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REGION 4
Brain Injury Support Group (New London - Region 4)
The Brain Injury Support Group is a support group for people who have experienced brain injury, their family and friends. The purpose of this group is to provide support and enlightenment for people whose lives have been affected by the hidden disability of brain injury. The group meets 6:00-7:30 P.M. the 4th Monday of every month in conference room #1 at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital 365 Montauk Ave. New London, CT. The first meeting of the year will take place on September 28th from 4:30-6:00. For more information please contact Tammy Rowan at: 860-271-4204.
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Caregivers' Corner (Old Lyme - Region 4)
Caregivers' Corner meets on the first Monday of every month at Therapy Works, 19 Halls Road, Old Lyme, CT to share information and support. Every other month there is a speaker addressing topics such as sensory processing, the impact of diet and educational advocacy. For more information, you may contact Therapy Works at 860-434-5524.
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CT Down Syndrome Congress (Statewide)
CDSC is a special interest group that advocates for persons with Down syndrome and their families. We are a welcoming and supportive group of over 350 parents, numerous professionals and over 20 advocacy groups statewide. We provide support to our members through our annual convention, by co-sponsoring parent/professional conferences and hosting numerous local and state-wide activities (e.g. picnics, playgroups, mom's night outs, holiday parties, etc.) For contact info and to see our calendar of events, visit our website at http://www.ctdownsyndrome.org.
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Family Support Network (Statewide)
The Connecticut Family Support Network holds monthly meetings in various areas. For more information, please contact the following:
State Coordinator Jennifer Carroll 860-657-8180 email: jtcarroll@cox.net
Northwest Region Alice Buttwell 860-350-6025 email: AliceMMBB@aol.com
Southwest Region Lisa Sheppard 203-556-7317 email: lnshep@aol.com
Northeast Region Mona Tremblay 860-928-6514 email: monamotheroftwins@msn.com
North Central Region Shelia Harris 860-297-4358 email: afcamp@sbcglobal.net
Southeast Region April Dipollina 860-444-6607 email: dipollina@sbcglobal.net
South Central Region Tesha Imperati 203-234-3983 email: teshaimp@aol.com
Family Support Network - Southeastern, CT (New London - Region 4)
The Family Support Network of Southeastern, CT. meets on the first Wednesday of the month at L&M Hospital in New London, CT beginning at 6:00 pm in conference room 3 (e-mail or call to confirm). They are a group of parents and professionals, who are concerned about children and adults with disabilities. They have refreshments, share frustrations, solutions and leave feeling just a little stronger. They offer Workshops and Trainings and provide a constant up date of information for people with disabilities in Connecticut. There is no fee to attend and some stipends available for child care. New people are always welcome. For more information please contact April Dipollina at: 860-444-6607 or email her at: dipollina@sbcglobal.net.
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Families United for Children's Mental Health Support Groups (Statewide)
Families United for Children's Mental Health conducts support groups throughout the state in the following towns: Bridgeport, Enfield, Groton, Norwich, Plainville, Plainfield, Portland and Wauregan. For information on dates and times in your area, please visit http://ctfamiliesunited.homestead.com/SupportGroups.html, call Lorna Grivois at: 860-537-6125 x101 or email them at: lornagrivois@sbcglobal.net.
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Families United Network Groton (Groton - Region 4)
The Families United Network Groton support group meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 9:30 – 11:00 am. For additional information, please contact Lorna Grivois at: 860-537-6125, x101 or email her at: lornagrivois@sbcglobal.net for location and details.
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Families United Network Norwich (Norwich - Region 4)
The Families United Network Norwich support group meets on the 3rd Monday of the month from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. For additional information, please contact Lorna Grivois at: 860-537-6125, x101 or email her at: lornagrivois@sbcglobal.net for location and details.
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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Support Group (Norwich - Region 4)
NOFAS CT is going to be facilitating a FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorders) support group meeting from 6:30 until 8:30 pm at the New London Country ARC in Norwich, on the third Wednesday of each month beginning in March. For more information please contact Cindy Farrow at: 860-942-4507 or by email at: nofasct@yahoo.com.
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The Food Allergy Association of Connecticut (Statewide)
The Food Allergy Association of Connecticut (FAACT) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing education and support to parents of children with food allergies and increasing public awareness and understanding about food allergies. They promote education and awareness with monthly meetings, guest speakers, special events and a parent support network. For more information about FAACT, please visit their website at www.faact.org.
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Groton Autism Support Group (Groton – Region 4)
The Groton Autism Support Group first formed in February 2000 and is still going strong. The group is made up of parents, friends and caregivers of children on the spectrum. Meetings are very informal so that people are given a chance to network, gain support from others and receive information regarding services in the area which have been found to be beneficial. The group meets on the third Tuesday of the month at the Groton Public Library. For more information or directions, please contact Sheryl at 860-445-0263 or Danielle at 860-739-2410.
