Parent to Parent Program

Parent to Parent is a program of the Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center, which supports children with special needs and their families living in Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties. The Parent to Parent Program offers 1:1 and group support to parents so that they can better assist their children. Monthly support groups include: Adoption and Special Needs, Asperger's Syndrome and Similar Profiles, Autism Spectrum, Spanish Speaking Support and IEP Consultation, Spanish Speaking Parents in Sonoma, and others.

Parents are also supported by Parent Advisors who themselves have children with special needs and are trained to guide others on how to advocate for children with special needs. The Advisors also assist with referrals to other community supportive services and school enrollment.

Matrix is one of 100 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI) nationwide, authorized through the U.S. Dept. of Education's IDEA law. In addition to federal and state funds, Matrix is supported by private foundations, corporations, and individuals. All services are free.

The program's mission is to empower families of children with special needs to understand and access the systems that serve them.

According to the 2008-2009 First 5 Marin Annual Evaluation Report, 27 Marin parents received individualized 1:1 support, advice, and information. All surveyed families reported that the peer support decreased their feeling of isolation and that they had improved their knowledge and confidence in parenting their children with special needs.