CASTLEMAINE

EMPOWERING PARENTS

Maine Valley Family Centre is supporting families of children with additional needs to develop their confidence and skills to advocate on behalf of their children. Empowering Parents is a 6 week course providing parents with up to date information on state services and structures with a responsibility for children with additional needs. The course provides a user friendly explanation on the processes of application for support.

The course will be delivered collaboratively with DESSA (Disability Equality Specialist Support Agency) who have extensive experience and knowledge of the whole support environment. The course is part of a wider initiative of Kerry Education and Training Board who are supporting the course to be run in 3 areas across Kerry: Castlemaine, Kenmare and Listowel.

The course is delivered over 6 sessions and provides information and support to parents to consider specific needs of their children; identify the challenges in trying to make sure that the needs of their children are met; and to progress the individual needs of their children particularly in the area of education.

As a follow on to the course, we hope to establish an Empowering Parents Support Group to assist parents to continually access up-to-date information about subjects of interest, meet other parents and have some ‘time’ or social activities proposed by the group in advance.

To register for the course in Castlemaine or to become part of the support group please contact Maine Valley Family Centre on 066 9767833 or 086 0580019. Course commences Tuesday 26th September at 7pm in Castlemaine Community Centre.