MIND Institute Resources
Support Groups and Family Advocacy
Family Navigator Virtual Parent Support Group
The Family Navigator Program provides support groups run by parent mentors. Groups discuss navigating complex service systems and advocating for their loved ones with developmental disabilities. Parents and caregivers have the opportunity to meet and network with each other. Parent support groups are offered once a month.
To receive your Zoom link, please register now.
For more information, please email the Family Navigator Program at hs-mindfnp@ucdavis.edu or visit the UC Davis MIND Institute Events page.
Virtual Support Group: Parents of Adult Children and Teens (PACT)
PACT is a discussion group with the Family Navigator team. This group is open to families and supporters of people in their teens through adulthood. Group members are encouraged to bring questions and share their experiences. Ongoing participation is welcome.
For more information, please email hs-mindfnp@ucdavis.edu or visit the UC Davis MIND Institute Events page.
Sankofa Parent Support and Advocacy Group (PDF)
The parent support group, the African American Developmental Disability Parent Alliance is now named Sankofa Parent Support Group. The word Sankofa comes from an African language which means “go back and fetch it” which is significant to the mission and purpose of the group which is to take information and resources we learn back to people in the community. Sankofa was founded in 2015 in order to meet the unique needs of parents of Black children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Since our inception, Sankofa has supported the needs of the parents by providing advocacy and resources that have increased awareness of developmental disabilities at the community level.
Dinner and childcare will be provided. For more information about Sankofa or contact bjcshaw@ucdavis.edu. These meetings are co-sponsored by the UC Davis Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and Warmline Family Resource and Parent Training and Information Center.
CEDD Padres para Padres (Parents Supporting Parents)
CEDD Parents Supporting Parents is an ongoing support group that is conducted entirely in Spanish. This is an opportunity for parents of children and adults with developmental disabilities of Sacramento County, to share their resources, ideas, and feelings in a supportive and confidential environment. Meetings are held on the First Tuesday of each month from 6-8 p.m. via Zoom. To register, please call 916-734-1812 or send an email to ccorral@ucdavis.edu. Sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
In-person and Virtual Sibling Groups
Sibling groups are regular meet-up sessions that give school-age siblings of children with disabilities a chance to get support from their peers and education about disabilities while doing fun activities. Siblings connect with similar-aged peers to share their experiences and learn from one another. Most session leaders are bi-lingual/bi-cultural (English and Spanish), and most have a family member with a developmental disability.
To register for our Virtual Sibling Group please contact us at hs-mindchildlife@ucdavis.edu or visit the UC Davis MIND Institute Events page.
Developmental Screening and Resources at the Mexican Consulate (Spanish)
CEDD staff offer free early developmental screenings to children from birth to 5 years old monthly at the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento, CA. The screenings help to identify any delays or developmental concerns. If a child may have a delay, CEDD can connect families with resources for more evaluation and early intervention.
CEDD also hosts a monthly resource fair at the consulate. The resource fair provides information and community connections for families of children with developmental disabilities. For more information, please contact Cecilia Corral at ccorral@ucdavis.edu or call 916-734-1812.
WarmLine Family Resource Center
WarmLine provides resources, support, training and consultation to families of children with special needs birth to age 26 in 26 counties of Northern California. WarmLine is staffed by parents who share the common experience of parenting a child with special needs.
WarmLine’s listing of support groups in Northern California
Family Resource Centers Network of California (FRCNCA)
California’s 47 Family Resource Centers are staffed by families of children with special needs and offer parent-to-parent support and help parents, families, and children locate and use needed services. They offer support services and resources in many languages, which may include newsletters, resource libraries, websites, parent-to-parent groups, sibling support groups, warm lines, and information and referral for parents and professionals.