Facts about ND Family Support Services

There are several North Dakota agencies that specialize in providing support to families of children with special needs. Here are some of the supports they offer:

•          Meeting other parents
•          Record keeping
•          Sibling issues
•          Learning how the system works
•          Developing generic support networks
•          Changing laws or policies
•          Developing leadership skills
•          Teaching basic skills at home
•          Covering extra costs
•          Getting special toys or equipment
•          Traveling with a sick child
•          Finding specialists

Be sure to check out the Family Resource Guide Provided by The Arc, Upper Valley. The Family Resource Guide is a 46-page guide of benefits, support & services for families raising children with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities in North Dakota. 

There are also several Family Support Programs offered to families by the Department of Human Services. Contact someone at the Human Service Center nearest you to learn more about these programs. 

Sometimes several families want to learn how to support themselves together - this is known as a support group. If you are looking for ideas on how to start a support group, check out this parent-to-parent web site about Starting and Running A Support Group.