Family Support and Advocacy
Helping families get the support they need when they need it
Families that have a son, daughter or sibling with developmental disability often have needs above and beyond those of other families. In addition to providing services like respite, child care and in-home assistance to families, the St. Louis Arc helps with such activities as networking with other families, planning for the future, learning about available community resources, advocacy and education to help families better meet the needs of their family member.
The St. Louis Arc Family Organization is a new, grass-roots networking and educational organization made up of parents and siblings of people with developmental disabilities. Family members can take advantage of informative seminars and workshops that address issues important to them—from service funding to long-term planning to program alternatives. The organization also sponsors events that promote the development of informal support networks among families of people with developmental disabilities, including the annual Arc in the Park picnic and Sibshops for siblings ages 7 to 13.
Parents Learning Together (PLT) is a nationally recognized program that helps parents who have developmental disabilities learn to care for their children, and to find the extra support they need to be effective parents. Through individual mentoring and group education, PLT participants develop their parenting skills so that their children have a safe, nurturing environment in which to grow. Click here to learn more!
Consultation and Referral is available for families who need assistance finding their way through the maze of services available in the St. Louis region or who need to identify services and supports that may help their loved one.