How to run parent-to-parent support

By Louise Kinross

Parenting a child with a complex, life-threatening medical condition and disabilities is stressful and isolating.

Some of the best support comes from other parents—whether it’s families sharing practical or emotional support on a hospital unit or a formal program that brings parents together.

Holland Bloorview’s Peer Support Best Practice Toolkit combines firsthand parent stories, peer-support models, case studies of Ontario programs, FAQs (and answers!) and a review of the research for parents and professionals wanting to start a group.

“Through case studies and talking to families we shed light on the very unique experience of families with very complex children,” says Julia Schippke, a knowledge broker on the Evidence To Care team at Holland Bloorview.

The toolkit was funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. You can download it at the link. Section one of four gives a good overview of the project.