“Siblings of Children with Disabilities- Understanding Their Special Needs”

• As the award-winning director of the Sibling Support Project of The Arc of the United States, speaker, author, and creator of the Sibshop model, Don Meyer has presented on issues facing families of children with special needs all over the world.
• Don was a founder of the SEFAM (Supporting Extended Family Members) program at the University of Washington, which pioneered services for fathers, siblings, and grandparents of children with special needs.
• His Sibshop model provides peer support and information to young brothers and sisters of children with significant health concerns and intellectual disabilities.
Please join us on November 20, 2009
at the Holyoke Holiday Inn and Conference Center
245 Whiting Farms Road, Holyoke, MA 01040

8:30 am: Registration (beverages provided)
9:00-9:15 Opening remarks by Doug McCallum, Dept. of Developmental Services, Director of Family Support Central/West Regional Office
9:15-12:00 Brothers and Sisters of People with Disabilities: Unique Concerns, Unique Opportunities
12:00-1:00 Lunch (deli buffet provided)
1:00-3:00 Panel of Adult Siblings of People with Disabilities

Registration information and directions are located on back. For more information, contact the Family Support Division at 413-586-8196.

This conference is made possible through the generosity of Westfield Bank,
and with the support of the following professional partners:
Department of Developmental Services, Franklin/Hampshire Area Office; Behavioral Health Network; Casa Latina, Inc.; Community Resources for People with Autism; Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western Massachusetts; Springfield Jewish Community Center Special Needs Department; Thom Springfield Infant Toddler Services; Unified Sports Program; The United Arc; and Whole Children, Inc.