Transcript Slide 1
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to meet the needs of my special needs child” “I’m feeling overwhelmed in caring for my child” “Why me?” “The Principal told me that this school is not for my child” “I.E.P ? I.F.S.P ? I don’t know anything about that” “I need HELP”!!! These are examples of questions and challenges that parents of children with special needs face every day. They are also some of the reasons why the HSC Health Care System introduced the program called: Male Caregivers Advocacy Support (MCAS) Group “What is this Advocacy Support Group about?” Male Caregivers Advocacy Support (MCAS) Group Is a program developed and implemented by the Outreach Department of Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Inc. (HSCSN) to specifically address the challenges and concerns of males that care for children with special needs. Male Caregivers of Children with Special Needs are frequently an overlooked group. This program provides an oasis of relief in a stigmafree environment which encourages them to open up, express their opinions, show their feelings, and above all, to be heard. Frequent meetings, comfort level and added services like free transportation, childcare and meals set the tone for the group’s members. They can attend meetings scheduled on any Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, or the monthly meeting which is scheduled on the last Saturday of each month from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Meetings are held at The MLK Outreach Center, 2124 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20020. In addition to sharing information, resources and views, the Male Caregivers Advocacy Support Group features seasoned guest speakers to address topics particularly related to the care of children with special needs. Occasions to attend local, regional and national workshops and conferences provide other powerful opportunities for the caregivers to empower themselves, raise community awareness and become better advocates in their communities. In a cooperative effort to take the Male Caregivers Advocacy Support Group one step further, Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Inc. (HSCSN) has partnered with the Washington DC’s chapter of Parent Anonymous to further enhance the skills of these caregivers. As a result of this partnership, the sense of group ownership among the members has been strengthened by implementing a shared and rotary leadership opportunity, along with a trained permanent facilitator/ leader. Would you like to know more about the Male Caregivers Advocacy Support (MCAS) group or other support groups sponsored by Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Inc. (HSCSN)? Would you like to schedule a presentation of the Male Caregivers Advocacy Support (MCAS) group? Please Contact: Cecil Doggette Director, Outreach Services Health Services for Children With Special Needs, Inc. 2124 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20020 (202)-835-2771 (Phone) (202)-580-6489 (Fax) [email protected]