Counseling and Consultation: Individual,
family, and couples' therapy address the difficulties families often
encounter and support healthy relationships within the family.
Family therapists are certified clinical mental health counselors with specialized training in marriage and family therapy and
early childhood mental health. Interns in marriage and family therapy work under the clinical
supervision of the Kindering Center Senior Therapist.
Parent
Support Groups: A safe place to meet with other parents who are raising children with special needs. An opportunity to share the emotional impact, unique situations, joys and struggles of parenting a child with special needs, as well as gain information, problem solving strategies and advocacy skills from one another.
All parents, grandparents, infants, and toddlers are welcome.
Mothers' Circle:
Mothers’ Circle is a support group supporting a community of women
raising children 0-6y with special needs; sharing emotional
support, promoting advocacy, and creating solutions. Mothers’ Circle
is open to current Kindering Center moms and to mothers in the
greater community. The group, facilitated by a family therapist, is
offered every other week in the evening; childcare is provided.
Sibshops: Sibshops are a lively, action-packed, three hour
workshop that celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and
sisters of kids with special needs. Siblings, ages 6 to 9 years
of age and 10 to 13 years of age, meet as a group every other month
at Kindering Center. It is an opportunity for siblings to meet other
siblings and learn about special needs and understand that they are
not alone. This group welcomes Kindering Center families and
families in the greater community.
Parent Evenings: Periodic meetings focus on specific topics with plenty of time for discussion. Check the monthly newsletter or your Kindering Center mailbox for upcoming meetings.
Kindering Center Library: Books, periodicals, and videos are available for your use. The library is located in the conference room across from the preschool classrooms. Please be sure to sign out materials. We are always happy to accept donations of new or used books to the library.
Family Resource Coordination: The Family Resource Coordinator assists families to develop an appropriate plan that meets the needs of your child and family (an Individualized Family Service Plan, IFSP). She is available on an ongoing basis to assist families with resource referral and coordination. This may include direct service provision, as well as financial, respite, recreation, and advocacy issues.
The Father’s Network: A part of Kindering Center since 1985, the Fathers’ Network is for ALL men who play an important role in the lives of children with special needs. There are two levels to the program:
- Washington State Fathers Network (WSFN) a statewide program comprised of 13 regional programs. The WSFN produces a newsletter, manages a web page (http://www.fathersnetwork.org), and holds regional and statewide conferences (the first Saturday in June). The Kindering Center Fathers Network is one of the 13 programs.
- Kindering Center Fathers' Network- this program meets every second Saturday during the school year for discussion and support. Programs for the entire family include: a fall Very Special Arts of Washington celebration, holiday parties, a spring barbecue, and the annual Fathers Day weekend campout in Anacortes.
Your child does not need to be attending Kindering Center to participate. Professional childcare is provided, and men are encouraged to bring their children, including typically developing siblings. The atmosphere is relaxed, upbeat and fun. There is no charge for this program and transportation can be arranged. DO JOIN US!
