Catholic Charities’ Supportive Parenting program helps parents with cognitive or learning disabilities raising children. Funding for this program covers families from birth to age 7 or first grade, which ever comes first, and is under the umbrella of the agency’s Family & Children’s Ministries. Yet, what happens after the funding and issues with raising children continue? A unique parish partner program was developed to allow for the continued support for these families – beyond the funded program, and, more importantly, as their child(ren) continue to age.

Client families are now linked to parenting role models through a special venture with trained volunteers from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in New Berlin. The Family Partner program matches client families with parish families in an informal support system. Participants in the program meet on at least a monthly basis, connect by telephone, and plan activities for involvement of both client and parish families. Through this unique “walking with” program, bonds of friendship have been formed and client families continue to learn positive parenting skills.