An open letter to Napa County Parents. . .

ParentsCAN is the realization of a dream that began 26 years ago when my daughter KT was born with significant multiple disabilities.  If you are a parent of a child with special needs, maybe you recognize yourself in my story ...

I was living in Montana, and while there were excellent medical and social services available, there was no “parent-to-parent support” agency in our town. I never felt like I could talk to doctors and social workers about anything beyond legal and medical issues. It was hard to even talk to friends. I needed someone who could understand what I was going through, and who wouldn’t judge me for my thoughts of fear, and weakness.

Then I met another mother at a physical therapy appointment for KT. We were instant support for each other. Her son was almost a year old and had Cerebral Palsy. She too was lonely, hanging on, and walking it alone. We met for coffee and “play dates”, shared our thoughts, and many tears.

We started a small support group at a local church, and only met once a month, but we never missed. The meetings were like a lifeline—a place in our town for parents to come for comfort and information, where we could be honest, understood, and helped.

When I moved to Napa, I went to work for Matrix, a parent-to-parent organization headquartered in Marin County. There was no support agency in Napa. I asked the director of Matrix if I could work in my home community. She supported me and challenged me to find the resources to support a branch of Matrix in Napa. I did. Our Napa organization grew to meet 2,000 requests for assistance from over 400 families each year, but I had always dreamed of the day when we would have a Napa-based parent support organization for families whose children have disabilities.
Then that time finally arrived!

I am proud to say that Napa Parent-Child Advocacy Network (ParentsCAN), a Family Support and Resource Center and Network for all of Napa County, was founded in July 2005!

We are here for families whose children have disabilities of all types, as well as special health care needs. While we are proud of our accomplishments, there is always much to do. There are over 2,700 children with disabilities in Napa County, according to county statistics, and hundreds more with life-altering conditions who do not qualify as disabled under government guidelines, or are not identified.
We have a great staff team of family advocates, a strong board of directors, and a growing foundation of funding from individuals, organizations, and grants.

We are located at 3299 Claremont Way, Suite 3, in Napa and our phone number is 707-253-7444. Please come by or call and be a part of this exciting parent to parent support in Napa County.  We welcome the opportunity to meet and greet each family and community member as we realize together a dream come true right here in our neighborhoods!

Joan Lockhart
Executive Director

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Share Your Story...

If you have had an experience in which you’ve received support from ParentsCAN, we would be honored to help you tell your story.  You can let others know how ParentsCAN helped to change the life of your child and family by telling your story in our newsletter and/or website.  We will either include your name or keep your identity anonymous, as you wish. 

Sharing your life experiences as a family who loves a child with special needs is so important -- to other families in similar situations, to our donors, and for your own family’s journey.

Please contact us at 253.7444 or parents@parentscan.org to get started in sharing your story.

Parents Helping Parents...

Parents helping parents is a core strength of Parent-Child Advocacy Network.  We like to stress the word “network” in our name ... and our network often comes from other parents who have been there and can relate to both the joys and sorrows of parenting a child with a disability.

Sometimes a parent comes along who stands out because they use their life experiences to make a big difference in the lives of others.  Here’s a story ...

On February 27, 2008 in the Community Room at the Napa City County Library, nine Napa County residents were quietly honored for their commitment to our community as parent leaders.  The ceremony, which was sponsored by Parent-Child Advocacy Network (ParentsCAN), was small but the commitment that these parents have made is great.

Ines DeLuna, Claudia Gallegos, Sheri Green, Keri & Robert Horon, Irais Lopez, Jennifer Siegfried, Catalina Velasquez and Kim Wedlake were nominated by five local agencies as honorees of the 2008 Napa County Parent Leadership Awards.  At the event Brad Wagenknecht, chair of the Napa County Board of Supervisors, presented a Proclamation declaring February as Parent Leadership Month.  Through her humor and insight, Dr. Barbara Nemko, Superintendent of the Napa County Office of Education, conversed with the attendees regarding what it takes to be leader, encouraging them to imagine change and explaining the steps to make their vision a reality. 

National Parent Leadership Month was created by Parents Anonymous to educate the public about this vital family strengthening and community building strategy, and encourage professionals, policymakers and other community members to create opportunities to partner with parents to address issues that affect children and families. 

Calistoga Family Center, Child Start Inc., Child Abuse Prevention Council/Cope Family Center, ParentsCAN, and St. Helena Family Resource Center each nominated parents who support the work of their agencies.  Between the nine parents honored, their leadership includes school board president, bicultural and bilingual English/Spanish voices, resource center volunteers and fundraising support, members of policy councils at the local, state and national level, co-founders of support groups, as well as providers of compassion and support to parents one-on-one. 

The parent leaders honored at the awards ceremony each began in their own homes accomplishing things that may have at first seemed impossible.  They used the knowledge they received to reach out a hand to other parents creating a circle of support, which in turn is developing the next parent leaders in Napa County.

If you are interested in reaching out to another family in a similar life situation, please let us know.  Maybe you’ll be the next parent leader in our community!