Additional Support Groups

Additional Support Groups


Support Groups for Parents of Special Needs Children (not related to autism)

Statewide

PARENT TO PARENT OF NEW JERSEY (Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey)
Manasquan, NJ
One-to-one matches of families who have similar needs and experiences.
Contact:  1-800-372-6510 or 732-528-8080 in New Jersey
973-366-5159 Michelle Puzio (Northwest Region)
201-612-0914 Maria Docherty (Northeast Region)
732-367-4654 Debbie Charette (Central Region)
856-589-3649 Nina Serebransky (Southern Region)
NJ Self-help Group Clearinghouse
100 East Hanover Avenue, Suite 202
Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927-2020
Phone: 1-800-367-6274 (NJ only)
973-326-6789
Fax: 973-326-9467
Web site: www.njgroups.org
The clearinghouse maintains a database of contacts for over 4,500 support groups throughout New Jersey. They also provide contacts for over 1,000 national group headquarters, model groups, and on line groups.
Hours: Monday — Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Areas served: All of New Jersey
Ages served: 18 and up (some children groups for bereavement, divorce, or separated parents are offered)

Bergen County

Washington Schools Parent Support Group
Meeting Dates:  Third Thursday of each month
Location/Time:  Washington School, Rocco Montesano Campus, Paramus, from 1:15 to 2:15 PM
Contact:  201-265-1113 to reach Ann Cutillo (ext. 234) Linda Wieseneck (ext. 224).

Camden County

Jewish Family & Children’s Services
1301 Springdale Road
Suite 150
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Ages Served: 7-11 of individuals with special needs.
Counties Served: Camden, Gloucester and Burlington County
For more information, contact Barbara Abrams at 856-424-1333
Website: www.jfedsnj.org
Fax: 856-424-7384

Gloucester County

Gloucester County Special Services School District –
Child Development Center
Mother’s group meets second Thursday of the month at
Bankbridge Regional School (registration is required).
Father’s group meets first Thursday of the month at
Bankbridge Regional School.
Grandparent’s group meets the third Monday at
The Child Development Center in Turnersville.
Sibling Group meets the last Monday of the month at
The Child Development Center in Turnersville (space is limited).
Mother’s Walk and Talk group meets monthly at the Deptford Mall – call for dates.
Contact: Linda Snook
Phone: 856-875-3600 X 116

Hudson County

Parents Sharing
Contact:  Bob Gill at 201-864-5483 or 201-200-7139 (pager)
United Cerebral Palsy of Hudson County
English and Spanish speaking parent support groups.
Meets in North Bergen or Hoboken
Contact:  201-656-3779 or 201-662-0080 or e-mail: [email protected]


Morris County

Butler Parents of Exceptional Children (PEC)
Phone: 973-283-9188
Contact: Frank Rivera
The Center for Exceptional Families
107 Green Ave.
Madison, NJ 07940
Contact:  Penny Vennard, MSW, LCSW at 973-408-9229
The Children’s Center for Therapy & Learning
They have quarterly speakers and workshops (geared towards parents
of special needs children aged 2-5) at the Children’s Center.
15 Halko Road
Cedar Knolls, NJ
The program is geared towards parents of special needs children ages 2-5.
For more information, contact Sarah Ehinger at 973-829-8484
The Special Needs Parent Resource Group
They meet once a month at Madison High School and provide support and host speakers.
For more information, contact Polly Scott at 973-377-2899 OR Nancy DiPaola at973-822-3378


Passaic County

Association for Special Children and Families
Support groups are held for parents of children and young adults
with developmental and physical disabilities, and weekly and monthly
support and/or information meetings are held.
One-on-one peer parent support is also offered.
For more information, call 973-728-0999


Somerset County

Bedminster Parents of Exceptional Children (BPEC)
Meet at the Bedminster Township School 5 times a year (3-4 speakers a year).
Contact: Claudia at 908-719-4347
ASAP – A Step Ahead Program
411 King George Blvd., Suite 207
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Phone: 908-542-0002
Fax: 908-542-0003


Support Groups for Siblings

In addition to the sibling groups listed below, COSAC offers a sibling pen pal program.  Click here for more information.

Bergen County

Behavioral Resources for Children
401 Washington Ave.
Suite 2-3
Dumont, NJ 07628
Phone: 201-244-9449
Fax: 201-244-9449
Website: www.brenj.com
Ages vary
Sibling support groups are scheduled several times a year.
Washington School Sibling Support Group
Meeting Dates:  Wednesdays
Location/Time:  Washington School, Rocco Montesano Campus, Paramus, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm.
Contact:  Linda Wieseneck at 201-265-1113 ext. 224.

Hudson County

Hudson Milestones
365-381 Clendenny Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Contact:  Linda Flint at 201-434-7783

Morris County

The Center for Exceptional Families
107 Green Ave.
Madison, NJ 07940
Ages served: 6 to adult
Contact:  Penny Vennard, MSW, LCSW at 973-408-9229

Warren County

Totally Kids Network- Arc of Warren County
Meeting Dates:  Throughout the year on Saturdays
Location/Time:  10 AM to 4 PM
Serves:  Siblings ages 5-10
Phone:  908-689-7525 ext.211
Contact: Jeanette Weikel