Family Support Group for Children’s Special Health Care Services

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The Macomb County Health Department (MCHD) Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) Family Support Group was formed after a survey of parents enrolled in the CSHCS program revealed the need for a venue to provide families of children with special health care needs the opportunity to connect with other like families. The support group was formed in an effort to fill this identified gap. The support group provides parents, grandparents and caregivers the means to connect, share ideas, resources, successes, challenges and emotions experienced by those caring for children with chronic medical conditions. The Family Support Group is organized and facilitated by MCHD staff who encourage parents to provide leadership and direction for the meetings. This supportive environment has resulted in parents filling the roles of president and vice president of the group. Participants are encouraged to bring topics and issues of interest to the group that are relevant and informative to share and discuss with their peers. Family members have voiced their appreciation for this opportunity to share with other families. Approximately 40 families with over 100 individual family members have joined the support group since the initial meeting on July 28, 2015.