SPIN home
Home
calendar of events SPIN resources SPIN news legislative news Special Education Advisory Council news
 

PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS


ON OAHU:

Asperger's Syndrome Support Group
Hawaii Young Adults in Transition
Contact Person: Sandra Oshiro
PH: 949-1284
E-mail: ssoshiro@yahoo.com

A family support group for individuals with Asperger's Syndrome. The young adult group covers 18 through 30 years but families of younger children are welcome to attend. Usually meets on the thrid Sunday of the month at 1:00 p.m. but please call for location.

Asthma Support Group
American Lung Association of Hawaii

Contact Person: Brenda Moniz
PH: 687-5377 Fax: 537-5971
E-mail: asthma@ala-hawaii.org Website: www.ala-hawaii.org

Provides support, programs and information to parents of children with asthma and other lung conditions.

Autism Society of Hawaii
Contact Person: Jessica Wong-Sumida
PH: 394-7320
E-mail: autismhi@gmail.com Website: www.autismhi.org

Meets quarterly on Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Shriners Hospital. Call for meeting schedule.

Autism Speaks (formerly Cure Autism Now)
Contact Persons: Kalma Wong
PH: 393-5218 FAX: --
E-mail: kalma.keiko@gmail.com Website: www.autismspeaks.org

A network of parents and professionals dedicated to funding biomedical research for autism spectrum disorders, raising public awareness, and bringing hope to families.

Brain Injury Association of Hawaii
Contact Persons: Lyna Burian
PH: 956-0867
E-mail: biahi@hawaiiantel.net Website: www.biausa.org/Hawaii/

Support group meetings monthly on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. and the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Educational meetings on the 3rd Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. All meetings are held at the Rehab Hospital of the Pacific.

Community Children's Council Parent Support Groups

For a current listing of CCCs that have regular parent support group meetings, contact the Community Children's Council Office 1177 Alakea St., B100, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.
PH: 586-5363, 1-800-437-8641
Fax: 586-5366
E-mail: <Steven_Vannatta/CCCO/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us>

Provides statewide support and assistance to the Community Children's Councils (local community groups formed to help develop and evaluate the system of care mandated by the Felix Consent Decree). Also facilitates information and communication exchanges between the community and State agencies.

Down Syndrome Ohana
Keiki O Ka 'Aina
Contact Person: Ann Sullivan
PH: 366-6706
E-mail: dsoh@keikiokaaina.org
Website: www.dsohawaii.com

We are families joined together to unite and support families and provide advocacy and information concerning all aspects of life for individuals with Down Syndrome. Various activities include social gatherings, new/expectant parents visits, family workshops, informational packets, family support and quarterly newsletter.

EFMP Coffee Hour - Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Contact Person: Heather Zamyaja
PH: 257-7782
Email: heather.zamjahn@usmc.mil Website: www.facebook.com/efmphawaii

Offers a support group for families enrolled in the program to chat, find answers and get caffeinated. The group meets the fourth Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m at the Base Starbucks. Childcare provided by reservation by the prior Monday.

Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii
1240 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 225
Honolulu, HI 96814
Contact Person: Nancy Brown
PH: 528-3058 Fax:
E-mail: director-efh@hawaiiepilepsy.com Website: www.hawaiiepilepsy.com

Offers monthly "Hot Topics in Epilepsy" speaker series and quarterly social outings. Conducts free public awareness and education trainings.

Epilepsy Grassroots Support Group
94-491 Ukee St.
Waipahu, HI 96797
Contact Person: George Oki
PH: 677-8336

Offers an epilepsy support group that is run by volunteers and meets the second Wednesday of every other month from 7:00 - 8:45 p.m. at 94-491 Ukee St.

Family Support Meeting for Families with Children who have any degree of Hearing Loss
Contact Person: Amanda Kaahanui
PH: 384-8936
E-mail: kolohekai@hawaii.rr.com

Offers unbiased parent-to-parent support resources.

Hawaii Down Syndrome Congress, HI Chapter
Contact Person: Roy Yamane
PH: 672-6444
E-mail: hidownsyndrome@hawaii.rr.com Website: www.hawaiidownsyndrome.com

Meets periodically on Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 94-155 Leoole Stree, Suite A200, Waipahu. Call for dates. Also publishes a newsletter for families.

Hawaii Families As Allies
Contact Person: Charlie Daraban
PH: 487-8785, Neighbor islands call toll free 1-866-361-8825
Warmline: 487-3845 Fax: 487-0514
E-mail: hfaa@hfaa.net
Website:www.hfaa.net

Provides support and outreach to parents of children and adolescents who have emotional or behavior challenges.

HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support)
Contact Person: Sherri Vallejo
PH: 732-4846, FAX: 732-4881
E-mail: hugs@hugslove.org Website: www.hugslove.org

Provides free support and family services to parents of children birth to 21 diagnosed with having a life threatening illness or considered to be medically fragile. Provides service to the whole family.

It Takes An Ohana
Contact Person: Judith Wilhoite
PH: 540-2543, FAX: 533-1018
E-mail: jwilhoite@familyprogramshi.org Website: www.itakesanohana.org

Provides information, training and support for foster/adoptive parents, including those who are caring for children with disabilities, while providing responsible advocacy.

Kardiac Kids Parent Support Group
Contact Person: Laura Bonilla
Phone: 983-6169 (Kapiolani Medical Center)
E-mail: laurab@kapiolani.org
Contact Person: Jullie Passos
Phone: 671-9047

Offers education and support to parents whose children have heart conditions. Meets every 2nd Friday from 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Kapiolani Medical Center.