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Madison NAMI-CAN Child and Adolescent Network (Madison - Region 4)
“One of the best things a parent can do for a child with mental illness is to become proactive in seeking the best treatment. The earlier you get in there and treat these illnesses, the sooner they have support through psychotherapy and medication, if needed.”
So says Ann Nelson, founder of a new support group in Guilford. Several years ago, she sought help for herself by attending NAMI-CAN (National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, Children and Adolescent Network) support groups. Since then Ann, who is a nurse educator, has become a NAMI-trained group leader. She is working hard to support and educate others, hoping to lessen the stigma connected to mental illness. “If your child has diabetes, you wouldn’t hesitate to get insulin…If your child is taking ‘anti-psychotic; medication, then you’re saying they’re psychotic. These are scary words, but to help our kids, we somehow have to enter in.” The Shoreline Group meets the second Wednesday of every month from 7:30-8:30 at the Depot in Madison on the corner of Rt. 79 and Old Rd. 79. Please contact Wendy at 203-710-4389.
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NAMI Valley Shore Affiliate Support Group (Old Lyme - Region 4)
The NAMI Valley Shore Affiliate support group for families of persons with psychiatric disabilities meets the second Thursday of every month (September - June) at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. For more information please contact Mary at: (860) 434-0737.
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National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (Statewide)
NOFAS Connecticut is a statewide support and advocacy group for parents and caregivers of individuals affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). We offer support and information to families and professionals by phone and through support groups. We also offer an email list-serve which is open to parents and professionals, to enhance our efforts in sharing support and information. Our goal is to raise community awareness regarding prevention of FASD and improving the quality of life for those affected. For more information please contact, NOFAS Connecticut at 860-942-4507, or email them at nofasct@yahoo.com.
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National Spinal Cord Injury Association, CT Chapter (Statewide)
The National Spinal Cord Injury Association provides a variety of support groups to people suffering from spinal cord injuries throughout the state of Connecticut. Our support groups allow individuals the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics with other's that have a spinal cord injury. Support group meetings are held at many area hospitals and independent living centers throughout the state of Connecticut. Support groups are organized and run by NSCIA CT Chapter member volunteers.
For support group locations, dates and times please visit: http://www.sciact.org/services.asp#support.
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New London Support Group (New London - Region 4)
This support group is for parents and caregivers of children with developmental disabilities, autism, Asperger's, ADHD, PDD-NOS and other spectrum disorders. Meetings are held at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School in the library from 6:30-8:00PM on the last Wednesday of every month. Refreshments are provided and all are welcome. Please contact Regina at: 860-271-3649 or Kathleen at: 860-444-3199 for more information.
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Parent Chat (Madison - Region 4)
Parent Chat is a shoreline support group for families of special needs children birth through age eight. They meet every Tuesday from 9:30 until 10:30 am at KIDSTEPS - SARAH Inc, 51 Boston Post Road, Unit 9, Madison, CT. Area moms and children meet weekly to discuss parenting a child with special needs. Parents share ideas, concerns and information related to providing the best support and environment for their children. Educational materials and resources are available. This group provides a great opportunity to meet and talk with other moms and have fun. Enrollment is limited to ten families. For more information, or to register please contact Marian Roy at: 203-318-3692.
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Shoreline CT Down Syndrome Support Group (Madison- Region 4)
The Shoreline CT Down Syndrome Support Group is a casual and relaxed support group that share a common bond as parents, siblings and friends of children with Down Syndrome. They gather informally and periodically to discuss current issues and support each other. For more information, please contact Ellen Nixon at: 203-421-3591 or by email at: rmancuso02@snet.net.
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Southeastern CT Autism Spectrum Association (SECASA)
(Preston - region 4)
Southeastern CT Autism Spectrum Association, Inc (SECASA) is a nonprofit organization created by families and professionals who are dedicated to working together with the Preston Family Support Group to meet the needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Together they are committed to gaining knowledge, providing information and networking within the community. By forming a partnership between families, professionals, disciplines and agencies we will be better able to serve and support individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Meetings are on the last Thursday of each month at the Preston Public Library from 6:30 - 8:00. For further information please contact Joan Bachelder at aabddbjmb@aol.com, Natalie Rudyk at natalierudyk@hotmail.com or Lisa Allyn at allynls@aol.com or call 860-886-2991.
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Support Group for Parents of Children with Special Needs (Groton - Region 4)
The Support Group for Parents with Special Needs Children is a group that offers educational, informational and emotional support for active duty or retired Naval personnel who have children with mental or physical disabilities. They offer open discussion, guest speakers and resources. The group meets twice a month on Thursdays from 9:30-11:00 AM at the Naval Branch Health Clinic at the Sub Base in Groton. For meeting dates or more information, please contact Karen Kemp at 860-694-1469 or via email at karen.kemp@med.navy.mil or Lieutenant Commander Deaton at 860-694-1199.
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