 Clendenny Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Contact: Linda Flint at 201-434-7783
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Morris County
The Center for Exceptional Families
107 Green Ave.
Madison, NJ 07940
Ages served: 6 to adult
Contact: Penny Vennard, MSW, LCSW at 973-408-9229
E-mail: CEFPV@aol.com or visit www.kairosinstitute.org/families
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Warren County
Totally Kids Network- Arc of Warren County
Meeting Dates: Throughout the year on Saturdays
Location/Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Serves: Siblings ages 5-10
Phone: 908-689-7525 ext.211
E-mail: jweikel@arcwarren.org
Contact: Jeanette Weikel