Parent to ParentParent to ParentFamily Support Network of the High Country
A community program of Appalachian State University serving families and professionals since 1988 offering services in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties
Summary of Services ProvidedSummary of Services Provided
• Matches families one-on-one with trained, volunteer parents
• Information on special needs, disabilities, and diagnoses
• Seven parent support groups per month
• Workshops and training for families and service providers
• Supports Foster Family programs
• Promotes collaboration among families and service providers
University Advancement
Need in Service AreaNeed in Service Area
NC State Board of Education: Exceptional Children Populations (2009)
Alleghany County, NC 226
Ashe County, NC 547
Avery County, NC 333
Mitchell County, NC 357
Watauga County NC 775
Wilkes County NC 1,286
Yancey County, NC 368
Total Population 3,892
University Advancement
Source: Public Schools of NC/ State Board of Education/ Department of Public Instruction EDUCATION STATISTICS ACCESS SYSTEM (ESAS) http://beyond2020.dpi.state.nc.us/wds80_1/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=31
Overall Health Outreach Impact Overall Health Outreach Impact
•Information & support for families who have children with special needs
•Fills a service gap in 7-county area
•65 Volunteer Support Parents
•1 full-time Director
•2 part-time Outreach Coordinators
•7-member Advisory Board
University Advancement
FY 2011-12 Health Outreach ImpactFY 2011-12 Health Outreach Impact
University Advancement
•Staff actively participated 113 times on
community committees and collaboratives
•7,436 newsletters to individual recipients (note: newsletters are also forwarded to groups)
FY 2011-12 ContactsFY 2011-12 Contacts
University Advancement
• 19 Free Workshops provided for 285
families and professionals in 7 counties
• 26 Events, Exhibits and Presentations
• 47 Support Group Meetings
Alleghany, Ashe, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey Counties
FY 2011-12 ContactsFY 2011-12 Contacts
University Advancement
684 Contacts with Families in 7 Counties:• Q1: 100 Families Served via 145 contacts• Q2: 105 Families Served via 194 contacts• Q3: 80 Families Served via 145 contacts• Q4: 116 Families Served via 200 contacts
FY 2011-12 ContactsFY 2011-12 Contacts
University Advancement
323 Contacts with Service Providers in 7 Counties:• Q1: 56 Service Providers Served via 88 contacts• Q2: 41 Service Providers Served via 89 contacts• Q3: 36 Service Providers Served via 60 contacts• Q4: 46 Service Providers Served via 86 contacts
Satisfaction Survey Results –WorkshopsSatisfaction Survey Results –Workshops
University Advancement
• Learned new information Families: 99% Service Providers: 98%
•Will use the information I learned Families: 96% Service Providers 97%
• Feel more confident caring for my child Families 93.5%
*Agree or Strongly Agree responses to average of 285 responses
2011-12 Student Impact2011-12 Student Impact
University Advancement
•Class presentations to over 45 students•Individual presentations to classes•Co-taught “Families in Education” (COE)
•Cross-disciplinary student internships & service learning opportunities
•Dance Marathon and Freshman Seminar student volunteers
Grant FundingGrant Funding
University Advancement
2011-12:•12 grants totaling $79,795
Lifetime achievement (1995-2009):• $747,863 (ranked 27/92)•Lifetime achievement 110 grants (ranked 1/36)
Children's Developmental Services Agency/ Blue Ridge
NC Department of Social ServicesNC Early Intervention
Partnerships for Children/Smart StartSmoky Mountain Center
University Advancement
Connections and Affiliations:Governmental
Connections and Affiliations:Governmental
Alleghany Family Resource Center Appalachian and the Community TogetherBlue Ridge Electric Members Foundation
The Children’s Playhouse, BooneThe Duke Endowment
High Country United WayOur House
Skyline Telephone Membership CorporationWestern Youth Network
University Advancement
Connections and Affiliations:Community (Secular)
Connections and Affiliations:Community (Secular)
Connections and Affiliations:Community (Religious)
Connections and Affiliations:Community (Religious)
Cane River Baptist Church, BurnsvilleHoly Cross Church, Valle Crucis
Midway Baptist Church, West Jefferson Rumple Memorial Church, Blowing Rock
Spruce Pine United Methodist ChurchWest Burnsville Baptist Church
University Advancement
TestimonialsTestimonials
University Advancement
“Thank you for being so wonderful at supporting me. I appreciate you more
than I know how to tell you…. You've enabled me to breathe, to regain my
balance and to clear my vision to look with a sense of hope into the uncertain
future.” --G.A.
“Parent to Parent FSN-HC has a way of meeting people right where they are
and providing tremendous support, while letting them make their own choices
and learn to believe in their own strengths.” --A.F.
University Advancement
“Self help is clearly attractive “because it
holds out the promise of high benefit for
virtually no public expenditures.”
–Pizzo, Peggy Daly. (1983). Parent to Parent: working together for ourselves and our children. Beacon Press, Boston.