Family Support

The well being of a young child is, in large part, dependent upon the well being of his or her family.   Therefore, the Center supports children by providing support to them and to their families.  Staff work to strengthen families by providing:

Individual Family Supports

The center’s staff is here to answer questions, connect families with others who are on a similar journey,  provide short-term counseling, and assist with advocacy and finding  helpful resources in the community .

Parent Support Groups & Family Activities

Parents of children of any age are welcome to choose from among informational meetings, fun family activities at the Center and in the community, and support group meetings.  Childcare is provided during the meetings upon request.

Family Parent Conference

Once a year, the Center offers families the opportunity to come together for a  one-day conference and an opportunity to connect and learn from each other.  Childcare is provided.  

Parent-to-Parent Program

Any parent of a child with a visual impairment has the option of being matched with a support parent through our parent-to-parent hotline. Support parents are trained volunteers who have agreed to listen and share information about their first-hand experiences raising a child with a visual impairment. To the extent possible, support parents are selected according to similarity of diagnosis and/or experience dealing with expressed issues of concern. To request a parent match, please contact Debbie Chapuis, Family Support Services Coordinator, at 314-776-1300 ext. 101 or 800-651-0818 or dchapuis@dgckids.org.

Specialized  Groups for Family Members

All family members are impacted by the birth of a child, and a child with visual impairments is no exception.  The staff strives to ensure that the impact is positive by providing support services to all family members.

• Siblings: We hold special meetings for brothers and sisters to provide them with opportunities to meet other children in similar situations, get their questions answered, be acknowledged as important family members, and have fun.
• Grandparents: Grandparents often have their own questions and concerns about their grandchildren and their children. Our grandparent meetings provide them with opportunities to meet other grandparents of children with visual impairments, get their questions answered, express their concerns, and share their joys.

Family Support Enrollment Form

Our online forms are temporarily unavailable. Please please call 314-776-1300 or email info@dgckids.org for questions and information on forms.