Peer Parent Mentor Program

Parents who have children and adults with disabilities, chronic and mental health conditions and other health care needs find out about their child’s condition in many different ways and at many different times. However, they all experience the same emotions, in varying degrees, to the news. Parents feel isolated and overwhelmed with a mixture of shock, panic, denial, fear, guilt, sadness, depression, anger, and anxiety.

Having a child with special health care needs sets parents on a different journey than the one that was originally expected. Fortunately, many parents have “gone before” and can be a source of strength, hope, direction, and help. Peer support is the heart of Texas Parent to Parent’s (TxP2P) service to parents so that a parent never need feel alone or isolated again. (See research on this support model.)

A parent match specifically connects the requesting parent with an experienced, supporting parent who can:

• help with problem-solving,
• listen to you and truly understand your circumstances,
• offer emotional support,
• provide information about the disability, illness or special health care need,
• connect you to community resources,
• give first-hand experience about caring for and parenting a child with special health care needs, and
• make referrals to other agencies who may make your life a little easier.

Parent-to-parent matching is available to any parent who requests it, providing that a suitable match can be found. If a match cannot be found in Texas, TxP2P staff support the parent while looking for a match with our 33 sister statewide parent-to-parent programs. If you would like to request a “Parent Match”, complete our online Parent Matching form so we can better assist you. If you would like to be trained as a Peer Parent Mentor, please email at ppmp@txp2p.org.