In Virginia, estimates vary on the number of people with developmental disabilities. All estimates indicate that over 110,000 people with disabilities need support to be included in their communities. National statistics tell us that 60% of adults with disabilities and the vast majority of children with disabilities live at home with their families.

Approximately 70,000 children and adults with disabilities received some type of support through early intervention, special education, Home and Community-Based Waivers, and family support funding. So who is looking out for the unmet needs and supporting the other families in Virginia?

Parent to Parent of Virginia believes in the innate strength of most families. Therefore, we have a philosophy that our services should affirm parents' strengths and enable parents to obtain for themselves the services and supports their families need. We believe that professionals can give a family direction and ideas, but in order for families to become empowered, they need to be confident to explore and discover their own personal strengths. Parents need support from other parents so that they can carry on with their lives. To sit back and pity a family does not help them to help themselves. The best we can offer parents is positive self-esteem, pride in themselves and in their families, and the ability to seek the services and supports they need.

Parent to Parent contact can help families regain their sense of strength, of purpose and of independence. Through its network of volunteers, Parent to Parent of Virginia can offer:

• Emotional support and understanding
• Coping skills and a model of positive family integration of children with disabilities
• Information about services, support programs and advocacy organizations
• Introduction and access to people and groups who share their concerns and interests and who can help meet their needs, as well as those of their children

All of the staff of Parent to Parent of Virginia have a family member with disabilities and/or have a college degree in the field of disabilities.

As you navigate this webpage, you will learn more about Parent to Parent support, programs of Parent to Parent of Virginia, networking opportunities, and community and state resources.