Become a Support Parent 

Becoming a Support Parent provides a unique opportunity to encourage a parent who is walking a similar path. We are always looking for parents who are at a place in their own journey to support another parent who requests a one-to-one parent match. We have found that to be an effective Support Parent, it is helpful to be at least one year out from your child’s diagnosis.

Steps to becoming a support parent:

1. Fill out the form.
2. A Parent to Parent staff member will contact you to learn more about you and your journey.
3. Complete the Parent to Parent training. 
4. Start receiving matches.

What makes a good Support Parent?

• Communication skills: non-judgmental and active listening
• Self-awareness and self-reflection; understanding your own values and beliefs
• Maturity and empathy resulting from your own adaptation process
• Listening carefully rather than making assumptions or comparisons
• Share your own hopes, resources, and practical experiences
• Maintaining confidentiality is important to assure privacy and trust for both parents
• Relate respectfully to people of different backgrounds and cultures

Become a support parent form