NLACRC: Community: Training & Support

Other Support Groups in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and
Antelope Valleys

The list below is for informational purposes only. NLACRC does not endorse, nor is it affiliated with any of the groups listed below.

"Everyone is Different" Support Group - NEW!
A support group for families of children with special needs. For more information, please contact Sandy at 213-383-1300, ext. 4990, Nellia at 213-383-1300, ext. 6038 or Annette at 323-256-6829. Please view the flyer for the Oct. meeting.
>> view the flyer (pdf)

Parents Supporting Parents
Next meeting: The Dec. meeting has been canceled. January meeting will be held 1/27/09 at 6:30 p.m. This is a support group for all parents and family members of adult children who have developmental disabilities. The group provides a grass roots sense of community, place to brainstorm for solutions, place to share ideas and set future goals, and a place to discuss challenges, triumphs, joy and more! Meetings are held at Leeza's Place, 5000 Van Nuys Blvd., in Sherman Oaks near Sherman Oaks Hospital. Enter on Addison. Please RSVP to Jeri at 818-992-3166 or 818-905-4501 or by email at "jcbreality@sbcglobal.net." This group meeting is geared for adults only, 18 years and older. Sorry, but child care is not available.

Parent Support Group for Families of Children with Autism
This group is facilitated by a parent advocate and a parent attorney who are both parents of children with special needs. Meetings are held the first Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Meetings are held at United Cerebral Palsy in Woodland Hills. For more information, please call Andrea at (818) 343-2227 or visit their web site at www.kenproject.com.

Santa Clarita Autism/Asperger's Network (SCAAN)
A non-profit organization that offers family support group meetings, monthly newsletter, social and educational events. Group meets at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month (except December) at NLACRC Santa Clarita Valley conference room, 28470 W. Avenue Stanford, Suite 100, Santa Clarita. Evening meetings are also held. For more information visit www.scaan.org or call (661) 297-8381.

Bereavement Support Group
Please call (818) 756-7741 for meeting dates and times.

Center for Grief and Loss for Children
Support group provided for children and their families to help with the healing from the death of a loved one. For more information, please call (818) 744-7433.

San Fernando Valley Down Syndrome Parent Support Group
Meets the third Tuesday of the month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Granada Hills. For more information, please call (818) 242-7871.

Antelope Valley Down Syndrome Parent Support Group
Held the second Thursday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Baby Steps in Lancaster. For more information, please call (661) 951-4646.

Families Caring for Families
Information and referral for families with special needs children, parent support group, parent guide book, equipment, toys, clothing share program. Serving the Antelope Valley. For more information, please call (661) 949-1746.

Fragile X Association of Southern California
Parent groups offering information and referral and parent support groups. For more information, please call (818) 754-4227.

Friends of the Family
Offers a variety of support groups. For more information, please call
(818) 988-4430.

H.E.L.P. Group
Provides counseling to children 2-21 years with Medi-Cal or Healthy Family Insurance. For more information, please call (818) 781-0360.

KIDS – Lancaster/Palmdale Down Syndrome Support Group
Support Group for parents of children with Down Syndrome in the Lancaster/Palmdale area. Meetings are held the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at first Presbyterian Church at 1850 E. Avenue R, Palmdale.
Contact: Chrystyne Wright at chrystyne@earthlink.net

Los Angeles Asperger’s Syndrome Parent Group
For parents of children with Asperger’s syndrome. Meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Julia Ann Singer Center at Vista Del Mar, 3200 Motor Avenue, West Los Angeles.
Contact: Fran Goldfarb or Jim Devine at (310) 543-5064

Los Angeles Families for Effective Autism Treatment (LA FEAT)
LA FEAT is a group of parents of children with autism dedicated to providing education to families and the community on effective autism treatments, and to provide support to families seeking effective treatments for their children on the autism spectrum. Meetings are held the 2nd Monday of the month, from 7-9 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Manhattan Beach. For more information, please call Gretchen Shanofsky toll free at 1-866-4LAFEAT. Visit their web site at www.lafeat.org.

San Fernando Valley Self-Help Group (Epilepsy)
Information and referral, self-help groups, educational outreach, parent phone number network, conferences, seizure first aid training. Held the first Thursday of each month at L.A. Valley College in Van Nuys. For more information, call
(800) 564-0445.

Stand Together Support Group (CHADD)
For any adult with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in the San Fernando Valley. Meetings are held the first Thursday of each month in Tarzana. Please call (818) 773-4068 for more information.
TACA Valley (Talk About Curing Autism – San Fernando Valley Chapter)
Meetings are held in West Hills.
Contact: Moira at (818) 888-9197 or Cathy at (310) 446-9387

Talk About Curing Autism (TACA)
A not-for-profit organization focused on building the autism community by connecting people - families, friends, and professionals. Their focus is on sharing information which can help children with autism be the best that they can be. The San Fernando Valley chapter of TACA meets at the Child Development Institute, 6800 Owensmouth (corner of Owensmouth and Vanowen) in Woodland Hills, on the first Sunday of every month, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Sorry - because our meeting space is generously donated, we cannot allow any children. No exceptions. For more information, contact co-facilitators Cathy Beier, cgbeier@adelphia.net, 310/446-9387 or Moira Giammatteo, moira@netzero.net, 818/888-9197.

Team of Advocates for Special Kids (T.A.S.K.)
Assistance and support for parents seeking educational, medical or therapeutic support services for their children up to age 22.
For more information, please call (714) 533-TASK (8275).