House approves Parent to Parent program expansion
During floor action Friday, the state House passed legislation that would expand the national Parent to Parent program to all 39 Washington counties. Rep. Maureen Walsh, the bill's sponsor, says this program has proven essential for many families with children with developmental disabilities.
“This is a great program that is vitally important to new families with children with developmental disabilities,” said Walsh, R-Walla Walla. “By matching these parents with volunteer parents who also have children with similar special needs, it will help new parents not feel so isolated as well as help them navigate the variety of services and options that exist for them.”
The Parent to Parent program is a national nonprofit organization that supports parents of children with developmental disabilities by connecting them with other volunteer parents of children with similar needs. Among the services provided by the program, which includes training and workshops for families, it also aims to create a sense of community for families in similar circumstances.
The programs currently operates in 31 Washington counties.
The House approved House Bill 2394 on a 93-3 vote.
