New parent support groups coming to Garfield County

Two new parent support groups are currently in development.

1) Our local Systems of Care project (Chisholm Trail Systems of Care) has started a parent support group in partnership with the Oklahoma Federation of Families. Becky Coffey, the Family Support Provider, is developing the group. Currently the group is meeting in one of the family homes, once a month, usually around 8:30 p.m. The focus on the group is supporting families raising a child with complex emotional and behavioral issues although Becky would like to see the group grow to support a broader range of families if possible. To learn more about this group, contact Becky at 231-7433

2) Parents Helen Lazcano and Theresa Sharp are developing a support group for family members and caregivers touched by Autism Spectrum Disorders (including Asperger Syndrome, Rhett's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders), Sensory Processing Disorders and ADHD. This group will be conducted by parents- for parents and have a focus more on interactive support between parents and less on guest speakers offering education/training. They hope to have their first meeting in April and will meet the 3rd Thursday of each month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church (2418 W. Randolph, Enid). A structured children's group for those ages 5-12 will also be offered and nursery services will be available by request. For more information on this group, contact Theresa at 977-7479 or Helen at 370-5081.