Family support network

Our family support program uses a community-based approach to help you access services and resources for your child with special needs. Regardless of your child's age or time of diagnosis, our goal is to increase your family's strength and resilience during new challenges.

Our program aims to:

• Maximize community providers’ capacity to serve families with children who have special needs
• Support you as you help your child reach their full potential

We offer specialized services that can benefit both your child and your family as you navigate this new season of life, including:

• Developmental disability (DD) Plus — Program for children who have developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs
• Lending libraries — Include materials on topics related to special needs
• Mental health referrals — Our emergency department and all pediatric departments make referrals for mental health and wellness care
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) outreach — We provide additional support for families with newborns in the NICU
• Parent leadership — Our Family Advisory Council offers leadership opportunities
• Parent-to-parent support — We match parents of newly diagnosed children with experienced, trained parents in order to help you adjust, adapt, and feel supported
• Resources and referral — In our network, you have access to information and referrals for community and regional resources aimed at helping your children and family
• Service system navigation support — For assistance navigating complex service systems
• Stepping Stones Triple P (SSTP) — Positive parenting program for parents of a special needs children
• Support groups and workshops — Provide social and emotional support, information and skills training, as well as leadership opportunities for families

Additionally, we provide homeschooling information, social security benefit guidance, school advocacy details, summer and day camp recommendations, as well as care notebooks for physical and mental health treatments. We can also provide specialized support and information as your child transitions to adult care.

Our monthly newsletter also provides up-to-date information on dates of workshops and support programs as well as community events. You can sign up for our newsletter by emailing your contact information to MHAV.FamilySupportNetwork@HCAHealthcare.com.

Families of children with special needs experience a variety of challenges. But participants of our program have said they are better able to cope with these realities than they were before participating.

Some of the benefits of joining our program include:

• Greater awareness for immediate and extended family
• Improved outcomes for your child
• Increased knowledge and understanding of your child's condition
• Parent leaders/advocates for system changes
• Reduced parental stress

Referrals are accepted by phone, email, mail or in person at the office. To learn more about our services, or to make a referral, please call Mission Children's Outpatient Center at (828) 213-0047. For services and support while your child is an inpatient, call Mission Hospital at (828) 213-9787. You can also email us your referral at MHAV.FamilySupportNetwork@HCAHealthcare.com.