Our Programs

Offering Support, Education & Caring Connections to Southern Piedmont Families

Support, Educate, Connect

Raising a child with special healthcare needs, disability, or who was born prematurely can be incredibly challenging to face alone. At Family Support Network™ of Southern Piedmont (FSNSP), we help relieve some of the stresses these families experience by offering specialized assistance and resources targeted at helping them navigate complex service systems. Our programs are designs to support, educate, and foster caring connections to all Southern Piedmont families in need.

Types of Programs FSNSP Offers

At FSNSP, our mission is to help families raising children with special healthcare needs by offering programs that address three critical areas of need:

Support

Families raising children with special healthcare needs, disability, or who were born prematurely are often overwhelmed by the everyday challenges they face. We are here to support these families in any way that we can, connecting them to community resources and helping them navigate the service system so they can access the care they need.

Education

Our team understands that education and training is the key to a strong family support system. We provide training on a number of topics relevant to families, including Accessing Services 101, Triple P (Positive Parenting Program), Powerful Tools for Caregivers, Parent Mentor Orientation, and much more.

Caring Connections

Through our Parent-to-Parent program, we facilitate caring, thoughtful connections with trained parent mentors who can offer the emotional support and practical suggestions that families need to overcome everyday challenges. Our Parent Mentors can help parents and caregivers gain the confidence they need in raising their child with special needs.

FSNSP Programs Throughout Southern Piedmont

Parent-to-Parent Matching

A parent-to-parent match pairs trained Parent Mentors with families seeking support. These Parent Mentors have first-hand experience with the everyday challenges associated with raising a child born prematurely or with other special healthcare needs or disabilities. Our Parent Mentors are here to provide encouragement, emotional support, and helpful resources to those in need. We offer Parent Mentor Orientation to parents who volunteer to help support other families.

Project Baby Reach

Project Baby Reach is a parent support program for families with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Atrium Health Cabarrus. Through this program, families receive one-to-one bedside support, parent meetings, a Care Notebook, resource information, and referrals to community organizations. For additional information about Project Baby Reach, please contact Kelly at kpowers@fsnsp.org or (704) 773-9394.

Sibshops

Sibshops is a support program for boys and girls in grades 3 – 8 who have brothers or sisters with a disability. The program gives siblings an opportunity to meet other siblings in a relaxed, recreational environment to discuss common joys and concerns associated with having a sibling with special needs. For more information on Sibshops, please contact Carol at ccranford@fsnsp.org or (980) 522-8740.

Angeles de Esperanza

Angeles de Esperanza (Angels of Hope) is a parent-led support group for Spanish-speaking families in the Southern Piedmont region. Families meet for support, networking, resource-sharing, and social activities. To receive additional information about the program, please contact:

  • Magnolia (704) 777-2087, or
  • Teresa (704) 425-3967

Ángeles de Esperanza es un grupo de apoyo dirigido por padres para familias de habla hispana en la región sur de Piedmont. Las familias se reúnen para recibir apoyo, establecer contactos, compartir recursos y realizar actividades sociales. Para recibir información adicional sobre el programa, comuníquese con:

  • Magnolia (704) 777-2087, or
  • Teresa (704) 425-3967

Triple P Stepping Stones

Triple P Stepping Stones is a parenting program for families of children with disabilities. Our staff offers one-on-one meetings with parents and caregivers either in-person, via Zoom, or over the phone to learn about your child’s behavior and teach you strategies that can help. We also offer three-part Triple P Seminars for groups of parents. For more information on the Triple P Program, contact Carol at ccranford@fsnsp.org or (980) 522-8740.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a class designed to help caregivers take better care of themselves while caring for children with special needs at home or in a care facility. These classes give caregivers the tools they need to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, manage time, set goals, and solve problems. By taking care of your own health and well-being, you can become a better caregiver for the children in your care. This is a six-week class series held once a week. For additional program information, please contact Carol at ccranford@fsnsp.org or (980) 522-8740.

Social Connections

Facilitating caring connections with other families is the best way for parents to get support and learn about community resources. We offer parent groups and social activities throughout the year, including a Summer Splash Celebration and Cookies with Santa.