Our monthly articles typically bring news about Little Friends’ programs and services and the successes we have in helping our clients. We serve 800-plus clients, annually, ranging in age from 18 months to end of life; this number doesn’t include the 1000-plus support providers to those with special needs that we educate and train.
We haven’t spent a great deal of time communicating the services we provide to parents and families of those challenged by autism or another developmental disability. The more I meet with our families, the more I understand and appreciate how important providing services to parents and families really are.
Many of these conversations have influenced our decision to bring back the Parent Infant Program (PIP) to Little Friends. We know from those involved that PIP not only helped children at an early age, but provided a sense of direction and confidence for parents struggling with the challenges of raising a child with special needs. We learned that parents not only gained direct help for their child, but developed trusted resources and relationships with those that faced similar challenges.
We strongly believe in the importance of family support and we ensure this element of focus is included in our mission. That mission is to empower children and adults with autism or other developmental disabilities, AND THEIR FAMILIES, to live, learn, work, and thrive in their communities. While we often speak to the importance of the services we provide our clients, it is important that the communities we serve know that we’re there for parents and families, too. It is what we believe in, and our mission statement reflects our commitment.
