Parent to Parent Networking

The Resource Center provides family support services for parents of children, from birth to age 22, who have special education needs for physical and developmental disabilities. The center works in conjunction with Special Education programs in the school districts of the Southwest area. It is directly responsible for early intervention programs for infants and toddlers, 0 to 3 years who have visual or hearing impairments or orthopedic disabilities. Services are available for families in El Segundo, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, and Torrance.

The agency provides specialized information and referral services to families of children with special needs. The agency refers families to agencies and collaboratives that provide early intervention services in the areas of language and audiological services, family education, infant development programs, medical services, occupational and physical therapy, and psychological services.

The Center can assist parents to apply for Regional Center services and will refer parents to the nearest Family Resource Center within the Southwest Regional center service area for asssistance in preparing an application.

The center can also arrange parent to parent networking, either one on one or in a parent support group. The center also operates a telephone warmline/talkline, staffed by parents of disabled children. They provide support and information. Home visits can be arranged for services and parent support.

The agency also maintains a lending library stocked with parenting materials such as books, literature and videos which provides information for families with special needs children.

The agency also presents educational events aimed at preparing families to help their disabled children transition from early detection programs to special education programs provided by the public school system.