KMC Cancer Connection Support Group
Contact Person: Dr. Wendi Hirsch
PH: 983-6100
E-mail: whirsch@kapiolani.org

Provides opportunities for families who have been touched by childhood cancer to network, seek mutual support and friendship, and share information and resources. Meets the last Thursday of the month from 6-8 p.m. at Kapiolani Medical Center's Conference Room B (inside Dining Room).

Muscular Dystrophy Association
Support Groups

Contact Person: Crystal Landherr
PH: 593-4454, FAX: 597-1716
E-mail: hawaii@mdausa.org Website: www.mda.org

Offers support groups for children, young adults and adults with neuro-muscular diseases and their families on Oahu and on the Big Island . Dates for the groups vary so call or email for dates, times and locations. MDA also sponsors a camp each summer for children.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Oahu (NAMI)

Contact Person: Kathleen Hasegawa
PH: 591-1297, FAX: 591-2058
E-mail: kathi@namihawaii.org
Website: www.namihawaii.org

Provides education, support and advocacy for Alliance consumers, family members and interested community memebers whose lives are affected by neuro-biological disorders such as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, and major depression.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Graduates "Beyond the NICU Doors Hawaii"
Contact Person:
PH:
E-mail: beyondthenicudoors@gmail.com Website: http://beyondthenicudoors.weebly.com

Hawaii's first NICU graduate ohana support group offers monthly meetings with guest speakers and a network of support. Check out the website for current events.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Support Group
1180 Kupau Street
Kailua, Hawaii 96734
Contact Person: Ginny Klein
PH: 261-6987

Meets the second Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Star of the Sea Church (4470 Aliikoa Street). Call before attending a meeting.

Support Group for Parents of Youth In Juvenile Justice or Family Court
(Sponsored by Hawaii Families As Allies)
Contact Person: Kim Rivera
Ph. 487-8785
Email: kim.rivera@hfaa.net
Website:

New group provides supports to parents and caregivers of youth in Hawaii's Juvenile Justice or Family Curt systems of care. Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at Wendy's Restaurant in Kapolei. Call for times.

Talk About Curing Autism Hawaii (TACA)
Contact Person: Debbie Zimmerman or Tina Chorman
PH: 387-6338 (Debbie) 230-8431 (Tina)
E-mail: Debbie.Zimmerman@tacanow.org or Tina.Chorman@tacanow.org
Website: www.tacanow.org/hawaii

Holds informational group meetings for parents and interested professionals the 2nd Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Kaimuki Christian Church (1117 Koko Head Ave).

Tripler AMC Autism Information
Contact Person: Alan Gamble
PH: 433-6205
E-mail: alan.gamble@us.army.mil

Offers information and support for military families of children with autism spectruum disorders. Call for more information or for an appointment.

**The Exceptional Family Member Program has a website that explains the Exceptional Family Member Program and provides a context for assisting families with special needs.
Exceptional Family Member Program Connections - http://207.21.209.7/efm/Efmp/Efmp.asp

"We Care" Support Group
Army Community Service EFMP
350 Eastman Road
Contact: Leonard Webster
Ph. 655-4227
Email: Leonard.t.webster@us.army.mil
Website: www.mwrarmyhawaii.com

Offers the following support groups for any military family in the Exceptional Family Member Program: Schofield Barracks Down Syndrom Group meets 1st Wednesday, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Schofield Main Post Chapel; Scofield Barracks Autism Group meets the 2nd Wednesday, 6-7:30 p.m at the Schofield ACS bldg.; SHARE (Sharing Hints, Accomplishments, Resources and Encouragement) Group meets the 4th Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the Schofield Kalakaua Park.

ON MAUI:

Autism/PDD Family Support Group, Maui
Contact Person: Patti Kishi
Phone: (808) 298-4153
Email: girlmaui1@aol.com
Contact Person: Lisa Davies
Phone: (808) 264-4016
E-mail: davieslisaa@aol.com
Website: www.autismbridgesmaui.org

Meets every month(except November and December) on the 2nd Saturday from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at Cameron Center, Conference Room #1, 95 Mahalani St., Kahalui. Open to direct care providers and families of children with autism spectrum disorders, pervasive developmental disorders and other neuro-developmental disorders.

ON KAUAI:

Kauai Parent Support Group
Contact Person: Byron Watanabe
Phone: 246-3727/message
Contact Person: Brende Ancheta
Phone: 274-3883

Provides support & education to parents to enable them to be effective partners in the IEP process. Meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at the Lihue Public Library.

SELF HELP GROUP FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Self-Advocacy Advisory Council (SAAC)
Contact Person: Sarah Ahina
PH: 586-8100
E-mail: hawaiisaac@yahoo.com

A network of individuals with intellectual disabilities aimed at leadership development, advocacy, education and training, and becoming partners in planning, developing and implementing policies and programs for person with developmental disabilities.

United Self Help
Contact Person: Bud Bowles
PH: 931-6444 Fax: 941-6764, Neighbor islands call toll free 1-866-866-help
E-mail: director@unitedselfhelp.org
Websitel: www.unitedselfhelp.org

Offers a variety of support groups on different days and at different locations for adults with depression, schizophrenia, anxiety and other categories of mental illness. Also offers BRIDGES Education class, a "warmline" peer mentoring, a newsletter, recreational activities and help finding employment.

 



Return to Home Page